Preparing for a Patriarchal Blessing | An Interview with Orlando Kelm

Orlando R. Kelm is a retired professor from the University of Texas at Austin. He served in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese and the McCombs School of Business for over 37 years, teaching courses in Portuguese and Spanish language and linguistics. His research and publications focused on the cultural aspects of cross-cultural communication and the creative use of technology in language learning. Orlando was born in Calgary, Alberta, raised in Taylorsville, Utah, and educated at Brigham Young University and the University of California at Berkeley. He served in the São Paulo Norte Brazil mission, and his three favorite hobbies are studying foreign languages, acoustic guitar, and astrophotography and nature photography. Orlando recently published the book "It’s a Patriarchal Blessing!". Orlando talks about the sacred process and purpose of patriarchal blessings. The discussion emphasizes that these blessings are intended to be a source of encouragement, divine identity, and guidance for recipients throughout their lives, rather than warnings or checklists of future events. ► It’s a Patriarchal Blessing https://amzn.to/430diTi ► Email Before a Patriarchal Blessing (Microsoft Word format) https://files.leadingsaints.org/wp-co... ► Email Before a Patriarchal Blessing (PDF format) https://files.leadingsaints.org/wp-co... 00:01:39 - Story of being called as a patriarch 00:03:03 - Lack of formal training and the nature of the patriarchal calling 00:04:03 - Personal pressure and the "one chance" nature of blessings 00:05:30 - Role as a Spanish-language patriarch 00:05:58 - The process of spiritual preparation before a blessing 00:08:14 - How personal study and insights influence blessings 00:09:23 - The importance of avoiding contention in preparation 00:10:32 - Utilizing notes and the challenge of language barriers 00:12:15 - The process of finalizing and editing a blessing 00:14:10 - Understanding how revelation and mortal capacity interact 00:16:35 - How leaders can help others prepare for their blessing 00:18:21 - Moving away from "patriarchal warning" toward "patriarchal blessing" 00:20:42 - The danger of viewing a blessing as a checklist 00:23:33 - Overcoming the mystery and nervousness of meeting a patriarch 00:26:22 - The gratification of seeing people as God sees them 00:29:23 - The purpose and meaning of the lineage declaration 00:37:28 - Clarifying that lineage is not a personality test 00:38:22 - The experience of declaring lineage 00:42:13 - Reinforcing that a blessing confirms your divine potential 00:45:01 - Flexibility in interpreting words throughout a lifetime Key Insights The Nature of Patriarchal Blessings: These blessings should be viewed fundamentally as a positive source of love and divine identity. Orlando emphasizes that they are not patriarchal warnings, admonitions, or "chewing outs," but rather tools to help individuals understand their divine worth. Preparation as a Patriarch: The process involves intense, ongoing spiritual preparation. Orlando explains that he often feels like a "faucet that cannot be turned off" in the days leading up to a blessing, as he studies scriptures and topics prompted by the Holy Ghost to prepare his mind to receive impressions. Mortal Delivery of Revelation: Patriarchs receive inspiration, but they must articulate it using their own mortal capacity, vocabulary, and understanding. Consequently, a patriarchal blessing is a collaboration between the Spirit and the patriarch's mortal expression. The Fallacy of the "Checklist": Recipients should avoid viewing their blessings as a list of required events (e.g., marriage, missions, children) to be checked off. Instead, they should see the blessing as a resource to be applied to all of life's decisions, challenges, and experiences. Understanding Lineage: The declaration of lineage is not a DNA test but an invitation to participate in the Abrahamic covenant and the gathering of Israel. Each tribe’s unique description provides a different "skill set" for how an individual can contribute to the Lord's work. Leadership Applications Alleviate Anxiety: Leaders can help reduce the nervousness people feel about visiting a patriarch by fostering opportunities for the patriarch to interact with ward members (e.g., firesides, sacrament meetings, or activities) beforehand, making him a familiar figure rather than a stranger. Foster a Broad Interpretation: Bishops and leaders should encourage members to interpret their patriarchal blessings with flexibility. When members feel confused by their blessing, leaders can help them understand that the meanings may evolve and deepen as they face different stages and challenges in life.