So I was in the library the other day browsing for something to read and I saw that there where a couple of books on how to do genealogy on the shelf.

"I'm supposed to be REALLY interested in that subject," I thought to myself and then continued on, finding something else to read.

Then I started thinking, the only thing that tells you that you are supposed to be interested in that is your Patriarchal Blessing. Sometime in my life I am supposed to get this AMAZINGLY strong urge to do the work of my ancestors and to search out their records.

I haven't yet. I mean, yeah, I have tried, and found out some interesting things about them. I think it's cool I have British Monarchy in my family line, etc., but as far as being a genealogy fiend, if you take 100 people and calculate their interest in the subject, I would probably be at around number 60 in the group.

Then I started thinking of other things that my PB promised me. I would be so strong in the faith that even the very fiery darts of the adversary would not be able to take down my testimony. It did warn me though to watch my associations with those who would lead me off the path, but if I was faithful they wouldn't have any effect on my testimony.

So what the hell am I doing here now then and living the NOM lifestyle? I started my research into the church trying to BUILD UP MY TESTIMONY against ANTI-stuff. Honestly I wasn't searching for an excuse to feel guilt free when I looked at pornography like my wife said at the time my testimony collapsed. I was trying to gain a stronger one. It was the apologists who with their silly defenses actually brought the shelf tumbling down regarding TSCC.

So here are the predictions I can recall from my PB and how they have panned out.

I would marry a lovely daughter of our father in heaven. Check
I would have a strong testimony. I tried, but no.
I should thoroughly study the standard works. I did that. Actually weakened it more.
Would serve a mission where I could be most effective, even a mission TO THE WORLD. Went to Atlanta. Baptized some people who immediately went inactive. I thought I would go foreign from that line, but that didn't happen.
I would have an overwhelming desire to do genealogy. Nope
One of my kids would be a powerful leader in the Church. If there current attitude towards church is any indication, that's not happening either.
I would have a STRONG physical body. I have exercised sporadically through the years, but I still look a lot like Drew Carey...in his fat days, not the new improved version.

You could say it's because I am not faithful enough, because that's what a TBM would say.

Of course it also said I was one of the Noble and Great ones, who would help bring in the 2nd coming by what...teaching Sunday School, filing church records.

I was also blessed in being strong in speech. I can get up and give as rousing a speech as anyone, so check on that one. I actually enjoy doing that sometimes. Actually though they don't ask me to speak in Church because they never know what I might say. One time I got up in testimony meeting and said we sometimes put to much emphasis on prophet at the expense of following the Savior. Another time I said something about the Church getting in the way at times of following the gospel...a Ronald Poelman thing I guess.

So I guess if I were to use my Patriarchal Blessing as a gauge of my future life against say...going to a soothsayer...they would probably both be about as accurate about the future.

Anyone else had a PB blessing that was SPOT ON, or have you determined it was just some old dudes wishful delusions, following a script?

Mine said I would have a career before I married, which I did. :-)

Mine stated that i would move to another country --pretty specific --I had no intentions to go anywhere--however I am in that country -- but not a member !

JB

you said which was almost word for word what mine said--and I'm sure you didn't get your's in Brigham City, Utah! They must have an instruction manual.

I followed mine religiously . . . and you know how my life turned out.

Mine said I would be skinny, handsome, rich, and women would die to be with me. I would have a trophy house in Utah and a model for a wife. I would also have sex all day long. I would beomce profit of the morg and never have to have a real job like the Hinkster.

My calling a election would be made sure and that I get the second anoiting. I would have all foreign race cars and beomce famous on TV and in movies.

Now I told the truth on one thing that came true above....you guess what it was. I have 14 kids, just a hint.

Nope. It was predicated on me staying faithful and raising a righteous family.

I do remember mine saying that I would be in the circles of church leadership and that I would make money.

One of the above is true. I'll let you take a guess.

Mine said that I would have a testimony that is without question unshakeable.

Unshakeable, plus I was pretty much promised eternal life, "working beside HF and Jesus forever". Hmm. What a promotion! Just pay the tithing and in the next life I promise you'll get to be a god.

My father, as many faithful British TBMs did back then, had a strong desire to go to Utah.

Guess what? His patriarchal blessing went on and on about that.

Oddly enough the closest he ever went to America was, I think, a single tour of duty in a military base in Northern Ireland.