CHAPTER 31 - PATRIARCHAL BLESSING
From Richard's memoirs, recovered from his original WordPerfect files
Every member of the Church has the opportunity to receive a Patriarchal Blessing. It is given to show lineage and to provide a guide for living the Gospel and to show what can be in store for those who are faithful.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Council of Twelve Apostles has stated that “The Patriarchal or evangelical office is one of blessing and not of administration, although all who are so ordained also serve as high priests and as elders. Holders of this ordained office in the Melchizedek Priesthood are appointed to give patriarchal blessings to the saints. These blessings include an inspired declaration of lineage and such prophetic utterances as the Spirit dictates with reference to each person blessed.”
I received my patriarchal blessing on 11 November 1948 and record it here in total as follows:
LaVerne, Calif. Nov. 11, 1948, A Blessing given by John C. Smith, Patriarch upon the head of Richard C. Clarke of the Colton Ward San Bernardino Stake. Son of Lionel Conrad Clarke and Ada Imogene Smith. Born Sept. 30, 1917 at Los Angeles, California.
“My Dear Brother Richard: At your request I seal upon you your Patriarchal Blessing and because you have merited some special blessings I feel to call upon our Father that you might receive a blessing of comfort and one which will sustain you in those hours of greatest need that you might be built up in the faith and that you might find a willingness to accept counsel from the Lord that a spirit of power will surge thru your being and there shall be a burning in your bosom which will convince you beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Lord lives, that this is His Church and that you hold a portion of His Priesthood and that no power on Earth can give you greater authority or take the authority you have away and that you shall be resurrected with this Priesthood and it shall be the stepping stone of kingship and dominion over principalities and kingdoms for time and all Eternity and it shall hold the force to convince your associates of the divinity and quality of this God given authority.
“There will be no task too great for you to assume nor too menial for your humble nature to stoop down and accomplish and thy blessings thru service will be many and varied and you shall always be valiant for the things of right and shall serve when others fail to see the need of serving and your reward will be Eternal Life, the greatest gift of God to man, and exaltation in the Celestial Kingdom where you shall perform a labor of love in the presence of the great Creator.
“The convincing spirit of integrity is a heritage which has come to you thru your fathers. A long line of faithful men and women make up your ancestry. You are the product of their fearlessness and their willingness to do right against all obstacles. Your people are Israel. You belong to the tribe of Ephraim.
“I rebuke the power of the destroyer that he will leave you free to prove your worthiness before the Lord and I bless you that you will recognize his weakness and conquer him thru his weakness that your purpose in life shall be realized, that your service to the Church will be acceptable. That your posterity shall be preserved and sanctified and finally exalted with you in the Kingdom of our Father that you shall live now and forever to experience joy, that satisfying joy, of having done well, and receive the approbation of your people and your Lord.
“I seal you up unto these exaltations, I promise you these shall be your blessings as you continue on determined to serve the Lord and your fellows. I seal these blessings upon your head in the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ, Amen.”
Approved by John C. Smith
(Signed)