A stake patriarch's responsibility is to give patriarchal blessings. These blessings are given through the laying on of hands, are the Lord's words to the recipient, and are an important part of every young Latter-day Saint's life. A Patriarchal Blessing serves as a kind of road map for a person's life. Every stake has at least one patriarch (except in the event of a sudden death or relocation), or if the need arises, more than one. Once a patriarch is ordained, his calling is ongoing. He can, however, be given non-functioning status if health prevents him from serving, he goes on a mission, or moves out of the stake. In that case he can still give blessings to lineal descendants.