Stake patriarch

A stake patriarch's responsibility is to give 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.

Extent and Limits of Authority

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 neighboring stake can speak the blessing in the language of the one seeking the blessing. Also if a stake lacks a patriarch (as occasionally 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.

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.

Times there will be more than one functioning stake patriarch.

It is not uncommon to have more than one ordained stake patriarch in a stake as many are given nonfunctioning or emeritus status as they age, or go on missions, or move out of the stake. When a patriarch moves into a diffrent stake he is to inform his new Stake President who can decide wether or not to use him. Likewise if they are called to an adminitstrative position such as member of bishopric, high councilor or stake presidency though those are rarely approved by the quorom of the twelve. If a stake is large there generally will be one functioning patriarch.

However if a stake patriarch doesn't want to have more than 6 weeks between bishops interview and blessings and feels he can only give two a week and more blessings are requested than the patriarch feels he can give than another patriarch or functioning patriarchs may be called to assist. In that case many times blessings will be based on geography all living on east side of stake visit this patriarch those on west that patriarch.

Or in area's were there are a large number of foreign language units in an area and 7 stakes have one spanish speaking unit a patriarch may be called specifically for spanish speaking members in that area regardless of what stake they live in. He generally would only bless spanish speaking members in his home stake wereas the original ordained patriarch would bless english speaking members in that stake if the spanish patriarch resides in a english speaking country.

Also in realignment if portions of a stake are moved into another stake and a patriarch resides in one of the realigned wards and at present in the stake were Eldred G SMith Emeritus Patriarch resides (though when he dies that will probably be moot) are instances in which more than one functioning stake patriarch will function in a stake. Though many have nonfunctioning patriarchs.

Ordination of stake patriarchs.

Stake Patriarchs used to be ordained by the Patriarch to the church or a member of the first presidency and Quorom of the twelve. However due to growth of church that authority has been delegated to stake presidents. When it is time to ordain a new patriarch A stake president will submit the man to the Quorom of the twelve who will approve him. Then generally at the following stake conference the new patriarch will be sustained. The retiring president is not released but giving nonfunctioning status and may be given a vote of thanks for appreciation though.