My oldest daughter got baptized this last summer. She waited her whole life with patience and respect for her daddy. I can’t help but to be excited for her to get her patriarchal blessing. I wanted to prepare a little something for her to help her better understand what it was! She has grown up with me mentioning mine, she watches me read it often, and she knows my love and appreciation for the gentle guidance it has given me in my life. I thought I would do an official post to give an explanation to anyone wanting to know a little more. 

What is a patriarchal blessing?

Why do we get patriarchal blessings?

Who is the patriarch who gives the blessings?

What is a patriarchal blessing?

Receive a patriarchal blessing. Study it carefully and regard it as personal scripture to you–for that indeed is what it is. A patriarchal blessing is “an inspired and prophetic statement of [your life’s] mission … together with such blessings, cautions, and admonitions as the patriarch may be prompted to give” -Ezra Taft Benson

A patriarchal blessing–given through an ordained patriarch–contains words inspired by God to His sons and daughters, serving as a guide and comfort for a lifetime and even with eternal significance. Think of the wonder of it. -James E. Faust

Patriarchal blessings are … similar to a road map that indicates the paths that may be traveled and destinations that may be reached if we stay within those paths. -Elaine L. Jack

 I love the explanation of a road map, even more today when road maps are rarely used. We all have a GPS that gives us step-by-step directions. However, when our data is out or we are out of reach of any signal we aren’t able to use our GPS, and we have to look at a road map. There are usually many different roads to take or ways to get there, but without a map we would be lost. Our patriarchal blessing supersedes all technology, or man made theories. It’s always there for us, to refer to for direction in life, especially in those moments when we feel a little lost and out of data. It’s not like having your fortune told, and it doesn’t give exact instructions of exactly what to do, but it reminds us where we are going and who we are. If prayerfully studied and applied we learn more about our character and purpose, not always through direct words spoken to us by the patriarch, but through the teaching of the Holy Ghost. 

“A patriarchal blessing is a revelation to the recipient, even a white line down the middle of the road, to protect, inspire, and motivate activity and righteousness. A patriarchal blessing literally contains chapters from your book of eternal possibilities. I say eternal, for just as life is eternal, so is a patriarchal blessing. What may not come to fulfillment in this life may occur in the next. We do not govern God’s timetable. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.” -Thomas S. Monson

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:8–9).

“Your patriarchal blessing is yours and yours alone. It may be brief or lengthy, simple or profound. Length and language do not a patriarchal blessing make. It is the Spirit that conveys the true meaning. Your blessing is not to be folded neatly and tucked away. It is not to be framed or published. Rather, it is to be read. It is to be loved. It is to be followed. Your patriarchal blessing will see you through the darkest night. It will guide you through life’s dangers. Unlike the struggling bomber of yesteryear, lost in the desert wastes, the sands and storms of life will not destroy you on your eternal flight. Your patriarchal blessing is to you a personal Liahona to chart your course and guide your way.

Unlike Alice, each of us knows where he or she wants to go. It does matter which way we go, for the path we follow in this life surely leads to the path we shall follow in the next. -President Thomas S. Monson

“How far is Heaven?

It’s not very far.

When you live close to God,

It’s right where you are.

Your patriarchal blessing is your passport to peace in this life. It is a Liahona of light to guide you unerringly to your heavenly home.” -President Thomas S. Monson 

Why do we get a patriarchal blessing?

There are numerous reason to get a patriarchal blessing. Today, during this exciting time in history when the last gathering of Israel is taking place, its awesome to know what lineage we belong to and our patriarchal blessings reveal this to us. 

I have several copies of my patriarchal blessing, so that I can read it it often. I have one in my scriptures, one in my journal, and one in the top drawer of my desk. I used to carry one in my purse as well, but it eventually fell apart from overuse. I enjoy reading them often, because I feel like I get something out of it each time. It’s a gentle guidance tool, a gentle warning tool, and a gentle advice giver. Over the years my blessing has become a part of who I am as I watch the pages unfold in my life. It has given me encouragement during rough moments. It feels like a personal letter from Heavenly Father. If you could only writes one letter to your daughter or son, what would it say? Well, our Heavenly Father knows the beginning from the end, so His letter is perfect for each recipient. That’s my number one reason why every member of the church should get a patriarchal blessing…because it’s a letter from home. 

“Patriarchal blessings contemplate an inspired declaration of the lineage of the recipient. A patriarchal blessing also includes an inspired and prophetic statement of the life possibilities and mission of the recipient. It may include such blessings, promises, advice, admonitions, and warnings as the patriarch may be prompted to give. It should always be made clear that the realization of all promised blessings is conditioned upon faithfulness and the Lord’s will” (Information and Suggestions for Patriarchs [1970], 3–4).

The Lord loves His children and wants to bless them and wants all of them to return to Him and dwell in His presence for time and all eternity (see Moses 1:39). The Lord is willing to pronounce His blessing upon those who love Him and keep His commandments.”

-Richard D. Allred. 1997

“Our blessings can encourage us when we are discouraged, strengthen us when we are fearful, comfort us when we sorrow, give us courage when we are filled with anxiety, and lift us up when we are weak in spirit. Our testimonies can be strengthened every time

Like the images in my grandmother’s magnifying glass, we can become stronger, our talents and ability can be magnified and multiplied, our understanding can be greatly enlarged, and our spirituality can flower. Moroni taught that “every good gift cometh of Christ.” But the Lord said, “What doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift?” -James E. Faust

Who is the patriarch who gives the blessings?

In my case, and I believe this is the case for the majority of members, I had never met the patriarch who gave me my blessing. It was a calling that he had in the church. I do know that he told me he had fasted and prayed for 24 hours before giving me my blessing. I asked him if he always fasted and he said he did. Every time he gives a blessing he fasts for 24 hours prior to giving that one blessing. This made a huge impression on me, and still makes me tear up, for an 18-year-old little girl whom he had never met before and would never see again, this man fatsed for 24 hours and prayed for me. He carries a huge responsibility, and he lives up to the task. 

I really like what James E. Faust has to say about patriarchal blessings. The next 5 paragraphs are copied directly from his talk “Priesthood Blessing” given in 1995

“We are most fortunate some men are specifically ordained and authorized by their priesthood office and calling to give blessings and declare our lineage in the house of Israel. The inspired declaration of lineage is an integral part of the blessing. I pay honor and tribute to the noble, faithful men who are our ordained patriarchs. They have not sought this heavy and lonely responsibility. They are often among the most humble and devoted of our brethren. These chosen men live worthy of the inspiration of heaven. Patriarchs are privileged to bestow blessings, for they are entitled to speak authoritatively under the inspiration of the Lord.

The office of patriarch is an office of the Melchizedek Priesthood. It is one of blessing, not of administration. It is a sacred and spiritual revelatory calling which usually continues for much of the patriarch’s life. Our patriarchs devote themselves fully to their callings and do all they can to live in faith and worthiness so that each blessing is inspired. The patriarch’s calling becomes a beautiful, sacred, spiritual, and fulfilling experience. As moved upon by the Holy Spirit, the patriarch declares by inspiration the lineage in the house of Israel of the recipient, together with such blessings, spiritual gifts, promises, advice, admonition, and warnings the patriarch feels inspired to give. The patriarchal blessing is, in essence, a prophetic blessing and utterance.

A patriarchal blessing from an ordained patriarch can give us a star to follow, which is a personal revelation from God to each individual. If we follow this star, we are less likely to stumble and be misled. Our patriarchal blessing will be an anchor to our souls, and if we are worthy, neither death nor the devil can deprive us of the blessings pronounced. They are blessings we can enjoy now and forever.

The patriarch has no blessing of his own to give. We heard Elder LeGrand Richards tell of a patriarch who once said to a woman, “I have a wonderful blessing for you.” But when the patriarch laid his hands on the head of the recipient, his mind went completely blank. He apologized. “I was mistaken. I do not have a blessing for you. It is the Lord who has the blessing for you.” The woman came back the next day, and after the patriarch had prayerfully importuned the Lord, a blessing came that mentioned many concerns known only to this good sister. All blessings come from God. Our Heavenly Father knows His children. He knows their strengths and weaknesses. He knows their capabilities and potential. Our patriarchal blessings indicate what He expects of us and what our potential can be.

Two concluding quotes:

Patriarchal blessings should be read humbly, prayerfully, and frequently. A patriarchal blessing is very sacred and personal, but it may be shared with close family members. It is a sacred guideline of counsel, promises, and information from the Lord; however, a person should not expect the blessing to detail all that will happen to him or her or to answer all questions. The fact that one’s patriarchal blessing may not mention an important event in life, such as a mission or marriage, does not mean that it will not happen. In order to receive the fulfillment of our patriarchal blessings, we should treasure in our hearts the precious words they contain, ponder them, and so live that we will obtain the blessings in mortality and a crown of righteousness in the hereafter. -James E. Faust

Elder John A. Widtsoe said: “It should always be kept in mind that the realization of the promises made may come in this or the future life. Men have stumbled at times because promised blessings have not occurred in this life. They have failed to remember that, in the gospel, life with all its activities continues forever and that the labors of earth may be continued in heaven. Besides, the Giver of the blessings, the Lord, reserves the right to have them become active in our lives, as suits His divine purpose. We and our blessings are in the hands of the Lord. But, there is the general testimony that when the gospel law has been obeyed, the promised blessings have been realized.”

-Sherri Jorgensen