The prophets and apostles continually help all of us with “direction along the way.” As stated in an article entitled,  Open The Door To Heaven’s Help With Family History, “Today’s youth are in need of an added measure of protection and blessings to help them face the unique challenges confronting their generation…The empowering blessings promised by modern prophets and apostles for engaging in family history and temple work are timely, relevant and applicable to everyone.”  The concluding statement in the article reads, “Family history and temple work opens the door to heaven’s help, crowd out the adversary’s influence, and allow modern technology to be used in the way Heavenly Father intended. Bring these blessings into your own life and the life of your family by beginning your search for family names.” Here are some promised blessings:

• My dear extraordinary youth, you were sent to earth at this precise time, the most crucial time in the history of the world, to help gather Israel. There is nothing happening on this earth right now that is more important than that. There is nothingof greater consequence. Absolutely nothing. This gathering should mean everything to you. This is the mission for which you were sent to earth. So my question to you is “Are you willing to enlist in the youth battalion of the Lord to help gather Israel?”…So, now I am inviting every young woman and every young man between the ages of 12 and 18 in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to enlist in the youth battalion of the Lord to help gather Israel…Anytime you do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—take a step toward making covenants with God and receiving their essential baptismal and temple ordinances, you are helping to gather Israel. It is as simple as that. As you pray about this sacrifice of time, you will be guided to know both what you can give up that week and what you can do instead to help gather Israel. Hope of Israel President Russell M. Nelson and Sister Wendy W. Nelson Worldwide Youth Devotional • June 3, 2018 • Conference Center, Salt Lake City, Utah

• Elder Richard G. Scott promised protection from and strength to resist the adversary’s temptations—even the ability to “eliminate” his influence. He also promised an enriched temple experience when performing family ordinances. (Elder Richard G. Scott, “Joy of Redeeming the Dead,” General Conference, Oct. 2012).
• President Boyd K. Packer promised that we could personally experience the Spirit of Elijah (Malachi 4:6), which can have a refining, spiritualizing, and tempering influence in our lives. In his book The Holy Temple, he promised that not only can we have added strength and power to do family history work, but that we can be blessed with added strength and power in “all the affairs of life.” (Boyd K. Packer, “Your Family History: Getting Started,” Ensign, Aug. 2003).
• Elder David A. Bednar promised that we could gain a “deep and abiding” testimony of Jesus Christ (Elder David A. Bednar, “The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn,” General Conference, Oct. 2011).
• “… as we participate in family history and temple work today, we also lay claim to ‘healing’ blessings promised by prophets and apostles. These blessings are also breathtakingly amazing because of their scope, specificity, and consequence in mortality. This long list includes these blessings:
  • Increased understanding of the Savior and His atoning sacrifice;
  • Increased influence of the Holy Ghost7 to feel strength and direction for our own lives;
  • Increased faith, so that conversion to the Savior becomes deep and abiding;
  • Increased ability and motivation to learn and repent because of an understanding of who we are, where we come from, and a clearer vision of where we are going;
  • Increased refining, sanctifying, and moderating influences in our hearts;
  • Increased joy through an increased ability to feel the love of the Lord;
  • Increased family blessings, no matter our current, past, or future family situation or how imperfect our family tree may be;
  • Increased love and appreciation for ancestors and living relatives, so we no longer feel alone;
  • Increased power to discern that which needs healing and thus, with the Lord’s help, serve others;
  • Increased protection from temptations and the intensifying influence of the adversary; and
  • Increased assistance to mend troubled, broken, or anxious hearts and make the wounded whole.

If you have prayed for any of these blessings, participate in family history and temple work. As you do so, your prayers will be answered. When ordinances are performed on behalf of the deceased, God’s children on earth are healed. No wonder President Russell M. Nelson, in his first message as President of the Church, declared, ‘Your worship in the temple and your service there for your ancestors will bless you with increased personal revelation and peace and will fortify your commitment to stay on the covenant path.’ Elder Dale G. Renlund, Family History and Temple Work: Sealing and Healing, General Conference April 2018)

To help the youth as they visit FamilySearch to not become discouraged with the task of doing family history, The Family History Guide offers step-by-step guidance for any part of family history that interests them. There are eight projects listed in the FamilySearch tab drop-down menu, and each has goals and choices to make doing family history easier, more efficient, and more enjoyable. The Family History Guide is approved by FamilySearch. The LDS Topics Page and the Inspiration Page also include motivational and helpful information. In addition, the Youth Activities Page is a treasure chest of ideas for making family history a fun part of life – including Y8-08: Sanctifying the Sabbath with Family History which  includes 10 ways to sanctify the Sabbath day with family history. See all of the family history activity ideas on The Family History Guide Activities drop-down menu including activities for all families, individuals, youth, and children. In addition, FamilySearch has a new Activities Section  with do-able and shareable activities for all ages. Choose the best activities for your needs and go for it!

Related Videos:

The Promised Blessings of Family History

Connected to Eternal Families – Pres. and Sister Oaks

Make The Sabbath a Delight By Finding Your Ancestors

We would love to hear how The Family History Guide is blessing your life and the lives the youth you know and love. As a mother and grandmother, I can hardly find words to express my gratitude for this incredible tool!