From
Come, Follow Me :
The first time Samuel the Lamanite tried to share "glad tidings" in Zarahemla (Helaman 13:7), he was rejected and cast out by the hard-hearted Nephites. You might say it was as if they had built an impenetrable wall around their hearts that prevented them from receiving Samuel's message. Samuel understood the importance of the message he bore and demonstrated faith by following God's commandment "that he should return again, and prophesy" (Helaman 13:3). Just as Samuel did, we all encounter walls as we "prepare the way of the Lord" (Helaman 14:9) and strive to follow His prophets. And like Samuel, we too bear witness of Jesus Christ, "who surely shall come," and invite all to "believe on his name" (Helaman 13:6; 14:13). Not everyone will listen, and some may actively oppose us. But those who believe in this message with faith in Christ find that it truly is "glad tidings of great joy" (Helaman 16:14).
"The coming of Christ was a tradition believed in for many centuries by the righteous Nephites. Yet this tradition was challenged by wicked people immediately before the birth of the Savior. Those who believed in the coming of Christ were persecuted by unbelievers who characterized the belief in Christ as a wicked tradition. The persecution became so great that a day was appointed on which the believers would be put to death. They were willing to die "because of their faith in the tradition of their fathers." (
3 Ne. 1:11)" (
The Traditions of Their Fathers, Ensign Magazine, 1972)
According to Elder Brent H. Nielsen, "the phrase, ‘traditions of our fathers,' is used in the Book of Mormon 20 times. On some occasions the phrase is used to describe the good traditions of their fathers that led them to have faith in God and His Son Jesus Christ (see
Alma 30:13–14, [
Helaman 5:51,
Helaman 15:4, 7]). However, many of the references point to "wicked traditions of our fathers," that led the people away from the teachings of God (see
Alma 23:3 [
Helaman 16:20]). For each of us, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we must analyze those traditions that we find in our families and in our culture and determine whether those traditions lead us towards God's teachings or away from them. The culture we are striving to develop is the culture of Jesus Christ. Because the "traditions of our fathers" can have such a powerful influence on future generations, we must develop traditions in our families, wards and branches that will help our children and grandchildren see the path that leads to eternal life and stay on that path.
"... Because traditions can influence generations for hundreds and even thousands of years, it is critical that we establish traditions of righteousness. A decision you make today to establish a righteous family tradition can have lasting effects on generations to come." (
The Traditions of Our Fathers, Brent H. Nielson)
L. Tom Perry said, "... the practice of having traditions to keep us close to the great heritage which is ours to enjoy should be something every family should try to keep alive.
"Daily we should kneel in family prayer and study the scriptures together. Weekly we should observe the Sabbath day by attending our meetings, especially sacrament meeting, and behave appropriate to the activities that are proper for the Lord's day. We should also gather our families together in weekly family home evenings. Perhaps it would also be appropriate to have a date with our wives each week, to remind us of the great blessing they are in our lives. Monthly we should fast and pay our tithes and offerings to the Lord. Semiannually, we should make listening to the messages delivered at general conferences a family tradition. We should organize, annually, family reunions to keep alive our great gospel heritage.
"Other traditions which should continually be part of our lives are receiving father's blessings, patriarchal blessings, missionary preparation, temple preparation, and regular temple attendance where possible, and being together as family units on those occasions when sacred ordinances are performed in behalf of a family member.
"If we will build righteous traditions in our families, the light of the gospel can grow ever brighter in the lives of our children from generation to generation. We can look forward to that glorious day when we will all be united together as eternal family units to reap the everlasting joy promised by our Eternal Father for His righteous children." (L. Tom Perry, April 1990 General Conference,
Family Traditions)
Traditions bring spiritual, cultural, and family understanding. "Traditions influence the way we live and the way we look at life. They may be practices or beliefs handed down from generation to generation, or new habits or patterns we establish in our own families. Some will be based on commandments and righteous principles, others may evolve from our cultural or national heritage." (
Traditions Worth Keeping, Ensign 1986)
"Each of us has traditions in our families. Some of them are material. Some of them have deep meaning. The most important traditions are connected with the way we live our lives and will last beyond us as our children's lives are influenced and shaped." (Cheryl Lant,
Righteous Traditions, April 2008 General Conference)
Read more about how to
Cultivate Righteous Traditions and some of the benefits of
Building a Strong Foundation through Family Traditions.
Family Traditions
Discuss some of the holidays your family celebrates. What traditions does your family have for each holiday? What other unique traditions do you have--such as for birthdays, graduations, baptisms or other events? Have any of these traditions been passed down from prior generations? Which ones and why have they continued? Discuss how these traditions help bring you closer as a family?
Make a Home Movie
Traditions are fun events in family life. After discussing your family traditions in the above activity, select some of your favorites. Choose one and
make a home movie of this fun family tradition.
Creating New Traditions
Learn about the power of
family traditions in drawing families closer together and appreciating their history. Discuss what new traditions you might begin as an individual or family? Check out some Christmas traditions at
Making a Tradition. Maybe this Christmas you might consider including Samuel the Lamanite's "glad tidings" (
Helaman 13:7) prophecying of the Savior's birth (
Helaman 14:1-8) in your Christmas readings and Christmas nativity plays.
Your Personal History
Write (or
audio-record) one story about your life as you study each Come, Follow Me lesson to have 52 by the end of the year. Save as a story and add it to your FamilySearch memories to preserve it. Use your own questions, those from (or inspired by)
Come, Follow Me, or the
#52 Stories Project. See below for ideas:
- As a child, which were your top three favorite holidays and why? Have your favorites changed over the years?
- Which of your childhood holiday traditions have you carried on into adulthood? What new traditions have you started?
- What personal commitments do you feel you should make regarding the Lord's prophets and their messages?
