Near the end of his life, Jacob gathered his twelve sons and spoke prophetically to each of them. “Gather yourselves together,” he said, “that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days” (Genesis 49:1). The brief record that we have of these blessings is hopeful for some of the sons and rather stern toward others, notably the oldest: Reuben, Simeon, and Levi. But the author of Genesis concludes this account in positive terms:
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.
Genesis 49:28
Lehi likewise gathered his children and grandchildren at the end of his life, to give them each a blessing. (See 2 Nephi 1-4.) In these blessings, he prophesied (2 Nephi 1:6), quoted scripture (2 Nephi 3:14-22), explained doctrine (2 Nephi 2:5-7), provided counsel (2 Nephi 1:21-23), and blessed them (2 Nephi 4:5-11).
In 1833 or 1834, Joseph Smith ordained his father, Joseph Smith, Sr., to the office of patriarch. After that time, his father gave special blessings, in the tradition of Jacob’s and Lehi’s blessings, first to family members, and then to other members of the church. These blessings also included a declaration of lineage, assigning the recipient to one of the tribes of Israel. In 1835, Oliver Cowdery began recording those blessings in a book.
Four months after the death of Joseph Smith, Sr., in January 1841, the Lord called his son Hyrum to replace him:
Let my servant William [Marks] be appointed, ordained, and anointed, as counselor unto my servant Joseph, in the room of my servant Hyrum, that my servant Hyrum may take the office of Priesthood and Patriarch, which was appointed unto him by his father, by blessing and also by right;
That from henceforth he shall hold the keys of the patriarchal blessings upon the heads of all my people,
That whoever he blesses shall be blessed, and whoever he curses shall be cursed; that whatsoever he shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever he shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
And from this time forth I appoint unto him that he may be a prophet, and a seer, and a revelator unto my church, as well as my servant Joseph.
Doctrine and Covenants 124:91-94
Today, there are approximately 3,300 patriarchs serving worldwide. All members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are encouraged to receive a blessing from their local patriarch. Patriarchal blessings include:
- A declaration of lineage, affirming the recipient’s inheritance of the blessings promised to Abraham, and assigning the recipient to one of the tribes of Israel.
- Personal instructions from God, who knows each of our strengths, challenges, and potential.
- Promises, admonitions, and warnings, specific to the needs of the recipient.
While patriarchal blessings may mention future events, their purpose is not to answer every question or to provide a detailed roadmap for the recipient’s life. Patriarchal blessings are sacred and personal and should not normally be shared, except with close family members.
President Dallin H. Oaks has given the following counsel:
[A patriarchal blessing] is given under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and should be read and interpreted under the influence of that same Spirit. The meaning and significance of a patriarchal blessing will be taught line upon line in the course of time by the power of the same Spirit that inspired [it].
“Patriarchal Blessings,” Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting: The Patriarch, Jan. 8, 2005, 10; quoted by Elder Kazuhiko Yamashita in “When to Receive Your Patriarchal Blessing,” April 2023 general conference
Today, I will review my patriarchal blessing, looking for insights to help me with the challenges I face. I will be grateful for the guidance I can receive, through the Holy Ghost, as I study this personalized revelation.
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