Blessing people in your family and community is an import part of growing with one another. It indicates support and concern for one another. There are three forms which Mormonism recognizes: Blessing of Children, Matriarch/Evangelist/Patriarch, and Health.

Blessing of Children

This blessing is typically performed in a public space or at home and among the child’s family and community. The blessing is ideally given by 2 people: one holding the child (if the child is quite young) and the other giving the actual blessing. Hands are placed on the child, preferably on the head if possible.

Begin the blessing by stating the child’s name. While there is no formal structure for this prayer, it is appropriate to ask for a goddess’s, god’s, or dietiy’s presence and guidance for the child, parents, and community. However, it is not appropriate to counsel the parents, family, or make promises for the child during the blessing. This blessing should be relatively brief, as children are prone to restlessness.

Some sects of Mormonism have practiced ordination as a sort of right of passage when one turns 12, 14, 16, and 18. However, it is more appropriate to give a child’s blessing at these milestones instead of forcing a call upon someone.

Matriarch/Evangelist/Patriarch

This blessing gives support and guidance to those who are in need while they are going through a pivotal point in their life. This blessing is to give confidence to move forward in life while deepening relationships with both the goddesses, gods, and deities and those the blesee cares for.

The person giving the blessing is someone who has had experiences which give them wisdom and spiritual sensitivity that is needed to articulate the support and guidance that is being sought. This person giving the blessing becomes a mentor of sorts as they forge a friendship, and the preparatory period can be anywhere from a couple weeks to several months.

It should be noted that no one is under the obligation to extend or receive this blessing. There can be factors such as timing, readiness, appropriateness, or even personality conflicts which can make either people uncomfortable. A recommendation for another person to give the blessing might be the best course of action.

Once both people feel the time is right, the blessing may be given. It is usually given in a private area with only a few close friends or family. The person giving the blessing lays their hands on the head of the person being blessed. The blessing contains words of awareness, thanksgiving, acceptance, affirmation, counsel, life direction, blessing, and love .

The blessing is written ahead of time so it can be well thought out, well articulated, and pertinent to the person’s circumstances. The person giving the blessing then reads it out loud to the person it is being given to while their hands are on their head. After the blessing is given, a transcript of the blessing is sent to the person and another transcript is kept by the Matriarch/Evangelist/Patriarch.

Health

The purpose of this blessing is to provide comfort from trusted members of the community. The comfort needed is different in every circumstance. Sometimes people need comfort through physical ills, emotional or mental trials, or spiritually turbulent times. The comfort of this blessing should be given freely to all who request it.

This blessing is performed in a private area, such as a home or hospital room. It is performed in 2 parts, preferably with a separate person performing each part.

The first part is anointing with consecrated oil. To begin, put a drop of oil on the person’s head and lay hands upon it. Address the person by their full name, state that they are being anointed with oil that was consecrated for blessing the sick and afflicted, and then close in the name of a goddess, god, or deity.

The second part is sealing the anointing. To begin, address the person by their full name, and then give a blessing as the spirit directs, and then close in the name of a goddess, god, or deity.

It is very important to understand that this blessing is not a substitute for medical attention or medication. Additionally, promising that the person will be healed is also inappropriate.