Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Q: How do I access the Patriarchal Blessings System from ChurchofJesusChrist.org?
A: Go to ChurchofJesusChrist.org, and at the top of the page, click the My Account and Ward link. On the new menu that appears, select Patriarchal Blessing. Enter your Church Account username and password, and your landing page will appear. Select the Patriarch and Leader icon.
Q: I cannot move between the different phases of the process. What should I do?
A: Please make sure you have completed all required fields in each step and watch for on-screen messages. Required fields are indicated by an asterisk (*).
Q: How do members obtain copies of their blessings?
A: Patriarchs should still give members a signed copy of the blessing. If a member misplaces the original blessing, he or she may request a copy of his or her blessing. The member should go to ChurchofJesusChrist.org, click the My Account and Ward menu, and select Patriarchal Blessing. Once the member arrives at the Patriarchal Blessings landing page, he or she should select My Blessings.
Q: If I cannot get the Patriarchal Blessings System to work, can I use the old paper system?
A: All units should be using the Patriarchal Blessings System. Please contact us for assistance.
Ward Leaders
Q: What if a member of my ward appears in Member and Leader Services (MLS) or in Leader and Clerk Resources (LCR), but not on the Patriarchal Blessings System list?
A: While logged in to the Patriarchal Blessings System, click Settings, and then click Refresh Ward List. This may take several minutes, but it will bring the Patriarchal Blessings System, MLS, and LCR into sync. Then you should be able to find the member.
Q: The patriarch’s contact information is not showing up on the recommends. What should I do?
A: Contact the patriarch’s bishop. He should check MLS or LCR. If the missing information is in fact missing from MLS or LCR, have the ward clerk update the information. If it is in MLS or LCR but not in the Patriarchal Blessings System, the bishop should update the ward information in the Patriarchal Blessings System under Settings and click Refresh. The patriarch’s home phone number should be filled in with his preferred contact number.
Q: A member from my stake would like to receive his or her blessing from his or her grandfather. How do we handle this situation?
A: Follow the instructions here.
Q: The patriarch does not speak the language of a member in my ward. What do I do?
A: Follow the instructions here.
Q: How do I cancel a recommend?
A: Open the recommend and click Cancel. If the member has already scheduled the appointment, the patriarch will need to cancel the appointment before the recommend can be canceled.
Patriarchs
Q: How do I add my signature to the electronic copy of the blessing?
A: Your authorized log-in validates the electronic copy. It is still policy that you sign the blessing you give to the recipient.
Q: How do I change the margins on the blessing?
A: You will not be able to change the margins.
Q: Can I change the size of the spaces between paragraphs?
A: No. You cannot change the spacing between paragraphs.
Q: Can I use my voice-recognition software?
A: The Patriarchal Blessings System does not accept voice files directly at this time. The voice-recognition system may be used with Microsoft Word, and the text it generates in Word can be copied and pasted into the transcription portion of the Patriarchal Blessings System.
Q: What kind of paper should I print the blessings on?
A: Blessings should be printed on acid-free bond paper. This can be purchased at a local office supply store.
Q: I found a typo in a blessing that I submitted. What do I do?
A: You may make corrections to a blessing for up to 60 days following the submission of a blessing. To modify a blessing, in the Blessings Submitted list, click the member’s name, and the blessing will appear. Click Reopen Blessing. If you find that a change needs to be made after the 60 days have passed, contact the Church History Library. Changes of any type are not permitted after one year.
Q: I received a recommend that is not electronic. How do I transcribe and submit the blessing to Church headquarters?
A: If the recommend you received is not from your stake, then your stake president can enter an electronic recommend and assign the recommend to you for transcription. If the recommend is from a bishop in your stake, have him enter the recommend in the system, and then you can begin transcription.
Q: How can I perform a patriarchal blessing for a grandchild?
A: Your grandchild’s bishop adds a recommend and chooses a patriarch outside of the stake. The bishop searches for your name in the Patriarchal Blessings System. The recommend is then sent to your grandchild’s stake president for approval and then to your own stake president. If approved, the recommend will appear in your list of Recommends Submitted.
Q: Some of the member information in the Patriarchal Blessings System is wrong. How do I correct the information on the blessing?
A: On step 1 (Verify Member Information), click Edit, and fill in the corrected information.
Q: A member scheduled an appointment and then canceled. How do I remove the recommend from my Blessings in Progress list?
A: Open the recommend and click the three dots in the upper right corner and click Cancel Appointment.
Stake Leaders
Q: The patriarch’s grandchild, who lives outside our stake, would like to receive his or her blessing from our patriarch. How do we handle this?
A: His or her bishop should follow the instructions found here.
Q: How can I review the blessings for my stake?
A: In the menu area of the left panel, click Archive. You may review a blessing after it is submitted.
Q: The patriarch has passed away or become incapacitated. What do I do with the blessings he started but was unable to finish?
A: Click Patriarchs and then click the patriarch’s name. From here you will be able to proxy into the patriarch’s account and finish processing any blessings he had in progress.
