Brother *****, through the office and calling of Patriarch and by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood, I lay my hands upon your head to pronounce upon you your Patriarchal Blessing and to declare unto you your lineage. In humility I pray for guidance as I serve our Heavenly Father in giving you this blessing. Read it often, become familiar with it and use it as it is intended - to be a guide, comfort and protection to you throughout your life. As you become familiar with your blessing, you will feel the love your Heavenly Father has for you, the mission you were sent to earth to fulfill and the joy you will receive through living the commandments and following the counsel that is given by the Prophets and those who lead us in these days of concern. You are of the blood and loins of Ephraim, son of Joseph who was sold into Egypt. I counsel you to study the blessings given to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. Being of this same name, understand the importance of his life and his great influence upon those around him. Pattern your life after the things he did as he served his family, his fellowmen and his Father in Heaven. You have an important mission to fulfill in life. You were faithful and valiant in the spirit world. You had experiences there that prepared you for this life. You held the Priesthood, knew the gospel well and felt the love your Heavenly Father and spirit mother have for their children. You associated with many special spirits, even your elder brother, Jesus Christ. You stood for that which was right, made covenants and were foreordained to positions of responsibility that will unfold as you proceed through life. Because of your faithfulness, your time was appointed to come to earth. It is a time when leadership is needed and when blessings are being realized as never before among the children of our Heavenly Father. It is also a time when affluence in society is great and many remember not the one from whom these blessings come. There is much wickedness in the world around you. I warn you of this and counsel you to avoid all that is degrading and unwholesome, even the very appearance of evil. So much of this influence is found in the things that are seen, heard, read and felt. Be selective in your search for knowledge and help others to guard against the tremendous influences that appear as light and knowledge that come from the adversary. I bless you with power over the adversary and with the ability to move forward with an eye single to the glory of your Father in Heaven. Through your obedience, faithfulness and willingness to follow counsel, you will avoid the pitfalls into which many of our Father in Heaven's children are succumbing.

Be patient and teachable in your youth. Be understanding of others as you reach out with an arm of love and concern to those around you. You are an important member of your family circle. Love your parents, help them, be good to each other and establish bonds of love, concern, appreciation and strength. These will extend into the eternities. You will be the means of helping your father and those of your family who need encouragement and strength. You are looked to as an example by not only your family, but others. Your Heavenly Father has a great work to be accomplished. Much of your life will be spent in positions of responsibility and leadership in the Church. You will be recognized for your contributions to the vocation you choose. You will be the means of helping others to gain understanding and intelligence. Continue to value education and work toward accomplishing the goals you are desirous of reaching. Your Heavenly Father will bless you in your endeavors as you strive to maintain a proper balance between your vocation, your family and your Church responsibilities. Recognition will come to you. Accept it humbly and gratefully and always do the things that would set a proper example for those with whom you associate. Choose friends who will make it easy to live the gospel and remain faithful as you live your life. Joy comes through serving your fellowmen and bringing the Savior into your life. Your Heavenly Father is always available to hear and answer your prayers and bless you according to His will. Strive always to know the will of your Heavenly Father and then do all within your power to do His will.

Observe the Sabbath day faithfully, attend your meetings and magnify the callings that come to you. Pay your tithes and offerings. Observe the Word of Wisdom. Be morally clean in both thought and deed and help others understand the importance of living a virtuous life. Keep your mind pure and in tune with those things of an eternal nature. Be a friend to all yet stand firm in your righteous convictions, even though you may stand alone at times. Forgive and forget at needed times and repent quickly should mistakes be made. You will appreciate the importance of the great principles of repentance and forgiveness, understand more fully the plan of our Heavenly Father and know that He is at the helm and will forgive His children, bless them and help them learn important lessons in life. The way will be made open for you to reach your goal of accepting a call from the Prophet to serve as a missionary. I bless you with the ability to continue to prepare yourself and to be able to make proper adjustments at the beginning, during and following your mission. You will not only do much good, but will establish a strong foundation upon which you can stand throughout your life. There will be other missions in life at different times and of different nature that you will serve. Take advantage of opportunities for education and training. Study the scriptures daily. See that your testimony grows. Appreciate your good mind and healthy body and care for them. Strive to develop a close relationship with your Savior. Make Him a part of your life, remember Him and serve Him. Appreciate His example, life and especially His sacrifice for all mankind - giving them the opportunity to realize full benefit of the Plan of Salvation. Understand and help others to realize the importance of the atonement - that full benefit comes through repenting and being obedient to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. Understand that your Heavenly Father will answer your prayers and you are promised blessings. Realize, however, that through free agency, life is not always easy. There will be challenges, tests, trials, temptations and obstacles to overcome. Opposition and adversity are a part of life. They may cause concerns, stretch your soul and even take you to your knees, humbly seeking guidance, direction and answers. As you handle these experiences properly, with faith, courage, prayer and fasting and a desire to overcome you will rise to greater heights of understanding and be grateful for the growing experiences that come. You will realize why even the Prophets have tests in their lives. You will be strong and in a position to help others in giving counsel and direction as they face their challenges.

Make the Temple an important part of your life, in your youth as well as in your adult years. You will be fortified against the influences of the world and sanctified through regular Temple worship. Prayers will be answered and concerns of life lessened. You will appreciate the closeness between this life and the spirit world and understand more fully the importance of the genealogical work that must be done. Use your Priesthood to bless your life and the lives of those around you. Develop your faith and strive to have spiritual experiences upon which to draw in times of weakness and concern. Establish quiet times in your life to ponder, study, pray, and listen for the spirit to whisper to you to enlighten your mind and quicken your understanding. I bless you with confidence and courage, with direction and understanding in your life. Ponder often your position, your feelings, concerns, your love and concern for those around you, your desire to serve your Father in Heaven and especially your preparation for the things that are to come. Should changes need to be made, make them so that you can always stand as a worthy son of your Father in Heaven, in a position to move forward under His guiding hand. You will experience many changes in the world around you. The gospel will spread throughout the earth. Knowledge of great importance will continue to develop. You will be the means of helping knowledge be implemented and helping our Father in Heaven's Church move forward. Hearts will fail due to the influences of the adversary, but many will stand firm and stalwart awaiting the blessings promised to those who endure in righteousness. You will be involved in the gathering of Israel and in the preparation for the building of the New Jerusalem here upon the earth.

I bless you to come forth on the morning of the resurrection, enjoying eternal life - having lived a full life, having been married and sealed to your eternal companion and rearing children who will learn from you and from whom you will learn. You will have a large posterity who will be grateful for the example you have set for them. They will appreciate the home you have provided for them, your love, the gospel and the many good things of life that were provided. Through your faithfulness you will be caught up to meet and greet the Savior and take part in the great work of the millennium of uniting families. All of these blessings are based upon your obedience and faithfulness. May you always have the strength and courage to do those things you know to be right. Many unmentioned blessings await you - continue to prepare for them. This blessing is sealed upon you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.