Genesis 27

To some, the story of Isaac desiring to give his sons his final blessings seems to bring with it an air of deception and controversy. There are many opinions and readers try to read between the lines of what happened. But what I think is the most important was that Isaac was a patriarch to his sons and desired to give each of them a patriarchal blessing. With Isaac being a righteous and worthy priesthood holder, one would have to assume that his blessing was guided by the Holy Ghost. The Spirit was not confused under whose hands Isaac pronounced the blessing. In my mind, whether Isaac was deceived or not, the blessings would have been the same as they were so given if done under the influence of the Spirit. The blessings given were the mind and will of the Lord. In our day, patriarchs are set apart to do the same and be guided by the Spirit. Of patriarchal blessings in our day, Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote -

"Nearly every member of the Church is a literal descendant of Jacob who gave patriarchal blessings to his 12 sons, predicting what would happen to them and their posterity after them. (Gen. 49; Teachings, p. 151.) As inheritors of the blessings of Jacob, it is the privilege of the gathered remnant of Jacob to receive their own patriarchal blessings and, by faith, to be blessed equally with the ancients. Patriarchal blessings may be given by natural patriarchs, that is by fathers in Israel who enjoy the blessings of the patriarchal order, or they may be given by ordained patriarchs, specially selected brethren who are appointed to bless worthy church members. (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 3, pp. 169-172; Gospel Kingdom, p. 146.)

The First Presidency (David O. McKay, Stephen L. Richards, J. Reuben Clark, Jr.), in a letter to all stake presidents, dated June 28, 1957, gave the following definition and explanation: "Patriarchal blessings contemplate an inspired declaration of the lineage of the recipient, and also where so moved upon by the Spirit, an inspired and prophetic statement of the life mission of the recipient, together with such blessings, cautions, and admonitions as the patriarch may be prompted to give for the accomplishment of such life's mission, it being always made clear that the realization of all promised blessings is conditioned upon faithfulness to the gospel of our Lord, whose servant the patriarch is. All such blessings are recorded and generally only one such blessing should be adequate for each persons life. The sacred nature of the patriarchal blessing must of necessity urge all patriarchs to most earnest solicitation of divine guidance for their prophetic utterances and superior wisdom for cautions and admonitions."" (Mormon Doctrine, Bruce R. McConkie)