I gave this talk 4/19/2026.
Good morning, brothers, sisters, and friends. I want to begin my talk with an admonition from President Russell M. Nelson, who said, “Allow the Lord to lead you on your journey of spiritual discovery.”
One very beautiful way we can do that is by receiving our patriarchal blessing.
The church handbook explains that a patriarchal blessing is a priesthood blessing received from an ordained patriarch by the laying on of hands. The main purpose of a patriarchal blessing is to declare a person’s lineage within the house of Israel. It may also offer spiritual guidance, reassurance, and comfort throughout life, especially as the individual follows the counsel it provides.
President Thomas S. Monson said, “A patriarchal blessing is a revelation to the recipient … to protect, inspire, and motivate activity and righteousness. A patriarchal blessing literally contains chapters from your book of eternal possibilities. The same Lord who provided a Liahona for Lehi provides for you and for me today a rare and valuable gift to give direction to our lives, to mark the hazards to our safety, and to chart the way, even safe passage—not to a promised land, but to our heavenly home.”
One very important part of our patriarchal blessing is our declaration of lineage, which can be through any of the tribes of Israel, including two of Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Gospel Topics explains: Though we may not all be literal descendants of Jacob, those who accept the gospel of Jesus Christ are adopted into the house of Israel. Because each of us descends through more than one family line, two members of the same family may have their declared lineage through different tribes of Israel.
This is true in my family. Jad and I are of the same tribe, but Rigel and Kamren are not of that tribe, and are of a different tribe than each other.
Jacob, or Israel, gave patriarchal blessings to each of his 12 sons and two of his grandsons. Each tribe is blessed with unique gifts, strengths, and missions, of which we are a part, either through blood or adoption.
If you would like to learn more about patriarchal blessings, including links to talks, analyses of each tribe and its blessings, links to scriptures, etc., you can check out www.mypatriarchalblessing.com created by a stake patriarch in Pocatello Idaho. Though not created specifically by the Church, it is very thoroughly and thoughtfully done.
Who can receive a patriarchal blessing? President Monson said that “Every worthy member of the Church is entitled to receive such a precious and priceless personal treasure.”
The Church handbook adds more information and says: Ideally the member should be young enough that many important decisions in life are still ahead. However, older adults are also encouraged to receive their patriarchal blessings. Priesthood leaders should not establish a minimum age for a member to receive a patriarchal blessing.
How can you prepare to receive a patriarchal blessing?
Elder M. Russell Ballard counseled, “Be thoughtful and ensure that your own life is in order. If there’s something going on in your life that you ought not be doing, let’s straighten that out so you can sit under the hands of the stake patriarch and be worthy to receive whatever Heavenly Father wants to bless you with.” Elder Ballard also counseled that parents of children need to help prepare their children spiritually so they can be “worthy and spiritually in tune so that the patriarch can be blessed to have heavenly inspiration.”
How do you know if you are ready to receive a patriarchal blessing?
The church handbook explains that the member should understand the significance and sacred nature of patriarchal blessings and understand the basic doctrine of the gospel.
Elder Russell M. Ballard adds this insight: “They are ready when, spiritually, they can feel comfortable to have the stake patriarch bestow upon them a blessing, according to the will of our Heavenly Father.”
So, if you are ready, when should you get your blessing? Bonnie H. Cordon admonished, “If you don’t have one, get one—soon. Don’t delay finding out what the Lord wants to tell you now about who you are.”
If I want to get a patriarchal blessing, what do I do?
The church handbook explains this in detail, and I will summarize. Make an appointment with the Bishop or assigned counselor. If you are deemed worthy to receive your patriarchal blessing, you will receive a special recommend to receive one. After you receive the recommend, you will contact the stake patriarch to make an appointment. On that day, you will go to his home with a prayerful attitude and Sunday attire. Fasting is not necessary but you may do so if you wish. Because patriarchal blessings are so sacred, personal, and confidential, they are given in private only in the presence of limited family members or a close friend.
Stake Patriarchs, as Elder Ballard explained, “are men generally of vast experience. They are spiritually insightful and carry a tremendous responsibility when they lay their hands on the head of someone to pronounce a patriarchal blessing. The Spirit of the Lord is with them. They stand alone and they place their hands on the heads of our people and pronounce blessings from our Heavenly Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, which is a very, very precious opportunity for members of the Church.”
President James E. Faust further explained that “Patriarchs are privileged to impart blessings directly rather than just solicit blessings to the individual, for the patriarchs are entitled to speak authoritatively for the Lord. When moved upon by the Holy Spirit, the patriarch makes an inspired declaration of the lineage of the recipient together with such blessings, spiritual gifts, promises, advice, admonition, and warnings as the patriarch feels inspired to give. It is in essence a prophetic utterance.” He also shared this truth: “The patriarch has no blessing of his own to give; the blessing is the Lord’s to give.”
I asked Patriarch Hatch, who gave my three oldest sons their patriarchal blessings, and has been a patriarch since Feb 2011, to share his testimony about them. He shared: When I have given patriarchal blessings, it has been revealed to me how much Heavenly Father loves each of his children individually. Just as Jesus took the time to talk to the woman at the well, he is individually concerned about each person who desires a patriarchal blessing. Just as He revealed to the rich young ruler what he lacked, a patriarchal blessing can give counsel and direction tailored to that person. Our heavenly father and our savior Jesus Christ, love us more than we realize. They are urging us upward every way they can. They rejoice as we seek righteousness and make steps along the true path that leads back to them. Serving as a patriarch along with my wife has strengthened my testimony of these truths and been a joyful experience for us.
Patriarch Hatch gave inspired counsel as to why patriarchal blessings are so special. I want to share some more thoughts from general authorities as well as to why we should get one.
President Faust said, “These privileged blessings are a powerful witness of the mission of the Lord Jesus Christ in bringing exaltation to each of us.” He also taught, “God knows our spirits; He knows our strengths and weaknesses. He knows our capabilities and our potential. Our patriarchal blessings indicate what the Lord expects of us and what our potential can be. Our blessings can encourage us when we are discouraged, strengthen us when we are fearful, comfort us when we sorrow, give us courage when we are filled with anxiety, lift us up when we are weak in spirit.”
Elder Kazuhiko Yamashita also testified: “[Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ] love us. Patriarchal blessings are sacred gifts from Them. When you receive your blessing, you will realize and feel how They love you and how They focus on you individually.”
Elder Randall K Bennett said, “Cherishing my patriarchal blessing while I was young blessed me with courage when I was discouraged, comfort when I was fearful, peace when I felt anxious, hope when I felt hopeless, and joy when I needed it most. My patriarchal blessing helped increase my faith and trust in my Heavenly Father and my Savior. It also increased my love for Them—and it still does.”
And President Russell M. Nelson declared, “It is precious. It is personal scripture to you. It declares your special lineage. It reminds you of your linkage with the past. And it will help you realize your future potential. Literally, you can lay claim upon the Lord for fulfillment of those blessings through your faithfulness.”
For those of us who have received our patriarchal blessings, President Ballard counseled, “People ought to turn to their patriarchal blessing when they have a spiritual need and when they desire reassurance. If they are going through an issue in their lives, it is a great time to read their patriarchal blessing.”
And the church handbook said, A person who receives a patriarchal blessing should treasure its words, ponder them, and live to be worthy to receive the promised blessings in this life and in eternity.
Some of us may wonder why certain promises we may hope for aren’t included in our patriarchal blessings. President Faust said, “A patriarchal blessing is a sacred guideline of counsel, promises, and information from the Lord. However, a person should not expect that the blessing will detail all that will happen to him or her or be an answer to all questions. The omission of the blessing of a great event in life such as a mission or marriage does not mean it will not happen. My own blessing is short and is limited to perhaps three quarters of one page on one side, yet it has been completely adequate and perfect for me.”
Some of us may also wonder why a promise we have received in our patriarchal blessing has not been fulfilled. Elder John A Widtsoe explained, “It should always be kept in mind that the realization of the promises made may come in this life or the future life. Men have stumbled at times because promised blessings have not occurred in this life. They have failed to remember that, in the gospel, life with all its activities continues forever and that the labors of earth may be continued in heaven. Besides, the giver of the blessings, the Lord, reserves the right to have them become active in our lives as suits his divine purposes. We and our blessings are in the hands of the Lord, but there is a general testimony that when the gospel law has been obeyed, the promised blessings have been realized.”
Other than reading it and trusting in our blessings, what else should we do with them? Elder Carlos Godoy shared a story about how his friend asked him this question: “Carlos, everything seems to be going well for you, your family, your career, and your service in the Church, but if you continue to live as you are living, will the blessings promised in your patriarchal blessing be fulfilled?”
Elder Godoy shared, “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).
I love this thought. Now, I want to take some time to share some thoughts from my family members who have gotten their patriarchal blessings. We are asked not to compare our blessings or share them publicly, but we are able to share our tender testimonies of them.
When I asked Jad about his blessing, he said, “It helped me to think and pray about who I needed to get married to. It guided me to build a family, to try to honor the callings I have, to go back to school for a higher education, and to try to stay true to my covenants.”
My oldest son, Casey, said: “It was really helpful for me to want to go on a mission, but then on my mission, it gave me a lot of strength: the blessings that were told, knowing I was loved and that I had a purpose, and other things really helped me push through the hard times during my mission. It has also given me guidance on what to do now that I’m a full adult and now that I’m living life, what direction to go to, how important it is for me to pursue my higher education, to do well, to put forward my best effort. While it’s not ultra specific, it gives me something to look back on and know I’m going the right direction. It has helped me know what I want to do for a career and kind of let me know I am on the right path. It has pointed me in a direction and as I have gone through this short part of my life, it’s a reference point to know I’m doing the right thing, going in the right direction, and to keep doing that.
He also gave this counsel to adolescents who have recently gotten their blessings: “I have noticed that throughout my short time of having it that when I read it at different sections of my life, different sections stick out. As you do your best to live a righteous life and follow the promptings of the spirit, you will find that God has a plan for you. Things that maybe didn’t make sense before will make sense later and will give you great strength.”
Rigel said that he got his blessing because he needed answers in his life. To help him prepare, he studied and kept himself temple worthy. When he got his blessing, he felt that it was powerful and helped him know that Heavenly Father has a plan for him. From his blessing, he felt that he had more wisdom of his possible future, and his blessing helps him know what to strive for. He prays about it and reads it often. His advice is if you want to do it, do it.
Kamren shared this testimony: I knew it held answers I needed to know and I felt like I needed to get it. i prepared by praying and meditating. the experience felt calm and holy. it felt awesome and happy and calm. it’s helping me by telling me what I need to do and need to know and it helps you want to be more like Jesus and god because it’s from god in his own words and it feels good. it is preparing me for the future by following the blessing and to try to be better. for people that have not had their patriarchal blessing yet when you feel spiritually ready or just really need it for a certain reason, then do it will help prepare you for the future.
Recently, we all sat down and read our patriarchal blessings as a family and discussed them. It was a very special experience.
Eve, who has not had her patriarchal blessing yet, said she has felt happy talking about our family’s blessings and she really wants to get one.
I had a thought yesterday morning that while our patriarchal blessings are truly personal and sacred to us, they are not the only blessings which have meaning in our lives. We can help support our spouses in fulfilling the direction provided in their patriarchal blessings. We can help lead and guide our children as they try to learn more about who they are and navigate the words of their blessings, as well as be a righteous example for them. Our parents’ blessings can also help us know more about what God wants for us. Yesterday, I went to my parents’ house to visit. I had never heard their patriarchal blessings before, so I read them both aloud. We had such a lovely and spiritual conversation about both of their blessings and how my parents have been led, guided, and blessed by following the counsel in their blessings. There was also verbiage in both of their blessings that helped me as their daughter know what I can focus on and be doing to honor God and my neighbor.
I am so grateful I had the opportunity to prepare this talk. My own patriarchal blessing is short and was geared more towards me as a youth, but I still can do my best to apply that counsel to myself as an adult. I have also seen the blessings in my life as I have followed the simple counsel in my patriarchal blessing. I hope and pray that those of us who have not received our blessings do not delay in preparing to receive one, and that those of us who do have them, take the time to read, study, cherish, and pray over them to know what the Lord would have us know and do. I know that our Heavenly Parents and our Savior love us more than we could ever comprehend and that our patriarchal blessings are a true gift to us. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.