The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced two new tools Dec. 28 related to patriarchal blessings. One tool improves access to patriarchal blessings, and the other allows leaders to create blessing recommends online.

A new landing page on LDS.org provides access to the two tools. According to the Church History website, the first tool allows members to request an online copy of their patriarchal blessing. Members can also request the patriarchal blessings of their deceased direct-line ancestors, which are sent through postal mail or email.

The second tool is accessible to priesthood leaders and patriarchs. Priesthood leaders can submit recommendations for patriarchal blessings online, which can then be seen by patriarchs. After the blessing is given, the patriarch will submit the text of the blessing digitally.

Patriarchal blessings “provide inspired direction from the Lord” and “include a declaration of a person’s lineage in the house of Israel,” according to LDS.org.

Read the full story on history.lds.org.

Lindsey Williams writes for the the Faith and Family sections of DeseretNews.com