Laying on of hands. The act of priesthood leaders putting their hands on the head of a person to bestow a blessing or ordination. It is a requirement for exaltation, as described by thirteeth President Ezra Taft Benson: “In addition to the physical ordinance of baptism and the laying on of hands, one must be spiritually born again to gain exaltation and eternal life” (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, 78). According to President George Albert Smith, “The Lord has told us very plainly that all our blessings are predicated upon obedience to His laws and His laws are so plain. Faith, repentance, baptism, the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost are the first principles. Then He offers other things, including Temple work, salvation for the dead and missionary work in all the world. In our great universities we have marvelous training, but I want to say that without the training of the Gospel of Jesus Christ those who graduate from the great universities of the world will be disappointed that they have not earned a place in the Celestial Kingdom” (Conference Reports, October 1941, 100).

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