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LDS FAMILY HISTORY: LESSONS & ACTIVITIES
We and our families –past, present, and future- have made promises to each other.
Here are some suggestions for the many opportunities in family history and temple work. You might call the solution this: “wear the right hat for your season of life!”
□ 1. Teach your family about "Salvation for the Living and the Dead" and "Temple
Ordinances for You and Your Immediate Family", in the Member’s Guide, pgs. 2-3.
- use the Topical Guide in your scriptures to find temple or family history scriptures in each book of the standard works (check under temple, genealogy, salvation for the dead, etc.), or study the scriptures given below.
- understand the reasons and rewards for being involved in the great redemptive work that also perfects the Saints and also attracts people to the Church.
□ 2. Teach your loved ones about "Temple Ordinances for the Dead" (MG, 4-5). Our Member's Guide says we should begin with 3 actions (explained in steps 4-6 below):
a. identify our own ancestors
b. find out which of our ancestors need temple ordinances
c. make certain those ordinances are performed
- read and highlight key Ensign articles such as: Elder Eyring article from May 2005, Elder Scott from Nov. 94, or President Hunter from Feb. 1995.
□ 3. Teach and learn "Other Opportunities to Serve" (MG page 6).
- testify of the importance of record keeping as noted in the scriptures, and especially of personal journals and of a Book of Remembrance.
- choose one of these ‘other opportunities’ as a goal if regular temple attendance is not possible (see the list in section 8 below).
□ 4. Teach and try "Identify Your Ancestors" and learn about gathering and recording genealogical and historical information (MG pages 8 and 9).
- use a Book of Remembrance or pages in A Guide to Research to record what is already known about your ancestors; commit to always evaluate information for accuracy; try to avoid common pitfalls; document what you do on a research log.
- visit your local FHC:
· what is linked and automated (Ancestral File, Pedigree Resource File, etc.)
· what is already published (Family History Library Catalog - Surname)
· which ancestors have already had ordinances (LDS Ordinance Index)
□ 5.Teach and try "Identify Your Ancestors" and focus on providing basic information required for ordinances (MG pages 10 and 11).
- follow up on the last assignment and use results to update records.
□ 6. Teach and try "Find Out Which Ancestors Need Temple Ordinances" (MG, 13-5).
- use your Stake FHC to clear any possible names through the TempleReady program; submit only names that are accurate and for which personal proxies can be provided. Take the diskette to the Temple to get name cards, and share them with family who can perform the sacred ordinances.
□ 7. Teach and do "Make Certain That the Ordinances are Performed" (MG page 16).
- do temple baptisms and other approved ordinances by using your own ancestral names; parents should attend with the youth for their own ancestors.
- prepare by having pondering on a photo, historical document, or biography of ancestor selected to be honored in the temple.
□ 8. For ‘extra credit blessings’, or for those unable to regularly attend the temple, wear one of the following hats for additional service and ‘showers of blessing’:
a. do a few hours of Family Record Extraction.
b. contribute several generations to the LDS Pedigree Resource File.
c. spend four hours performing research on an ancestor not in FamilySearch or not well-identified in family records (use Guide to Research, Family History Library Catalog, research outlines available at FHCs, on FamilySearch, on WeRelate).
d. present a FHE on family history (family flag, motto, song, calendar, photo album, timeline, treasure hunt, cemetery visit, ancestor birthday party, etc.)
e. gather and organize meaningful and accurate personal and family records.
f. create and share several weekly diary or journal entries.
g. create a personal history, or start a family biography or family history.
h. attend a free workshop on genealogy or family history, or try online classes.
i. help plan a family reunion, or participate in a family organization.
j. keep a family scrapbook that has the power to turn hearts.
k. share the joy of family history with others (use Church literature).
RESOURCES:
o Member's Guide to Temple and Family History Work (MG= item 34697, 20p. free)
o How Do I Start My Family History? (329168p. free worksheet)
o A Guide to Research (30971 24p.)
o Services of the Family History Library (32957 free pocket brochure)
o Temple and Family History Work: Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders (TFHW= 35709 11p. free for leaders)
o Welcome to the Family History Center (35753 free pocket brochure)
o Some Riches Do Grow on Trees… Family Trees! (36243 free pocket brochure)
The Ensign: READINGS on FAMILY HISTORY
Ø May 2005, “Hearts Bound Together”, by Elder Henry Eyring
Ø Nov. 2003, “The Phenomenon That Is You”, by President James E. Faust
Ø Aug. 2003, “Your Family History: Getting Started”, by President Boyd K. Packer
Ø May 1999, “Bridges and Eternal Keepsakes”, by Elder Dennis Neuenschwander
Ø Mar. 1999, “Family History: A Work of Love”, by Sister Mary Ellen Smoot
Ø May 1998, “A New Harvest Time”, by Elder Russell Nelson
Ø Mar. 1995, “Speaking Today”, by President Howard W. Hunter and others
Ø Feb. 1995, “A Temple-Motivated People”, by President Howard W. Hunter
Ø Dec. 1994, “Everyone’s Blessing”, by Elder Monte Brough
Ø Nov. 1994, “The Spirit of Elijah”, by Elder Russell Nelson
Ø May 1991, “Linking the Family of Man”, by Elder David Haight
Ø Nov. 1990, “Redemption: The Harvest of Love”, by Elder Richard Scott
Ø June 1989, “Family History: ‘In Wisdom and Order’”, by Elder Dallin Oaks
INSPIRATIONS: Forever Families Go Forward
“ ...and he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers.” D&C 2:2
“Let me assure you that these are principles in relation to the dead and the living that cannot be lightly passed over, as pertaining to our salvation. …they without us cannot be made perfect – neither can we without our dead be made perfect” D&C 128:15
“Members’ preeminent obligation is for their own ancestors.” TFHW p.262
HOLY SCRIPTURES:
KEEPING RECORDS:
Moses 6:5-8 = a book of remembrance and a genealogy for Adam’s family
Abraham 1:31 = a record of the fathers for the benefit of posterity
1 Nephi 1:1-3 = a true record of personal proceedings
1 Nephi 5:10-16, 21-22 = records and genealogies and preserving them
1 Nephi 6:5-6 = writing things pleasing to God
1 Nephi 25:23-26 = labor diligently to write for others
2 Nephi 4:15 = writing things of the soul for the benefit of the children
Matthew 1:1-2 = the book of the generations of Jesus
Rev. 22:19-20 = the book of life, the return of the Lord
D&C 128:1-5 = careful recording of ordinances
D&C 128:6-9 = records binding in heaven and on earth
TEMPLES AND FAMILY HISTORY:
Malachi 4-6 = the prophet Elijah spurs the turning of hearts (compare 3 Nephi 25:5-6, D&C 2, and JSH 1:36-39)
Matthew 16:19 = the keys for binding on earth and in heaven
1 Cor. 15:29-30 = work for the dead; “why stand we in jeopardy every hour?”
D&C 2: 1-3 = the promises about turning hearts
D&C 76:64-70 = celestial saviors on Mount Zion [compare Obadiah 1:21]
D&C 110:13-16 = the keys for turning hearts
D&C 128: 15-24 = a psalm of joy; a challenge; a book to be accepted by the Lord
D&C 137:7-9 = the doctrine of salvation for the dead
D&C 138: 11-19, 29-34 = visions of ancestors in paradise; preaching to them
SALVATION FOR ALL:
Moses 4:27, 30 = prayerfully considering our role
2 Nephi 31:17-21 = our path to eternal life
D&C 18:10-19 = the worth of souls; the atonement
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