my patriarchal blessing is rehearsed

[funkyfool]

I received my patriarchal blessing this past summer. I thought it would be a good experience and I suppose it was. There were a few things in the blessing that gave me the sense of "the church is right, im worth something, maybe the lord kinda understands me"

Then i also sorta got the sense that the blessing was somewhat generic. That it could be applied to anyone. But i convinced myself that a few things in there really were meant specifically for me.

Eventually i came to kinda think my blessing was special and something sacred to me.

Until today. HA! now i dont know what to think

I got the genius idea to read my brothers patriarchal blessing today. Given by the same patriarch but several years earlier. Turns out, our blessings are extremely similar. So similar to the point that there are literally paragraphs verbatim or very close to it.

THere are specifics in my blessing, spit out literally verbatim in my brothers blessing as well. things i thought were very specific, literally freaking exactly the same as my brothers.

Entire paragraphs. Id forget whos blessing i was reading. my brothers or mine. It twisted my mind.

what is going on? WHY are they almost exactly the same?

Is this just a test of my faith? the faith that im never sure i even had? is it satans way of trying to push me away from the church...because i admit thats the first thing thats coming to my mind. To push away. I feel like this is disproving the church. DIsproving any beliefs that i thought i had. Or is it really ...just that. That patriarchal blessings are bullcrap?...and i ought to just take it as it is...silly me...having been brainwashed my whole childhood that the chruch is true...just cant grasp the fact that its not true...

of course i know what you members of the church will say....

but i guess im really just open to suggestions.

im not a praying/fasting person. and i know thats also advice ill get. i dunno. give me advice. ill see what i do with it. but at the moment, im about ready to burn the patriarchal blessing and then go harrass the patriarch next time i see him.

[Kirajo]

Hi there. If the church wanted to hide the fact that Patriarchal blessings were in fact rehearsed and the same for everybody:

1. They would prohibit any kind of talk of personal patraiarchal blessings to any other individual

2. All the Patriarchal blessings would be incredibly similar.

Based on the fact that neither 1, nor 2 are true, ( Although we are advised to view the blessings as personal sacred experiences/documents and to choose wisely who you share them with, you are not prohibited to talk about them) I would say that the church is true, you ARE being tested with your Faith, especially if it's eating you alive like this. However, I don't blame you for wondering what the heck that's about.

Good luck! (PS- this is sunny-fibi )

[BenRaines]

Not sure what you are or were looking for there FF. There are certain parts of the blessing that are very much the same. "I bless you to come forth on the morning of the first ressurection", etc.

As far as mine, my wife's and my four children's given by three different patriarchs at different times over thirty years there are parts similar and there are parts different.

Good luck in finding the truth in yours. By the way, prayer and fasting are great tools to seek and find truth.

Ben Raines

[MaidservantX]

I think I would feel betrayed too, under the same circumstances.

My mother's, my best friend's, mine, and my daughter's patriarchal blessings are all very different. But, then again, they were all given by different patriarchs.

On the other hand, my sons blessing and my daughter's blessing -- given by the same patriarch a few years apart -- are not the same either.

So, I guess the upshot is I haven't come face to face with what you are dealing with, so I don't know how I would. Perhaps this is more of a failing (?) of the patriarch personally than anything in the church or yourself.

As you know, anything you desire, that is right, that you ask your heavenly Father for, that you work hard for in faith -- is going to be given to you. So you can create a sacred, exciting, unique life as a daughter of God with or without a patriarchal blessing.

But, yea, just as you've described your experience, it was breathtakingly disappointing to me too. God bless and good luck, funky.

[Hemidakota]

I received my patriarchal blessing this past summer. I thought it would be a good experience and I suppose it was. There were a few things in the blessing that gave me the sense of "the church is right, im worth something, maybe the lord kinda understands me"

Then i also sorta got the sense that the blessing was somewhat generic. That it could be applied to anyone. But i convinced myself that a few things in there really were meant specifically for me.

Eventually i came to kinda think my blessing was special and something sacred to me.

Until today. HA! now i dont know what to think

I got the genius idea to read my brothers patriarchal blessing today. Given by the same patriarch but several years earlier. Turns out, our blessings are extremely similar. So similar to the point that there are literally paragraphs verbatim or very close to it.

THere are specifics in my blessing, spit out literally verbatim in my brothers blessing as well. things i thought were very specific, literally freaking exactly the same as my brothers.

Entire paragraphs. Id forget whos blessing i was reading. my brothers or mine. It twisted my mind.

what is going on? WHY are they almost exactly the same?

Is this just a test of my faith? the faith that im never sure i even had? is it satans way of trying to push me away from the church...because i admit thats the first thing thats coming to my mind. To push away. I feel like this is disproving the church. DIsproving any beliefs that i thought i had. Or is it really ...just that. That patriarchal blessings are bullcrap?...and i ought to just take it as it is...silly me...having been brainwashed my whole childhood that the chruch is true...just cant grasp the fact that its not true...

of course i know what you members of the church will say....

but i guess im really just open to suggestions.

im not a praying/fasting person. and i know thats also advice ill get. i dunno. give me advice. ill see what i do with it. but at the moment, im about ready to burn the patriarchal blessing and then go harrass the patriarch next time i see him.

What specifically do you want from the Lord?

[NeuroTypical]

I'm thinking that many PB's have very similar information in them. Is it that hard to consider that we might just all need the same stuff? I mean, there is only one rod of iron, one gospel, one way to salvation, and one plan of happiness, right? It doesn't surprise me that one of God's children might need the exact same advice as another one.

Yes, we teach and believe that a PB is specific, personal revalation pointed directly at the person receiving the blessing. So, how do we get from there, to expecting that ours will be different than everyone elses? We're promised a custom-tailored bit of counsel pointing us in certain directions and towards certain experiences. If you think about it, it's kind of nonsensical to expect it to be totally unique and different than anyone elses.

LM

[Hemidakota]

Not sure what you are or were looking for there FF. There are certain parts of the blessing that are very much the same. "I bless you to come forth on the morning of the first ressurection", etc.

As far as mine, my wife's and my four children's given by three different patriarchs at different times over thirty years there are parts similar and there are parts different.

Good luck in finding the truth in yours. By the way, prayer and fasting are great tools to seek and find truth.

Ben Raines

SIDELINING HERE: Ben, is that you in the sig? Powerlifter?

[a-train]

Check out the blessing in Genesis 49.

-a-train

[Misshalfway]

My first take on this is that I have never heard of this before.

My second take is why not question the fallibility of this man before you question the truthfulness of the church? It is almost as if you make the assumption that all patriarchs are either perfect every moment or frauds. Knowing what I know about bishops and all other church leaders, they are NOT perfect every moment. Perhaps your patriarch had a not so spiritual day. Perhaps his health is failing. Perhaps you got the exact blessing you were suppose to get. I can't know. But I think that there are other explanations other than the church being full of fraud.

[Guest tomk]

It's easy to doubt. It's hard to have faith.

Satan has a million reasons why you should doubt. If he does not get you with doubts about your blessing, then he'll get you with some nonesense about the Book of Mormon or the Prophet Joseph Smith's wives, or Blacks and the Priesthood, or some other apparent flaw in the Church.

We are here to be TRIED and TESTED, in an environment of DOUBT and FEAR.

Do not doubt, but be believing!!!

D&C 6: 36

36 Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.

50 Then shall ye know that ye have seen me, that I am, and that I am the true light that is in you, and that you are in me; otherwise ye could not abound.

51 Behold, I will liken these kingdoms unto a man having a field, and he sent forth his servants into the field to dig in the field.

52 And he said unto the first: Go ye and labor in the field, and in the first hour I will come unto you, and ye shall behold the joy of my countenance.

53 And he said unto the second: Go ye also into the field, and in the second hour I will visit you with the joy of my countenance.

54 And also unto the third, saying: I will visit you;

55 And unto the fourth, and so on unto the twelfth.

The work is the same -- everywhere.

THE LORD TEACHES US BY REPETITIVE PHRASING. THE QUESTION TO ASK IS NOT "WHY ARE THEY THE SAME?" WITH AN ATTITUDE OF SCORN, BUT "WHY ARE THEY THE SAME?" WITH AN ATTITUDE OF WONDER AND AWE AND A DESIRE TO UNDERSTAND THE MYSTERIES OF GOD.

It is no wonder the Lord has similar counsel for each of us.

He calls imperfect men to be Patriarchs, who are prone to using the same wording and phrasing.

Can you imagine giving hundreds of blessings like that?

Choose to believe in it, and the Lord will bless you for it. If others have tried to deceive you, that is their fault and they will be held responsible.

Also, the blessing given is impacted by our preparation and faithfulness, as well as the Patriarchs.

I wish you good luck.

Tom

[funkyfool]

My first take on this is that I have never heard of this before.

My second take is why not question the fallibility of this man before you question the truthfulness of the church? It is almost as if you make the assumption that all patriarchs are either perfect every moment or frauds. Knowing what I know about bishops and all other church leaders, they are NOT perfect every moment. Perhaps your patriarch had a not so spiritual day. Perhaps his health is failing. Perhaps you got the exact blessing you were suppose to get. I can't know. But I think that there are other explanations other than the church being full of fraud.

questioning the patriarch IS the first thing i did. I can tell just being around him though that he is a very spiritual man. He's old and i think pretty wise. He's given close to 1200 blessings by now.

It would be one thing if our blessings were similar. THey are exactly the same though basically. But there are some very specific things that are literally verbatim between the two blessings. i just...i dunno.

[Guest tomk]

questioning the patriarch IS the first thing i did. I can tell just being around him though that he is a very spiritual man. He's old and i think pretty wise. He's given close to 1200 blessings by now.

It would be one thing if our blessings were similar. THey are exactly the same though basically. But there are some very specific things that are literally verbatim between the two blessings. i just...i dunno.

Don't tell us -- but how are they DIFFERENT?

BEING IN THE SAME FAMILY might have something to do with it.

The ways in which the blessings are similar AS WELL AS DIFFERENT -- is a great blessing to you and your brother -- and a potential teaching tool for both of you into the workings of the Lord.

Have faith.

[funkyfool]

Don't tell us -- but how are they DIFFERENT?

BEING IN THE SAME FAMILY might have something to do with it.

The ways in which the blessings are similar AS WELL AS DIFFERENT -- is a great blessing to you and your brother -- and a potential teaching tool for both of you into the workings of the Lord.

Have faith.

they arent freakin different hardly at all.

his says hes goin on a mission...which aint gonna happen. and thats really the only difference.

neither of us have potential. kinda silly that we look to a blessing from some falling apart old man to tell us god says we have potential.

teaching tool. maybe.

[DigitalShadow]

I'm not a member, but I can say that I would feel betrayed if something like this happened to me, however I would also not let an incident like this color my view of the church in general. A patriarchal blessing is done by a man, and man is indeed fallable. While I believe it could be divinely inspired, if it were revealed that a particular person was giving out the same patriarchal blessing over and over again, I would not fault the church or assume all patriarchal blessings are rehersed.

[Guest tomk]

they arent freakin different hardly at all.

his says hes goin on a mission...which aint gonna happen. and thats really the only difference.

neither of us have potential. kinda silly that we look to a blessing from some falling apart old man to tell us god says we have potential.

teaching tool. maybe.

You seem to feel the need to harden your heart against our uplifting counsel.

The Lord will not interfere. He honors your agency, even if you use it to deny Him.

[funkyfool]

lol the lord better honor my agency. thats why im here aint it?

[Hemidakota]

Again, specifically, what do you want from the Lord concerning your PB?

[Hemidakota]

LOL...same thought transposing across the net....

[Guest tomk]

lol the lord better honor my agency. thats why im here aint it?

Based on your hurt feelings and sarcasm in your posts, I'd say it was probably too early for you to get your PB. Just my observation.

You need to learn to put a GAP between what you read and your response.

Think about your response. Think about how what you say and how you say it will impact others.

[funkyfool]

I want to know who i am. I want to be assured....that either it is a mistake in the patriarchal blessing. something wrong with the patriarch... or that the church just isnt true

I want to know that wow...its just some sort of weird coincidence...or something that the blessings are so similar,

I want to know that regardless that my brothers is so similar to mine, that my blessing is FOR me...specifically for me

i want to know the truth.

kinda askin too much though. im never gonna find out cause im not willing to find the answers for myself. im not even really sure how to find out the answers for myself.

i thought my patriarchal blessing would give me answers. But now, im just more confused than ever. i never should have gotten my patriarchal blessing

[Hemidakota]

FF, you first need to live up to your committments you made at baptism. From there, any special committment you made with the Savior. If you expect the Savior to honor that portion of light, it takes two to tangle. I promise as a servant of GOD, He will forfill His promises and then some.

What is it you are specifically desiring?

[funkyfool]

Based on your hurt feelings and sarcasm in your posts, I'd say it was probably too early for you to get your PB. Just my observation.

You need to learn to put a GAP between what you read and your response.

Think about your response. Think about how what you say and how you say it will impact others.

excuse me? is there any way i can delete people from posting on my thread?

lol too early to get my patriarchal blessing huh? I think not

Trust me...TOM, i think very much about how i impact those who read what i write.

I appreciate your concern. I appreciate your advice. i dont criticize the way you post (until just now) so dont do it to me either.

[Hemidakota]

I want to know who i am. I want to be assured....that either it is a mistake in the patriarchal blessing. something wrong with the patriarch... or that the church just isnt true

I want to know that wow...its just some sort of weird coincidence...or something that the blessings are so similar,

I want to know that regardless that my brothers is so similar to mine, that my blessing is FOR me...specifically for me

i want to know the truth.

kinda askin too much though. im never gonna find out cause im not willing to find the answers for myself. im not even really sure how to find out the answers for myself.

i thought my patriarchal blessing would give me answers. But now, im just more confused than ever. i never should have gotten my patriarchal blessing

Have you taken this matter back to the Patriarach?

[funkyfool]

Have you taken this matter back to the Patriarach?

i really think thats an excellent idea. I just found this all out today. Today was the first time i had ever read my brothers patriarchal blessing. THe next time i see our stake patriarch, i will certainly talk to him. Of course he'll probably give me some sort of answer like "its what the lord inspired me to say, who am i to question"

but i dont really know. i guess ill just have to ask him. I still tend to think ill be let down by his reply.

i really think i need to find out the answer within myself. and with this supposed god that inspired the blessing to begin with.

like yall keep sayin, the patriarch is but a man. imperfect

[Guest tomk]

I want to know who i am. I want to be assured....that either it is a mistake in the patriarchal blessing. something wrong with the patriarch... or that the church just isnt true

i want to know the truth.

kinda askin too much though. im never gonna find out cause im not willing to find the answers for myself. im not even really sure how to find out the answers for myself.

i thought my patriarchal blessing would give me answers. But now, im just more confused than ever. i never should have gotten my patriarchal blessing

You are a stranger to me. I do not know your actual faith or level of conversion. I don't live in your home or know anything about your challenges or struggles.

While reading your quoted post above, the following entered my mind:

I want to know who i am.

Your blessing can help answer that, if you read it with an eye of faith.

I want to be assured....that either it is a mistake in the patriarchal blessing. something wrong with the patriarch... or that the church just isnt true

Only God can give you that assurance. And He is trying to, in part, by way of your PB.

i want to know the truth.

Read Moroni 10:3-5 with fresh eyes and a new perspective. Not with sarcasm in your heart, but a real desire to know the method for obtaining ALL truth.

kinda askin too much though.

im never gonna find out

cause im not willing to find the answers for myself.

im not even really sure how to find out the answers for myself.

Read the scriptures with these expressed emotions in mind.

For example, Laman and Lemuel struggled with this challenge. Nephi gave them the answer by way of a question (The Lord teaches us great things by the questions He asks of us!!)

6 And it came to pass that after I had received strength I spake unto my brethren, desiring to know of them the cause of their disputations.

7 And they said: Behold, we cannot understand the words which our father hath spoken concerning the natural branches of the olive-tree, and also concerning the Gentiles.

8 And I said unto them: Have ye inquired of the Lord?

9 And they said unto me: We have not; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us.

We can't sit around waiting for the Lord to dump all of the answers in our laps with no effort on our parts. We need to humble ourselves and ask.

10 Behold, I said unto them: How is it that ye do not keep the commandments of the Lord? How is it that ye will perish, because of the hardness of your hearts?

11 Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?—If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you.

i thought my patriarchal blessing would give me answers. But now, im just more confused than ever. i never should have gotten my patriarchal blessing

I would tend to agree -- but that is between you and the Lord.

Be grateful that the Lord has given you this blessing!!