Partriarchal Blessing

As I heard our discussion on D&C 25 I thought of the radical changes we've experienced in history to get where we are at today. It didn't surprise me when Dr. Holzapfel told me that a Mormon woman was the first to vote, to run for senate, etc.

The gospel couldn't be true if inequality existed between genders. Although now women are valued more, I wonder how their worth turned from great (like creation of Eve to complete man) to an inferior of man.

Regardless, it is not the subject of my reflections today. I want to focus on the revelation and wonder of this patriarchal blessing. Joseph's wasn't published but Emma's was. The Lord wanted to include it in our scriptures for a reason. He connected to Emma saying "my daughter."

The interesting part is that the Lord says that all those who receive his gospel are his sons and daughters. Yet, he already labeled Emma his daughter, alluding that she was in a righteous path leading to salvation and acceptance to the Lord's kingdom.

Her divine roles were later listed in her patriarchal blessing. In class we discussed the different roles of a woman that were introduced with this revelation. This revelation helped not only Emma see her future potential, but Joseph who had to support her in her new callings.

I'd like to point out the irony in history that exists in olden times and today. Back then women were oppressed and pushed aside, while men were the ones that dominated. The Lord then revealed they had a bigger purpose than just child bearing. Today, we have overcome a lot of the obstacles of inequality to the point where women aren't addressing their primary responsibility as a mother. Our council today emphasizes this role.

This insight only proves that God is constantly giving us revelation according to our times. In fact, the revelation given specifically to us can relate to Emma's experience, for we are his daughters and sons. My patriarchal blessing also addresses my future roles as a mother, worker, learner and wife. It contains obvious gospel principles (like D&C 25) as well as personal commandments that I should follow.

In my patriarchal blessing I learn that I will have the opportunity to succeed in all righteous desires, but as I think about this, all who are pursuing God's will can have this same blessing. The pivotal point in this blessing is conforming to the will and way of the Lord to guide the righteous desires. I feel that Emma also had this connection to the Lord since she was labeled an "elect lady."

It's interesting that the roles we play in our lives never really are for us in the end. However, in reward of our service we find ourselves (the way we truly should be.) This is seen when we read D&C 25's counsel to Emma to support Joseph with consoling words and meekness. This is for Joseph, but in turn it shall help her realize the love the Lord holds for her as she nurtures one of his Sons.

One last reflection that caused me to think a lot was the way the Lord chooses to guide us through others. We are so blessed to have the Holy Spirit, aka a member of the Godhead, but he also provides husbands and wives as a family to raise one another while depending on the Spirit to show them how. The plan is just perfect.