Back-to-school priesthood blessings

School has or is about to start again in many places in and outside the United States. As prophets have recommended and continue to recommend, this is the perfect time to pronounce a blessing on the students in your family and other family members who might request one.It is good if there is a father or priesthood holder in the home to give the blessing, but sometimes this isn't the case, and that's where a home teacher or family friend can be of real assistance. I am a big fan of priesthood blessings because they benefit both the individuals and families involved.First, it allows for the exercise of priesthood power in the home. Priesthood is the power given to man to act in God's name on the earth.I've told my sons, and now I tell my 6-year-old grandson, that when a young man in the church turns 12 and is worthy, he will be ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood. He will be more powerful than Batman or Superman, or any other superhero because he has "real superpowers."He will not have power in the way the world perversely views it but in the fact that God will "empower" him and give him strength and power beyond his own abilities if he asks in faith, acts in righteousness and seeks to do God's will.Second, when a student receives a school blessing, the worthy person administering the blessing demonstrates to that child the power of God in action. How is this so? The Spirit will be there and will be felt by those who are open to the Spirit.The last part of that sentence is a qualifier for those of you who have teenagers who aren't that keen on getting a priesthood blessing. But take heart in what I call the family home evening principle, which is: Regardless of how much they might complain or how obnoxiously a child might behave during FHE, nine times out of 10 they are hearing something you say and it will prove to be of some benefit — I promise! — though it may be light years in the future before you see the results.Also, the power of God can be observed in the details of the blessing or, if more than one person is getting a blessing, by noticing the differences between the blessings given. Because each blessing comes from God, it will be tailored to the individual recipient.When we had six children at home, I was always struck by how different each child's blessing was. The Savior knows us better than we know ourselves. Each blessing will speak to the needs and personality of that child, to encourage, to warn and to counsel them for the year ahead. This leads to the next reason school blessings are of such great value. A parent may know his or her children well, but God knows them better. A parent or guardian who listens closely to the blessing and the advice the child receives will learn a lot about the child and be better equipped to assist that child as he or she goes through the coming school year. The benefits to the child receiving the blessing are innumerable. A few are worth mentioning. A blessing indicates a concern and interest by the parent in that child and in this or her welfare. A blessing forewarns and in this way can prepare that student for the year ahead. What a huge advantage a child has knowing there are certain things they should or should not do over the coming year. A blessing allows the child to set practical and constructive goals and make worthwhile plans for the school year ahead.It is also a good idea for the child to record what he or she remembers from that blessing. There may be times over the course of the school year when discouragement strikes or testimony is challenged. Having a record of the school blessing will allow the child to pull it out, read it, revisit that experience, renew the spirit felt and recall what was said and, if necessary, make course corrections.Conversely there may be times of joy and fulfillment that were indicated in the blessing. When these occasions occur it will remind the student of the Lord's omniscience, of his interest in their lives, and of his love and concern for their happiness. In this way — in the giving and receiving of school blessings — testimony can be built and testimony can be strengthened.It may be as simple as asking family members to prepare for school blessings and to gather and give them on a Sunday evening or at family home evening. It may take a phone call or request to a priesthood brother to come to your home. But what little effort for such a great reward, and in the giving and receiving of school blessings we can observe the fulfillment of the Lord's promise, "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass."