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.
Even as a youth, Jesus was focused on doing His Father’s will.
From Come, Follow Me :
As a young man, the Savior taught the gospel so powerfully that even the teachers in the temple were astonished at His "understanding and answers" (Luke 2:47). What do you learn from these verses about the Savior as a young man? How are young people you know trying to "be about [their] Father's business"? (Luke 2:49)
On June 3, 2018, President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Wendy W. Nelson, invited every single youth in the Church to "enlist in the youth battalion of the Lord" and take part in "the greatest challenge, the greatest cause, and the greatest work on earth." You can watch the broadcast below.
"You—my dear extraordinary youth—were sent to earth at this precise time, this most crucial time in the history of the earth, to help gather Israel," our prophet said. "There is nothing happening on this earth right now that is more important than that. There is nothing of greater consequence. Absolutely nothing. This gathering should mean everything to you. This is the mission for which you were sent to earth."
Check out The Family History Guide's Latter-day Saint Youth page (see the categories below) for activities related to President Nelson's invitation to the youth. Many activities can be done as families also.
Read or listen to his words to the brethren of the priesthood and to the sisters. You could decide how to gather Israel as a family. Perhaps you would like to create and sign your own Battalion Flag and display it in your home with your signatures on it. You might consider creating or reviewing your gathering plan for 2023.
Jesus Christ was born in humble circumstances.
From Come, Follow Me :
Although Jesus Christ had glory with God the Father "before the world was" (Luke 2:1-7), He was willing to be born in lowly circumstances and live among us on earth. As you read Luke 2:1-7, ponder what this account of His birth teaches you about Him. Try to identify details or insights in this story that you hadn't noticed before. How does noticing these things affect your feelings toward Him?
Birth Stories
Watch the clip from "Mr. Krueger's Christmas," and try to feel what it would be like to be in the manger with the newborn Christ-child. Express to each other your feelings, and as you do you may want to also record them using the FamilySearch Memories Audio app or the "Record My Story" feature on FamilySearch Discovery. You could also talk about what it was like when each person in your family entered mortality and record those stories. This is a great way to begin writing your personal history or to begin helping someone else.
Parents can receive revelation to protect their families.
From Come, Follow Me :
Joseph never could have done what he was asked to do—protect Jesus in His childhood—without heaven's help. Like the Wise Men, he received a revelation that warned him of danger. As you read about Joseph’s experience in Matthew 2:13–23, think about physical and spiritual dangers that face us today. Ponder experiences when you have felt God's guidance in protecting you and your loved ones. Consider sharing these experiences with others. What can you do to receive such guidance in the future?
Consider our prophet's words: "I promise that as you increase your time in temple and family history work, you will increase and improve your ability to hear Him." As you think of Joseph's experience, and how we all need the help of heaven to protect ourselves and the children we have responsibility for and love so much, the following activity can be a life-changing experience. As you strive to make temple and family history work more a priority in your lives to receive the promised blessings, The Family History Guide can become your new best friend!
Promised Blessings
Copy each of the blessings listed below on small pieces of paper and put them into a basket. In a group or as a family, take turns drawing them out one-by-one and discussing the reasons why you would want that particular blessing in your life.
Increased understanding of the Savior and His atoning sacrifice
Increased influence of the Holy Ghost to feel strength and direction for our own lives
Increased faith, so that conversion to the Savior becomes deep and abiding
Increased ability and motivation to learn and repent because of an understanding of who we are, where we come from, and a clearer vision of where we are going
Increased refining, sanctifying, and moderating influences in our hearts
Increased joy through an increased ability to feel the love of the Lord
Increased family blessings, no matter our current, past, or future family situation or how imperfect our family tree may be
Increased love and appreciation for ancestors and living relatives, so we no longer feel alone
Increased power to discern that which needs healing and thus, with the Lord's help, serve others
Increased protection from temptations and the intensifying influence of the adversary
Increased assistance to mend troubled, broken, or anxious hearts and make the wounded whole
After the discussion activity, ask, "What one thing can we do to have these incredible blessings in our lives and in the lives of those we love?" Refer to Elder Renlund's talk (see above). Make plans together to do more temple and family history work to receive these blessings. Note that one of the promised blessings is that of "increased protection from temptations and the intensifying influence of the adversary."
