35 9/25/23 Patriarchal Blessings

 35- 9/25/2023 Patriarchal Blessings

Patriarchal Blessings


It was fun to visit with Miles today on his 20th Birthday. We were so happy to hear that the missionaries and members are making it a big deal and celebrating our missionary on his special day. Makes mama and I so happy. 


Yesterday was a special day for Graham as he received his Patriarchal Blessing. It was a really powerful blessing and the Spirit was strong. Mama and I were talking afterwards how neat it has been for us as parents to be present as you have each received these sacred blessings. It is so reassuring as parents to know that if you will treasure up this individualized counsel and guidance given to you by your Heavenly Father, and seek for the gifts and blessings pronounced upon you heads, that you will find so much peace, joy, and strength throughout your lives. That you will each literally be guided safely home as you faithfully live the Gospel, and seek for the blessings given from your Heavenly Father. Not to mention the impact and influence you will have on so many others along the way, most importantly being your own families.


As I was reading my blessing yesterday in preparation for Graham receiving his, the pronouncement of my lineage really stuck out to me. Like each of you, I am of the tribe of Ephraim. The significance of this is far more than I understand, but I know that two important truths attached to our link to Ephraim are first, we are decedents of Abraham and therefore promised all the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant. This means the blessings of exaltation and eternal family. The second important truth is taught to us in the Book of Mormon and through living prophets, and that is our right and responsibility, as the tribe of Ephraim, to gather scattered Israel. Ephraim is the the tribe that is called to preside, to spread and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the Book of Mormon, and to build up His kingdom on the Earth for the preparation of the Saviors return. What a responsibility! What a honor and privilege!

President Wilford Woodruff stated: “We are of the seed of Ephraim, and of Abraham, and …. are the instruments that God has kept in the spirit world to come forth in these latter days to take hold of this kingdom and build it up.  


I love the quote from President Oaks regarding Patriarchal blessings. It reminds me of the teaching we learn in the temple endowment. It says that the endowment is a gift from God received by prophets through revelation, and is therefore best understood by revelation, personal revelation. President Oaks teaches us that our blessings are very similar, “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 invitation for each of us is to some time this week read our Patriarchal Blessing and prayerfully listen to what the Holy Ghost is teaching us. What blessings are you promised? Heavenly Father has so many blessing in store for us. We must prove faithful through obedience to receive them.


Consider this scripture in your personal study this week. 


D&C 130:20-21 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated— And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

President Nelson said it this way, “If you really want a certain blessing, you’d better find out what the laws are that govern that blessing and then work on becoming obedient to those laws.”


If you are looking for a personal scripture study idea, List your promised blessings. Then study and find the attached laws to those blessings. Do a personal inventory on how you are doing living  those laws.


I love you all so much. I consider my greatest blessing promised that of eternal family. That is because it includes each one of you! 


Love, Dad

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