| For the benefit of the non-LDS participating in this conference, I thought I
would mention that LDS patriarchal blessings are blessings given by men whom
we call "patriarchs". These men hold the Melchizedek Priesthood and have been
called to pronounce blessings, as they are guided through inspiration from the
Holy Ghost. Genesis 49 (I think that is the chapter) gives blessings from
Jacob to his sons.
I think that people should get a patriarchal blessing when they are ready
for it, i.e. it is their decision. In other words, I don't think parents
should exert a lot of influence for young children to get a blessing. I don't
know any parents who have exerted such an influence--I'm just speaking in
general terms.
My suggestions to a person planning on receiving a blessing would be to fast
and pray prior to and during the blessing, such that he or she will be in
tune with the Lord and sensitive to the Spirit.
My experience with my blessing has been that blessings have more than one
meaning (just like the scriptures), the same words have different meanings at
different stages of ones life. My blessing, for example, says the
Spirit would be my guide in choice of a career. When those words were
spoken, I thought to my self, "That's strange, because I've already decided to
major in Electronics (I was a college Freshman at the time). Well, I did
graduate in EE and worked in that field for two years, and then I switched
to Computer Science (a decision made through prayer). I've made subsequent
decisions about particular companies to work for and particular locations to
live in, and I've prayed for guidance (and received it) in each of these
decisions. The Spirit has truly been my guide in my career. I still
have a few years left to live (I hope), and I believe that particular phrase
from my blessing will still have its influence in my life and that it hasn't
been completely fulfilled yet.
Another aspect of blessings is a "fathers" or a "priesthood" blessing. We
only receive one patriarchal blessing, but we can receive many blessings from
our father or husband if he holds the Melchizedek Priesthood (or any other
worthy Priesthood holder). These blessings are different in some respects but
similar in other respects from patriarchal blessings.
I'm grateful for the guidance my patriarchal blessing has given me over the
years--its one of the blessings of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Allen
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| I've been thinking about patriarchal blessings. The blessings are given on
the condition that we obey God's commandments, and I think they have a
positive influence in our lives. They help us understand some of our
potential, and they help us realize the necessity of our being obedient to
God and our letting God's will become paramount in our lives.
Allen
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