De-lurking to ask about Patriarchal Blessings

[curiousheathen]

I have a question about patriarchal blessings. My mother was LDS for many years until she married my step-father (though it's irrelevant I consider him my real father). She left the church on pleasant terms and has no hard feelings and a lot of love for the church still, so keep in mind she's not a cranky ex-Mormon. When she was pregnant with me (I was not conceived out of wedlock) she received her patriarchal blessing. She shared all the details with me and my siblings, and I have the written version of it. I wanted to discuss with an LDS friend of mine, to ask him some questions and to see how the experience felt to him, who refused to discuss it.

1. Are church members asked to keep their patriarchal blessings secret? How much are they "allowed" to share? (I say allowed because I know the importance of keeping certain things sacred and secret.)

2. What exactly is a patriarch? How do they get their gifts? Are they like psychics of a sort?

Thanks in advance for all you're willing to share.

CH

[selek]

As a general rule, patriarchal blessings are considered to be both sacred and private, and should not be shared lightly.

No, there is no oath or covenant of "secrecy" regarding Patriarchal blessings.

It was her choice to share those details with you.

Do you have HER permission to share the details of her blessing?

If not, would you be as willing to share her diary with strangers without her permission?

Patriarchs are not "psychics"- they are priesthood holders (generally of great piety and discretion), who are called to hold a specific Priesthood office.

They receive these blessings through prayer, fasting, and the Holy Ghost.

Frankly, to compare them to common soothsayers is both insulting and inaccurate.

I will assume you meant no offense....

[Wingnut]

This is a really good article from The New Era a few years ago about patriarchal blessings -- a sort-of FAQ, if you will. About Patriarchal Blessings - New Era Mar. 2004

[Guest]

1. Are church members asked to keep their patriarchal blessings secret? How much are they "allowed" to share? (I say allowed because I know the importance of keeping certain things sacred and secret.)

No, it's not a secret. But, a patriarchal blessing is personal and is only applicable to the person given the blessing predicated by his/her worthiness. Therefore, you can't really use your patriarchal blessing to give sermons. You can use your patriarchal blessing to bear testimony.

For example, you can't really say, "My patriarchal blessing says if I follow the commandments I will be able to serve a mission, therefore, you should follow the commandments so you can serve a mission." It doesn't really work that way because the patriarchal blessing is only applicable to the person it was given to.

But, you can say, "My patriarchal blessing says if I follow the commandments I will be able to serve a mission. I testify of the truth of this blessing as I was able to serve a mission in Chile by following the commandments."

But, it's not good to say, "My mother's patriarchal blessing says if she follows the commandments she will be able to serve a mission. I testify of the truth of this blessing..." You can't really testify on something that you didn't experience first-hand. Know what I mean?

So yeah, like all things sacred, patriarchal blessings is not meant for casual conversation. Like selek said, it's akin to sharing your mother's diary to other people.

2. What exactly is a patriarch?

A patriarch is an office in the Melchizedek Priesthood. A patriarch is tasked with pronouncing blessings upon those who seek it. There are 2 types: 1.) The Father in the family is the family's patriarch. He has the authority to pronounce blessings upon his children., 2.) The Stake Patriarch has the authority to pronounce blessings upon members of that Stake.

How do they get their gifts?

The Family Patriarch gets this "gift" (we call them keys) when he is ordained a Melchizedek Priest.

The Stake Patriarch gets this "gift" when he is ordained specifically to the office of Patriarch. Each Stake has 1 active Patriarch at any time. He is chosen by the Stake Presidency by inspiration (fasting and prayer). His name is then submitted to the Quorom of the 12 Apostles for approval. If the Q of 12 A approves his submission, his name is then announced at Stake Conference for a sustaining vote by the members. After he is sustained, then the Stake Presidency ordains him a Stake Patriarch.

Are they like psychics of a sort?

No, they are not. They receive prophetic insights through prayer in preparation to pronouncing the blessing.

Hope this helps.

[skippy740]

For every good thing in God's plan... there is a counterfeit out there with intentions to deceive.

Patriarchal blessings are very spiritual. Palm readers/psychics... they're spiritual... just not sure WHICH spirit it is.

[jayanna]

Hi, curious, I would like to say that the lind provided above is a good one, and I think you should read it, if you haven't yet!

Also, that the article says it is dependent on your faithfulness...if you choose not to go on the mission the Patriarchal Blessing says you will go on, you have just made in untrue, not the other way around.

I don't know if that makes any sense, but what is in the blessing is still dependent upon the choices of the one getting blessed. If there are warnings or promises in it, they are not guaranteed to happen, just if you continue on the path you are currently on. At no point in the gospel, or in living the gospel and in performing/receiving the ordinances, will you or your mother have agency taken away.

[Iggy]

This is the letter that accompanied my written Patriarchal Blessing.

COUNSEL FOR THOSE WHO RECEIVE A PATRIARCHAL BLESSING

1. All promises and blessings spoken in a patriarchal blessing are conditioned upon the worthy, faithful living of the person receiving the blessing.

2. A patriarchal blessing should be read periodically and prayerfully.

3. A patriarchal blessing is sacred and personal. It should not be read by casual friends or acquaintances. A person may, however, share with family members.

4. Although a patriarchal blessing is a sacred guideline of information, promises, and counsel from the Lord to help an individual through life, the person receiving a blessing should not expect it to outline all that will happen to him or her, or answer all questions.

5. If a possible future development, for example marriage or a mission, is not stated in a patriarchal blessing, this does not necessarily mean that it will not come. The Lord, for his purposes, may say certain things to one person in his or her patriarchal blessing and different things to another person.

6. Occasionally members of the same family receive patriarchal blessings declaring them to be of different lineage. Families are sometimes of mixed lineage, and one lineage will be dominant in one child, with a different lineage dominant in another child.

7. A patriarchal blessing should be viewed from an eternal perspective. Somethings blessings promised may not come in this life, but may be realized in eternity.

Taken from the Handbook for Patriarchs.

Perhaps this puts a better perspective on why your LDS friend refused to discuss this with you.

Also, why do you have your mothers blessing? Has she passed away?

[dahlia]

My missionaries have told me of their patriarchal blessings (not what they were, but that they had them and what the blessings meant to them). Having such a blessing seems very powerful to me.

Is there a time after convert baptism that would seem right for such a blessing? I'm wondering if it would help me be a better Mormon, or if I should try to be better, then ask for a blessing? On the other hand, after learning a few things about 'life before my mission' from my guys, I don't think you need to be the best Mormon to get one!

[Wingnut]

Dahlia...if you haven't already, go ahead and read the article I linked to.

Regarding the specific question of "when" -- there is no right answer. Whenever you feel ready is when you should get it. Many youth raised in the LDS Church get their blessings around 16 or so years old. I was raised in the Church but didn't get mind until I was 21 and about to leave on my mission.

Your bishop can also help you decide when. Before you can get your patriarchal blessing, you have an interview with him to get a recommend for it, similar to when you went to the temple for baptisms.

[curiousheathen]

Thanks for sharing guys, I will read the article. Also, I do not consider the term "psychic" nor soothsayer or anything like that to be offensive (nor evil, but that is my own religion speaking so I'll just leave that one alone), so no offense was intended at the use of the term. Also, I have my mother's blessing (her written transcription) because of family circumstances and she entrusted it to me. I ask for her permission to share, ; I only share the details with those she has given her express permission, and has discussed with them herself (like my friend). I have had many spiritual discussions with my friend, so this wasn't brought up in casual circumstances. I have more tact and respect for religions than that. I was simply curious about the mechanics, if you will, behind it all. Thanks again for sharing; it's really helped me understand.

[Blackmarch]

I'd like to note that a lot of prophecy (i'd say prolly 90% or more) is in the If/then clause...

If you do this, then this will happen (or conversely if you don't do this then this will happen).

Many terms given in a patriarchal blessings are predicated on our obedience to CHrist, as well as following the guidance we recieve. I've seen some pretty incredible things come to pass from close friends I have.

[Jerubbaal]

I can imagine your curiosity about the promises that might have been made to your mother about her children- seeing she was a few months pregnant with you when she recieved her Patriarchal Blessing

My advice is- find the Patriarch for your area, and call to make an appointment.

He may or may not want to chat- but if he does, it might help bring some light...

Edit: Hmmm it would be a better idea if you got your mother to make the appointment, then both of you could talk to the Patriarch.

He prolly wouldn't see someone, and chat about a third persons blessing. That is doubtful!!

Edited April 4, 2011 by Jerubbaal

[Jerubbaal]

Dahlia

Is there a time after convert baptism that would seem right for such a blessing? I'm wondering if it would help me be a better Mormon, or if I should try to be better, then ask for a blessing? On the other hand, after learning a few things about 'life before my mission' from my guys, I don't think you need to be the best Mormon to get one!

My humble advice is to wait until you have an idea of what blessings(temporal and spiritual), you feel you want to achieve...

When I recieved mine, I was unprepared for him asking me what kind things I want to accomplish in life.

I stumbled over "mission, rising in the first resurection" etc.

...and my blessing didnt go on to say much more than that.

If I had been prepared with a mental list, I am sure the Lord would have pronounced more promises upon me at that time.

I would like to add, that anytime you recieve a blessing/setting apart in your life, and the Spirit bears witness to a specific promise in the blessing- you can tack that onto your Patriarchal Blessing...

Edited April 4, 2011 by Jerubbaal