President Boyd K. Packer reflected upon his own experience receiving a blessing from a stake patriarch he had never met when he was in the military. Later, as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, he gave a blessing to this same patriarch the day before he died.

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President Boyd K. Packer

He gave his reflection in the context of a priesthood-session message about the role of a stake patriarch.

"I did not know then, as I do now, that a patriarch has prophetic insight, that his blessing would be more than a guide to me," he said. "It has been a shield, a protection."

He noted that until a few years ago, every stake patriarch was called and ordained by a member of the Twelve. "When the number of stakes increased, this responsibility was delegated to the stake president," he said.

He explained that a stake president submits a name to the Quorum of the Twelve, that each name is carefully and prayerfully considered, and that once approved, the patriarch is sustained in stake conference, then ordained. "He then, with prophetic insights, will pronounce blessings upon the heads of those who come recommended by the bishop of the ward."

President Packer referred to a publication, "Information and Suggestions for Patriarchs," that at times has been discussed and reviewed by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, each time being reduced in size. "One senior Brother said, 'Brethren, we must not get between the Lord and His patriarchs.'

"We now ask each stake president and each patriarch to re-read this brief document. Read it more than once."

There is no fixed age for receiving a patriarchal blessing, he said, adding that it is given when the bishop determines a person is of sufficient maturity.

"Except for members of the immediate family, we should not permit others to read our blessing nor should we ask others to interpret it," he counseled. "Neither the patriarch nor the bishop can or should interpret it."

President Packer said, "Stake presidents must provide very careful, special watch care over the patriarch. You should have him sit on the stand and be recognized."

Regularly, perhaps twice a year, the stake president should interview the patriarch and read some of his blessings, he said. "Remind him that each blessing should be individual and special to the member. This periodic readings of blessings must not be neglected by the stake president."

Noting that an essential part of a patriarchal blessing is a declaration of lineage, President Packer said the great majority of Latter-day Saints are declared to be of the tribe of Ephraim, the tribe to which has been committed the leadership of the Latter-day work. He noted, "Since there are many blood lines running in each of us, two members of one family might be declared as being of different tribes in Israel."

Regarding the specific promises in a blessing, he said, "It is well to know that things happen in the Lord's due time, not always in ours. Things of an eternal nature have no boundaries."

He said that circumstances, such as advancing age and infirmity, moving out of a stake or a call to serve a mission, may require the stake president recommend that a patriarch be honorably excused from active service.

Speaking to patriarchs, he said: "You have been chosen as few other men are chosen. You must live in such a way that through spiritual inspiration, you can give prophetic and inspired blessings. Be an exemplary patriarch in your own family. Live worthy of the Spirit. Experience the joy of your calling."