Weekly Family History Activities

Doctrine and Covenants 77–80

Doctrine and Covenants 77

From Come, Follow Me :

What do you learn from your study about receiving revelation?

"Nothing opens the heavens quite like the combination of increased purity, exact obedience, earnest seeking, daily feasting on the words of Christ in the Book of Mormon, and regular time committed to temple and family history work." Russell M. Nelson, Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives

President Henry B. Eyring also spoke regarding revelation. "I have learned...that even the best technology can never be a substitute for revelation from heaven....This is a spiritual work, and the Lord directs it through His Holy Spirit.

"Just a few weeks ago, I was working on my family history with a consultant by my side and another helper on the phone. On the computer screen before me was a problem beyond my mortal power to solve. I saw two names, sent to me by the wonders of technology, of people who might be waiting for a temple ordinance. But the trouble was that the names were different, but there was a reason to believe they might be the same person. My task was to determine what was true.

"I asked my consultants to tell me. They said, "No, you must choose." And they were completely sure I would discover the truth. The computer, with all its power and information, had left me the blessing of staring at those names on a screen, evaluating the available information, seeking other research, praying silently, and discovering what was true. As I prayed, I knew with surety what to do—just as I have in other situations when I needed to rely on heaven's help to solve a problem.

We do not know what marvels God will inspire people to create to help in His work of gathering His family. But whatever marvelous inventions may come, their use will require the Spirit working in people like you and me. This should not surprise us. After all, these are beloved sons and daughters of God. He will send whatever inspiration is needed to give them the opportunity to return to Him." (Gathering the Family of God)

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." 

What inspiration have you received as you have participated in family history? Share these experiences with your family, and record in individual journals, a family journal, or an audio recording.

Check out the Get Started page in the Family History Guide to see different ways you can begin or continue your family history journey, to reap the rewards including hearing Him more clearly.

Doctrine and Covenants 78:1–7

From Come, Follow Me :

What would you say is the “cause” of the Savior’s Church? Ponder this as you read Doctrine and Covenants 78:1–7. What are some of the various ways you can help advance that cause—including in your family?

General Handbook, 1.2. God’s Work of Salvation and Exaltation As we come unto Christ and help others do the same, we participate in God’s work of salvation and exaltation. This work is guided by the two great commandments to love God and to love our neighbors (see Matthew 22:37–39). God’s work of salvation and exaltation focuses on four divinely appointed responsibilities…

• Living the gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Caring for those in need.
• Inviting all to receive the gospel.
• Uniting families for eternity.

“When we speak of gathering Israel on both sides of the veil, we are referring, of course, to missionary, temple, and family history work. We are also referring to building faith and testimony in the hearts of those with whom we live, work, and serve. Anytime we do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—to make and keep their covenants with God, we are helping to gather Israel.” President Russell M. Nelson, Let God Prevail

See these invitations from our prophet:

• To the brethren
• To the sisters 
• To the Millennials
• To the Youth

Creating a role-play is a fun way to practice using family history in introducing someone to the gospel. 

"Missionary work and family history and temple work are complementary and interrelated aspects of one great work, 'that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him'" (Ephesians 1:10) "... The artificial boundary line we so often place between missionary work and temple and family history work is being erased; this is one great work of salvation." David A. Bednar, Missionary, Family History, and Temple Work

Divide into companionships and practice door approaches with this guidance from Preach My Gospel: "Talk to people about their families. Help them see how the restored gospel can be a blessing to their families. Offer to help them find the names of grandparents, great-grandparents, or other ancestors. Enlist the help of ward temple and family history consultants."

 President Nelson: “If I were a missionary today, my two best friends in the ward or branch where I served would be the ward mission leader and the ward temple and family history consultant.

People have an inborn desire to know something about their ancestors. That becomes a natural opportunity for our missionaries. As missionaries learn to love the people they teach, they will naturally ask about their families. “Are your parents living? Are your grandparents living? Do you know your four grandparents?” Conversations flow easily when those who are drawn to speak with the missionaries are invited to talk about the people they love.

At that point it can be natural for the missionaries, including member missionaries, to ask, “Do you know any of your great-grandparents? Do you know their names?” The probability is that investigators will not know the names of all eight of their great-grandparents.

Then the missionaries can make this suggestion: “I have a friend at our church who can help. If we could find the names of some or maybe even all of your great-grandparents, would it be worth a couple of hours of your time to find out who your great-grandparents are?” That friend at church, of course, is the ward temple and family history consultant.”

Sister Nelson: “I think it can be comforting for missionaries to know that they are never alone when they are finding and teaching those who are receptive to the truths of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. President George Q. Cannon (1827–1901), who served as a counselor to four Presidents of the Church, taught that in these latter days, those who are joining the Church are joining precisely because their ancestors have been praying for one of their posterity to join the Church so that they, the ancestors, can receive their essential ordinances by proxy.” Open the Heavens through Temple and Family History Work 

Find step-by-step instructions to do temple work in the “Church of Jesus Christ” section of The Family History Guide. See also Take Ancestors To The Temple.

See Ordinances Ready - a tool that simplifies finding names for the temple. Learn more here and here.

Doctrine and Covenants 78:19

From Come, Follow Me :

From Come, Follow Me

What difference does it make in your life if you receive “all things” with thankfulness—even things that might not seem like blessings?

"Tonight, and tomorrow night, you might pray and ponder, asking the questions: Did God send a message that was just for me? Did I see His hand in my life or the lives of my children? I will do that. And then I will find a way to preserve that memory ..." Henry B. Eyring O Remember, Remember

A family journal can be a wonderful experience also. Take turns writing a little about what you have learned or what has happened to you and your family. Let the younger children "write" with their artwork. Be sure to write about your feelings, too. Read The Benefits and Blessings of Keeping A Family Journal to learn more.

Remember that what you write can also be uploaded to FamilySearch Memories. With the FamilySearch Family Tree app and FamilySearch Memories app, gathering, audio-recording, sharing, and preserving oral histories has never been easier. 

See also The Gratitude that Comes from Family History

Suggestion: Find the promises in Doctrine and Covenants 77-80. Write or audio-record about their influence in your life, and share with your family.