Refresh your soul

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Recently I found myself reading my patriarchal blessing.  I didn’t plan it; it just happened.  I’m not even sure when I last read my patriarchal blessing, but this particular reading refreshed me.

I’ve been“discussing” with local leaders how they can best support LDS singles.  They keep saying things like “Everything will be made right in the next life.”  No one disputes that.  But seeing as I’m expecting to live for at least another 40 years if not longer, could we please not give up so soon?  How about we focus on what we can do to make things right in this life?

It’s almost as if my leaders are really saying, “See? I did something to help them. Now it’s not my problem anymore.”  I really hope they aren’t rationalizing their lack of involvement in our lives like that.  It won’t look good for any who do that when things do get put right in the next life, if I read Matthew 25 correctly.

Context can change the entire meaning.  Perhaps reading my patriarchal blessing in that context heightened the power of my experience for me.

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Respecting the sacred

I consider patriarchal blessings to be sacred documents.  For me, that means not sharing details with just anyone.  I’m extremely selective in who reads it.

That also means not quoting from it in public forums like this.  I know many others would and have.  I don’t judge them.  I just hold myself to my standard which I apply only to myself.

That said, I’ll communicate general ideas from my patriarchal blessing.  For example, most patriarchal blessings declare the recipient’s lineage.  I have no qualms in saying mine declares my lineage.

I also don’t mind sharing that my patriarchal blessing provides specific counsel for different phases of life.  For example, there’s a section on my mission.  Every time I read it, I think back to the moments when the promises made there were all fulfilled — and fulfilled completely.

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What was old becomes new

There’s also a section about my marriage.  In the past, I’ve always been able to read the part about my mission, think about how that part was fulfilled, and then apply that same thinking to the part about my marriage.  Generally I’m left with the impression the promises made are still true.

During this recent reading of my patriarchal blessing, the availability of these promises in this life struck me very palpably.  It’s not just the strength of the impression convincing me those promises are true.  It’s noticing for the first time the meaning behind some of the language of a different part of my blessing.

My patriarchal blessing talks about my children as well as my marriage and what they will become with respect to this nation, meaning the country of my (and presumably their) birth.  As I pondered that language, I realized there are no nations in the next life.  That means my patriarchal blessing is talking about my children in this life.

But that can’t happen unless I actually have children in this life.  And that won’t happen unless I actually get married in this life.

Sometimes the promises of a patriarchal blessing find fulfillment in the next life.  So I don’t completely blame small minds from jumping to the conclusion that those promises to someone in my situation are meant for the next life.

That’s why this particular reading touched me so powerfully.  After all I’ve endured, what a great comfort to know my loving Heavenly Father is aware of my circumstances!  What a tender mercy to feel the strength of His support as He communicates the truth of His promises to me!

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Get your own experience

I don’t know if all my future patriarchal blessing readings will result in similar faith building episodes.  I certainly hope so.  But regardless of whether or not that happens, I still have the memories of faith promoting experiences like this one that have happened.  I can leverage them to buoy my faith in a God acutely aware of me.

I’m not the only one of whom God is aware.  He’s aware of you also.  Properly employed, patriarchal blessings can help you along your journey home.

When was the last time you read your patriarchal blessing?  Do you believe the Lord’s promises to you?  Do you treasure them within your heart?  If it’s been a while, take them out and read them.  It may just refresh your soul.

Whether or not that happens, I do know one thing for sure.  I know every promise God makes will be fulfilled in its entirety.  We just need to stay true and faithful to Him.  When we do, He’ll support us along the way, and we’ll have more joy in our journey.

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