I was reading my patriarchal blessing this evening because a passage in the scriptures caused me to think about some specific language in my patriarchal blessing. I have learned, over the years, that the two (scripture and patriarchal blessing) are connected. My blessing suggests topics that I am to study in the scriptures. Similarly, there are times when promises in the scriptures become mine in a more personal way because a patriarch, by the authority of the priesthood, pronounced that promise on me.There are two scriptures, in particular, that help me to trust the words of my patriarchal blessing. The first is in D&C 68:4 and defines scripture:
4 And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation.The other is a reminder that the Lord will honor the words of his authorized servants. In D&C 1:38 the Lord tells us that we can trust the words of his servants:
38 What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.There are two thoughts that occurred to me this evening. The first is that a patriarchal blessing, like the scriptures, can provide words that the Lord may use to speak to us through the Holy Spirit. The words of our patriarchal blessing may take on new or deeper meaning as we grow and learn more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In addition, the Lord can communicate new insight, direction, or understanding through the words of a patriarchal blessing even though we may have already read it many, many times.
The second thought is that the patriarchal blessing only necessarily includes a lineage that applies all of the blessings of Israel to us. Other words of comfort, counsel, or direction are a blessing and a tender mercy given by God through a patriarch. The patriarchal blessing is not, however, the last word from the Lord. My blessing indicates that it includes "blessings which our Father desires to bring to your attention at this time." I infer from this, that there may well be things that He would like to bring to my attention at other times. It has been my experience that he will, in fact, teach us more as often as we ask, seek and knock. To continue to teach us, God has provided the Holy Ghost that speaks to us through the scriptures and the Temple, as well as through prayer, pondering and personal revelations. I have also learned that we can received inspired counsel through other priesthood blessings. I have sought blessings at important crossroads in my life and have received the word of the Lord, through the power of the Holy Ghost, by means of the words of those blessings.
The patriarchal blessing is a wonderful gift from God. It is one of many ways that God is speaking to us as He draws us back home to Him.
