1. A Personal Liahona

3. 1 Nephi 16 28 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them. 29 And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things.

4. “The same Lord who provided a Liahona for Lehi provides for you and for me today a rare and valuable gift to give direction to our lives, to mark the hazards to our safety, and to chart the way, even safe passage—not to a promised land, but to our heavenly home. The gift to which I refer is known as your patriarchal blessing. Every worthy member of the Church is entitled to receive such a precious and priceless personal treasure.”

5. Talk with your branch president to determine if you are ready to receive a patriarchal blessing. The office of patriarch, called “evangelist” in the New Testament, was restored in the latter- days. Joseph Smith, Sr. was the Church’s first patriarch. Patriarchal blessings began in the days of Adam, when he blessed his posterity After you receive a patriarchal blessing, study it often and try to follow its counsel. It can bring comfort and help strengthen your faith.

6.  Make a copy of your patriarchal blessing and get three colored pencils for marking and analyzing/dissecting your blessing  Underline words or phrases using the following key:  Color 1: Counsel and Warnings  Color 2: Descriptions of you and your opportunities  Color 3: Your Gifts and Talents  On a separate piece of paper list out each of the underlined phrases by category  Regularly refer to and revise your analysis/dissection in your personal scripture study and goal setting  Apply what you are learning and record your experiences in a journal and share with your family

7.  Your blessing will provide guidance, comfort, and protection.  You will come to know how much the Lord loves you.  You will see more clearly what you should be doing.  You will treasure your blessing.

9.  “My chief reason for speaking upon this subject is that patriarchal blessings verify the divinity of Christ and the truthfulness of the Church.” Elder James E. Faust, BYU address in March 1980