Handbook 2:
Administering the Church

General Guidelines

Every worthy, baptized member is entitled to and should receive a patriarchal blessing, which provides inspired direction from the Lord. Church leaders and parents encourage members to prepare spiritually to obtain their patriarchal blessings.

The bishop or an assigned counselor interviews members who want to receive patriarchal blessings. If a member is worthy, the interviewer issues and signs a Patriarchal Blessing Recommend.

Receiving a Patriarchal Blessing

Members should go to the patriarch with a prayerful attitude and in Sunday attire. They may fast, but fasting is not required.

Each patriarchal blessing is sacred, confidential, and personal. Therefore, it is given in private except that a limited number of family members may be present.

Church members should not compare blessings and should not share them except with close family members. Patriarchal blessings should not be read in Church meetings or other public gatherings.

If a patriarchal blessing does not include a declaration of lineage, the patriarch may later give an addendum to declare lineage.

Obtaining Copies of Patriarchal Blessings

A person who has received a patriarchal blessing should carefully safeguard the copy he or she receives. However, if this copy is lost or destroyed, another one may be obtained from the patriarch if he still has the original in his binder of blessings. If the original has been sent to Church headquarters, a copy may be obtained from:

Patriarchal Blessings 15 East North Temple Street Salt Lake City, UT 84150-1600 Telephone: 1-801-240-3581

A person who requests a copy of his or her patriarchal blessing should supply his or her full name, membership record number (if available), and birth date. If possible, the person should include the name of the patriarch and the approximate date of the blessing.