Handbook Highlight

18.3 Participation in an Ordinance or Blessing

Those who perform or participate in an ordinance or blessing must have the necessary priesthood authority and be worthy. Generally, the standard of worthiness is that associated with holding a temple recommend. However, as guided by the Spirit and the instructions in this chapter, bishops and stake presidents may allow fathers and husbands who hold the necessary priesthood office to perform or participate in some ordinances and blessings even if they are not fully temple worthy. A priesthood holder who has unresolved serious sins should not participate.

Generally, only priesthood leaders and other priesthood holders who are close family members and friends participate in an ordinance or blessing.

The person receiving the ordinance, family members, and priesthood leaders counsel together to determine who and how many will participate. This decision should be made well before the ordinance is performed.

When only one or two priesthood holders participate, each of them places both hands lightly on the person’s head. When several participate, they stand in a circle around the person receiving the ordinance or blessing. Each one places his right hand lightly on the person’s head (or under the baby) and his left hand on the shoulder of the brother to his left. One acts as voice to perform the ordinance or give the blessing.

Performing or receiving some ordinances and blessings requires approval from a presiding leader who holds the necessary priesthood keys (see 3.4.1). As needed, approval may be given by a counselor he authorizes. See the following charts. References to stake presidents apply also to mission presidents. References to bishops apply also to branch presidents.

Which Leaders Hold Keys to Give Approval to Perform or Receive the Ordinances of Salvation and Exaltation?

Ordinance	Who Holds Keys
Baptism	Bishop (for 8-year-old children and for members of record ages 9 and older whose baptism was delayed due to intellectual disabilities) Mission president (for converts)
Confirmation and gift of the Holy Ghost	Bishop (for 8-year-old children and for members of record ages 9 and older whose baptism was delayed due to intellectual disabilities) Mission president (for converts)
Conferral of the Melchizedek Priesthood and ordination to an office (for men)	Stake president
Temple endowment	Bishop and stake president
Temple sealing	Bishop and stake president

Which Leaders Hold Keys to Give Approval to Perform or Receive Other Ordinances and Blessings?

Ordinance or Blessing	Who Holds Keys
Naming and blessing children	Bishop
The sacrament	Bishop
Conferral of the Aaronic Priesthood and ordination to an office (for young men and men)	Bishop
Setting apart members to serve in callings	See 30.8
Consecrating oil	Approval not needed
Administering to the sick	Approval not needed
Blessings of comfort and counsel, including father’s blessings	Approval not needed
Dedicating homes	Approval not needed
Dedicating graves	The priesthood leader who presides over the service
Patriarchal blessings	Bishop

18.4 Ordinances for Minor Children

Guidelines for obtaining approval from parents or guardians for a minor child to receive the following ordinances and blessings are provided in the sections listed below:

• For naming and blessing: 38.2.7.2 and 38.2.7.3

• For baptism and confirmation: 38.2.8.2

• For ordination to a priesthood office: 38.2.9.2

For questions about the legal rights of parents or guardians, the bishop or stake president seeks legal advice from the Church’s Office of General Counsel or from the area office (see 38.8.23).

From General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gospel Library.