May the Force Be With You

[SuperGabers]

Okay. So I have been thinking about how I want to expand my knowledge/appreciation/testimony on the power of the Priesthood. I don't have a full understanding of the Priesthood and it is baffling how a few words can suddenly allow a man to have the ability to move mountains, if he so choses... and God too, I guess.

I guess I am interested on what you CUFers felt when you received the pofP. Did you experience a "whoosh" sensation of it entering your body, or tingles, or nothing at all? When you have used your pofP, have you had any experiences or felt that there is something greater out there... That there is a God?

And for you CUFets, what have you felt when receiving priesthood blessings?

I know spiritual experiences should be held close to the heart and some should not be shared especially in the public Foyer. If you do want to share something more private, feel free to be the first to start something in the SE.

I have never had a profound experience with the pofP and I am a bit skeptical of it to be honest. There have been times in my life where I have felt so rotten and sought a blessing for the sick, but did not receive any relief. It has become frustrating to me and almost feel resentful towards it. It is not as though I have lacked faith in the past and it makes me wonder if it is the fault of the person giving the blessing. Don't read too much into that comment regarding UD and me. I've felt inquisitive about the pofP all my life.

Your thoughts?

[byu71]

Okay. So I have been thinking about how I want to expand my knowledge/appreciation/testimony on the power of the Priesthood. I don't have a full understanding of the Priesthood and it is baffling how a few words can suddenly allow a man to have the ability to move mountains, if he so choses... and God too, I guess.

I guess I am interested on what you CUFers felt when you received the pofP. Did you experience a "whoosh" sensation of it entering your body, or tingles, or nothing at all? When you have used your pofP, have you had any experiences or felt that there is something greater out there... That there is a God?

And for you CUFets, what have you felt when receiving priesthood blessings?

I know spiritual experiences should be held close to the heart and some should not be shared especially in the public Foyer. If you do want to share something more private, feel free to be the first to start something in the SE.

I have never had a profound experience with the pofP and I am a bit skeptical of it to be honest. There have been times in my life where I have felt so rotten and sought a blessing for the sick, but did not receive any relief. It has become frustrating to me and almost feel resentful towards it. It is not as though I have lacked faith in the past and it makes me wonder if it is the fault of the person giving the blessing. Don't read too much into that comment regarding UD and me. I've felt inquisitive about the pofP all my life.

Your thoughts?

I was only twelve when I received it. I think I was both worried about my hair getting messed up and what instructions were being given me by my father. I didn't feel anything.

I can say I have felt a special feeling at times both giving and receiving a blessing, but I don't know how to explain it more than that.

[clackamascoug]

An example.

I went to the Temple today with the youth. I was assigned to do confirmations. I can testify that the influence of the Holy Ghost was present, and with every "receive the Holy Ghost" that was said, there was a confirming presence.

[SuperGabers]

An example.

I went to the Temple today with the youth. I was assigned to do confirmations. I can testify that the influence of the Holy Ghost was present, and with every "receive the Holy Ghost" that was said, there was a confirming presence.

When they do confirmations in SM and they say that phrase, I do feel my heart rate go up.

[UtahDan]

Too bad this thread is not getting more traffic. I would be curious to know people's responses as well.

[Babs]

Too bad this thread is not getting more traffic. I would be curious to know people's responses as well.

I was curious, too, but I don't really have a lot I can contribute.

[Surfah]

To be honest I don't recall feeling much at my ordination as a 12 year old deacon. I remember my entire family being there. When I was ordained an elder all I can recall was feeling immense guilt. I had just graduated from HS the day before. My grandparents were there from Hawaii. My grandfather is a twice excommunicated member. I wanted them to be a part of it and felt extreme pressure that the experience may help my grandfather return to the fold. But I wasn't even close to being worthy. It's one of my great regrets in this life.

[Rosebud]

And for you CUFets, what have you felt when receiving priesthood blessings?

I feel very emotional when I get priesthood blessings. It's a time when someone is focusing on me and my needs and is sincerely trying to say something that will help me. It's pretty cool to have my father do that for me. He's so sincere and kind that it's a bonding experience.

My husband is a little different because he often focuses on me and thinks about taking care of my needs. It's still cool when I'm forced to shut up and listen, though. I like it (whether he's successful or not) that he is working to commune with a higher power outside of himself during it. It's sweet.

I think it's unfortunate that spirituality is stymied by some of the rules we're taught about the appropriate ways to share these experiences. My husband and I have never had the experience of switching roles, for example. He actually might be okay with it, but it seems like such a strange thing to even talk about in our culture. My relationship with my mom is very strained. I wonder if it would help us if she felt like she could give me a blessing. I wonder what it would be like to give her one back.

It's also unfortunate when people in bad relationships use blessings to control or powerfully make their point rather than to care for the person they're blessing. I think having a person stand behind you and rest the weight of their hands on your head while they speak the words of god has the potential to be particularly destructive in some situations.

[Danimal]

Okay. So I have been thinking about how I want to expand my knowledge/appreciation/testimony on the power of the Priesthood. I don't have a full understanding of the Priesthood and it is baffling how a few words can suddenly allow a man to have the ability to move mountains, if he so choses... and God too, I guess.

I guess I am interested on what you CUFers felt when you received the pofP. Did you experience a "whoosh" sensation of it entering your body, or tingles, or nothing at all? When you have used your pofP, have you had any experiences or felt that there is something greater out there... That there is a God?

And for you CUFets, what have you felt when receiving priesthood blessings?

I know spiritual experiences should be held close to the heart and some should not be shared especially in the public Foyer. If you do want to share something more private, feel free to be the first to start something in the SE.

I have never had a profound experience with the pofP and I am a bit skeptical of it to be honest. There have been times in my life where I have felt so rotten and sought a blessing for the sick, but did not receive any relief. It has become frustrating to me and almost feel resentful towards it. It is not as though I have lacked faith in the past and it makes me wonder if it is the fault of the person giving the blessing. Don't read too much into that comment regarding UD and me. I've felt inquisitive about the pofP all my life.

Your thoughts?

I remember feeling proud and good when I got the priesthood -- the family was proud, i was doing the right thing, etc. Nothing particularly spiritual, but a sense of pride.

I used to think that my words were being directed during blessings and would focus very intensely to try to get it right. Over the years, though, I realized that there wasn't much of a correlation between what I said and the outcome. My patriarchal blessing makes some pretty specific me giving blessings, but my personal experience has not matched that at all. What I do sometimes feel is a strong feeling of love for the person. I sometimes feel guilty when asked to give blessings as I don't have much faith that it will change anything.

[Surfah]

I have had a few tender moments in giving someone a blessing and receiving blessings. Twice I have been asked to give blessings to someone on death's door and each time I knew that they were appointed to death when I placed my hands on their head and no words or amount of faith would change that.

Mostly though I feel humility when asked to give a blessing, particularly by those who I may not know well. Their faith, whether it be in me or the priesthood I hold, is inspiring and has strengthened me at times when I may have been at a loss for words. I remember in one of my wards at BYU after my mission a kid that I didn't know that well called me one evening and asked if I would give him a blessing. I wasn't his home teacher. We weren't in the same FHE group. I wasn't even in the same apartment building as he lived. I don't know if he called the Bishop pr someone and they instructed him to call me or if he just thought of me on his own. Regardless, that experience really made me appreciate the priesthood I hold and reinforced to me the importance to be a worthy possessor of it. Like Danimal said too, I certainly feel a great love towards those I have administered to. Exercising the priesthood seems to enlarge one's heart. It's a very intimate thing.

[Katy Lied]

I feel very emotional when I get priesthood blessings. It's a time when someone is focusing on me and my needs and is sincerely trying to say something that will help me. It's pretty cool to have my father do that for me. He's so sincere and kind that it's a bonding experience.

My husband is a little different because he often focuses on me and thinks about taking care of my needs. It's still cool when I'm forced to shut up and listen, though. I like it (whether he's successful or not) that he is working to commune with a higher power outside of himself during it. It's sweet.

nice thoughts

[UtahDan]

I remember feeling proud and good when I got the priesthood -- the family was proud, i was doing the right thing, etc. Nothing particularly spiritual, but a sense of pride.

I used to think that my words were being directed during blessings and would focus very intensely to try to get it right. Over the years, though, I realized that there wasn't much of a correlation between what I said and the outcome. My patriarchal blessing makes some pretty specific me giving blessings, but my personal experience has not matched that at all. What I do sometimes feel is a strong feeling of love for the person. I sometimes feel guilty when asked to give blessings as I don't have much faith that it will change anything.

This describes very closely my feelings and experiences. I would add to your last sentence though, that I have also decided that the outcome has little to do with me ultimately and so that takes some pressure off. But I also think that I can give words of comfort that are appropriate to any blessing because they are certainly true. God loves you. God is mindful of you. God doesn't want you to give up. Etc.