Making Sense of Your Patriarchal Blessing Paperback – October 3, 2022

by Keith A. Erekson

Making Sense of Your Patriarchal Blessing shares the historical background of how patriarchal blessings came about in the Church as well as principles and perspectives for understanding your patriarchal blessing. What do its promises mean? When will they be fulfilled? By approaching our blessings as mysteries of God, as personal scripture, and as promises with conditions, we can receive additional revelation, increase our understanding of God’s ways and timing, and witness His dealings in our lives.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Lds, Education, Adult

112 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2022

About the author

Keith A. Erekson is an author, teacher, and public historian.

Reviews

[Scarlet]

I listened to this book. If gave many examples of given blessings and experiences by others. I really liked that it was simple to understand and informative. I loved that he said it’s not a “map” because it does not show you the whole journey from point A to B but it is a Liahona - dependent on your faithfulness and obedience. It was a good book.

[Daciana Washburn]

Great ideas to help you get more out of your blessing

[Jordan Hicks]

Very informative after someone receives their patriarchal blessing.

[Megan Olds]

This little tome is a really good one for summarizing how to (as the title says) make sense of your patriarchal blessing! Of course, often-heard topics such as timing, blessings being based on personal obedience and righteousness, and blessings taking root in God's plans for ourselves and not ours are covered. But I also appreciated the depth gone into about just how miraculous and impossible-seeming the fulfillment of a blessing can be and how a patriarchal blessing really is just "one important way to learn our life's purpose" (President James E. Faust), not a fortune cookie or something that dictates every decision we make ever.

Everything is very well-documented, and all of the story examples included are very sweet. At the very least, this book will make you get out your own patriarchal blessing again! But it also will hopefully dispel lingering myths, increase your faith and peace, alert you to things that you may not have known about or realized in your patriarchal blessing, and help you to know that God loves you and has a purpose for you personally. Holding onto knowledge and revelations throughout your life will be helpful. And a lot of things in life just basically break down to 1 Nephi 11:17!

So I would highly recommend this concise book that can fit into your pocket! It's really good.

[Jen Pratt]

This is a quick read that gives lots of great insights into Patriarchal Blessings. Erekson explains different principles that are widely applicable and then gives many examples of that principles in others’ blessings. I would recommend it in helping to appreciate your own blessing or helping youth to understand their own. 4.5 stars!

[Maren]

I think this was written for adults, but teenagers would be able to understand this completely. I love the different stories from all ages and time periods about how people felt about and came to understand their own blessings. And the author had great sources from prophet's and apostles about what a blessing really does, not what culture has said. Very helpful and would read again.

[Alex]

This was a quick read, but it packed a powerful spiritual punch 👊🏻 I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t read my patriarchal blessing as often as I should—but I can’t wait to study it better now! This book has amazing lessons, insight, and suggestions on how we can understand our blessings better. Highly recommend! 👍🏻👍🏻

[jyweniverel]

I learned a lot reading this book. I now know a better way to understanding my blessing and how I can study it and apply its words to me. I highly recommend this book as a gift to all those who have or are going to receive their patriarchal blessing.
“We must live and act and choose in a middle ground, between receiving a blessing and recognizing its fulfillment.”

[Emily Pulham]

This is a good book for anyone with questions about their blessing. It debunks popular lore surrounding blessings and is not too long. It’s not earth shattering but it is well grounded in scripture, current teachings, and uses a lot of examples from different people’s life experiences.

[Heidi Eastman Turner]

I felt like the target audience for this book was youth. I liked it and I'm interested to reread and study my blessing. I also liked how he gave a principal for an idea and then some stories that related.

[Sam Erickson]

Short book (read in about an hour or so). I enjoyed it, had some good insights in how to focus on reading your blessing, some examples of how the blessings came about in different ways than expected.

[Vicki]

For a little more than a pamphlet, it covered a lot of ground and was thoughtful and thought-provoking. I would recommend this to those who have already received their patriarchal blessing as well as those considering receiving one.

[Rebekah]

Nice insights for those who have received a patriarchal blessing. I’m looking forward to checking out the recommended references as well.

[Denise]

Some food for thought on this subject.

[Carolyn]

Great well-pondered advice!

[Cnelsonquilt]

There are a lot of questions about these blessings and a lot of confusion in the interpretation. This book really helps with all of that.

[Cheri]

A great book for youth, or anyone who might have questions about their patriarchal blessing. The author shares stories from both modern and early church history.

[Swhe641200]

Libby. Very good book on understanding your Patriarchal blessing.

[Jessica Evans]

Interesting that I started this audiobook a week or so before General Conference - and then two talks on patriarchal blessings were given. Time to go study.

[Vaughn]

Most helpful concept = I know not.. it’s ok to not know

[Edy]

This little box brought up lots of ideas that I haven’t thought about in years. It’s very well done.

[Gable Roth]

Good book that gives some good ideas and advice on how to study a patriarchal blessing.