John Smith Griffin - Patriarchal Blessing

November 4, 1923

A Blessing given by Edward A. Olsen, Patriarch, upon the head of John Smith Griffin, son of Benjamin James Griffin and Maude Smith Griffin.

Dear brother John Smith Griffin, in the name of Jesus Christ and by virtue and authority of the Holy Priesthood, I lay my hands upon your head and seal upon you a Father's blessing with the blessing of the new and everlasting covenant which glorious blessing shall rest upon you in power from this moment. You have come down through a noble lineage and you are of the Royal House of Israel, even of Ephraim through the loins of Joseph and you are entitled to the great blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

And dear brother there is a great work before you here upon the earth. Our Father in Heaven will bless you with His Holy Spirit in as much as you will be humble and prayerful and keep his commandments you will be able to perform a great and noble mission here upon the earth. [And] It is necessary for you to study carefully the principles of the Gospel and prepare yourself for the ministry, for you will be called to labor both at home and abroad. At home you will have a leading part among your brethren in the Priesthood and there are many offices of responsibility that will come unto you and you will be called to go into the world to preach the Gospel and Angels of Our Heavenly Father will go before you and you shall lift up your voice in power to proclaim repentance, and many will turn to the Lord through your [ad]ministrations. Our Father in Heaven will bless you so that you will have power to rebuke sickness and the destroyer. You shall lift up your voice long and loud and your words shall penetrate the souls of men and you will preside over Branches and Conferences and many will raise up to administer to your wants and you will make many friends.

You will also in due time labor in the House of the Lord for the salvation of the living and the dead and you will receive many wonderful testimonies of the truthfulness of the Gospel.. You will go through sickness and pestilences but the power of God shall rest upon you and He will heal and protect you so these destroyers shall not harm nor hurt you, but you shall be blessed with power and the sick shall be healed under your hands and that of your companion.

You will be blessed with a partner in life and with sons and daughters that will grow up with a knowledge of the Lord and you will have power to fill every calling that shall come unto you, a credit to yourself and pleasingly unto your Heavenly Father. But dear brother, listen to the still small voice of the Spirit of God. It will warn you of danger and it will encourage you to do those things that are pleasing before your Heavenly Father, and through your power and humiliation of your soul your prayers shall be heard even instantly when occasion requires it.

You [will] shall be blessed in your temporal affairs and our Father in Heaven loves you dear brother and if you will put your trust in Him, He will help and bless you to overcome all difficulties in life and your heart will be filled with joy and thanksgiving. You will witness the gathering of Israel from far and near and you will have the joy of receiving manifestations, yea communion with Holy Beings, and dear brother, shun the appearance of evil for Our Heavenly Father has chosen you to come upon the earth in this dispensation, to become a messenger of life and salvation. [and]

Remember your privileges, be grateful until your Heavenly Father for every blessing you receive and you shall have peace in your sorrow and the Spirit of the Lord in your soul. I seal you up against the power of the Destroyer unto the day of redemption and I seal you up to come forth in the morning of the first Resurrection to become a King and Priest to the Most High God and all these blessings I seal upon you through your obedience, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Edward A. Olsen, Patriarch

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