Patriarchal Blessings
This Special Type of Blessing Serves as Personal Scripture
Priesthood blessings are a common part of Mormon practice. Fathers often give blessings to their children, but the Patriarchal Blessing is a special kind of blessing that can be given to members of the church. This blessing is performed by a stake patriarch who is called by the stake president. The patriarchal blessing serves as a rite of passage in a Mormon's journey of faith.
Apostle Boyd K. Packer stated in an Ensign article that there is no age requirement to receive a patriarchal blessing. A Faithful Mormon should seek out a patriarchal blessing when the spirit prompts him to do so.
Purpose of a Patriarchal Blessing
The patriarchal blessing serves as personal revelation and scripture. The contents of the blessing are considered sacred and should not be shared with people who are not the family of the recipient. A secretary chosen by the patriarch transcribes the text of the blessing, which is available to the recipient for a small fee.
The purpose of a patriarchal blessing is to give a faithful member guidance and direction in his life. If a Mormon remains faithful and obedient to gospel principles, the promises in his or her blessing should come true.
Each patriarchal blessing begins by telling the recipient which one of the 12 Tribes of Israel he belongs to. According to the Ensign, most Mormons belong to the tribe of Ephraim, although it is possible to find all 12 tribes among the membership. The rest of the patriarchal blessing is personal revelation delivered by God through the patriarch.
In Old Testament times the father of the family served the same function as a stake patriarch does today. There was no question about to which one of the 12 tribes a person belonged.
Getting a Patriarchal Blessing
Before a Mormon can receive a patriarchal blessing, he must be spiritually prepared. This includes getting a referral from their stake president or bishop and making an appointment with the stake patriarch. In areas without a stake, a referral will be made to a different stake patriarch.
For many Mormons, getting their patriarchal blessing serves as a rite of passage. People turn to the transcript of their blessing when they need hope, inspiration, or guidance to get them through a rough time. The text often gets kept in a special place and serves as personal scripture for the person who receives it.
Resources:
The Stake Patriarch. Boyd K. Packer. Ensign. November 2002. Intellectual Reserve. Salt Lake City, Utah.
