Question
Dear Gramps,
What is a patriarchal blessing? Who receives it? Who gives it? I’ve been a member for eight years and am not sure what I need to do to get it.
Anna
Answer
Dear Anna,
A patriarchal blessing is a revelation from God to the individual receiving the blessing. The blessing may contain counsel and advice on how to conduct your life. It may contain information on what your potential is and what God expects of you and may declare the attendant blessings if you live a life of compliance. The patriarch would also be inspired to declare in the blessing from which of the tribes of Israel you have descended. Anyone who lives a worthy life may obtain a patriarchal blessing. To get such a blessing the initiative is on the part of the person seeking the blessing. The procedure to do so would be to request an interview with your bishop, who will examine your worthiness and issue the recommend. You would then make an appointment with your stake patriarch to receive the blessing.
Gramps