1 Nephi 16 (9/22)
Reading for Class on Monday, 9/25: 1 NEPHI 16
Points to Ponder:
- What is the Liahona? What does it symbolize?
- How did the Liahona work?
- Why would God give them the Liahona?
- What can we learn from Nephi's broken bow?
Quotes to read and copy into your scriptures as you consider what your personal Liahonas are:
1. “As we strive to align our attitudes and actions with righteousness, then the Holy Ghost becomes
for us today what the Liahona was for Lehi and his family in their day. The very factors that caused
the Liahona to work for Lehi will likewise invite the Holy Ghost into our lives. And the very factors
that caused the Liahona not to work anciently will likewise cause us to withdraw ourselves from the
Holy Ghost today” (David A. Bednar, “That We May Always Have His Spirit to Be with Us,” Ensign
or Liahona, May 2006, 30)
2. “The words of Christ can be a personal Liahona for each of us, showing us the way. Let us not be
slothful because of the easiness of the way. Let us in faith take the words of Christ into our minds
and into our hearts as they are recorded in sacred scripture and as they are uttered by living prophets,
seers, and revelators. Let us with faith and diligence feast upon the words of Christ, for the words
of Christ will be our spiritual Liahona telling us all things what we should do” (W. Rolfe Kerr, “The
Words of Christ—Our Spiritual Liahona,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2004, 37).
3. “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. . . .
“. . . Your blessing is not to be folded neatly and tucked away. It is not to be framed or published.
Rather, it is to be read. It is to be loved. It is to be followed. Your patriarchal blessing will see you
through the darkest night. It will guide you through life’s dangers. . . . Your patriarchal blessing is to you a personal Liahona to chart your course and guide your way” (Thomas S. Monson, “Your Patriarchal Blessing: A Liahona of Light,” Ensign, Nov. 1986, 65–66).
Want More?
PATRIARCHAL BLESSINGS
* All quotes come from James E. Faust, "Priesthood
Blessings," Ensign, Nov. 1995, 62 except where specifically
referenced
What is
a Patriarchal Blessing?
A patriarchal blessing is very sacred and personal, but it may be
shared with close family members. It is a sacred guideline of counsel,
promises, and information from the Lord; however, a person should not expect the
blessing to detail all that will happen to him or her or to answer all
questions. The fact that one's patriarchal blessing may not mention an
important event in life, such as a mission or marriage, does not mean that it
will not happen.
President
Thomas S. Monson said, "A patriarchal blessing literally contains chapters
from your book of eternal possibilities" (Ensign, Nov. 1986, 66).
What is
generally found in a patriarchal blessing?
As moved
upon by the Holy Spirit, the patriarch declares by inspiration the lineage in the house of
Israel of the recipient, together with such blessings, spiritual gifts, promises, advice, admonition, and warnings the patriarch
feels inspired to give.
How old
should I be?
Responsibility
for receiving a patriarchal blessing rests primarily on the individual when he
or she has sufficient understanding of the significance of a patriarchal
blessing. I encourage all members of the Church having this maturity to become
worthy and obtain their blessings… Therefore, it is
important that the recipient be young enough that many of the significant
events of life are in the future.
Members
should seek blessings as they feel inspired to do so. There is no fixed age at
which one may receive a patriarchal blessing. The bishop ensures that the
member is of sufficient age and maturity to understand the meaning and
significance of the blessing… (Boyd K. Packer, "The Stake Patriarch,"
Ensign, Nov. 2002, 42).
Where
does the Patriarch get his information for the blessing?
The
patriarch has no blessing of his own to give… All blessings come from God. Our
Heavenly Father knows His children. He knows their strengths and weaknesses. He
knows their capabilities and potential. Our patriarchal blessings indicate what
He expects of us and what our potential can be.
How can
a patriarchal blessing help me?
Our blessings can encourage us when we are discouraged, strengthen
us when we are fearful, comfort us when we sorrow, give us courage
when we are filled with anxiety, and lift us up when we are weak in
spirit. Our testimonies can be strengthened every time we read our
patriarchal blessings.
Is it
possible for members of the same family to be assigned to different tribes?
Some
might be disturbed because members of the same family have blessings declaring
them to be of a different lineage. A few families are of a mixed lineage. We
believe that the house of Israel today constitutes a large measure of the human
family. Because the tribes have intermixed one with another, one child may be declared to be from the
tribe of Ephraim and another of the same family from Manasseh or one of the
other tribes. The blessing of one tribe,
therefore, may be dominant in one child, and the blessing of another tribe
dominant in yet another child. So,
children from the same parents could receive the blessings of different tribes.
How do I
prepare?
Study. The more you understand what a patriarchal blessing is and
why you receive one, the more you will be able to appreciate its significance.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask your parents or bishop.
Keep the
commandments. Living righteously will allow you to
feel the Spirit. It is through the Spirit that you will understand your
blessing. And, like any blessing, the fulfillment of promises made to you in
your patriarchal blessing will depend on your faithfulness.
Talk to
your bishop. Your bishop or branch president will
interview you to determine your worthiness. If he feels you are prepared, he
will give you a recommend to receive your blessing. It is your responsibility
to make an appointment with the patriarch.
Fast and
pray. Fasting and prayer are good ways to
make sure you are spiritually prepared to receive your blessing. If you feel
nervous about receiving your blessing, pray for the comfort of the Holy Ghost.
As well as praying for your own preparedness, it is also appropriate to pray
for the patriarch, that he will receive the inspiration he needs.
Learn
humility. The blessings and promises you receive
in your patriarchal blessing will only be possible if you are willing to live
worthy of those blessings. Prepare yourself to do whatever the Lord asks of you
in your blessing.
Keep
your blessing sacred. Remember that your patriarchal
blessing is your personal scripture. You may wish to invite your parents to be
present when you receive your blessing. If you choose to share it with others,
only do so with close family members.
Study
your blessing. Your blessing will be recorded and you
will receive a printed copy. You should study it often. "It is a sacred
guideline of counsel, promises, and information from the Lord; however, a person
should not expect the blessing to detail all that will happen to him or her or
to answer all questions," said President James E. Faust. "The fact
that one's patriarchal blessing may not mention an important event in life,
such as a mission or marriage, does not mean that it will not happen (Q&A:
Questions and Answers, New Era, May 2002).
Now that
I have one, what do I do with it?
In order to receive the fulfillment of our patriarchal blessings, we
should treasure in our hearts the precious words they contain, ponder them, and
so live that we will obtain the blessings in mortality and a crown of
righteousness in the hereafter… Patriarchal blessings should be read humbly,
prayerfully, and frequently.
Who can
I share my blessing with?
Except
for members of the immediate family, we should not permit others to read our
blessing nor should we ask others to interpret it. Neither the patriarch nor
the bishop can or should interpret it (Boyd K. Packer, "The Stake
Patriarch," Ensign, Nov. 2002, 42).
President Benson said, "A patriarchal blessing is the
inspired and prophetic statement of your life's mission together with
blessings, cautions, and admonitions as the patriarch may be prompted to give.
… Receive your patriarchal blessing under the influence of fasting and prayer,
and then read it regularly that you may know God's will for you" (Ensign,
May 1986, 44-45).