YOUTH CAN TEACH
PATRIARCHAL BLESSING Checklist & Memo (lesson activity)
HOW CAN I PREPARE FOR MY PATRIARCHAL BLESSING?
YOUTH CAN TEACH with this interactive ACTIVITY to help youth prepare for, receive, and memorize their patriarchal blessing from Heavenly Father.
• The MESSAGE MEMO allows them to record: “I was blessed with.” “I was promised.” “What I must do.”
• The PREPARATION CHECKLIST reveals things they can do to get ready for the blessing. They can place a flower sticker by each item accomplished,e.g., “Be mature enough to appreciate the blessing.“
DISCUSSION IDEAS:
A Patriarchal Blessing Is:
• A personal scripture from Heavenly Father to you
• This scripture-like message declares your lineage (connection to one of the tribes of Israel)
• It helps you realize your full potential as a son or daughter of God
• Encourages your faithfulness that comes with promised blessings
• Your “personal Liahona,” Thomas S. Monson said, and to read, love, and follow it (as it provides specific direction and counsel)
• “A star to follow … an anchor to our souls,” James E. Faust said, that cannot be taken away if one is worthy (with faithfulness, we can navigate life’s challenges)
• A message that strengthens faith and testimony as it includes promises and counsel, helping us become closer to God
• It offers peace and hope; a light in a dark world that will lead you like to “iron rod” (1 Nephi 8) that will “safely guide us through” (song “The Iron Rod)
• Helps you gain eternal perspective as to where you came from and eternal life (which can become a life with God—as you remain faithful to His commandments)
BEFORE THE BLESSING
Youth can do many things to prepare for the patriarchal blessing:
• Pray to get ready
• Make an appointment to see the bishop and patriarch
• Go with a desire to know the Lord’s will concerning your life
After the blessing, think of the gifts and talents you have and how they can help you work to realize those blessings.
Inspiration
“Your patriarchal blessing is yours and yours alone. It may be brief or lengthy, simple or profound. Length and language do not a patriarchal blessing make. It is the Spirit that conveys the true meaning. Your blessing is not to be folded neatly and tucked away. It is not to be framed or published. Rather, it is to be read. It is to be loved. It is to be followed. Your patriarchal blessing will see you through the darkest night. It will guide you through life’s dangers. Unlike the struggling bomber of yesteryear, lost in the desert wastes, the sands and storms of life will not destroy you on your eternal flight. Your patriarchal blessing is to you a personal Liahona to chart your course and guide your way.” – Your Patriarchal Blessing: A Liahona of Light, Thomas S. Monson, Second Counselor in the First Presidency
MUTUAL NIGHT, SUNDAY SCHOOL, SEMINARY, FAMILY NIGHT ACTIVITIES
PATRIARCHAL BLESSING DISCUSSION AND SACRED YEARLY LETTER:
1. Talk about patriarchal blessings and about earthly fathers—what they want for their children and what they do for their children. Discuss what Heavenly Father does and wants for His children, and the things He gives us to help us.
2. Have youth write a letter of appreciation to their Heavenly Father and put it in a sealed envelope. Tell them to nourish these feelings so they will grow. Have them put the letter in their journal for one year.
3. After the year is up, have them then write another letter to Heavenly Father, expressing appreciation and love, then compare by re-reading the letter from the previous year.
4. Then have them repeat steps 2–3 and compare the feelings from one year to the next, watching their love increase.
VIEWS OF A PATRIARCH’S WIFE:
Have the wife of a patriarch come and relate her special insights and experiences regarding patriarchal blessings. She can also tell how she supports her husband in his calling as the patriarch. Tell the steps involved in obtaining a patriarchal blessing, what to do with your patriarchal blessing, and how to read and understand it so it will help you throughout your life (see Without Fear video below).
• ARTICLE: What a Patriarchal Blessing Can Do for You (HERE)
• VIDEO: Without Fear – An Italian missionary suffering from diabetes recounts how he didn’t serve his mission until he received his patriarchal blessing.
INSIGHTS OF LIVING A PATRIARCHAL BLESSING:
Have different mothers (for young women) or fathers (for young men) in the ward who have received their patriarchal blessing share how it has helped them. Discuss how each blessing is different and very personal. If parts of a blessing are shared, approve what is shared with leaders ahead of time (this is important as everyone’s blessing is different, and it shouldn’t make someone feel left out because they may not receive the same promises); best not to mention parts of the blessing specifically. Check with DeseretBook.com to find the current books on Patriarchal Blessings or recent talks on the topic. Here is one in 2023 By Elder Randall K. Bennett Of the Seventy, “Your Patriarchal Blessing—Inspired Direction from Heavenly Father” (HERE).
• QUOTE FROM THE PROPHET: From the talk mentioned above, Elder Randall K. Bennett said, “Our beloved President Russell M. Nelson has repeatedly taught about the importance of a patriarchal blessing, that it gives each recipient ‘a declaration of lineage back to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob’ and that each blessing ‘is personal scripture to you.'”
– “Your patriarchal blessing will see you through the darkest night. It will guide you through life’s dangers.” —Thomas S. Monson
Your Patriarchal Blessing: A Liahona of Light
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