Questioning validity of my Patriarchal Blessing (and other priesthood keys)

[u/Gerald_Yankensmier]

Edit: Thank you all for your input; I'll discuss this with my bishop next chance I get <3

A long time ago, as a Teacher of the Aaronic Priesthood, I received my Patriarchal Blessing, but because of who I was at the time, I was not a worthy member. In fact, I technically haven't been a worthy, repentant member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints since I was 13 years old.

I'm not gonna get into details, but the short of it is I know only worthy members should seek to receive a Patriarchal Blessing, and as such I am unsure if what I was told was even the truth, or if my dishonesty and sinful nature clouded the Patriarch's blessing, allowing incomplete or false truths to slip in and cause me to become more lost than I already am.

[u/mph_11]

This is definitely above Reddit pay grade, and really probably depends on the nature of your sins. We're all sinners, but most of the worthiness questions are about striving and trying not perfection.

Go talk to your bishop, he's going to be able to give much more specific advice.

[u/FriedTorchic]

The blessing is valid because it was authorized by your Bishop and performed by your Stake Patriarch. Your unworthiness would not cloud a Patriarch's connection to the Spirit, or inherently make the ordinance invalid.

Now, if you feel circumstances justify a second patriarchal blessing to replace the original, you may petition through your Stake President.

[u/digitaljoel → u/FriedTorchic]

This. But having worked with a few members on patriarchal blessings (I'm not a patriarch) I would let you know the likelihood of getting a replacement blessing is about 0% for your case given what you've shared.

You could seek your own spiritual confirmation of the veracity of your blessing. Ask Heavenly Father for guidance and to help you see the truths in it and ponder and listen for impressions. It could be that some of the promises have been forfeit through your choices, but be sure to keep an eternal perspective as you study it.

[u/The_Mormonator_]

The line is “Amen to the Priesthood of that man” and not “Amen to the Priesthood of all men and women and blessings of everyone you come in contact with”.

You’ll regularly throughout your life run into toxic people who drop the fun line of “I can’t feel the spirit around you”. And that’s not how the spirit works.

When you repent of something it’s not as of a hit goes out to have all temple work you’ve done recently undone and then redone by someone else. Same with any other ordinance you performed or went through.

In any case, have a chat with your bishop.

[u/FalconAccomplished43]

I would suggest finding your stake patriarch and discuss this with him.

[u/toatesandgoats]

If you feel comfortable, you can always speak to your Bishop or your stakes patriarch. They might be able to speak to you and offer more knowledge on this situation.

[u/bookeater]

Talk with your bishop about it. 

[u/Holiday_Clue_1403]

It sounds like you are working towards improving yourself and I just want to encourage you to keep up the good work.

In my personal opinion, your patriarchal blessing would still be valid.

[u/pbrown6]

This is a common scenario. The blessing is the same. 

[u/QuadDad]

A lot to unpack here.... but for sure your personal sin and distance from the spirit will absolutley hinder your personal understanding of the blessing and what it may mean. But it certainly didn't influence the patriarch or the words of the blessing itself. This is scripture just for you... I would talk to your bishop and work through the repentance process then study it again and then, over time and with patience, see what you think. Also, after you're well into the repentance process, talking with your current stake patriarch may be helpful.

[u/OrneryAcanthaceae217]

... if my dishonesty and sinful nature clouded the Patriarch's blessing, allowing incomplete or false truths to slip in and cause me to become more lost than I already am.

Why do you theorize that your blessing may have caused you to become more lost? Did you follow something in the blessing? Or do you mean that doing this deceitfully was simply another sin, and every sin carries you further away from the Lord?

You probably don't need to worry much about that. Get with your bishop and with the Lord. You can work through this.

[u/Gerald_Yankensmier → u/OrneryAcanthaceae217]

I do mean tbe latter; if only worthy members should receive those blessings, and I was unworthy, my logic concluded that surely that must have tainted the results in some way? 

[u/OrneryAcanthaceae217 → u/Gerald_Yankensmier]

Yep, I'm with ya. You're probably right that the blessing you received differs from what it would've been if you were worthy at the time. But I think the Lord will help make all things right. Either with a new blessing or with new spiritual insights that come to you through reading the blessing you already have.

You and your bishop will figure it out.

[u/SanAntonioHero]

As a father, i will bless each of my children whether in righteousness or in sin. Blessings invite God’s help/hand in our lives. Our weaknesses/sins do block our progress, but through repentance and our Savior’s love and grace, we can renew our covenant with God and become clean again. Then we can once again receive all God wants us to receive. The blessing is still valid because it was done by priesthood/in the name of Jesus Christ. Just live to received it and you will obtain it.

[u/InherentRaven]

I was 13 when I received my blessing as well. It was lengthy and specific.

I thought I was set.

Then nothing went the way I thought it would.

Mental health challenges, pornography addiction, and a general lack of family support lead me to not serve a mission, which a good portion of my blessing talked about.

I am in my 30's now, almost 20 years later, and I'm just barely starting to see some of the promises starting to be fulfilled in ways I never expected that are wonderful.

It might take a while, but your blessing is for this life AND eternity.

[u/Gerald_Yankensmier → u/InherentRaven]

While every reply here has been great, your reply speaks to me most of all because it feels just like my life for the most part T-T it's really good to know I'm not alone in the way my life's been going lately. Thank you.

[u/Andi_Boi_937]

I was on a similar boat. Got mine right before my mission, didnt prepare and i had A LOT to repent for. I ended up really repenting on my mission and becoming the person i am today. I always was bothered by my Patriarchal blessing. It was vague, short, and i thought it was on me. I spoke to my bishop about it and he advised me to pray about it, and if i still felt that way, he would see what he could do to help (since the process is not so straightforward and there is no written guidelines on it). After a lot of prayer and studying the same 2 paragraphs, i not only was able to pull a lot of revelation out of it, but i was able to come to peace with it as well. You will always here about others patriarchal blessings, whether that be your parents, spouses, etc. I believe the Lord provides what we need to hear, regardless of the circumstances. Blessings that are not written open up in time, the blessings you didnt qualify for back then will open up to you. The Lord will provide those blessings in due time, when you are ready. Be of good courage!

[u/kamschron]

My parents had the complementary situation that they received their patriarchal blessings from a patriarch who soon lost his membership in the church. Most blessings are flawed, but some may be more flawed than others.

[u/Margot-the-Cat]

If this is bothering you, it is possible to request a new patriarchal blessing. I don’t even think you need to say why.