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Weekly Family History Activities


Week 1: December 26–January 1
New Testament


Come, Follow Me is a resource offered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is designed to be used in the home to support personal and family scripture study to build faith in Heavenly Father and His plan of salvation and in the Savior Jesus Christ and His Atonement. Come, Follow Me is self-contained and adequate, when used properly. Products and materials designed to supplement this resource, though they may be helpful in some instances, are not necessary for a successful home study program.

Week 1: We Are Responsible for Our Own Learning



Getting Started
From Come, Follow Me :

The beginning of the new year is a good time to hold a family council about making your home more gospel centered. What ideas come to mind as you read the blessings and counsel in Galatians 5:22–23 and Philippians 4:8?

Perhaps you would like to implement family history activities into your study of the New Testament this year. Planning a family home evening or family council to talk about how this can be accomplished might be a great place to start. See the video to the left for ideas, and watch any of the videos on the Inspiration page for more ideas and inspiration. Feel free to explore the activities listed each week, or find more ideas in The Family History Guide Activities section. You can also have fun creating your own!



Preparation and Planning
"We counsel parents and children to give highest priority to family prayer, family home evening, gospel study and instruction, and wholesome family activities. However worthy and appropriate other demands or activities may be, they must not be permitted to displace the divinely appointed duties that only parents and families can adequately perform." Letter from the First Presidency, Liahona, Dec. 1999, 1.

With minimum preparation, you can introduce The Family History Guide to your family by starting here. By using these ideas, you'll discover that doing family history isn't as hard as you might have thought. Additionally, you'll be able to enjoy family history activities along with your study of the New Testament this year.

Consider using The Family History Guide Online Tracker to chart your progress with your family history learning and skills.

Have fun getting your family excited about incorporating some family history into your time together this year as you use the Weekly Family History Activities resource.






A Video for the Year

As you study the New Testament in 2019, you might consider making a video record of some part of what you did each week of the year. Even if you make each weekly video only one second long, you will have a short but sweet, "consumable" memory. See Rachel Carter's example below, used by permission and created with this free iOS app. You can make your video longer, or make another one that contains more memories. Share with those you love (and with us) next December.

Note : This could be a beautiful gift for anyone that you include in your study circle each week, such as grandparents, neighbors, or ward members. You can also share with a loved one who lives far away using Facetime, Skype, or another means of communication. Record what they say about what you are sharing, and then add a memory from your activities. What a fun family history Christmas gift this would make!



Sharing Impressions
From Come, Follow Me :

"As you read Galatians, record the impressions you receive. Doing so will help you remember and ponder them in the future.

Each week you will be invited to share your impressions about the scriptural references. As families, you could take turns recording feelings right in the Come, Follow Me resource book where space is provided. You can also write about your discussions and about what you are reading and studying together in a family journal. This can become an invaluable part of your family history.


What did your ancestors do when they had questions?
From Come, Follow Me :

"What seek ye?" Jesus asked His disciples (John 1:38). You might ask yourself the same question—for what you find in the New Testament this year will greatly depend on what you seek. "Seek, and ye shall find" is the Savior's promise (Matthew 7:7). So ask the questions that come to your mind as you study, and then seek diligently for answers.




Find Your Stories

View your FamilySearch Fan Chart for stories that have been recorded, or find stories in your home. Also, see the free All The Stories app to access and read all the stories on your FamilySearch family tree in one place. Also check out Ten Ways To Find Ancestor Stories.

You might want to place more stories on your FamilySearch tree (see instructions in The Family History Guide). Read some of the stories. Discuss and make commitments to follow the good examples of your ancestors. One idea is to make a collection of inspirational stories from your ancestors and from living family members. Focus on how they received answers to their questions and what they did to follow inspiration.