Why are some patriarchal blessings similar to others?
Question
Gramps,
I know a lot of people have lost faith in the Church or have had their faith rattled because portions of their patriarchal blessings are similar to others. Is there an explanation to why some patriarchal blessings are similar to others? Thanks!
Nate
Answer
Dear Nate,
A number of questions that I answer on this site are driven by readers trying to understand their patriarchal blessings. The portions included in the question tend to be common enough that I find it worth posting for other readers who have similar blessings and similar questions. Some themes are so common that it causes concern when not mentioned. So it comes as no surprise that people comparing patriarchal blessings will tend to find similarities. What’s more, template-style revelations predate the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In June, 1829, before the Church was organized, David, John, and Peter Whitmer Jr. each wanted to know from the Lord what their individual duty was. In response, they were given personalized revelations detailing the beginning of their service in the Restoration. Holding up John Whitmer’s revelation (given through Joseph Smith), I emphasize personal aspects of it:
“Hearken, my servant John, and listen to the words of Jesus Christ, your Lord and your Redeemer. For behold, I speak unto you with sharpness and with power, for mine arm is over all the earth.
“And I will tell you that which no man knoweth save me and thee alone— For many times you have desired of me to know that which would be of the most worth unto you. Behold, blessed are you for this thing, and for speaking my words which I have given you according to my commandments.
“And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen.” (D&C 15).
The Lord, knowing John Whitmer personally, informs him that He is aware of his many prayers concerning his duty, and consequently he is called to cry repentance. Peter Whitmer Jr. is also telling of the personal knowledge God has of His children, and so I highlight the personal aspects of his revelation as well:
“Hearken, my servant Peter, and listen to the words of Jesus Christ, your Lord and your Redeemer. For behold, I speak unto you with sharpness and with power, for mine arm is over all the earth.
“And I will tell you that which no man knoweth save me and thee alone— For many times you have desired of me to know that which would be of the most worth unto you. Behold, blessed are you for this thing, and for speaking my words which I have given you according to my commandments.
“And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen.” (D&C 16).
The Lord, knowing Peter Whitmer personally, informs him that He is aware of his many prayers concerning his duty, and consequently he is called to cry repentance. The message is still personal and sincere. God is beginning His marvelous work and wonder and needs ministers and missionaries. And so the Lord calls and empowers servants on an individual basis. It is so today, with missionaries getting called and assigned by revelation, and yet receiving that revelation as a template letter.
The difference here, though, is that missionaries are getting called through revelation that purports to be personal, showing things that are only known by the Lord and the recipient. And that still holds true. Peter and John may both know the other is concerned about his duty, but the extent of it (“many times“) is known only to the Lord.
The statements themselves are true enough on an individual basis, but why would the Lord use the exact same phrasing in the two revelations? Surely after praying thrice daily that our meals “strengthen and nourish” us, we can show some mercy when the Lord’s servants repeat phrases when repeating themes. Indeed, each saint personally enters into covenant via baptism and also through the sacrament, using the exact same prayers, but we have no problems whatsoever with these blessings pronounced upon us.
It is no different with patriarchal blessings. They are personal revelations given through a revelator. Some themes are common: lineage is declared so the recipient can study the additional blessings promised; often it’s declared to be Ephraim because Ephraim has the responsibility to gather in the other tribes; promises of exaltation contingent on faithfulness; sometimes the phrase “morning of the first resurrection” is used to capture this sentiment as it is scriptural and ties together the blessings, promises, and obligations of D&C 76 and 132; major life milestones are typically mentioned such as missions and marriages and families. These are blessings pronounced upon individuals, and when taken individually cannot be denied – regardless of who else has been offered these same blessings. Additionally, while many of these common elements have been counselled publicly, they become personal commandments when thus administered. Finally we see the same words repeated for these themes when comparing blessings because they often come from the same revelator who, having found a clear way to convey a blessing or charge, may choose to do so again when the message is the same.
After all, my repetition of the same three words (“I love you”) to individual family members does not in any way dilute the truth of the statement collectively or individually.
Gramps
My Patriarchal Blessing complements my husband’s through some similarities and some differences; admittedly, I’d be more concerned with how an individual regards their blessing if they’re letting others read or interpret it for them.
When I received my patriarchal blessing, I was told to limit who I shared my blessing with since it was a sacred document and specific to me. Because of that caution, I do not know how other blessings are worded. I wonder why some people find it necessary to share their blessings with others and why they are concerned with similarities.
Your response using the Whitmers is a good example of how blessings can be both individual and similar. Even when I have received blessings from different priesthood holders concerning different concerns, the wording of my blessings have been similar. Does that mean that they don’t address my different needs at different times? Of course not!
Nate, be cautious about who you share your blessing with. Remember also that we all have the same mission and plan of salvation given to us and there will be similarities. Remember too that these are eternal documents and that we can pray about how they apply to our own individual lives at different times.
As a Patriarch, I was once concerned that I used similar language and phrases with different recipents. I discussed this concern with 3 other patriarchs and found they too had this concern. As we discussed this among ourselves, we found each of us were giving the same information, just in the language style we use as individuals. Just think of how you and someone else may explain something differently, even though both of you are correct. Heavenly Father has much of the same information for each of us to find our way back to His presence, and the fact it is given in similar fashion to different members is consistent with the way He teaches His children. In the over 600 blessings I have given, no two are identical in style or message, even though they may have the same phraseology used to convey the message. Each one has specific counsel for the individual receiving the blessing. Our purpose is to serve as the mouthpiece for the inspiration we receive while giving blessings under the power of our ordained priesthood office. We agreed that if a candidate for a patriarchal blessing went to a different patriarch, he would receive the same lineage, blessings, promises, warnings and counsel but it would be in the language style of the patriarch giving the blessing. The messages are personal and instructive. I no longer am concerned about use of similar, or even identical language, because I know it is not my blessing; it is the Lord’s blessing given in the way the Lord knows I will best convey the meaning. Patriarchal blessings are not meant to be shared or compared — only YOU have the right to the revelation to interpret your blessing. Don’t let others interpret your blessing for you and you will find the true meaning of the blessing. Pray about its meaning and you will see how perfect it is for you.
when I was on my mission, one of my companions had a similar passion for music like myself, and also desired to pursue music as a career. He shared with me a part of his patriarchal blessing that discusses this subject. I was surprised to find that the blessings promised to him were exactly the same, word for word, as mine concerning our careers. As I pondered about this, I realised that there was only one reason why our blessings were identical. Even though our patriarchs lived thousands of miles apart, in different countries. They are the same because they come from the same source…our Father in heaven. The fact that some blessings are the same only add to the testimony of the nature of God and the validity of his blessings.