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Every patriarchal blessing declares a lineage in the House of Israel. Your patriarchal blessing "welcomes you to the family" and provides you a link to the rich blessings God promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The 12 tribes started with the 12 sons of Jacob. Each tribe or family has specific promises, gifts, characteristics, inheritances, and responsibilities. Israel is again being gathered in the latter days!
WHICH TRIBE DO YOU BELONG TO?
The Lord told Abraham that his seed after him—that is, his natural descendants—would take the gospel of Jesus Christ and the priesthood “unto all nations.” Then He said, “As many as receive this Gospel shall be called after thy name, and shall be accounted thy seed, and shall rise up and bless thee, as their father” (Abraham 2:10; see also verse 9). Thus, those who accept the gospel of Jesus Christ are adopted into the house of Israel. Paul makes repeated use of the word “adoption” to describe how we may become the sons of God by faith (see Romans 8, 9, and 11).
King Benjamin speaks of faithful people becoming “the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters”; of them being “spiritually begotten . . . through faith on his name”; and of them being born spiritually into the family of Christ (Mosiah 5:7). When a person is baptized of water and of the Spirit, he or she begins to take upon himself or herself the name of Christ and is adopted into His family. Therefore, it makes no difference whether the blessings of the house of Israel come by lineage or by adoption.
IDENTITY OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL
IDENTITY OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL
To understand the house of Israel, we must begin with Abraham. The Lord made the following covenant first with Abraham (See Genesis 17:7; Abraham 2:9–11.):
His posterity would be numerous.
He would become the father of many nations and his posterity would be entitled to eternal increase.
All nations of the earth would be blessed through his seed.
His seed would bear the ministry of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the priesthood to all nations.
This covenant would be everlasting.
These same covenant blessings were reaffirmed to Abraham’s son Isaac and to his grandson Jacob (see Genesis 26:1–5; 28:1–4, 10–14). These blessings are of transcendent significance.
The house of Israel consists of the descendants of Jacob, whom the Lord renamed Israel. Each of his 12 sons became the head of one of the tribes of Israel. Joseph received a double portion of the birthright, which was given to his sons Ephraim and Manasseh. They were then considered sons of Jacob (Israel) and given tribal status (see Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 48:5–6). Ephraim was given the birthright (see Genesis 48:17–20), which includes the rights of the firstborn. The tribes of Israel therefore are Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Ephraim and Manasseh (for Joseph), and Benjamin (see Genesis 29:32–35; 30:1–25; 35:18; 48:1–27). Levi’s descendants were dispersed among the other tribes to serve as ministers.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks says, "A declaration of lineage is not a scientific pronouncement or an identification of genetic inheritance. A declaration of lineage is representative of larger and more important things. This declaration concerns the government of the kingdom of God, not the nature of the blood or the composition of the genes of the person being blessed" (Patriarchal Blessings, Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting: The Patriarch, Jan. 8, 2005, 8).
President Joseph Fielding Smith defended a literal view when he stated: “The great majority of those who become members of the Church are literal descendants of Abraham through Ephraim, son of Joseph.” The clear teaching of the prophets is that few persons not of the blood of Abraham have become members of the Church in this dispensation. (Doctrines of Salvation, Volume 3, page 246. )
THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL. Have you ever wondered what your patriarchal blessing really means when it says you’re from the tribe of Ephraim, Judah, or maybe even Naphtali?
This booklet is your personal guide to unlocking the unique gifts, strengths, and missions of each of the tribes of Israel. It’s relatable, powerful, and packed with stories, personality traits, and spiritual insights that will help you discover who you are and why you matter in God's great plan.
Find out if you're a creative leader like Judah, a loyal protector like Reuben, or a resourceful problem-solver like Dan. These aren’t just old names—they’re spiritual archetypes that reflect who you are and who you're becoming.
If you’ve ever asked:
“Why does my blessing say I’m from this tribe?”
“What do spiritual gifts even mean for me?”
“What’s my role in gathering Israel?”
Then this book is for you.
👉 Dive in. Find your tribe. Discover your purpose!
ADDITIONAL RESEARCH: For more in-depth research about each of the tribes of Israel, click on any of the links below
The Church's website on Patriarchal Blessings says, "When you receive your patriarchal blessing, the patriarch, through inspiration, will declare your tribal lineage. It’s not like a DNA test—your tribe isn’t necessarily related to race or nationality. Instead, it’s related to a set of spiritual responsibilities and promised blessings. It declares the tribe through which you will receive your blessings and bless others.
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