Weekly Family History Activities

Isaiah 13–14; 24–30; 35

“A Marvelous Work and a Wonder”

Isaiah 25:8–9; 26:19

From Come, Follow Me:

Showing pictures of the Savior in Gethsemane, on the cross, and after His Resurrection can help your family see connections between these verses and Jesus Christ (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 56, 57, 58, 59). Invite your family to share why they “rejoice in his salvation” (Isaiah 25:9).

In addition to sharing with each other why you and your family rejoice in His salvation, you may want to create opportunities for practicing sharing this joy with others through family history tools and experiences. 

 "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

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." You could invite friends, consultants, or extended family members to help with this role-play activity. 

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
• Capture family memories
• Visit a local family history center together

With the FamilySearch Family Tree App or other tool and a 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 ancestors?
• 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?

As part of a role-play to practice sharing the gospel through family history, you and your family will definitely benefit from including The Family History Guide as a resource 

D&C 128:19 and 22

19 Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we have received? A voice of gladness! A voice of mercy from heaven; and a voice of truth out of the earth; glad tidings for the dead; a voice of gladness for the living and the dead; glad tidings of great joy. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that bring glad tidings of good things, and that say unto Zion: Behold, thy God reigneth! As the dews of Carmel, so shall the knowledge of God descend upon them!

22 Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free.

Redeem the Dead (scroll to “youth Activity'') was created for a stake but is adaptable to a ward or family setting. Participation includes indexing, FamilySearch and The Family History Guide activities, signing a battalion flag, finding clues in an "escape room" and much more. These can be used to receive a "Get Out of Prison" ticket which can release any one of those who happen to be in the "spirit prison" waiting for their work to be done. As you can see in the following video (used with permission), many other activities can be added to make this event interactive, informative, spiritual, and so much fun! 

Isaiah 29:11–18.

From Come, Follow Me:

These verses can help your family discuss the “marvelous work and a wonder” (verse 14) of the Restoration of the gospel and coming forth of the Book of Mormon. Why are these things marvelous and wonderful to us? 

The Book of Mormon stands as an additional, convincing witness that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, "manifesting himself unto all nations" (title page of the Book of Mormon) and offering salvation to all who come unto Him.

Record your personal testimonies of the Book of Mormon on FamilySearch using the Memories Audio App or the "Record My Story" feature on FamilySearch Discovery. This could be done individually or in a family setting. Share these with those you love. 

Another idea is to mark each other's favorite one or two verses in the copy of the Book of Mormon belonging to each family member by signing your name in the margin next to that verse. Talk together and share with each other those "plain and precious" truths that you love. You could also write the name of ancestors by their favorite scriptures. A missionary would especially love to come across those scriptures that are marked by loved ones as he studies. A combined list of the favorite scriptures (and why) would be wonderful to have in a document saved on FamilySearch. 

Isaiah 35

From Come, Follow Me:

What can we do to help build up Zion?

President Eyring: "The work of gathering Heavenly Father's family is not just for young people, and it is not just for grandparents. It is for everyone. We are all gatherers." Gathering the Family of God 

View the full video here, or watch the clip below.

President Eyring continues: "God knew that you would feel drawn to your ancestors in love and that you would have the technology necessary to identify them." 

To help in this process, check out the new fan chart options on FamilySearch with a view of up to 7 generations. The fan chart is color-coded to show family lines, sources, stories, photos, birth countries, research helps, and ordinances for your ancestors.

(Click to enlarge)

 It's simple to create and print a free FamilySearch fan chart. Find instructions on the TreeSeek site where you can use your FamilySearch account and print your family tree in many varieties, for free. Hang one on your wall or place it under a plastic tablecloth on your kitchen table! See this blog post for more ideas. If you are new to FamilySearch, you will find step-by-step instructions to set up your account here.

Elder Bradley D. Foster shows the new Ordinances Ready feature available in the Family Tree app. Elder and Sister Bednar give an overview and encouragement in the video clip below:

Ordinances Ready helps you and those you serve find family ordinances that are ready for the temple. Check out this blog post to learn how the Ordinances Ready option (found on the FamilySearch Temple tab) can provide names for proxy ordinance work. This article and video explain how to verify names you have found. Make plans for a family trip to the temple if possible to give them this gift.

Explore Census Records by Decade

The Family History Guide has sections to help you with each decade of the United States Census, from 1790 to 1950. They include links to articles and videos, worksheets, sample images, and more. To get started, see Goal C2 in the United States page.