Patriarchal Blessings Q&A

What about a Patriarchal Blessing... Why and when should I get it? How old? How do I know if I am ready? What is in one? What should I do with it when I have it?

1.What is a patriarchal blessing? 

A patriarchal blessing has two main purposes. First, the patriarch will be inspired to declare your lineage—the tribe of Israel to which you belong. Second, guided by the spirit of prophecy, the patriarch will pronounce blessings and may also provide promises, cautions, or admonitions that apply specifically to you. Your patriarchal blessing may point out certain things you are capable of achieving and blessings you can receive if you exercise faith and live righteously. 

“The same Lord who provided a Liahona to Lehi provides for you and for me today a rare and valuable gift to give direction to our lives, to mark the hazards to our safety, and to chart the way, even safe passage—not to a promised land, but to our heavenly home. The gift to which I refer is known as your patriarchal blessing. Every worthy member of the Church is entitled to receive such a precious and priceless personal treasure” (President Monson, Oct. 1986, 81; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 65 ). 

“Personal scripture to you” “your life’s mission together with blessings, cautions, and admonitions” (President Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign May 1986) 

"A white line down the middle of the road, to protect, inspire, and motivate activity and righteousness.” “literally… chapters from your book of eternal possibilities.” (President Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, Nov. 1986) 

“Indicates what He [God] expects of us and what our potential can be” “A powerful witness of the love of the Lord Jesus Christ in seeking to bring exaltation to each of us” “Personal revelation from God.” (James E. Faust, Ensign Nov. 1995) 

https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/faq/library/patriarchal-blessings?lang=eng

2. What is my lineage, why is it important? CAN MEMBERS OF THE SAME FAMILY BE FROM DIFFERENT TRIBES?

Every member of the Church belongs to one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Those who aren’t literal descendants are “adopted” into the house of Israel through baptism. Knowing your lineage can be a helpful guide in your life, because belonging to one of the twelve tribes brings the blessings and missions specific to each tribe. The blessings Jacob gave his sons (the heads of each of the tribes) can be found in Genesis 49 [Gen. 49]. 

"How many of the twelve tribes of Israel do you think were represented in that small gathering of fewer than 100 women on that Saturday in Moscow? Eleven! Eleven of the twelve tribes of Israel were represented in that one room! The only tribe missing was that of Levi. I was astonished. It was a spiritually moving moment for me." Sister Nelson https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/broadcasts/worldwide-devotional-for-young-adults/2018/06/hope-of-israel?lang=eng&cid=rdb_v_hope-of-Israel

“Some might be disturbed because members of the same family have blessings declaring them to be of a different lineage. A few families are of a mixed lineage. We believe that the house of Israel today constitutes a large measure of the human family. Because the tribes have intermixed one with another, one child may be declared to be from the tribe of Ephraim and another of the same family from Manasseh or one of the other tribes. The blessing of one tribe, therefore, may be dominant in one child, and the blessing of another tribe dominant in yet another child. So, children from the same parents could receive the blessings of different tribes.” (James E. Faust, Ensign Nov 1995) 

3. WHY I SHOULD GET AND READ A PATRIARCHAL BLESSING? 

“Read it regularly that you may know God’s will for you.” (President Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign May 1986) 

“Our testimonies can be strengthened every time we read our patriarchal blessing.”   

“If, through our priesthood blessings, we could perceive only a small part of the person God intends us to be, we would lose our fear and never doubt again.” 

“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.” (James E. Faust, Ensign Nov 1995) 

4. WILL MY BLESSING TELL ME EVERYTHING THAT WILL HAPPEN TO ME? When will the promises in my blessing be fulfilled? Will all the promises in my blessing be fulfilled? 

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, Ensign Nov 1995) 

Occasionally patriarchal blessings reveal things from our pre-earth life. But mostly they are guides for present and future living. Because blessings are eternal in nature, they may include possibilities beyond mortal life.  All blessings are based on your faithfulness and the Lord’s timing. Blessings may also be fulfilled in a variety of ways throughout your life, depending on your growth, capacity, and circumstances. 

“Sometimes someone will worry because a promise made in a patriarchal blessing is not yet fulfilled. … That does not mean that the blessing will go unfulfilled. It is well to know that things happen in the Lord’s due time, not always in ours. Things of an eternal nature have no boundaries. From the premortal existence to our existence beyond the veils of death, our life is an eternal life.” President Boyd K. Packer, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Stake Patriarch,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2002, 45. 

5. HOW OLD SHOULD I BE TO RECEIVE A PATRIARCHAL BLESSING? Who can recieve one?

There is no set age. You should be old enough to appreciate the sacred nature of the blessing. All worthy members of the Church are entitled to and should receive a patriarchal blessing regardless of how long they have been members. 

“When he or she has sufficient understanding of the significance of a patriarchal blessing.”  

“It is important that the recipient be young enough that many of the significant events of life are in the future.” (James E. Faust, Ensign Nov 1995) 

“There is no fixed age at which one may receive a patriarchal blessing. The bishop ensures that the member is of sufficient age and maturity to understand the meaning and significance of the blessing.” (Boyd K. Packer, Ensign Nov 2002) 

“I hope we are encouraging those who are mature enough to understand the importance of a patriarchal blessing to receive one. I count my patriarchal blessing as one of the great sacred things of my life. A patriarchal blessing is a unique and sacred and personal and wonderful thing that may be given to every member of this Church who lives worthy of it” (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [1997], 423). 

“You are never too young to start learning about patriarchal blessings. I am glad I received my blessing before I was too heavily influenced by the confusing and incorrect messages in the world. I came away from that experience with the comforting assurance that the Lord loved me and knew me, and from that day onward I began to think more often in terms of eternity than popularity.”Julie B Beck  |  “You Have a Noble Birthright,” April 2006 General Conference

6. HOW DO I PREPARE FOR A PATRIARCHAL BLESSING? What is the process for getting it? 

Study… Keep the commandments… Talk to your bishop… Fast and pray… Learn humility… Prepare yourself to do whatever the Lord asks of you in your blessing.” (Q & A, New Era May 2002) 

The desire to receive a patriarchal blessing should come from a desire to know and live God’s will for you. Curiosity or pressure from others isn’t the right reason to get a blessing. The bishop will help determine if you are ready for the blessing. 

You should do everything possible to draw closer to the Lord. Prayer, fasting, scripture study, meditation, and repentance can help. Concerns about worldly things should be left behind for such a sacred occasion. 

Make an appointment for an interview with your bishop. He will determine your readiness and worthiness and either give you a recommend or help you prepare to receive one. After receiving your recommend, you may contact the patriarch to schedule an appointment. Ask your bishop or the patriarch who may accompany you to your blessing, such as your parents. And bring your recommend to the appointment. 

7. WHO CAN I SHARE MY BLESSING WITH? Can I get copies of family members?

Your blessing is personal, between you and Heavenly Father. You might share your blessing with family members or others who are close to you. But blessings should be guarded and never compared with those of others. 

A patriarchal blessing can be of great value throughout your life. Preparing for and living worthy of the promises in your blessing can bring you closer to your Heavenly Father in this life and help you return to Him in the next. 

“Except for members of the immediate family, we should not permit others to read our blessing nor should we ask others to interpret it. Neither the patriarch nor the bishop can or should interpret it.” (Boyd K. Packer, Ensign Nov 2002) 

“Each patriarchal blessing is sacred, confidential, and personal . … Church members should not compare blessings and should not share them except with close family members. Patriarchal blessings should not be read in Church meetings or other public gatherings” (General Handbook, 18.17.1). They should also not be distributed or shared through electronic means, such as in the Memories section of FamilySearch or on social media, websites, or blogs.

Whose patriarchal blessing may I request? You may request a copy of your own patriarchal blessing or that of a deceased direct-line ancestor, deceased child, or deceased spouse. https://pb.churchofjesuschrist.org/pbrequest/home/personal

8. DOES THE LENGTH OF MY BLESSING HAVE SIGNIFICANCE? 

President Heber J. Grant told of the patriarchal blessing he received: “That patriarch put his hands upon my head and bestowed upon me a little blessing that would perhaps be about one-third of a typewritten page. That blessing foretold my life to the present moment.” (James E. Faust, Ensign Nov 1995) 

“My own blessing is short, and it is limited to perhaps three quarters of a page on one side, yet it has been completely adequate and perfect for me. I received my patriarchal blessing as I entered my early teenage years. The patriarch promised that my blessing would “be a comfort and a guide” to me throughout my life. As a boy I read it over and over again. I pondered each word. I prayed earnestly to understand fully the spiritual meaning. Having that blessing early in my life guided me through all of the significant events and challenges of my life. I did not fully understand the meaning of my blessing until I gained more maturity and experience. This blessing outlined some of the responsibilities I would have in the kingdom of God on earth. (James E. Faust, Ensign Nov 1995) 

9. Who may give a patriarchal blessing? What is a Patriarch? How is the blessing given? 

Patriarch is actually an office in the Melchizedek Priesthood, just like elder or high priest, and a patriarch is called and ordained specifically to give patriarchal blessings. You will receive your blessing from the patriarch in your stake or one nearby if your stake doesn’t have a patriarch. If you live where there are no stake patriarchs, your bishop or branch president will know how to help you make arrangements to receive a blessing. If you are a direct descendant of someone who is a patriarch (such as your grandfather), you may receive your blessing from him even if he doesn’t live in your stake. 

The patriarch will place his hands on your head and give the blessing through inspiration. It will be revealed direction for you. The blessing will then be transcribed so that you can have a written copy to study throughout your life. The Church will also keep a copy of your blessing in case you ever lose yours. 

10. NOW THAT I HAVE ONE, WHAT DO I DO WITH IT? 

“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, Ensign Nov 1995) 

A Star to Follow 

“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.” President James E. Faust, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, “Priesthood Blessings,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 63. 

Green New Era 2004 Q&A

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/2004/03/about-patriarchal-blessings?lang=eng