Weekly Family History Activities

Esther

“Thou Art Come … for Such a Time as This”

The Lord can make me an instrument to bless others.

From Come, Follow Me:

Sister Anne C. Pingree taught: “To become an instrument in the hands of God is a great privilege and sacred responsibility. Wherever we live, whatever our circumstances, no matter our marital status or age, the Lord needs each one of us to fulfill [our] unique part in building His kingdom in this final dispensation” (“Knowing the Lord’s Will for You,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2005, 112).

As you read the story of Esther, ponder how this statement applies to her. Look for ways the Lord made it possible for her to save the Jews (see, for example, Esther 2:21–23; 3:10–14; 4:14–16). Then ponder how He has guided your life in ways that allow you to bless others. What are some circumstances or relationships that you feel He has guided you to “for such a time as this”? (Esther 4:14). If you have a patriarchal blessing, consider reading it to learn more about the work the Lord has for you to do.

Read your patriarchal blessing. What insights do you find about your life’s mission? "Patriarchal blessings...contemplate an inspired declaration of the lineage of the recipient and, when so moved upon by the Spirit, an inspired and prophetic statement of the life mission of the recipient, together with such blessings, cautions and admonitions as the patriarch may be prompted to give for the accomplishment of such life's mission, it being always made clear that the realization of all promised blessings is conditioned upon faithfulness to the gospel of our Lord, whose servant the patriarch is (First Presidency Letter to stake presidents, 28 June 1958)." (Thomas S. Monson, October 1986 General Conference, Your Patriarchal Blessing) 

Read through your patriarchal blessing and make a list of the blessings, cautions, admonitions and clues to your life’s mission that are specified in your blessing. You may want to record these in your journal along with any promptings you may receive on how you can help fulfill your life’s mission.

“Have you ever wondered what it would be like to see your name in the scriptures–like Esther? Well, according to President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994), a patriarchal blessing is ‘personal scripture to you.’3 So if you think about how you study the scriptures, you can apply those ideas to studying your patriarchal blessing—making cross-references, keeping a journal of promptings you receive while you read, praying, pondering, making lists, memorizing ‘verses,’ and so on.” (What a Patriarchal Blessing Can Do for You) 

Make a copy of your patriarchal blessing that you can write notes on. Read through your patriarchal blessing. As you do, identify and make notes of your lineage, personal counsel, admonitions, gifts or talents, and promised blessings mentioned. Next to each item you have identified, make a brief note of how it currently applies to you. Did you find any gifts or talents you are currently developing or counsel that seems particularly relevant? Record in your journal ways you can use your patriarchal blessing to help guide your life to reach your full potential which God sees for you. Understanding Your Patriarchal Blessing may give you some additional insights. 

Many personal messages from the Lord are found in patriarchal blessings. In addition to studying your own patriarchal blessing, you can read and study those of your ancestors. Discovering how the Lord loved, guided, and blessed your ancestors for their obedience can provide perspective and motivation to also be obedient.

Request an ancestor's patriarch blessing by following the instructions in the FamilySearch Wiki, or at Patriarchal Blessings on church of jesus christ.org. When you receive it, read it and see how their blessing may relate to your life. What do you learn about your ancestor from his or her blessing? 

Esther 9:26–32.

From Come, Follow Me:

The Jewish feast of Purim was established to remember the story of Esther. At mealtime this week, consider sharing stories of when your family members, including ancestors, blessed others by standing for the right as Esther did.

"Food is a perfect way to connect to your culture and heritage - your ancestral homeland - and, because food provides such powerful memories, it seems to be part of some sort of genetic memory as well….Perhaps you recall your grandmother's fluffy yeast rolls on the Sundays of your childhood, or can still taste the soft, giving sweetness of your Aunt Maudie's graham and marshmallow slices. Maybe you'd pay real money for a handwritten copy of your mother's artichoke soup recipe, or are thrilled to have been long ago entrusted with the secret ingredient in your dad's chili.

"If you're in possession of beloved or long-forgotten family recipes, I encourage you to make good use of them….Don't let them be lost forever; keep them alive and every bit as current as they ever were." (Food is Family History)

Choose a family recipe to make and make it together. "By learning a family recipe you are also carrying on a tradition. You're learning from the past, continuing the act in the present, and creating the ability to pass your knowledge onto the future." (Learn a Family Recipe)

In her blog article The Power of Family Recipes, Angelle Anderson states: "Cooking recipes from our heritage can bring a sense of togetherness that spans generations by strengthening ties with the living and the dead. Family recipes are a way of keeping our loved ones alive while we dice, stir, simmer and bake! Food appeals to all five of our senses. For some of us, just the smell of a favorite family dish cooking on the stove can transport us back to the kitchen of our youth, and we can almost taste the anticipation again of gathering for a family meal without a single empty chair. Preserving and using family recipes can open the door to sweet emotions from the past that are accessible anytime. Baking with family recipes can make any occasion into a magical family history moment!"

Would you like to add to your family food traditions or do you maybe feel you are starting your food traditions from scratch? How to Start Family Food Traditions from Scratch gives three ways you can "weave your own unique heritage into your family meals, both on special occasions and every day of the week ... If you don't have established food traditions, take the initiative to start your own."

• Celebrate the Food You Grew Up Eating
• Research New Family Dishes
• Pioneer Your Own Food Traditions

Foods are not only a part of your family, but they are often a part of where you live. Food may hint at your cultural heritage and maybe your ancestry. Cooking techniques and recipes are often passed down through generations. What foods are part of your heritage? See some ideas on how to share and Savor your Family's History or try some of the recipes below:

• Armenian Recipes
• Danish Recipes
• Brazilian Recipes
• English Recipes
• Finnish Recipes
• French Recipes
• Irish Foods
• Japanese Food
• Mexican Recipes
• Northern Irish Recipes
• Norwegian Recipes
• Puerto Rican Dishes
• Swedish Recipes
• Welsh Recipes
• Early Pioneer Recipes
• Filipino Adobo
• Sweet Potato Pie
• Vietnamese Fried Spring Rolls

Look for Records in FamilySearch

You can search thousands of online record collections and billions of digitized records on FamilySearch, for free. Get started with instructions and tips in Project 4: Discover, Goal 4, Choice B.