Mormon Theology no. 33 - The Patriarchal Blessing

A very special office within the Melchizedek Priesthood is the office of Patriarch.  Like the ancient Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the modern Patriarch's duty is to give a special blessing called a Patriarchal Blessing.  We will discuss what it is and the like.

Said the Prophet Joseph Smith, "Wherever the Church of Christ is established in the earth, there should be a Patriarch for the benefit of the posterity of the Saints, as it was with Jacob in giving his patriarchal blessing unto his sons. (TPJS, p. 151)"  If one may recall, Jacob gave twelve special blessings to his twelve special sons.  They foretold the eternal possibilities of each person.  So it is with the modern Patriarchs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; eternal possibilities of each person is made known through the Patriarch, and will come to pass according to the person's worthiness.

Elder John A. Widstoe said of Patriarchal Blessings, "The patriarch, looking into the future, enumerates the blessings and promises, some special, others general, to which the person of the proper lineage . . . is entitled; and through his authority seals them upon him, so that they may be his forever through faithfulness. (Evidences and Reconciliations 1:73-74)"

Elder LeGrand Richards put it this way:

If we do not know where we are going, then we are just like a ship on the ocean without a rudder, without anyone to steer. We are tossed to and fro with the wind and the waves. But if we understand where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going, then we are more likely to reach the desired port. That is really the purpose of a patriarchal blessing, to be able to interpret and reveal to us, through the inspiration of the Almighty, why we are here and what is expected of us that we might fill the measure of our creation here upon the earth. ("Patriarchal Blessings", Enisgn, September 1981)

President James E. Faust stated, "Our patriarchal blessings indicate what the Lord expects of us and what our potential is. 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. ("Patriarchal Blessings, Liahona, June 1983)"  I try to read my Patriarchal Blessing at least once a week.  I know that they are inspired of God.  

I know that the Patriarchal office is of God, and that the blessings given by the noble Patriarchs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are lighthouses, as it were, steering us as individuals away from the ragged rocks of the Adversary and into the Harbor of the Celestial Kingdom if we would only live right.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen!

Mormon Theology no. 32 - The Whisperings of the Holy Ghost

President Joseph Smith taught, "Be careful and not turn away the small still voice; it will teach you what to do and where to go; it will yield the fruits of the kingdom.  Tell the brethren to keep their hearts open to conviction, so that when the Holy Ghost comes to them, their hearts will be ready to receive it. (Manuscript History of Brigham Young 1846–1847, comp. Elden J. Watson (1971), p. 529)"

The most challenging thing for Christiandom to realize is how to recognize the Holy Ghost's influence.

The Influence of the Holy Ghost
The Apostle Paul taught what the influence of the Holy Spirit feels like.  "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith. (Gal. 5:22)"  Likewise did the Prophet Joseph Smith teach, "It will whisper peace and joy to their souls; it will take malice, hatred, strife and all evil from their hearts; and their whole desire will be to do good, bring forth righteousness and build up the kingdom of God. (Manuscript History of Brigham Young, p. 529)"

The Holy Ghost will bear witness of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and the Bible, because the Spirit of Truth cannot be restrained.  Every time I read the Book of Mormon, the Spirit reconfirms the truth of that Book and the reality of Jesus Christ the Son of God.  It also confirms the prophetic mantle that was on Joseph Smith and that is currently on Thomas S. Monson.

Now, dear reader, the Spirit speaks in different ways to different people, and one must find and learn to recognize the way it speaks to him.  For me, it is a tangible feeling of warmth and joy unspeakable.  This warm, joyous feeling lifts my mind to a higher plain.  My thoughts are clear, my hear rejoices.

Modern prophets can help describe the Spirit's workings better than I.  In the May 2000 issue of the Ensign, President Boyd K. Packer taught, "The voice of the Spirit is a still, small voice—a voice that is felt rather than heard.  It is a spiritual voice that comes into the mind as a thought put into your heart."    President Joseph Smith taught, "A person may profit by noticing the first intimation of the spirit of revelation; for instance, when you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas, so that by noticing it, you may find it fulfilled the same day or soon; (i.e.) those things that were presented unto your minds by the Spirit of God, will come to pass; and thus by learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation, until you become perfect in Christ Jesus. (History of the Church, 3:381)" 

When the Holy Ghost speaks, sometimes words cannot describe its influence, although they are helpful.  President James E. Faust said, "The Holy Ghost bears witness to us of the truth and impresses upon our souls the reality of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, so surely that no earthly power or authority can separate us from that knowledge. (April 2001 General Conference, "Born Again"; see May 2001 Ensign)"  When the Holy Ghost speaks, although one may not know how to explain it, one knows the Spirit is speaking.

I know that the Holy Ghost is real and does speak to man.  I know that it will testify to the veracity of the Book of Mormon and to Joseph Smith's calling as a Prophet.  If one works at it hard enough with a sincere heart, God will answer him through revelation from the Holy Ghost.  In the name of Jesus the Messiah.  Amen.