Abbreviations
EPB = H. Michael Marquardt, comp., Early Patriarchal Blessings
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City: The
Smith-Petit Foundation, 2007)
PBSLDSGA = H. Michael
Marquardt, comp., The Patriarchal Blessings of Selected LDS General
Authorities: A Supplement to Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City: The Smith-Petit Foundation, 2007)
LPB = H. Michael Marquardt, comp., Later Patriarchal Blessings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City: The
Smith-Petit Foundation, 2012)
The records of past ages and
generations, and the histories of ancient days shall he bring forth: even the
record of the Nephites shall he again obtain, with all those hid up by Mormon,
and others who were righteous, and many others, till he is overwhelmed with
knowledge. No precious thing shall slumber from his possession, for he shall be
covered with the most choice of all ages. till his soul shall be satisfied and
his heart shall say, Enough, Enough! In his hands shall the Urim and Thummim
remain and the holy ministry, and the keys of the evangelical priesthood, also,
for an everlasting priesthood forever, even the patriarchal; for behold, he is
the first patriarch in the last days. He shall sit in the great assembly and
general council of patriarchs, and execute the will and commandment of God
under the direction of the Ancient of Days; for he shall have his place and act
in his station. (Blessing for Joseph Smith Jr. by Oliver Cowdery on September
22, 1835, EPB, 52. This is important as Cowdery differentiates "God"
from "Ancient of Days" [and, by implication, Adam/Michael], under the
auspices of Joseph Smith)
Thou art not called to go to
foreign countries, but thou shalt be a counsellor and judge in Zion, and set in
the grand council when the Ancient of days shall sit. and thine eyes shall see
old father Adam. (Joseph Smith Sr., Patriarchal Blessing of David Foote, c.
1836, EPB, 119)
art of the pure blood of Jacob,
and have a right to all the blessings of the house of Joseph, and shall receive
an everlasting inheritance when the Ancient of Days shall come, and thou shalt
have power to come forth on the morning of the first resurrection and shall be
numbered with the sanctified before the Lord. (Patriarchal Blessing of George
Albert Smith given by Zebedee Coltrin on January 16, 1884, PBSLDSGA, 14)
thou shall be one of those that
shall attend the council when the Ancient of Days shall sit, and when judgement
shall be given to the saints of the Most High God, and when they will come
forth, being clothed with great power and authority. (Peter Milling,
Patriarchal blessing of Heber Chase Kimball on April 14, 1840, LPB, 98)
You Shall have a Seat with the
Antient [Ancient] of days, and Adam Your father, and all the Holy Prophets.
(Charles W. Hyde, Patriarchal blessing of Ellen Cantwell McCann on September 8,
1870, LPB, 149. Note that the 'Ancient of Days' is differentiated in here from 'Adam
Your father')
Thou shalt behold the Blessed
gathering, and be delighted with the assemblies of the ancient worthies,
Patriarchs and Prophets of old and see the Ancient of Days set at the head of
the human families, join the church of the First Born and live in reign of
righteousness with thy blessed Redeemer in the great Millennium. (Patriarchal
blessing of Thomas Whiteley by John Albiston on August 26, 1845, LPB, 324. Note
that the “Ancient of Days” is said to be “set at the head of the human families,”
emphasising that this figure is the primordial man, Adam)