administer(Note: Click here to return to the main article.)
Administering to the sick is different from giving blessings of counsel or comfort. These blessings are for the purpose of healing one who is sick or afflicted in some manner. Normally these blessings are done by at least two men, occasionally more, but normally only two men. These blessings should be requested by the sick person, and not urged on the sick person by the person giving the blessing. These blessings rely heavily on the faith of those requesting the blessing.

“Only men who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood may administer to the sick or afflicted. Normally, two or more administer together, but one may do it alone. If consecrated oil is not available, a man who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood may give a blessing by the authority of the priesthood.

A father who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood should administer to sick members of his family. He may ask another man who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood to assist him.

Administering to the sick has two parts: (1) anointing with oil and (2) sealing the anointing (Family-Guidebook on lds.org).” Usually one man anoints and another man seals the anointing and pronounces the blessing.

Anointing with Oil

One man who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood anoints the person who is sick. A good-faith effort should be made to place the drop of consecrated oil on the crown of the head, on the scalp. Only a small drop of the oil is needed. If the person is in bed then the consecrated oil can be placed on the top of the forehead.

Sealing the Anointing

Normally, two or more men who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood place their hands lightly on the head of the person who is sick. One of the men seals the anointing. 

Below is a 3 x 5 card you can print on heavy paper or card stock and cut out to take with you as a reference. The steps listed on the card are word for word from the Church’s website.

 

Instructions for Anointing:

 

 

Anointing

 

 

 

 

 

Instructions for Sealing the Anointing:

 

 

Seal Anointing