WHO CAN HAVE A PATRIARCHAL BLESSING? Every worthy, baptized member of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is entitled to receive a patriarchal blessing, which provides inspired direction from Heavenly Father (see Genesis 48:14–16; 49; 2 Nephi 4:3–11). Parents and Church leaders encourage members to prepare spiritually to obtain their patriarchal blessings.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS TO GET A BLESSING? The bishop or an assigned counselor interviews members who desire to receive a patriarchal blessing. If the member is worthy, the interviewer prepares a Patriarchal Blessing Recommend. He submits it through the Patriarchal Blessing System on ChurchofJesusChrist.org. 

HOW OLD SHOULD I BE TO GET A PATRIARCHAL BLESSING? The person who issues a Patriarchal Blessing Recommend ensures that the member is mature enough to understand the significance and sacred nature of the blessing. Ideally the member should be young enough that many important decisions in life are still ahead. However, older adults are also encouraged to receive their patriarchal blessings. Priesthood leaders should not establish a minimum age for a member to receive a patriarchal blessing.

WHEN DO I RECEIVE THE BLESSING? After receiving a recommend, the member contacts the patriarch to set up an appointment to receive a patriarchal blessing. On the day of the appointment, the member should go to the patriarch with a prayerful attitude and in Sunday attire. Members may fast, but fasting is not required. Each patriarchal blessing is sacred, confidential, and personal. Therefore, it is given in private except for a limited number of family members who may be present. A person who receives a patriarchal blessing should treasure its words, ponder them, and live to be worthy to receive the promised blessings in this life and in eternity. 

CAN I ASK QUESTIONS BEFORE I GET MY BLESSING?  Yes.  Before giving a blessing, it is desirable for the patriarch to talk briefly with the recipient to get acquainted and to feel his or her spirit. However, the patriarch does not interview the person for worthiness. Nor should the patriarch ask questions or discuss matters that might interfere with a full and free outpouring of impressions of the Spirit when the blessing is given. The blessing should not be given from what the patriarch may know about the person, but rather from the inspiration of the Holy Ghost in concert with the patriarch's thoughts. Patriarchs generally answer any questions the member may have about patriarchal blessings.  This visit may take place in sometime in advance of the blessing or it may occur on the day of your appointment, just prior to the pronouncement of the blessing.  

HOW LONG DOES THE BLESSING TAKE?  A typical appointment takes about an hour in total and the blessing itself generally takes 10 to 20 minutes.  The member receiving their blessing, and their close family members who have been invited, generally come to the home of the patriarch.  Under certain situations, patriarchs will go to the home of the member who may be shut in or unable to travel. The patriarch may choose to give the  blessing at the church.  On the day of the blessing the patriarch will generally visit with the family and the individual for a few minutes prior to pronouncing the formal blessing.  He may invite someone to offer a prayer, bear testimony, share their feelings, or make other comments appropriate for the occasion.  After the blessing there might be a short discussion and an opportunity to take photos, however there are no requirements to do this and this varies by patriarch. 

HOW LONG AFTER MY BLESSING DO I RECEIVE A WRITTEN COPY?  Generally members receive a written copy of the blessing within two weeks.  Patriarchs generally have  scribes who are called to assist in the transcription of the blessing, which was recorded when the blessing was given.  Transcription turns a spoken blessing into a written blessing.  Some patriarchs do the transcription themselves.  Patriarchs print and review the final written blessing before signing it, and giving it to the member. They also submit a copy of the blessing to the Church where a copy of the blessing is permanently archived.  For a brief period of time immediately following the submission of the blessing, a patriarch can retrieve your blessing to make adjustments or corrections if there are errors present, such as misspellings or typographical errors.  During this window of time your Stake President will also review your final blessing when it is submitted to the church online.   

Blessings archived by the church are private.  They are never released to anyone except the recipient during his or her lifetime.  Digital copies of the blessings given to your direct, deceased ancestors can be requested and obtained by requesting them from the Church.  Depending on the volume of worldwide blessing requests, your personal blessing may take up to 1 month to receive, and family blessings can take up to 3 months to receive.  This will give you access to your blessing digitally -- online -- anytime you want!  Get started by clicking Family Blessings. 

WHO CAN READ MY BLESSING? 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.   Blessings or portions of blessings should not be shared on social media nor should blessings be uploaded to FamilySearch.org. 

WHAT IF I LOSE MY PATRIARCHAL BLESSING?  A person who has received a patriarchal blessing should carefully safeguard the printed copy. However, if your copy is ever lost or destroyed, you may request a copy of digitally as explained above.