Brother *****, in the name of Jesus Christ, by the authority of the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood, and as Patriarch in the Sioux Falls South Dakota Stake, I lay my hands upon your head to give you a Patriarchal Blessing. Brother *****, you are active in the church for very good reasons. You are living in an environment in a home that was prepared by the Lord, that is spiritual and has been influential in imparting righteous principles to you in your life. Search always for those things that are good. Live each day in obedience to the commandments, following the teachings of your Heavenly Father. Exercise tolerance, letting others live according to their chosen way of life.

You are of the house of Joseph, through his son Ephraim. God loved Abraham, and he gave him many blessings. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and because of your repentance and baptism you are heir to the blessings that were given to Abraham and renewed to Isaac and Jacob. I bless you that in years to come, as you search the principles of the gospel, you will give attention to those passages that pertain to the blessings that are yours through this lineage.

I bless you that you will pray often. Do not wait until you are troubled to go to your Heavenly Father in prayer. As you pray you develop your faith, which will give you strength and wisdom. The Lord will then bless you, as you use your good qualities and attributes in serving others. The Lord gives us problems, Brother *****, so that we will gain experience in making decisions. It is through making decisions that we have the opportunity to grow in spirituality, and in everyday living. Our Heavenly Father does not intend to take away the opportunities he gives you for your development.

One of the great blessings that will come to you will be that of going to the Temple of the Lord, and of being sealed to an eternal companion of your choice for Time and Eternity. I bless you, as this comes about, that throughout your life you will remember the covenants you have entered into, and that you will honor and keep these covenants. I bless you that the Lord will give you an understanding of the plan of salvation. In the future you will have children in your family, and it will be your responsibility to employ priesthood principles in teaching them to become honorable members of the church and members of society.

I bless you that you will have a desire to serve on a mission for the church, and that you will accept this obligation. Not only is this an obligation, but is a privilege. I bless you with the perception you will need to recognize those who are looking for a better life, that you will be a leader among other missionaries, and that you will be an inspiration to all of those around you.

I bless you that you will have strength always to do what is right. There are many temptations these days that tend to disrupt those who want to live righteously. You will be a leader among others, and set an example for good. You will not be deterred from a life of righteousness.

I bless you that you will receive great spiritual blessings. As members of a righteous family, you and your sisters have been richly blessed. I bless you with the qualities of intelligence and wisdom that you will need to determine the path to follow in order to be successful in your life. Gain an education, and continue with learning, for knowledge is golden in the sight of the Lord. Take the time to study the principles of the gospel, and become an expert in that area. Others will look to you with high regard as one who has compassion and understanding.

All of us are looking continually into the future, and I bless you that your future will be secure, that you will have health and strength, and obey the commandments. I bless you that you will always search, through prayer, to do those things that are spiritual, and that with your good qualities you will reach out to serve others.

Now I seal these blessings upon you, and I seal you up to come forth in the Morning of the First Resurrection, to live with your family in the House of the Lord throughout eternity, in accordance with your obedience to your Heavenly Father. I do it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.