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The patriarchal blessing may not be necessary for salvation, but it is a guidepost; a white line down the middle of the road; a series of stakes around the mountain pass with reflector buttons in them so that whenever needed in the darkness and in the storm, they are available. The blessing can be reread like the reflectors that come up as the car approaches them on the turns. You would not urge patriarchal blessings for your students as you would urge a Boy Scout to pass his tests. They are never to be secondary or a means to an end. They are always first and basic. Every boy and girl may be encouraged to prepare for it, but never urged or forced to obtain their patriarchal blessings. Certainly these blessings should never be used to fill a requirement to achieve an award. It is a blessing for which young people should be adequately prepared, morally, mentally, and spiritually.
In a real sense, your voice is to give utterance to the message of the Lord which he has in store for the individuals who come to you. You are not the source of the promises; you have no blessings for anyone; you are but the tube through which the blessing flows -- the wire through which the promises are carried. You must be sure that you do not arrogate to yourselves any of these powers. One of the most important qualities for a patriarch to possess is that of humility.
In each blessing, the patriarch will declare, under inspiration, the literal blood lineage of the person to be blessed and then, as moved upon by the Spirit, make a statement as to possibilities and the special spiritual gifts, cautions, instructions, admonitions, and warnings as the patriarch may be prompted to give.
Patriarchal blessings are revelations to the recipients -- a white line down the middle of the road to protect, inspire, motivate toward activity and righteousness.
An inspired patriarchal blessing could light the way and lead the recipient on a path to fulfillment. It could lead him to become a new man and to have in his body a new heart.
Source: Edward L. Kimball, ed. The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1982. 505.