And O BTW Patriarchal Blessings
June 30th, 2025 by G.
On the sweetness
For the second hour of church, Bishop has asked the Stake Patriarch to speak on patriarchal blessings.
He is an old rancher, browned and wrinkled like only an old rancher can be. Bald. Grew up in the colonies.
For 30 minutes all he does is outline the gospel, every part of it. Each bit is pithy, short, with the quality of an aphorism. Agency, growth, creation, knowledge, sin, forgiveness, atonement, Church, priesthood, ordinances, commandments, temples, marriage, children, primary, you name it. Then, “that brings me to patriarchal blessings. They fit in this way: … , … , and … .” The end.
It is so sweet.
E.C.
June 30, 2025
My patriarch was a sweet, learned old man who taught Institute when my mom was attending; he used to take tours to Jerusalem, and called my dad The Rabbi because of his beard. He had the most delightful, puckish sense of humor, but he took seriously the commandment to learn by study and by faith. His testimony was like a deep, quiet river, and he was faithful to his dying day.