Leading‏‏‎ ‎People Towards a Patriarchal Blessing | An Interview with Keith Erekson

Keith Erekson is an award-winning author, teacher, and public
historian who has published on topics including politics, hoaxes,
Abraham Lincoln, Elvis Presley, and Church history. Keith grew up
in Baltimore, Maryland, served a mission in Brazil, and earned
advanced degrees in history and business. For seven years he
directed the Church History Library, overseeing expanded online
research access and enriched public exhibits, and now works for the
Church History Department in efforts to encourage outreach and
historical engagement. In this podcast, Kurt and Keith discuss
receiving and engaging with patriarchal blessings. Highlights 2:00
Introduction and new book about understanding patriarchal blessings
6:00 Patriarchal blessings are so unique and a special part of our
religion 8:00 The history of patriarchal blessings 11:45 Why a
patriarchal blessing? Comparing baby blessings and patriarchal
blessings 16:00 Apocryphal things people say about patriarchal
blessings 18:15 Can we share our patriarchal blessing? 19:45 Be
careful about your expectations of your blessing. Some blessings
can be very specific and others very general. 23:00 How can Bishops
help youth prepare for a blessing? 26:00 Is patriarch an official
title? 27:00 Request your direct ancestors or direct descendants
blessings 32:40 Keith’s thoughts on lineage. Sometimes we take the
lineage too literally or as if it’s biological. Our lineage is a
spiritual and a symbolic connection. 37:30 Mysteries of God are
just things that He knows and we don’t know. Oftentimes we make it
into more than it is, like something magical and spooky. 38:00 Our
patriarchal blessing is an invitation from God to learn more about
you and your relationship with Him. Our blessing is like a doorway
to learn more. It’s not a destination. 40:40 Real vs rumor. It’s a
rumor that Joseph Smith’s bloodline is a literal bloodline to
Ephraim. 42:30 Keith’s book would be great for the person that just
got their patriarchal blessing 45:00 Oldest and youngest blessings
in history 46:00 Keith’s favorite stories of patriarchal blessings
49:50 Things that Keith is working on for church history. Joseph
Smith Papers, last volume of Saints, Eliza R. Snow sermons,
journals, and more. 52:15 Final thoughts on patriarchal blessings
Links Incorrect Quotes, Urban Legends, and Magical Thinking at
Church | An Interview with Keith Erekson Making Sense of Your
Patriarchal Blessing Real vs. Rumor: How to Dispel Latter-Day Myths
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