Paul makes repeated references to adoption into the house of Israel through faith: But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. .. Sure is ridiculous when you think about what LDS, Catholics, and JWs believe in and do. The most distinguished Benjamite was the apostle Paul ( Rom. 5:1-2). Its not like people from Benjamin are better clerks than others or Issachar play better sports or Reuben are all the leadership. The lineage stuff came along later and developed its own sort of mythology and internal logic. . A patriarchal blessing is eternal, and its promises may extend into the eternities. Our testimonies can be strengthened and fortified and our lives given greater purpose every time we read and reread our patriarchal blessings. Freedom in Him is the most treasured gift of all! Kinderhook Plates and The Greek Psalter Incident serve as further proof Smith was a false prophet. Now, the tribe of Judah has many revelations specifically tied to it. There were no daughters born to them, but of course they treated the wives of their sons as daughters. After all these years, I recently paid attention to the injunction in my patriarchal blessing that comes after the declaration that I belong to the tribe of Ephraim, a directive to learn about the blessings and responsibilities that attend that lineage. The LDS Church doesn't ascribe to the orthodox belief in original sin; why is that? Since that is way, way, waymore than the total number of people who have ever lived on this earth, how can that be possible? Perhaps there was a genetic difference that was passed along. Every worthy, baptized member is entitled to and should receive a patriarchal blessing, which provides inspired direction from the Lord. Like many blessings, they must be requested by the person or by the family of the one desiring the blessing. On the main topic (what does lineage mean in a world where everyone is family), I do wonder about the social impact of promulgating the idea, for example, that technically were all Jewish. I image that concept would be meant with some objection in certain quarters, which begs the question, why, if were all Abrahams seed and (probablisticly) kids of Judah and some harlot (I want to say Tamar?)? He was a member of the Nauvoo High Council and served for a time as a bodyguard to Joseph Smith. But serving as a bodyguard to Joseph Smith is not one of them. What does the lineage assignment mean? Patriarchal blessings are sacred and personal. Probably even their dogs had wonderful characteristics and spiritual gifts. Our patriarchs give total devotion to their callings and do all they can to live in faith and worthiness so that each blessing is inspired. 29:3; Morm. My hometeacher was a patriarch, mission president and a bishop. It is a sacred, spiritual calling that usually will continue the remainder of the patriarchs life. While the primary responsibilities of Ephraim are to spread the gospel, the primary responsibilities of Judah are to maintain and keep the records. Perhaps there is a reason that specific other tribe names are occasionally declared, maybe assigned to a specific role in the kingdom in this life, but I think being declared of Joseph Ephraim and Manasseh is a way of generically representing the 10 tribes, and perhaps separating Manasseh out is also significant as the BofM has many prophesies related to the descendants of the Nephites/Lamanites (which similarly to most of the world becoming the seed of Abraham, it seems as if generally almost all those converted with primary ancestry native to the Americas belong to this group). (I tried posting this once and it didnt take; apologies if this becomes a duplicate). Those who are not literal descendants are adopted into the family of Abraham when they receive baptism and confirmation (see Law of Adoption). In response to a previous comment, Richard Bushman was interviewed by Dan Witherspoon on the Mormon Matters podcast about his work as a patriarch and the directions he was given in that calling re: tribal assignments, etc. Our patriarchal blessing names the predominant bloodline to which each individual will be held accountable, and so it is not uncommon for members of the same family to be declared of different tribal lineages. He knows our capabilities and our potential. Were all adopted into the covenant relationship. "And they [others of the tribes of Israel] shall bring forth their rich treasures unto the children of Ephraim, my servants…and there shall they fall down and be crowned with glory, even in Zion, by the hands of the servants of the Lord, even the children of Ephraim, and they shall be filled with songs of everlasting joy" (D&C 133:30-33; see also Israel: Gathering of Israel). Joseph Smith taught that when the Holy Ghost falls upon one of the literal seed of Abraham, it is calm and serene; while the effect of the Holy Ghost upon a Gentile, is to purge out the old blood, and make him actually of the seed of Abraham. The house of Israel, in the original sense, meant the literal blood descendants of the house of Jacob. I dont know how they do it. Kevin sneaks in a Patriarchal Lineages, Ranked without Scott or Steve noticing. Many people today belong to the tribe of Ephraim, and they have a responsibility to spread the gospel and to be leaders and teachers in the Church. The Lord continued to acknowledge Ephraim's blessing centuries later when he said, "I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn" (Jer. I thought there was something unique to that until I worked as a temple worker for a few years and understood how the names really work. Salvation and exaltation are often used synonymously, but salvation (being resurrected) will be granted to all through Gods grace while exaltation (ones final degree of glory) hinges on our choices. Book of Mormon: broken promises, false prophecies, historically inncorrect, poor grammarhow can you trust this? They have failed to remember that, in the gospel, life with all its activities continues forever and that the labors of earth may be continued in heaven. Unlike some Im loath to discount it. A prophetic promise fulfilled but one which with modern knowledge seems rather unimportant. Seeing that the majority of declared lineages today are Joseph (primarily Ephraim) I believe that this in essence means we represent the northern kingdom or the lost 10 tribes as a whole. The purpose of a patriarchal blessing is (1) to identify the tribe of Israel to which the individual belongs, whether literal or "adopted", along with the responsibilities and blessings associated; (2) to bless the member with knowledge and the spiritual gifts that may be obtained by obedience to gospel principles; (3) to give advice or help to Your an idiot. Was the restriction of unclean foods in the Bible a commandment. 72-77. An essential part of a patriarchal blessing is a declaration of lineage. So, with that framing, what do patriarchal blessing lineage assignments mean to you? Why are there so many rules to obey for salvation if Mormonism is a Christian church? We know Jesus died for our sins, but what did Joseph die for? Her patriarch later told her that none of the Lao people were descended from any tribe, but that another ethnic group in Laos (called the Mongs) were all descendants of Gad. Salt Lake City, 1985. I mean, thats a pretty convenient view for sure given that nearly everyone has been assigned to Ephraim. I think theres some parallels with patriarchal lineage. British Israelism. 44 For the most High then shewed signs for them, and held still the flood, till they were passed over. A patriarchal blessing is a sacred guideline of counsel, promises, and information from the Lord. The blessing of one . But there are genuine bottlenecks in places like New Guinea, the Amazon, and other places where small populations have lived for very long times without outside contact. The biblical temple and Mormon temples have virtually nothing in common; find out why. Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy fathers children shall bow down before thee. Widtsoe, John A. Evidences and Reconciliations, pp. The original tribe of Levi did not receive a land inheritance (other than the levitical cities), so that its priestly members could live throughout the land, so Joseph (the dominant tribe in the north) was basically bifurcated into two representing his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, to keep the tribal number at ten. Ive read it in all of their histories. Frankly, lineage doesnt make a lot of sense in todays world, as the OP suggests. None from our family has ever been from that tribe? Abr. ", The Mormon pioneers trekking across America is re-enacted every year by faithful Mormons to honor the faith of their ancestors. An examination of the LDS' latest teachings from the presidency to the women's groups. But what about the over 600 hundred laws? How does swearing secret oaths glorify God? In my opinion british-israelism is racist and dead if you really believe galatians 3. Someday there will be a big family reunion for all the children of our Heavenly Father. Still, I dont mind getting (literally) extra blessings. And if he did not have descendants that survived to today, well, then obviously no one alive today is a descendant of Ephraim. What I can say is that Im certain the lineage does not come by rote thinking on the part of the Patriarch if they are in tune with the Spirit which they should be but Ill accept that there could be exceptions. I said I did not want to read theirs but wanted to know if there were any differences. The answer is common ancestry. You would think he would be adopted into our tribe. And, if inspiration is tied to it, Im fine being told my lineage whether that relates to some gene manifestation, some promise, or something tied to my spirit. From that short blessing I learned something about my responsibilities and my labors in establishing the kingdom. I think they did. The blood of one tribe, therefore, may be dominant in one child and the blood of another tribe dominant in another child, so children from the same parents could belong to different tribes. Members of other tribes, however, hold different roles and responsibilities. The patriarchal blessings of most Latter-day Saints indicate that they are literal, blood descendants of Abraham and of Israel. However, due to health or other personal circumstances, he may be given nonfunctioning status. 3:6). You can when you receive your patriarchal blessing. Kevin, are Australian aborigines truly an exception to the rule? I feel to this day the Patriarch who did my blessing was not inspired..rote blessings to all. What are the responsibilities and blessings of the Tribe of Manasseh? 1 Nephi 14:1-2; "And it shall come to pass, that if the Gentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of God in that day that he shall manifest himself unto them in word, and also in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of their stumbling blocks 2 And . It is important that we study this promise and its attendant responsibilities so that we can know what is and will be required of us. 149-50). Does a true prophet of God preach racism? Evidently, the Church thinks enough of this tradition that they continue to insist that declaration of lineage is the most essential part of the blessing. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his (Rom. Aaron lived over 3,000 years ago. Salt Lake City, 1943. McConkie, Bruce R. A New Witness of the Articles of Faith, pp. I would HATE that calling . Only one of those descendents was willing and desirous to carry on what hed begun removing the muggleborns from the school. Ten of the tribes revolted and followed Jeroboam as their king and became known as the Kingdom of Israel or the Kingdom of Ephraim. Know the Difference between Christianity and pseudo-Christianity! These privileged blessings are a powerful witness of the mission of the Lord Jesus Christ in bringing exaltation to each of us. As a person studies his or her patriarchal blessing and follows the counsel it contains, it will provide guidance, comfort, and protection. Id rather have her blessing (!) However, a person should not expect that the blessing will detail all that will happen to him or her or be an answer to all questions. S. Michael Wilcox covered this topic in detail in the January 1998 Ensign in his article The Abrahamic Covenant. She has 17 descendents (4 children, 8 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren), but only one heir to her throne, Prince Charles. If you have received a patriarchal blessing, you may request a copy of it online. How can the names in the Book of Mormon be holy if they're ungodly in the Bible? It has a meaning. God knows our spirits; He knows our strengths and weaknesses. The patriarch seeks inspiration to specify the dominant family line that leads back to Abraham. What can I do to help the youth in my ward get along? In our time the Lord has said, Thus saith the Lord unto you, with whom the priesthood hath continued through the lineage of your fathers, For ye are lawful heirs, according to the flesh, . Upon that revelation we both concluded that bloodline has nothing to do with it, at least not with the significance most want to consider. According to the Bible, when Joseph brought his two sons to his father, Jacob, for a blessing, Ephraim received the birthright blessing in place of Manasseh (Gen. 48:13-20), one of the departures noted in the Bible from the custom of bestowing on the firstborn son the special privileges that belonged to him by right of primogeniture. I have a friend whose father was declared of Judah, his younger brother was declared of Asher and he was declared of Benjamin. A study of those patriarchs will show that regardless of which tribe you fall in, your blessing is bounteous. They verify the divinity of Christ and the truthfulness of the Church. Judah and part of the tribe of Benjamin maintained their allegiance to their monarch, and following Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, became known as the Kingdom of Judah.