Individuals Activities

8. Latter-day Saint Family History Activities

Overview: Family history activities and service can help provide a sense of belonging and can promote unity within your family, your ward family, your friend groups, and with your ancestors.

Note to Young Adults : You are a part of the "rising generations" spoken of in Doctrine and Covenants 69:8. As with every new generation, you have unique gifts and opportunities. Included in those opportunities is your chance to become involved at an early age with family history and temple work. Family history activities and service can help provide a sense of belonging and can promote unity with your family, your ward family, and with your ancestors.

The Weekly Family History Activities provide related family history activities for each week. These can enrich your home-centered gospel study, while aiding you in reaping the benefits and blessings of incorporating more family history into your life. See the "Schedule" link at the top of the page to find individual lessons.

Activities marked by an asterisk (*) take little or no prep time.

I8-01: Discovery Day Help plan a Family History Discovery Day for your ward or unit. Help plan a Family History Discovery Day for your ward or unit.

*I8-02: Get Inspired
Here are some resources to help you see valuable insights about your role in family history:

• Family History for the Rising Generation, by Carol Brennan Moss.
• Making Family History Impactful
• The Joy of Redeeming the Dead, Richard G. Scott, Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 94
• The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn, David A. Bednar, Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 27
• Down the Family History Rabbit Hole
• Singles and The Proclamation on the Family
• The Great Latter-day Work of Temples

I8-03: Conversion Stories
With your family, you can make a book of conversion stories from your family history documents and memories.

I8-04: Indexing Tournament of Champions
Open the link below to see the instructions for setting up a fun Indexing Tournament of Champions in your group.
*Steps

1. Divide up your ward or branch by apartments or residences.
2. Announce the Indexing Tournament, with instructions and start/end dates
3. Sign up participants.
4. If needed, hold a brief indexing class or refer participants to Project 5: Indexing for tips on getting started with Web indexing.
5. Each week during the Tournament, tally the total number of names indexed by each apartment or residence. Be sure to emphasize the importance of indexing each week and who it really benefits, so as to not get too competitive and lose the purpose.
6. Offer prizes at the end, for numbers or for participation.

*I8-05: Indexing Parties
Publicize and hold indexing parties in different apartments on Sunday evenings. Pizza or other snacks could be included.
See this blog post for ideas.

I8-06: From Beginners to Temple Names
Get your YSA or Singles Ward or Branch involved in family history. You can find out some useful tips for doing this in this article.

Find more activities here: 1. Anytime Activities   2. Plan-Ahead Activities   3. Making Family History   4. Documenting the Past   5. Social Media Activities   6. Service Activities   7. Activities for Research