What Is A Patriarchal Blessing?
Specific & Personal
Understanding Our Blessings
100

What information is in a patriarchal blessing?

Patriarchal blessings include a declaration of a person's lineage in the house of Israel and contain personal counsel from the Lord.

100

Can my parents come to my blessing with me?

Yes

100

How is a patriarchal blessing given

The patriarch will place his hands on your head and give the blessing through inspiration. It will be revealed direction for you. The blessing will then be transcribed so that you can have a physical copy to study throughout your life. The Church will also keep a copy of your blessing in case you ever lose yours.

200

Who can receive a patriarchal blessing?

Every worthy, baptized member is entitled to
receive a patriarchal blessing, which provides
inspired direction from Heavenly Father

200

Fill in the blank. “A patriarchal blessing is an
expression of Heavenly Father’s _____ for each
of us.”

LOVE. It is evidence that He knows us
personally. When we study our blessings, we
can sense that He is mindful of each of us
individually.

200

What should I do with my blessing once I’ve
received it?

We should read it humbly, prayerfully,
and frequently. It contains personal revelation and
instructions from Heavenly Father, who knows our
strengths, weaknesses, and eternal potential.
Patriarchal blessings may contain promises, admo-
nitions, and warnings

300

How old do I need to be to receive a patriarchal blessing?

There is no set age. You should be old enough
to appreciate the sacred nature of the blessings

300

Can I let other people read my patriarchal
blessing?

Your blessing is personal, between
you and Heavenly Father. They are sacred and
should not be read publicly or interpreted by
others. You may choose to share it with your
parents or other close family members

300

When will the promises in my blessing be
fulfilled?

Sometimes patriarchal blessings
reveal things from our pre-earth life, but they
are mostly guides for present and future living.
Because blessings are eternal in nature, they
may include possibilities beyond mortal life

400

What Is the Declaration of Lineage in a
patriarchal blessing?

When we are baptized and become members of the Church, we inherit the promises God made to Abraham and his posterity if we remain righteous as well as
responsibilities as an heir of those promises.

400

How do I know if I’m ready to receive my
patriarchal blessing?

The desire to receive a
patriarchal blessing should come from a desire
to know and live God’s will for you. Curiosity or
pressure from others isn’t the right reason to
get a blessing. Talking to your parents and your
bishop can help determine if you’re ready.

400

Why is knowing our lineage important?

Knowing your lineage can be a helpful guide in
your life because belonging to one of the twelve tribes
brings the blessings and missions specific to each
tribe. The blessings Jacob gave his sons (the heads of
each of the tribes) can be found in Genesis 49

500

How will the promises in my blessing be
fulfilled?

All blessings are based on your
faithfulness and the Lord’s timing. Blessings may
also be fulfilled in a variety of ways throughout
your life, depending on your growth, capacity,
and circumstance

500

Do patriarchal blessings tell our future?

Not exactly. Blessings help us understand our
potential and possibilities. They can provide peace
and hope in times of difficulty and uncertainty. All
blessings and promises in patriarchal blessings are
conditional, based upon our faithfulness

500

How do patriarchal blessings link us to the past
and the future?

Receiving our blessings with the
declaration of lineage connects us to “Father
Abraham” in the past and his promised blessings
that we can inherit. Blessings connect us to the future
as we receive personal, promised blessings from
Heavenly Father specifically for us