Patriarchal Blessings

A patriarchal blessing is personal revelation for our lives. It helps us understand our potential and the blessings we can receive if we are faithful. It may contain promises, admonitions, or warnings to guide our lives. It also helps us know that Heavenly Father knows and cares about us personally.
(Come Follow Me Curriculum lesson objective)

All of us have experienced or will yet experience moments of great decision in our lives. Should I pursue this career or that one? Should I serve a mission? Is this the right person for me to marry?

These are situations in different areas of our lives in which a small change in direction can have significant future consequences. In the words of President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: “Through years of serving the Lord … , I have learned that the difference between happiness and misery in individuals, in marriages, and families often comes down to an error of only a few degrees” (“A Matter of a Few Degrees,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2008, 58).

How can we avoid these small errors in calculation?

I will use a personal experience to illustrate my message.

At the end of the 1980s, our young family was made up of my wife, Mônica, two of our four children, and me. We lived in São Paulo, Brazil, I worked for a good company, I had finished my university studies, and I had recently been released as bishop of the ward where we had lived. Life was good, and everything seemed to be as it should be—until one day an old friend came to visit us.

At the conclusion of his visit, he made a comment and asked a question that unsettled my convictions. He said, “Carlos, everything seems to be going well for you, your family, your career, and your service in the Church, but—” and then came the question, “if you continue to live as you are living, will the blessings promised in your patriarchal blessing be fulfilled?”

I had never thought about my patriarchal blessing in this way. I read it from time to time but never with the intent of looking toward the blessings promised in the future and evaluating how I was living in the present.

After his visit, I turned my attention to my patriarchal blessing, wondering, “If we continue to live as we are living, will the promised blessings be fulfilled?” After some pondering, I had the feeling that some changes were necessary, particularly in relation to my education and profession.

It was not a decision between what was right and wrong but between what was good and what was better, as Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught us when he said: “As we consider various choices, we should remember that it is not enough that something is good. Other choices are better, and still others are best” (“Good, Better, Best,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 104–5).

The Lord Has a Plan for Us!  Elder Carlos A. Godoy, April 2014

“Have you had a patriarchal blessing? Are you preparing to get one soon? Think of this—what does a patriarchal blessing say? Have you ever heard of one which says, ‘I am sorry—you’re a loser. Do the best you can on earth, and we’ll see you in about seventy years.’ Of course not! And you never will, because of the divine qualities each of God’s children has inherited. A patriarchal blessing is like a road map, a guide, directing you in your walk through life. It identifies your talents and the good things that can be yours.”

Elaine L. Jack, Second Counselor, Young Women General Presidency
“Identity of a Young Woman,” October 1989 General Conference

“This is the season for young women to prepare and then receive their patriarchal blessing. Your bishop and parents can help you decide when the right time is for you, because the age and readiness are different for each person. When you understand the meaning and purpose of a patriarchal blessing and have a sincere desire to do the work of the Lord, you should be mature enough to receive your blessing. Sometimes people wait longer than is needed to receive their blessing, thinking that they need to qualify for it in some special way. If you can qualify to receive a recommend to do baptisms at the temple, then you should be able to qualify for a patriarchal blessing. It is important to prepare for your blessing with fasting and prayer so that your spirit is humble and teachable. Your personal preparation is very important.”

When you receive your blessing, you get a glimpse of eternity. You begin to see a picture of what lies ahead for you because your blessing will refer to your eternal purpose and journey. The patriarch who gives you your blessing does not know what your blessing will be until he gives it. He depends on the Spirit to tell him what to say. In your blessing, you are told about your ancestry in the house of Israel. That’s your family line and your family line is sometimes called a tribe. All of the tribes go back to the great patriarch Abraham. Your lineage is important. It means that you are included in the promises given to Abraham that through him all the nations of the world would be blessed.⁸

Julie B. Beck, First Counselor, Young Women General Presidency

“You Have a Noble Birthright,” April 2006 General Conference

“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, First Counselor, Young Women General Presidency
“You Have a Noble Birthright,” April 2006 General Conference

“One of the ways we can come to understand the divinely appointed mission the Lord has for us is through our patriarchal blessings. These are very specific and individual messages we can each receive by the power of the priesthood.”

Susan W. Tanner, Young Women General President
“Daughters of Heavenly Father,” April 2007 General Conference

This is where I got the quiz. You can find the answers here.

Patriarchal Blessings Quiz

1)   T   F   Anyone can receive a patriarchal blessing.

2)   T   F   A patriarchal blessing promises you certain things that will happen in your life.

3)   T   F   Members of the same family will be members of the same tribe of Israel.

4)   T   F   If a person is faithful, all patriarchal promises will be fulfilled in the person’s lifetime.

5)   T   F   A person’s patriarchal blessing will always be understandable to the person who receives it.

6)   T   F   A patriarchal blessing should be shared with friends and neighbors.

7)   T   F   A patriarchal blessing will tell you the major callings you will hold in your life.

8)   T   F   To receive a patriarchal blessing you must be interviewed by the bishop and stake president.

9)   T   F   A patriarchal blessing will tell you if you are going to be married and have children in this life.

10)   T   F   If you live worthy, the Lord will fulfill all of the promises given in your patriarchal blessing.