Weekly Family History Activities

Doctrine and Covenants 124

“A House unto My Name”

Doctrine and Covenants 124:12–21

I can be a disciple whom the Lord trusts

From Come, Follow Me 2021:

Although several prominent leaders left the Church in the late 1830s, the vast majority of members remained faithful. These faithful Saints included those who had endured the trials of Missouri as well as those who had recently joined the Church. In 124:12–21, the Lord spoke highly of a few of them. What insights about discipleship do you find in His words? Is there something about these faithful Saints that inspires you to be like them? 

See Nauvoo Family Search Records to discover your Nauvoo relatives. 

“It’s a story that’s part of our shared past and will be meaningful to anyone who had ancestors who came through Nauvoo or who are members today of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...Users can see how the timeline of their ancestors in Nauvoo coincides with the listing of key historical events there.” Read more here.

Descriptions of the historical events listed on the timeline are linked to chapters in Saints. You may want to make a list of relatives in Nauvoo from all of your family lines to see if their residence there coincided.

 As early saints received a witness of the truths of the gospel and made the decision to be baptized, they helped build the foundation on which we all stand. Their faith and efforts made it possible for their posterity to have a gospel foundation. If you are the first convert in your family to be baptized, your decision will influence your posterity. 

Writing a letter of gratitude to an ancestor, living relative, to yourself, or to an early saint will document your feelings about how life is different for you because of the decisions that were made. See instructions and suggestions for preserving your recording on FamilySearch Memories. 

You may want to post photos and your gratitude to ancestors in your home to view during the week. 

Doctrine and Covenants 124:25–45, 55

The Lord commands us to build temples so we can receive sacred ordinances.

From Come, Follow Me

What do you find in 124:25–45, 55 that helps you understand why the Lord said, “My people are always commanded to build [temples] unto my holy name”? (verse 39).

Nephi's temple by Joseph Brickey

President Russell M. Nelson: “We know that our time in the temple is crucial to our salvation and exaltation and to that of our families. … Our need to be in the temple on a regular basis has never been greater” (Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints)

In Family History And Temple Work: Sealing And Healing, Elder Dale G. Renlund shares that family history and temple work is not only for the dead, but blesses the living as well. "[As] we participate in family history and temple work today, we also lay claim to 'healing' blessings promised by prophets and apostles."

"If you have prayed for any of these blessings, participate in family history and temple work," Elder Renlund said. "As you do so, your prayers will be answered."

Copy each of the blessings listed below on small pieces of paper and put them into a basket. In a group or as a family, take turns drawing them out one-by-one and discussing the reasons why you would want that particular blessing in your life.

• Increased understanding of the Savior and His atoning sacrifice
• Increased influence of the Holy Ghost 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
• Increased assistance to mend troubled, broken, or anxious hearts and make the wounded whole

After the discussion activity, ask, "What one thing can we do to have these incredible blessings in our lives and in the lives of those we love?" Refer to Elder Renlund's talk (see above). Make plans together to do more temple and family history work to receive these blessings. 

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.

Create family temple traditions. Some sacrifices will need to be made, but having set times may help. See Sacrifice of Time.

See My Ancestor's Temples. 

You need to have a free FamilySearch account and four generations filled in. Use this List of Latter-day Saint Temples to learn about the temples of your ancestors, and check out The Temple - In-Home Activities.

Doctrine and Covenants 124:2–11

From Come, Follow Me

The Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith to “make a solemn proclamation of [His] gospel” to “all the kings of the world” (see Doctrine and Covenants 124:2–11). If you received this assignment, what would your proclamation say about Jesus Christ and His restored gospel? Also ponder how you can share your witness normally and naturally with people you interact with daily.

Many people desire to know of their heritage. As they learn about those who went before them, they may become interested in knowing about eternal families and what the gospel of Jesus Christ teaches about sealing families together. Thus, teaching about temple work and helping with family history can be a successful finding, teaching, and retention tool.

Elder Bednar explains: "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." Missionary, Family History, and Temple Work

You might want to role-play missionary scenarios where family history can be a tool for introducing someone to the gospel.

Plan a get-together and divide all group members into missionary companionships. Have friends (including ward or stake family history consultants) or family members role-play being “contacts.” 

Those who are role-playing missionaries can then 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."

Check out these ideas to help you with your role-play activity from Help Friends Discover Their Family History:

• Download the Family Tree app
• Find a person
• All About Me
• Share stories and photos from your family

With the FamilySearch Family Tree App or other tools along with conversation, you can help others begin to discover their family history.

You might ask:

• Which of your ancestors do you feel most connected with? Why?
• Who’s the oldest relative you remember? What do you remember about him/her?
• What stories do you know about your ancestor? See 10 Ways To Discover, Gather, and Share Ancestor Stories.
• What traits do you have in common with your family? Who did those come from?
• Have you visited an ancestor’s homeland? What was it like?
• What do you want to know about your ancestors?

You and your family will definitely benefit from including The Family History Guide as a resource!

Doctrine and Covenants 124:91–92.

From Come, Follow Me:

From Come, Follow Me:
Why does Heavenly Father want His children to receive a patriarchal blessing?

Thomas S. Monson: "The same Lord who provided a Liahona for Lehi provides for you and for me today a rare and valuable gift to give direction to our lives, to mark the hazards to our safety, and to chart the way, even safe passage—not to a promised land, but to our heavenly home. The gift to which I refer is known as your patriarchal blessing. Every worthy member of the Church is entitled to receive such a precious and priceless personal treasure.”

Your patriarchal blessing can give you insights into spiritual gifts, blessings, warnings, promises, or challenges you may face and declare your lineage. It may also describe any related blessings that accompany your particular tribe Read more in Understanding Your Patriarchal Blessing.

Church of Jesus Christ website: "Each patriarchal blessing is sacred, confidential, and personal ... Church members should not compare blessings and should not share them except with close family members. Patriarchal blessings should not be read in Church meetings or other public gatherings (General Handbook, 18.17.1). They should also not be distributed or shared through electronic means, such as in the Memories section of FamilySearch or on social media, websites, or blogs."

Ancestors' patriarchal blessings may help give you insights into their challenges and promises, help you better understand them, and draw closer.

See Requesting an Ancestor's Patriarchal Blessing. What do you learn about your ancestor from his or her blessing? Talk about how you have been influenced by these ancestors and their blessings, and make some goals about how you will influence generations to come through your faithfulness. 

Find what the Lord has promised He will do for Covenant Israel in Doctrine and Covenants 124. Write or audio-record what these promises mean to you and those you love.