My Patriarchal Blessing
November 23, 2008: Blessing No. 1034 Patriarch: Terry G. Selin, Albany New York Stake
Brother Christopher Randall Nicholson: by the authority of the Holy Priesthood which I bear and in the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ, I lay my hands on your head and confer upon you your Patriarchal Blessing.
Be reminded that you have been born of goodly parents and have entered mortality at a time when opportunities, inventions, and much knowledge are available to you as well as the fullness of the gospel. In this, you are highly blessed, providing great freedom for you to accomplish the goals that you desire.
At the time you were confirmed a member of the Lord's kingdom, you were invited to receive the Holy Ghost and I bless you that you may see the need to maintain virtuous thoughts and actions such that he will become your constant companion. Through the Holy Ghost, you may seek and receive personal revelation in your life, revelation to solve problems, anticipate the future, and accomplish goals. The Holy Ghost will also be a means by which you will be prompted and protected as you may have trials or challenges that are normal to mortality. He also stands as a witness of that which is sealed on earth and in heaven on your behalf.
You were foreordained to receive the Holy Priesthood and this opportunity will come to you through the laying on of hands by authority. It includes a covenant which you will take upon yourself to exercise the priesthood with charity towards others, to use it in behalf of those whom you are called to serve in the world, within your family, and among your ward or branch members. I bless you with insight concerning how to magnify your callings, to recognize that you are to enlarge upon the responsibilities given to you and that you may see them in perfect detail. Of most importance is to make yourself and the powers of the priesthood available to your immediate and extended family and to your ward family. Never let there be a time when you are too busy to utilize the priesthood in behalf of others, as requested or needed.
You will have many opportunities to stand as a leader in the councils of the Lord's Kingdom. This will afford many opportunities to teach and counsel in which it is important to rely upon the Holy Spirit, employing the teachings you have received within your home, from other teachers, and those who preside in the Lord's Kingdom.
Brother Nicholson, you are of the lineage of Joseph and his son Ephraim. I bless you with a desire to seek the blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant and that you may pay careful attention to the responsibilities of Ephraim in helping to prepare the earth for the return of the Savior. You will be given opportunities to serve as an ambassador for the Lord and as you accept them, you will be a force for good to all with whom you share the gospel. You will be protected and guided as a missionary and as you go forward with enthusiasm and a love for the people that you teach, your influence will be exceptional and far reaching in their lives. Your missionary responsibilities extend beyond full time service and through discernment, you may of know [sic] those who are prepared to receive gospel truths. I bless you with confidence and courage to speak the truths of the gospel.
You also have responsibilities to extend the blessings and ordinances of the gospel to your ancestors. While time may not seem available for this responsibility as you seek to establish a family and obtain an education, let this blessing be a reminder to you to set aside the time to both seek the identities of your ancestors and actually attend the temple in their behalf, helping to perform those sacred, vicarious ordinances which are eternal in nature.
I bless you that you will continue to perfect yourself and when the time comes to choose a companion with whom to share the Eternal Marriage Covenant, that you will do so with an eternal commitment to her and the Lord. I further bless you that you may continually find ways to express your love and dedication to her, that you will be kind and considerate, always in a position to express her importance in your life. Remember that she is your key to exaltation just as you are her key.
You will be a patriarch to your children with responsibilities to lead out by righteous example. Together with your companion, strive to provide an atmosphere in your home that will allow your children to exercise the principles of the gospel. Establish a home that is a place of peace, truly a refuge from the world for your children. As you are involved in establishing the principles of the gospel in the lives of your children, be patient, kind, and consistent toward them. You may also influence your children beyond the time they are in your home by taking time to record your spiritual experiences, testimony, and interactions with society. At times, such a record will prompt them in their lives, even other members of your posterity. You have the capacity to communicate well in this regard and it should be a priority goal of yours.
I bless you that you will recognize and come to understand the spiritual gifts that you possess. As you identify them, put them to use and share them with others. There may be spiritual gifts of which you feel that you have need but do not possess; under these conditions, it is appropriate that you share the spiritual gifts of others.
You have abilities to be a powerful teacher and a capacity for much learning. I bless you that you will be diligent in perfecting these skills in preparing yourself to sustain your family. They will give you a sense of happiness and joy while providing for your family. In this, it is important that you run no faster than you have strength.
As you are obedient to the “Word of Wisdom," you will obtain the full potential of your bodily health and receive those related blessings described in the Doctrine and Covenants, including to “run and not be weary." This blessing will be helpful in certain endeavors that arise in your life, to have energy and endurance to accomplish them.
I bless you that you will diligently continue to develop your talents, that you will spend your time and energy wisely. There are many unique areas in which you have abilities to excel and thereby contribute to your family, church, and community.
I bless you with endurance in your goals. Time is not a commodity; it is limited for all who enter mortality. Accordingly, it is necessary that you use your time effectively by establishing and accomplishing worthwhile temporal and spiritual goals. As you put forth labor and effort, you will be blessed in the many facets of your life, to receive an abundance in the world. Remember to be generous with your blessings, to share your abundance with your family and Lord.
I bless you that you will feel confident in being a light unto the world. Recognize that through your countenance, simple acts of kindness, and example, you will lift the spirits and the lives of others, to be a beacon of truth.
It's vital that you honor your parents and family name. You will be looked upon by your siblings as an example of faith and leadership. I bless you that you will return their esteem through your actions and compassion towards them.
Through the promptings of the Holy Spirit, you will be able to discern the evils of this society and generation; the nature of various organizations, entertainments, literature, and the media will be clear to you in terms of those which are worthy or unworthy. By rejecting that which is unworthy, you will greatly enrich your life, protect your family, and secure the blessings that society can offer.
It will be your opportunity to come forth in the First Resurrection and receive the ultimate blessings of eternity, those of eternal life and exaltation. You should prepare yourself to serve beyond the veil of mortality. The missionary work being done here upon the earth is but a beginning and will continue during the millennium. I bless you with conviction in prayer, to recognize that many blessings will enter your life through answers to prayer, blessings that would not otherwise come into your life.
These blessings I confer upon you in the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Brother Christopher Randall Nicholson: by the authority of the Holy Priesthood which I bear and in the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ, I lay my hands on your head and confer upon you your Patriarchal Blessing.
Be reminded that you have been born of goodly parents and have entered mortality at a time when opportunities, inventions, and much knowledge are available to you as well as the fullness of the gospel. In this, you are highly blessed, providing great freedom for you to accomplish the goals that you desire.
At the time you were confirmed a member of the Lord's kingdom, you were invited to receive the Holy Ghost and I bless you that you may see the need to maintain virtuous thoughts and actions such that he will become your constant companion. Through the Holy Ghost, you may seek and receive personal revelation in your life, revelation to solve problems, anticipate the future, and accomplish goals. The Holy Ghost will also be a means by which you will be prompted and protected as you may have trials or challenges that are normal to mortality. He also stands as a witness of that which is sealed on earth and in heaven on your behalf.
You were foreordained to receive the Holy Priesthood and this opportunity will come to you through the laying on of hands by authority. It includes a covenant which you will take upon yourself to exercise the priesthood with charity towards others, to use it in behalf of those whom you are called to serve in the world, within your family, and among your ward or branch members. I bless you with insight concerning how to magnify your callings, to recognize that you are to enlarge upon the responsibilities given to you and that you may see them in perfect detail. Of most importance is to make yourself and the powers of the priesthood available to your immediate and extended family and to your ward family. Never let there be a time when you are too busy to utilize the priesthood in behalf of others, as requested or needed.
You will have many opportunities to stand as a leader in the councils of the Lord's Kingdom. This will afford many opportunities to teach and counsel in which it is important to rely upon the Holy Spirit, employing the teachings you have received within your home, from other teachers, and those who preside in the Lord's Kingdom.
Brother Nicholson, you are of the lineage of Joseph and his son Ephraim. I bless you with a desire to seek the blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant and that you may pay careful attention to the responsibilities of Ephraim in helping to prepare the earth for the return of the Savior. You will be given opportunities to serve as an ambassador for the Lord and as you accept them, you will be a force for good to all with whom you share the gospel. You will be protected and guided as a missionary and as you go forward with enthusiasm and a love for the people that you teach, your influence will be exceptional and far reaching in their lives. Your missionary responsibilities extend beyond full time service and through discernment, you may of know [sic] those who are prepared to receive gospel truths. I bless you with confidence and courage to speak the truths of the gospel.
You also have responsibilities to extend the blessings and ordinances of the gospel to your ancestors. While time may not seem available for this responsibility as you seek to establish a family and obtain an education, let this blessing be a reminder to you to set aside the time to both seek the identities of your ancestors and actually attend the temple in their behalf, helping to perform those sacred, vicarious ordinances which are eternal in nature.
I bless you that you will continue to perfect yourself and when the time comes to choose a companion with whom to share the Eternal Marriage Covenant, that you will do so with an eternal commitment to her and the Lord. I further bless you that you may continually find ways to express your love and dedication to her, that you will be kind and considerate, always in a position to express her importance in your life. Remember that she is your key to exaltation just as you are her key.
You will be a patriarch to your children with responsibilities to lead out by righteous example. Together with your companion, strive to provide an atmosphere in your home that will allow your children to exercise the principles of the gospel. Establish a home that is a place of peace, truly a refuge from the world for your children. As you are involved in establishing the principles of the gospel in the lives of your children, be patient, kind, and consistent toward them. You may also influence your children beyond the time they are in your home by taking time to record your spiritual experiences, testimony, and interactions with society. At times, such a record will prompt them in their lives, even other members of your posterity. You have the capacity to communicate well in this regard and it should be a priority goal of yours.
I bless you that you will recognize and come to understand the spiritual gifts that you possess. As you identify them, put them to use and share them with others. There may be spiritual gifts of which you feel that you have need but do not possess; under these conditions, it is appropriate that you share the spiritual gifts of others.
You have abilities to be a powerful teacher and a capacity for much learning. I bless you that you will be diligent in perfecting these skills in preparing yourself to sustain your family. They will give you a sense of happiness and joy while providing for your family. In this, it is important that you run no faster than you have strength.
As you are obedient to the “Word of Wisdom," you will obtain the full potential of your bodily health and receive those related blessings described in the Doctrine and Covenants, including to “run and not be weary." This blessing will be helpful in certain endeavors that arise in your life, to have energy and endurance to accomplish them.
I bless you that you will diligently continue to develop your talents, that you will spend your time and energy wisely. There are many unique areas in which you have abilities to excel and thereby contribute to your family, church, and community.
I bless you with endurance in your goals. Time is not a commodity; it is limited for all who enter mortality. Accordingly, it is necessary that you use your time effectively by establishing and accomplishing worthwhile temporal and spiritual goals. As you put forth labor and effort, you will be blessed in the many facets of your life, to receive an abundance in the world. Remember to be generous with your blessings, to share your abundance with your family and Lord.
I bless you that you will feel confident in being a light unto the world. Recognize that through your countenance, simple acts of kindness, and example, you will lift the spirits and the lives of others, to be a beacon of truth.
It's vital that you honor your parents and family name. You will be looked upon by your siblings as an example of faith and leadership. I bless you that you will return their esteem through your actions and compassion towards them.
Through the promptings of the Holy Spirit, you will be able to discern the evils of this society and generation; the nature of various organizations, entertainments, literature, and the media will be clear to you in terms of those which are worthy or unworthy. By rejecting that which is unworthy, you will greatly enrich your life, protect your family, and secure the blessings that society can offer.
It will be your opportunity to come forth in the First Resurrection and receive the ultimate blessings of eternity, those of eternal life and exaltation. You should prepare yourself to serve beyond the veil of mortality. The missionary work being done here upon the earth is but a beginning and will continue during the millennium. I bless you with conviction in prayer, to recognize that many blessings will enter your life through answers to prayer, blessings that would not otherwise come into your life.
These blessings I confer upon you in the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.