Q&A

“How can my patriarchal blessing help me make decisions?”

“A patriarchal blessing is a revelation to the recipient, even a white line down the middle of the road, to protect, inspire, and motivate activity and righteousness. A patriarchal blessing literally contains chapters from your book of eternal possibilities. …

“… It is a Liahona of light to guide you unerringly to your heavenly home.”

President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018), “Your Patriarchal Blessing: A Liahona of Light,” Oct. 1986 general conference.

Our Personal Liahona

Patriarchal blessings are a way that Heavenly Father helps us know our premortal, mortal, and eternal identity. By knowing these three special truths about ourselves, it helps us follow the plan God has for us. We know who we are, why we are here, and where we can be. As the Liahona worked according to the faith and diligence of Nephi and his family in following its counsel (see 1 Nephi 16:28), we too can be faithful and diligent in following our own Liahona and its counsel, which will guide us to our divine potential.

Elder Utai, 20, Argentina Salta Mission

An Eternal Perspective

Whenever I feel clueless in making decisions, I turn to my patriarchal blessing and ponder its divine revelation. And then deciding becomes easy. It not only helps me endure my earthly life and reap promised blessings, but it also reminds me of preparing myself to worthily enter the Lord’s kingdom someday. It continually helps me grow in faith, trust in the Lord’s will, and live with an eternal perspective.

Abegail F., 18, Cagayan Valley, Philippines

Heavenly Counsel

My patriarchal blessing gives me counsel from my Heavenly Father. If I follow that counsel, I know I will get revelation on decisions I need to make. He answers some of my questions even before I ask them.

Cami H., 16, Utah, USA

Listen to the Spirit

If you are searching for comfort and guidance or for an answer to a burning question, you can pray sincerely about it and read your patriarchal blessing with real intent of heart, while listening to the Spirit. Searching the scriptures helps too. I believe that if you do this with real faith, the Lord will answer you, in His own time, in the best way.

Kezia B., 15, Hawaii, USA

Promised Blessings

Patriarchal blessings tell us what God wants to bless us with. He gives us warnings and explains how we can become more like Him. When we know what Heavenly Father has in store for us and how to get it, we will choose and act accordingly to receive it.

Hunter H., 18, Utah, USA

Responses are intended for help and perspective, not as official pronouncements of Church doctrine.

What Do You Think?

“I’m struggling to receive answers to prayer. How do I know an answer is from God?”

Submit your answer and photo by May 15, 2019. Go to newera.ChurchofJesusChrist.org and click “Submit Your Work.” Sign in with your LDS Account and then select “New Era” under Choose Magazine.” Click “Add File” to select your file and photos, and then click “Submit” to upload and send us your file.

Responses may be edited for length or clarity.