Bev Psalm 30: Patriarchal Blessing, Promises to Me

 In 1968, I received my patriarchal blessing.

Quite frankly, it didn’t seem meaningful.

Twenty-three years old, so naïve.

If you are young, take heed

Learn from my mistakes.

That paper copy became lost.

Then came the BIG repentance at age 32.

Ordering a new copy when my life had fallen apart

And in flux. I asked what God wanted from me.

The Brethren, prophets and leaders said,

“Keep a journal,” so, being visually oriented, I began.

At first it was sketchy, sparse and infrequent.

But I was doing it. Trying several different sizes and

Pretty professionally produced volumes,

I finally settled on a 3-ring notebook, a binder format of

Individual lined notepaper, letting me write for my posterity

Including all sorts of fun paper memorabilia in the pockets.

Mainly it was notes, thoughts, and insights as I studied

My scriptures and General Conference talks.

What about my own personal scriptures?

My Patriarchal Blessing!

I retyped and reformatted it making it easier to read:

One paragraph became one chapter;

One sentence became one verse.

One chapter per page and finally in sheet protectors,

I placed these at the front of my journal for a year.

In November, I would prayerfully read and reread it daily.

An amazing thing slowly began to happen: a word or phrase

Would pop out at me. I wrote them down.

Finally a theme or focus became clear. Then I would move

These pages to the front of the journal, design a cover

In keeping with the theme. This location at the front of my journal,

Gently reminded me to read my personal scripture often.

Over the years, certain verses became apparent within talks that

I heard, because they’d become familiar to me and this

Often prompted deeper study of doctrine and gospel principles.

My life purpose and work crystalized! What a Joy!

The Chiastic center of my blessing (Bev 5:2) tells me that

In the House of the Lord, I’ll receive covenants, promises

And blessings, that previously I’d never contemplated.

The Spirit of Elijah has filled my heart. Diligence and obedience

To this sacred doctrine resulted in thousands, yes, thousands,

Of ordinances performed for my ancestors on the other

Side of the veil. Then I added stories, attached sources for proof.

It’s true! Joy and peace are found in this vicarious work.

Now that you’ve read an old-fashioned form of the current

Social media communication platform, you’ll note I’ve chosen

No ads. I am the curator of the content I wish to share.

I own this permanent place. It’s my choice of passions, and

I determine how I present the themes of a week, month or year.

This year my format is Psalms.

Tricky, since I’m better at visuals than writing. But I’m learning.

Using more modern words and from the viewpoint of a 

modern day disciple of Jesus Christ. 

He is my Reason! He should be your Reason!

Focus on Christ!

He told your patriarch exactly what you need to know for your

Successful life in mortality. Find God’s will for you. Begin today!