Weekly Family History Activities

Exodus 7–13

“Remember This Day, in Which Ye Came Out from Egypt”

Exodus 12:14–17, 24–27; 13:1–16

From Come, Follow Me:

How can we more fully make the sacrament a “memorial” of what the Savior has done for us?

When President Nelson closed the October 2019 general conference, he described some revisions to the questions asked in a temple recommend interview. Number 8 reads, “Do you strive to keep the Sabbath day holy, both at home and at church; attend your meetings; prepare for and worthily partake of the sacrament; and live your life in harmony with the laws and commandments of the gospel?”

Preparing for the sacrament each week could certainly include doing temple and family history work. 

Amy Harris (Professor of History and Genealogy, Brigham Young University) reminds us that, “Engaging in family history research teaches us of the vastness and grand scope of God’s creation and underscores the individual and merciful reach of Christ’s Atonement” (see How Family History Changes Our Hearts and Minds). 

Elder Renlund reminds us that “as we participate in family history and temple work today, we also lay claim to “healing” blessings promised by prophets and apostles.” He adds, “These blessings are also breathtakingly amazing because of their scope, specificity, and consequence in mortality.” He gives a long list of blessings - the first one being an “Increased understanding of the Savior and His atoning sacrifice” (see Family History and Temple Work: Sealing and Healing). 

One of the ways that you can more easily do temple work and family history during the week to prepare for the sacrament is to make it part of what you are already doing. The Family History Guide has created Weekly Family History Activities - A Come, Follow Me Companion to provide temple and family history activities correlated to each Come, Follow Me lesson. Decide how to implement this idea if it is something that would bless you and your family. 

You may want to consider how you can add family history activities to mealtime, travel time, bed time, and other routine activities. Check out Five-Minute Family History Activity Ideas for Latter-day Saints. 

“Each week as we take the sacrament we can be reminded of the purpose of His birth and the purpose of ours as we make room for Him in our lives, bring our best gifts, and prepare as seriously for the sacrament as we did for our baptism.” 4 Ways to Make the Sacrament More Significant

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During the sacrament each week, you may want to contemplate your birth, your purpose, and your progress along the Covenant Path. To review what President Nelson states about your purpose, and to check out related activities, see "The Lord Labors with Us.” In addition to the activities which are listed there, you could share memories of each member becoming part of the family, or have a guessing-game with baby photos (guess which picture is of what family member) along with a discussion of what President Nelson defines as our purpose as saints of the latter day - what each of us was born to do. Decide together how to support each other in “the greatest challenge, the greatest cause, and the greatest work on the earth today?" (see Latter-day Saint Youth: Gather Israel). 

Exodus 12:14, 24–27.

From Come, Follow Me

The Savior wanted the Israelites to always remember that He had delivered them, even after their captivity became a distant memory. This is why He commanded them to observe the Passover feast each year. As you read His instructions in Exodus 12:14–17, 24–27; 13:1–16, think about what you are doing to remember God’s blessings to you. How can you preserve that remembrance “throughout your generations”? (see Exodus 12:14, 26–27).

Consider keeping a written journal of God's hand in your life and in the lives of your family members. Write about your gratitude for the tender mercies you have experienced and that you see around you. You can also record journal entries using the FamilySearch Memories Audio app or the "Record My Story" feature on FamilySearch Discovery.

"When our children were very small, I started to write down a few things about what happened every day...so that my children could have the memory someday when they would need it ... Before I would write, I would ponder this question: 'Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?' ...I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done. More than gratitude began to grow in my heart. Testimony grew. I became ever more certain that our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. I felt more gratitude for the softening and refining that come because of the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ. And I grew more confident that the Holy Ghost can bring all things to our remembrance—even things we did not notice or pay attention to when they happened." President Henry B. Eyring, O Remember, Remember

Plan a time to verbally share with your family the spiritual experiences you have had, and invite family members to share theirs also. This might be a “gathering” type setting where you are not audio recording. Preserve these stories at another time. 

"Embrace your sacred memories. Believe them. Write them down. Share them with your family. Trust that they come to you from your Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son. Let them bring patience to your doubts and understanding to your difficulties. I promise you that as you willingly acknowledge and carefully treasure the spiritually defining events in your life, more and more will come to you. Heavenly Father knows you and loves you!" Neil L. Andersen, Spiritually Defining Memories (See also: Week #36, 2020.)

You might want to consider creating a collection of your spiritual experiences, and the spiritual experiences of your family members that they would like to share. This book can be a beautiful and meaningful gift for siblings, children, parents, grandparents, and other family members. You may also record your spiritual experiences using the FamilySearch Memories Audio app or the "Record My Story" feature on FamilySearch Discovery.

When recorded and preserved on FamilySearch Memories, you have the option of placing them in an individual album. See How do I create an album in Memories?

Ask the Right Questions - Instead of just searching for names and dates, you can think of questions that would help you learn more about your ancestors, such as why did they move, why are there gaps in their family groups sheets, etc. Learn more about questions for research in Project 4: Discover, Goal 2, Choice C.