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| − | A stake patriarch's responsibility is to give [[Patriarchal Blessings|patriarchal blessings]]. These blessings are an important part of every young latter day saint's life and serve as a kind of life road map. Every [[stake]] has at least one patriarch (except in the event of a sudden death or move out) or if need arises more than one. Once a patriarch is ordained he cannot be released. He can, however, be given nonfunctioning status if health prevents him from serving, he goes on a mission or moves out of the stake. In that case he can still give blessings to lineal descendants.
| + | #redirect [[The Church of Jesus Christ — Office of Church Patriarch]] |
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| − | == Extent of Authority ==
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| − | A patriarch can only give blessings to members of his stake and his descendants. In the past they could also give blessings to siblings and, in some cases, family friends. In the event of a language barrier, the patriarch in a neighobing stake speak the blessing. Also if a stake lacks a patriarch (as occassinally happens when one moves out or dies suddenly) or likewise, when a blessing is needed in a [[district]], then a neighboring stake's patriarch may serve.
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| − | Stake patriarchs are men who are faithful in the church and patriarchs in there own home who may or may not have had much leadership experience in the church chosen on worthiness.
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| − | == Patriarch of the Church ==
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| − | A former [[General Authorities|General Authority]] office was the Patriarch to the church. It was based on heredity starting with [[Joseph Smith]]'s father [[Joseph Smith, Sr.]]. It passed on to Hyrum Smith then, by birthright, William Smith, though he never lived worthy of the office.
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| − | It then went to John Smith, Father Smith's brother, and to Hyrum Smith's son, John Smith, who served faithfully for many years. Following his death his Grandson Hyrum Gibbs Smith served as the patriarch. Upon his death, for 10 years, acting patriarchs were called to the church out of the heredetary line.
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| − | Then Joseph Fielding Smith (not [[Joseph Fielding Smith|the same who was prophet]]) became patriarch. He was not in direct line. He asked to be released because of poor health though.
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| − | Then the office came to Eldred G. Smith who served for 32 years. It was a heredatary office. However there were many problems with the office. Must it go to Oldest worthy son or any member of smith family? Why a heredatary office. Eldred Smith rarely received conference assignments too. Would he have sealing powers too.
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| − | The patriarch to the church could give blessings to any member of the church wheras stake patriarchs could only give blessings to people in their stake (as noted above). He generally blessed people living away from a stake and toured the world doing it.
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| − | Now people without the a stake patriarch can go to a neighboring one. However, Elder Smith, generally blessed others. Since he is still an ordained patriarch, he can and does give blessings. He just doesn't travel the world. It is unlikely, upon his death, that another patriarch will be appointed.
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