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Hiram N. Byington’s Patriarchal Blessing Blessing of Hiram N. Byington, who was born in the State of Connecticut in the County of New Haven and town of Woolcott, aged 36 years. “Dear Brother, In the Name of Jesus Christ, I lay my hands on thy head and I pray God the Eternal Father that the vision of my mind may be opened. Dear Brother, thou must put thy trust in the Lord, and keep his Commandments, and be diligent in his service. Although thou are destitute of this world’s goods, the Lord has been good to thee, and if thou put thy trust in him he will continue to bless thee, and will stand by thee always, for thou must pass through much affliction. Thou will see that in thy day which is not desirable to the flesh and blood. The judgments of God are abroad in the earth, but put thy trust in the Lord and he will strengthen thy soul and deliver thee from all thy troubles. Something whispers me thou are of the tribe of Dan. Yet if thou are faithful, thou shalt attain to all the promised blessings. Be faithful in the Priesthood and thou shalt hear the voice of the Lord, yea, thou shalt see the end of sinning, yea, thou shalt see the Savior coming in the air, and shall rise and meet him. This is thy blessing and I seal it on thee, yea more, for if thou art faithful, thou shalt be great in the earth, do much good and bring many into the fold of Christ and I seal it on thee in the name of Jesus Christ and I seal thee up unto eternal life, Amen. June 25th, 1836.” Hiram Norton Byington’s Patriarchal Blessing “A Blessing by John Smith, Patriarch, upon the head of Hyrum Norton, son of Daniel and Susannah Byington, born New Haven Co., Conn. Aug. 19th, 1800. Brother Hyrum I place my hands upon thy head in the name of Jesus of Nazareth and seal upon you a Patriarchal Blessing. Because thou hast united with the Church o Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, thou has endured persecution, privation & affliction because of the truth. Thou hast not fainted. The Lord is pleased with the integrity of thine heart. He will make up every loss unto thee & bestow upon you every blessing which your heart desires for thou art of the house of Dan & a lawful heir unto the priesthood, which blessing shall be conferred upon you. Thou shalt be mighty to do miracles in the name of the Lord. Thou shalt be blest in thy basket and store. 131 All thy losses shall be made up unto thee. Thou shalt be satisfied the riches of the earth. The riches of eternity shalt not be witheld from thee. Thou shalt be blest in thy family. Thy children shalt become great in the eyes of all Israel. Thou shalt (have) health, peace and plenty (and) be a councilor in Israel. Finally thou shalt inherit eternal lives. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Even So, Amen” 131 The significance of the phrase “basket and store” was asked of Eldred G. Smith, Patriarch to the Church on Thursday, 10 December 1970 by Jimmy B. Parker and Paul F. Royall. Elder Smith said that John Smith would often use that particular wording when he felt so impressed to indicate that the person receiving the blessing would not need to fear for want of food, clothing and shelter while living on earth, so long as he lived the commandments of God. President Joseph F. Smith has written: “A short time ago I met a brother – I need not call his name, for he is but one among thousands who can bear the same testimony, not only by the word of mouth but by the evidences of thrift, of prosperity, of progress and of improvement which surround him in the midst of the deserts. This season he has gathered in rich harvests, his farms having produced in abundance, while the farms of many of his neighbor’s are clogged with weeds, and their harvests have been only one-half or one-third what his has been. How do you account for it? I account for it in the fact that God has blessed him; and so does for he is an intelligent man, a man that not only labors wisely and prudently, but in the fear of God, and in the desire of his heart to obey his laws. He said to me and my companion with whom we were traveling: “God has blessed me because I have striven to keep his laws, and because I have been true to my family.” He went out there upon the desert seven or eight years ago, impoverished by persecution and exile, being driven from his home and from his affairs, compelled to wander in exile for years, part of the time preaching the gospel. He returned seven or eight years ago, and settled down upon the desert. Today, out of the earth, the burning sands, he has produced beautiful homes, he has fruitful fields, which are spread out before the eyes of any man who wishes to go and look upon them. He pays his tithing, he remembers his offerings, he is obedient to the laws of God, and he is not afraid to bear testimony to his friends and neighbors that it is through obedience that God has blessed and prospered him, and made him what he is today. He is not the only one; there are others who are prospered in like manner. And I testify that he obtained the increase and secured the blessings for which he sought and labored. He has acted in good faith with the Lord; the Lord has known his heart, and has blessed hm accordingly, and he is prosperous today in that dessert, while as to many of his neighbors – go and look for yourselves at their broad acres. They tell the story for themselves. His lands are clear form noxious weeds, because he has labored, and taken care of his lands, and because God has inspired him, and enlightened his mind. The Lord has blessed him in his basket and his store, in his labors and in the thoughts of his mind, he has been inspired and enabled to accomplish the work that he has done; I testify that it is because of man’s faith in the promise of the Lord, and his desire to obey his laws, that he is blessed and prospered of him.” Joseph F. Smith Gospel Doctrine Salt Lake City; Deseret Book, 1973, pp.227-228.
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