Patriarchal Blessing

*Patriarchal blessings:

 “I had heard about patriarchal blessings but had not received one. In each stake there is an ordained patriarch who has the spirit of prophecy and the spirit of revelation. He is authorized to give personal and private blessings to those who come recommended by their bishops.”-Elder Packer, The Stake Patriarch October 2011

“Your patriarchal blessing, with its declaration of lineage, will link you to these fathers and be more meaningful to you. Your love and gratitude for your ancestors will increase. Your testimony of and conversion to the Savior will become deep and abiding.”-Elder Bednar, The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn, Conference October 2011

“For some answers we may have to wait until the hereafter. This may be true for some promises in our patriarchal blessings and for some blessings for family members. Let us not give up on the Lord. His blessings are eternal, not temporary.”-Elder Hales, Waiting Upon the Lord-Thy Will Be Done, Conference October 2011

“We know that nothing is more perplexing than not knowing what to do with your future, but nothing is more personally rewarding than discovering your own abilities. Read your patriarchal blessing, consider your natural aptitudes and talents, and go forward. Take the first step, and doors will open.”-Elder Oaks, April 2009

“Receive your patriarchal blessing and strive to live worthy of its promises. A patriarchal blessing is one of the most important guides in life that members of the Church enjoy.”-Elder Wirthlin, Running Your Marathon, Conference October 1989

“While many organizations can offer fellowship and fine instruction, only His church can provide baptism, confirmation, ordination, the sacrament, patriarchal blessings, and the ordinances of the temple—all bestowed by authorized priesthood power.” –Elder Nelson, “Thus Shall My Church Be Called”, Conference April 1990

“The details of the communication are sacred and, like a patriarchal blessing, were for my individual benefit. I was given specific directions, instructions, and conditioned promises that have beneficially altered the course of my life.”-Elder Scott, To Acquire Spiritual Guidance, October 2009

“Somehow, even in my childhood, I knew that for me that chapter was about the family I would have someday. Years later, before I was married, I received a patriarchal blessing. In that blessing, the patriarch described the feeling that would be in the home I would someday have. He described exactly what I had felt years before when I read 1 Corinthians 13 [1 Cor. 13].”-Elder Eyring, A Discussion on Scripture Study, Liahona, July 2005

“A patriarchal blessing is a unique and remarkable privilege that can come to the faithful members of the Church having sufficient maturity to understand the nature and the importance of such blessings. These privileged blessings are a powerful witness of the mission of the Lord Jesus Christ in bringing exaltation to each of us. Like many blessings, they must be requested by the person or by the family of the one desiring the blessing.”-Elder Faust , Your Patriarchal Blessing, Liahona, November 2005

“Other traditions which should continually be part of our lives are receiving father’s blessings, patriarchal blessings, missionary preparation, temple preparation, and regular temple attendance where possible, and being together as family units on those occasions when sacred ordinances are performed in behalf of a family member.”-Elder Perry, Special Witness: Family Traditions, February 2002

Position Statement:

            Patriarchal blessings are an amazing gift given to individual people from God. I know that my Patriarchal blessing has helped lead me in the direction I am at now in life. There is a lot of comfort that is given to me by my blessing, and I am most grateful that I received it at a time in my life when I needed it most, and continued to need it until this day. Those who have their blessing should read over it often, asking for guidance and an understanding to what the words and statements mean. I encourage those I know who don’t have one, to get one as soon as possible, because I know it will guide them and direct them in ways they would have never imagined.