The Blessing on the Food
By Janet Peterson

Latter-day Saint families around the world earnestly endeavor to teach their children the gospel, to help them develop strong testimonies, to instill religious practices in daily life, to grow up in “the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

One important practice common in LDS homes is that of offering a blessing on the food before meals are eaten.

Children learn to pray at a very young age when they experience prayers with their families in various settings, such as family prayer, family home evening, and mealtime prayers. Even babies in high chairs learn to fold their arms and bow their heads though they do not yet understand the purpose.

When our oldest son was two and a half years old, I realized he didn’t quite understand why we said the blessing and that I had said something that was cause and effect in his mind. One day I noticed him taking a bite of food and then bowing his head and trying another bite, and then doing it again. I had confused him by saying on occasion, “Let’s say the blessing while your food cools off.” This made him think that blessing the food made it the right temperature to eat. I learned that a parent needs not only to instill the practice but, more importantly, to teach correct principles.

Andrew Peterson, the author’s grandson, learns at a young age to be grateful for the bounties of life.

Because we eat often, we can sometimes take saying a blessing on the food for granted and not realize its significance. Many years ago, we had two girls, whose parents were not religious, stay with us for a week. I think they were surprised when we sat around the table for their first meal in our home and didn’t start eating immediately. They politely watched as one of our children said the blessing. A few days later, one of the girls said, “You guys sure pray a lot.”

I’ve loved hearing my children and now my grandchildren pray at the dinner table. Their prayers are sincere, specific, and sometimes bring a smile to one’s face. On occasion, there have been disputes over whose turn it is to pray, and sometimes the blessing gets said more than once to settle the question. Sometimes what children say surprises you.

One family related the following humorous blessing story:

“For the Christensen family, the evening meal is always a special time to gather around the dinner table to share good times, plan for the day ahead and enjoy family relationships. One evening, during a busy week for the chief homemaker and chef (Mom), we sat down at the table and noticed that the menu consisted of warmed up leftovers. Our middle son, Stephen, age 5, was invited to offer the blessing on the food. His prayer of thanksgiving was expressed in a traditional LDS way, except rather than giving thanks for the hands that prepared the meal, he gave thanks for that hands that repaired the meal. We all agreed that he was inspired!” [1]

I have served on several general Church committees over the years. Before we begin committee work in our meetings at the Church Office Building, we eat a light supper together. For me, one of the sweetest experiences of those callings has been kneeling around the table together while one member offers a prayer and a blessing on the food. This brings a closeness and the Spirit to the committee process and to relationships.

As a Latter-day Saint practice, there’s no one right way for families to bless the food. Some families kneel around table; others sit in their chairs. Some families may read a scripture together before praying. Some families may have a set schedule for taking turns; in others, the head of the family will call on various family members. President Spencer W. Kimball said, “The blessing on the food need not be long, but should express gratitude for and blessings requested on the food.” [2]

Jesus Christ taught us by example about giving thanks and blessing food.

“And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.

“And he took the seven loaves and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude” (Matthew 15: 35-36; emphasis added).

“Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude” (Luke 9: 16; emphasis added).

So far we’re talking about families gathering for meals in their own homes and blessing the food before they eat. But what about the families who don’t eat at home? What about the families who are scattered in various places at dinner time and who don’t eat together? What about families who seldom sit down at the kitchen or dining room table and eat on the run most of the time? What happens to the blessing on the food?

On occasion at a BYU dining facility, I have seen an individual bow his or her head and silently bless the food. But I have never heard someone vocally bless the food in a public place. I know I would be uncomfortable doing it, and I’m not sure that it would be appropriate as perhaps people who watch may criticize or make fun of this sacred practice.

When will children learn about the importance of giving thanks to our Father in Heaven for the bounties of the earth that sustain us daily if they’re not with their family in the privacy of their own homes? When will children learn to offer the blessing themselves if they are not eating meals in a family setting? For whose hands shall they ask a blessing, if they have no idea who actually prepared the meal? Can children really ask that fast food “nourish and strengthen us”?       

Experiencing the blessing on the food is one more significant reason to cook dinner at home.