Translated Patriarchal Blessing

Hello, I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

One of my Ward's members is a Portuguese speaker, and would like to get his patriarchal blessing translated into Portuguese (from English) ... He was told that he can make a request for an official translation through his Ward clerk (me). However, I'm not seeing a rational place in LCR or otherwise where I can request the translation. I've sent an email to the support folks with the Patriarchal Blessing system to see if they can help ... But I'm hoping maybe someone here may be able to get me started on the right path.

Appreciate any help/advice you can offer. Thank you!

You might ask your stake clerk. He might have the answer.

38.2.10.5 says "The Church does not provide written translations of patriarchal blessings." So I doubt if there's anything a clerk can do.

If there is a Patriarch in the area that speaks Portuguese, that would probably the best option. I believe there's an exception to allow someone to go an outside Patriarch for language reasons.

Otherwise, I think the only option is "Members are not encouraged to translate patriarchal blessings. However, sometimes a member needs a blessing translated into a language he or she understands. The member may find a trusted and worthy member of the Church who can provide the translation. The member should select a competent translator who understands the spiritual nature and confidentiality of the blessing." (Also 38.2.10.5)

russellhltn wrote: Sat May 23, 2026 6:05 am 38.2.10.5 says "The Church does not provide written translations of patriarchal blessings." So I doubt if there's anything a clerk can do.

If there is a Patriarch in the area that speaks Portuguese, that would probably the best option. I believe there's an exception to allow someone to go an outside Patriarch for language reasons.

Otherwise, I think the only option is "Members are not encouraged to translate patriarchal blessings. However, sometimes a member needs a blessing translated into a language he or she understands. The member may find a trusted and worthy member of the Church who can provide the translation. The member should select a competent translator who understands the spiritual nature and confidentiality of the blessing." (Also 38.2.10.5)

Thank you very much for pointing me to the handbook, I didn't think to look there for this one. I'll pass this along, but also provide the possible suggestion of finding a very-skilled multilingual member (or Patriarch) to assist with the translation if needed.

Recently a Spanish-language Patriarch was called to serve over the stakes in our two 'local' coordinating councils, and this is integrated into the Patriarchal Blessing system. This is intended for native Spanish-speaking members receiving their patriarchal blessings, and not for those who already have a patriarchal blessing.

I personally would love for stake presidents to know what options there are 'locally' for patriarchs who could give blessings in different languages, and for there to be a general way for members to access that patriarch outside their boundaries to receive their blessing in their native language. This isn't really permitted by current Handbook instructions, but we all know it makes a world of difference when a member hears and then can read their patriarchal blessing in their native lanugage.

And back to the O.P., there's something about receiving a Patriarchal Blessing that requires an in-person experience -- I can't just request my blessing from a Patriarch who will receive "remote inspiration", I have to physically meet with him. And patriarchal blessing translation is also a spiritual experience, so my thought is that if a member follows the guidance in GHB 38.2.10.5, it would be best to also meet personally with whoever is translating. I love the idea of having the translator be a patriarch, and I would also love if the Church organized their patriarchs so stake presidents knew which 'local' patriarchs were fluent in other languages, and would be available to provide translation of blessings if the member was able to meet with them.