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DAVID - my dad's patriarchal blessing he is said to be of the "loins of Ham" but does not indicate that he has been adopted into any tribe. My question is 2 fold: 1. Should he try to get another blessing? and 2. will not being adopted into a tribe disqualify him for any blessings?
JOEL - The answer to both questions is No. Just because the blessing does not specifically state that he has been adopted into a particular tribe doesn't mean that it has not happened. There are many coming into the Church in this day and time who are not of the blood lineage of a specific tribe of Jacob. No one need assume that he or she will be denied any blessing by reason of not being of the blood lineage of Israel or if it is not mentioned in the blessing.
We need to remember that the Patriarchal blessing is not a saving ordinance. There are thousands of church members who have never even received a patriarchal blessing, yet such members who are faithful are nevertheless adopted into the house of Israel and enjoy all associated blessings.
Joseph Smith taught that when “the Holy Ghost falls upon one of the literal seed of Abraham, it is calm and serene; … while the effect of the Holy Ghost upon a Gentile, is to purge out the old blood, and make him actually of the seed of Abraham. That man that has none of the blood of Abraham (naturally) must have a new creation by the Holy Ghost.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 149–150.)
That new creation comes through baptism, bestowal of the Holy Ghost, and righteous living which automatically effects the adoption.
The Book of Mormon tells us:
"And it shall come to pass, that if the Gentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of God in that day that he shall manifest himself unto them in word,
and also in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of their stumbling blocks—
And harden not their hearts against the Lamb of God, they shall be numbered among the seed of thy father; yea, they shall be numbered among the house of Israel; and they shall be a blessed people upon the promised land forever;" (1 Ne 14:1-2)
Brigham Young said:
"If any of the Gentiles will believe, we will lay our hands upon them that they may receive the Holy Ghost, and the Lord will make them of the house of Israel. They will be broken off from the wild olive tree, and be grafted into the good and tame olive tree, and will partake of its sap and fatness. . . . It is so with the House of Israel and the Gentile nations; if the Gentiles are grafted into the good olive tree they will partake of its root and fatness." (Journal of Discourses, 2:269)
Joseph Fielding Smith said:
"Every person who embraces the gospel becomes of the house of Israel. In other words, they become members of the chosen lineage, or Abraham's children through Isaac and Jacob unto whom the promises were made. The great majority of those who become members of the Church are literal descendants of Abraham through Ephraim, son of Joseph. Those who are not literal descendants of Abraham and Israel must become such, and when they are baptized and confirmed they are grafted into the tree and are entitled to all the rights and privileges as heirs."(Doctrines of Salvation, 2:250-51)
So there's no need to worry about it. Probably the most important part of the Patriarchal blessing is the bestowal of possible future blessings and promises pronounced on your father that can be realized to him as a faithful member of the church and help guide his way through life.
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