Weekly Family History Activities

Job 1–3; 12–14; 19; 21–24; 38–40; 42

“Yet Will I Trust in Him”

Job 1–3; 12–13

From Come, Follow Me:

Consider what Job knew about God that enabled him to continue trusting, despite his suffering and unanswered questions.

“Heavenly Father prepared a plan of salvation that teaches us where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going after mortality. Understanding our place in the plan of salvation helps us develop faith and find joy in a world with many inequities. We can use our knowledge of the plan of salvation to help us in our earthly challenges.” Read more here. 

This activity works for families, groups, and wards. Ahead of time, reserve a church meeting house or another place with several available rooms. Prepare the menu and materials for the "carnival." Collect discarded keys or make paper cut-outs. You will need two keys for each participant, except for one or two adults who know ahead of time that they will not get keys. Find a place to begin such as a church building or temple grounds. A home will also work.

Step #1: PRE-MORTAL EXISTENCE

Bring a picture of the temple (representing life before we came to earth), or if you live near a temple visit it if possible and do Step #1 outside the temple. Explain what the premortal life was like (see Abraham 3:22-28 and Moses 4:1-6). See The Family: A Proclamation To The World. 

We felt happy and secure there in the care of our Heavenly Father, and we shouted for joy when we heard the plan. We knew our Savior would help us through mortality and be the means by which we could return to our Father in Heaven. "... in the Grand Council of Heaven He loved us and was [so] wonderfully strong, that we triumphed even there by the power of Christ and our faith in the blood of the Lamb." Jeffrey R. Holland, This Do In Remembrance

What specific things can we do in our home to rely on the Savior? What were our hopes in premortal life, and how does the Savior make it possible to reach our dreams? At this point, give each group member three keys and tell them that they are important.

Step #2 BORN INTO MORTALITY

As you gather and go toward the next room (or return from visiting a temple), share stories of what it was like to welcome new babies into your family.

Explain that the purpose of mortality was "for spirit sons and daughters to obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life;" (see The Family: A Proclamation To The World). Explain why the "veil was drawn and why we don't remember what the premortal existence was like. Discuss Alma 43:32.

You are all now "born" and the room representing "mortality" could be set up like a big carnival with food, party hats and decorations, tokens to play games that are available, and birthday cake because it is your collective imaginary "birthdays." Earth life is filled with wonderful opportunities! Give out plenty of tokens (tickets) for games and prizes for those who win games. You could also go to a fun venue for this part. 

During this phase, some of the adults could try to talk others out of the keys by offering to trade three tokens for one key. Some of the kids will figure out that the keys must be very valuable, and they will keep them. Some may trade them for tokens.

Step #3: DEATH

Suddenly it will be time for mortality to end. At the end of life on earth, all the material prizes, food, party hats and decorations, etc. must be left behind. Discuss death and its part in the plan of salvation (See Romans 5:12). Have everyone walk to the next room without anything extra except keys they still have. Discuss what mortality was like. What do the treats, games, prizes, and decorations represent? (worldly pleasure) What do the keys represent? (ordinances and covenants).

Step #4: THE SPIRIT WORLD

In the "Spirit World," begin by asking those who have keys if they are prepared for their reward. Make sure that one or two adults did not get keys. This is a prime opportunity to explain that there are those people who do not have the knowledge of the gospel, or who did not have the opportunity to understand it fully. 

Those with keys represent people who have made covenants and received ordinances. In D&C 138:32-35 we learn that in the spirit world, those who did not have the gospel in mortality will have an opportunity to learn about, understand, and accept the gospel. 

Invite (or this may happen naturally) those with keys to share the gospel with those who don't have keys. Explain that only through the atonement of Jesus Christ, our Savior, can the opportunity to receive exaltation be possible for all of us. Talk about missionary and family history work on both sides of the veil (see Families Gathering Families on Both Sides of the Veil).

Step #5: THE FINAL JUDGEMENT, RESURRECTION, AND ETERNAL LIFE

We will all be resurrected (see Revelations 20:12, 1 Cor. 15:22, D&C 93:33, and Alma 40:23). So, because keys were shared to those without keys, everyone now has them, and everyone receives his or her symbolic reward (treat or gift)! That is what missionary work and temple work is all about - gathering Israel on both sides of the veil!

View any other relevant videos from the ChurchofJesusChrist.org Video Collections. Share what it is like to lose a loved one, and the glory of the resurrection. Visit the grave of a loved one or view online, tell family history stories, rejoice together in the fact that families are eternal.

Sing: Families Can Be Together Forever

Job 23:8–11

From Come, Follow Me:

What does it mean to “come forth” from our trials “as gold”? Who do we know who has done this?

See also: Job: The Man and His Message

The book of Job is not just a book of solace to those who have suffered through affliction, or are in the midst of trials, but it is a guide and a light that can help us prepare to endure tribulations with strength and faith. Stories of ancestors who have faced challenges with faith and fortitude can also be a guide and a light to you as you work to overcome the difficult times in your own life - to“come forth” from our trials “as gold” as they have. 

To find ways to discover and share inspirational family history stories, see Week 18: Weekly Family History Activities. 

Check out this Pioneer Ancestors discovery activity (see example below): 

This interactive pioneer page shows a snapshot of the life and timeline of each ancestor based on available historical records. Personalized discoveries are compiled using data from the FamilySearch Family Tree mapped against pioneer information found in the Overland Trails database. If available for their ancestors, patrons will be led to photos, history, and first-hand experiences. Read more here.

“Get a glimpse into the lives of hundreds of pioneer children…Those with pioneer ancestry can celebrate ancestors who made the treacherous journey; those without pioneer heritage can also gain insight into a valuable part of history…” Play the Pioneer Matching Game. Read more here.

See the links below for FamilySearch Activities to help you remember and honor ancestors who inspire you to be strong, faithful, courageous, and to put your trust in Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ. 

Eat what they ate

Feel what they felt

Touch what they touched

Walk where they walked

See also:  Pioneers and Heroes: Past and Present,  Find Your Ancestor's Home Using Google Maps and the “Trek” Activity below. 

Plan an activity to help participants experience firsthand the faith, determination, and joy of the pioneers as much as possible. See Pioneer Treks for ideas, resources, suggestions and guidelines for families and church leaders. Be sure to preserve and share the memories. Watch a conversation with four youth who experienced a “pioneer trek” sponsored by their stake: "Walking With Our Ancestors"

Avoid Common Mistakes

Knowing about the common mistakes that researchers make, and how to avoid them, can save you a lot of time in your own research. Check out a list of often-made mistakes in Project 4: Discover, Goal 7, Choice A.