by Lin Vernon Floyd
No matter our age, we all have questions about our life’s mission like Why am I here on earth? and What special talents do I have? One of the greatest opportunities to find answers as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is to receive (or reread, study and pray about) our patriarchal blessing.

Although baptized at age eight, I’d never learned about patriarchs. Being the only member of my immediate family that was active in the church, it wasn’t until I transferred to BYU that I heard our bishop in my student ward discuss patriarchal blessings in a sacrament meeting.

I wondered…What was a patriarch? Why would his blessing be important for me? The Church’s website explains: Patriarchal blessings include a declaration of a person’s lineage in the house of Israel and contain personal counsel from the Lord. As a person studies his or her patriarchal blessing and follows the counsel it contains, it will provide guidance, comfort, and protection.

After discussing the matter with my college ward Bishop, I learned that I needed to get a special recommend from him before receiving my blessing.
Only worthy members (no particular age limits) who desire a patriarchal blessing can receive one. At age 20, unmarried and continuing my education at BYU was a perfect time for me to receive such inspired guidance.

President Monson advises us, “A patriarchal blessing literally contains chapters from your book of eternal possibilities. I say eternal, for just as life is eternal, so is a patriarchal blessing. What may not come to fulfillment in this life may occur in the next” (“Your Patriarchal Blessing: A Liahona of Light,” Ensign, Nov 1986, 65).

So, I scheduled an appointment. On the appointed day, fasting and praying in preparation for this experience, I met my stake patriarch who was also a professor at BYU. We talked briefly, then he laid his hands upon my head and proceeded to give me a wonderful blessing that was carefully recorded on a tape to be transcribed later, and a copy mailed to me. I have kept a copy of this blessing since receiving it and reread it often. (The Church also keeps a copy in their Archives if you ever lose your copy or want to read any of your deceased LDS ancestors’ blessings, which can be requested.)

Many of my personal questions were answered in this blessing. It was made clear to me how to best use my time and the education I was receiving. There was a warning to avoid improper use of my talents, and what I should look for in a mate.

Probably most important of all was the admonition to pray daily for inspiration and don’t to let your time go to waste. Advice for my future was to keep focused on the most important goal of life: “your family will rise up around you, and be the real joy and the happiness of your life, the crowning point of your achievement will be in rearing them in righteousness before our Father in Heaven.”

My lineage in Israel was declared, and promises sealed upon my head that still evoke tears of joy as I contemplate the future and the marvelous blessings of the resurrection. I truly received my own personal scriptures to guide me. Through the years as I’ve reread my blessing during different seasons and difficult times in my life, new insights have come. President Monson reminds us all: “Your patriarchal blessing is your passport to peace in this life. It is a Liahona of light to guide you unerringly to your heavenly home.”

A personal priesthood road map for our lives: don’t leave home without one.