Asking non-temple worthy elder to participate in baby blessing?

[Backroads]

Yes, this is total way-too-in-advance planning, but I was thinking about it after leaving the doctor's this morning.

I believe I have mentioned a certain young man who is connected to my family. He is currently not temple worthy nor will be for about another half a year. I truly adore this kid and really really want Husband to have him in the circle for the baby blessing.

I am assuming he can participate despite not having a temple recommend. BUT I would like to have that clarified so months down the road we don't have an awkward situation. Because I think asking someone to participate that can't participate would be, well, awkward.

Am I safe to go through with my intentions?

[Vort]

Originally Posted by Backroads

Yes, this is total way-too-in-advance planning, but I was thinking about it after leaving the doctor's this morning.

I believe I have mentioned a certain young man who is connected to my family. He is currently not temple worthy nor will be for about another half a year. I truly adore this kid and really really want Husband to have him in the circle for the baby blessing.

I am assuming he can participate despite not having a temple recommend. BUT I would like to have that clarified so months down the road we don't have an awkward situation. Because I think asking someone to participate that can't participate would be, well, awkward.

Am I safe to go through with my intentions?

Such ordinances are performed under the auspices of the presiding authority, usually the bishop. He needs to approve such participation. My bishops have actually asked me to have my male relatives bring their current temple recommend to the blessings. The bishop may indeed approve a non-temple-recommend-worthy brother to participate; that would be his call.

[Dravin]

This is what the CHI says about worthiness:

20.1.2
Worthiness to Participate in an Ordinance or Blessing

Only a Melchizedek Priesthood holder who is worthy to hold a temple recommend may act as voice in confirming a person a member of the Church, conferring the Melchizedek Priesthood, ordaining a person to an office in that priesthood, or setting apart a person to serve in a Church calling.

As guided by the Spirit and the instructions in the next paragraph, bishops and stake presidents have discretion to allow priesthood holders who are not fully temple worthy to perform or participate in some ordinances and blessings. However, presiding officers should not allow such participation if a priesthood holder has unresolved serious sins.

A bishop may allow a father who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood to name and bless his children even if the father is not fully temple worthy. Likewise, a bishop may allow a father who is a priest or Melchizedek Priesthood holder to baptize his children or to ordain his sons to offices in the Aaronic Priesthood. A Melchizedek Priesthood holder in similar circumstances may be allowed to stand in the circle for the confirmation of his children, for the conferral of the Melchizedek Priesthood on his sons, or for the setting apart of his wife or children. However, he may not act as voice.

Link: Priesthood Ordinances and Blessings*

I'm not sure I'd make the assumption that he would be allowed, as it looks like the exceptions are aimed at fathers and husbands. It is possible that due to his unique circumstances that the individual in question may be able to participate but I would certainly discuss it with both your Bishop and his (assuming they are different) as opposed to assuming.

[JayJ]

Yes, it could be possible, especially if the person involved was the father of the child. But simply put, as Vort mentioned above, you need to ask the Bishop seeing as he presides.

By the way, congratulations!

[MarginOfError]

And if this brother isn't in your ward, he will may want to ask his bishop to give him a "Recommend to Perform an Ordinance." Technically speaking, this is only necessary if he will be acting as voice, but if he were to obtain one, it would be a good signal that his bishop considers him worthy to participate in the ordinance.

If you don't want to go that route, you could have your bishop speak privately to his bishop to inquire about the worthiness status.

[classylady]

I wonder what "not fully temple worthy" means? My son, who is an Elder has blessed his babies, and done baptisms, and I guess would be considered not fully temple worthy. He and his wife have not been to the temple, but are working towards it.

[Wingnut]

Originally Posted by classylady

I wonder what "not fully temple worthy" means? My son, who is an Elder has blessed his babies, and done baptisms, and I guess would be considered not fully temple worthy. He and his wife have not been to the temple, but are working towards it.

Not worthy simply because he hasn't been yet, or not worthy because he's not worthy?

[classylady]

For my son, maybe a little of both. He's taken care of past transgressions, but he's on the road so much because of his job, he can't always attend church.

[mnn727]

Yes, he can, but if he is not a member of your ward you will need to co-ordinate through your Bishop and his

[PaPa]

Originally Posted by Backroads

Yes, this is total way-too-in-advance planning, but I was thinking about it after leaving the doctor's this morning.

I believe I have mentioned a certain young man who is connected to my family. He is currently not temple worthy nor will be for about another half a year. I truly adore this kid and really really want Husband to have him in the circle for the baby blessing.

I am assuming he can participate despite not having a temple recommend. BUT I would like to have that clarified so months down the road we don't have an awkward situation. Because I think asking someone to participate that can't participate would be, well, awkward.

Am I safe to go through with my intentions?

There are a number of things that word keep someone from the Temple that would not exclude someone from the Temple that would not exclude him from this...prayer.