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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 17: April 17–23
I must forgive others if I am to receive forgiveness from the Lord.
From Come, Follow Me:
Is there someone who needs to feel mercy and compassion from you?
"Family relationships can be some of the most rewarding yet challenging experiences we encounter. Many of us have faced a fracture of some sort within our families. Such a fracture developed between two heroes of the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ in these latter days. Parley and Orson Pratt were brothers, early converts, and ordained Apostles...During the Nauvoo era, their relationship became strained, culminating in a heated, public confrontation in 1846. A deep and prolonged rift developed. Parley initially wrote to Orson to resolve the rift, but Orson did not reply. Parley gave up, feeling that correspondence was over forever, unless initiated by Orson. Several years later, in March 1853, Orson learned about a project to publish a book on the descendants of William Pratt, the brothers' earliest American ancestor. Orson began to weep "like a little child" as he glimpsed this treasure trove of family history. His heart melted, and he determined to repair the breach with his brother.
Orson wrote to Parley, 'Now my dear brother, there are none among all the descendants of our Ancestor, Lieut[enant] William Pratt, who have so deep an interest in searching out his descendants as ourselves.' Orson was one of the first to understand that Latter-day Saints have an obligation to research and compile family histories so that we can perform vicarious ordinances for our ancestors. His letter continued: 'We know that the God of our fathers has had a hand in all this. ... I will beg pardon for having been so backward in writing to you. ... I hope you will forgive me.' Despite their unshakable testimonies, their love for their ancestors was the catalyst to heal a rift, mend a hurt, and seek and extend forgiveness.
"... as we participate in family history and temple work today, we also lay claim to 'healing' blessings promised by prophets and apostles. These blessings are also breathtakingly amazing because of their scope, specificity, and consequence in mortality. This long list includes these blessings:
If you have prayed for any of these blessings, participate in family history and temple work. As you do so, your prayers will be answered.
When ordinances are performed on behalf of the deceased, God's children on earth are healed. No wonder President Russell M. Nelson, in his first message as President of the Church, declared, 'Your worship in the temple and your service there for your ancestors will bless you with increased personal revelation and peace and will fortify your commitment to stay on the covenant path.’ ” Dale G. Renlund, Family History and Temple Work: Sealing and Healing
Copy each of the blessings from Elder Renlund’s conference talk 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 each one of you would want that particular blessing in your life. After the discussion activity, ask, "What is something we can we do to have these incredible blessings in our lives?" Determine how you and your family can find more time to do temple and family history work. Keep a record of the miracles that result from your time spent in this sacred work.
See also Happy and Forever by Gerrit W. Gong.
Perhaps simply making a family history connection with family members will be the beginning to healing troubled relationships. Think of any ways you may have offended another family member and ask for forgiveness. Make a call, write a message online, or write a letter. Share family history stories, artifacts, and memories together. Pray as individuals and as a family for help to clear up any misunderstandings. Follow the promptings you receive, and become closer to those you love through the family connections you have. Even children can participate. Through the spirit, each time family history and temple work are shared between loved ones, relationships can be strengthened.
To obtain eternal life, I must love God and love my neighbor as myself.
From Come, Follow Me:
It is helpful to remember that the parable of the good Samaritan was Jesus’s way of answering two questions: “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” and “Who is my neighbour?” (Luke 10:25, 29)... What does this parable inspire you to do?
Ministering through Family History
During RootsTech 2020, our leaders focused on how temple and family history resources can be used to minister to all of God’s children—and emphasized that "all" really means "all." Elder Bednar encourages us to watch the full presentation, which you can read or watch here.
“Helping someone with their family history is a powerful way to minister. As you connect others with their ancestors through family stories and details, you end up filling gaps in their hearts that they sometimes never knew they had (see Malachi 4:5-6).
Whether it’s a lifetime Church member or someone who has never heard of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, all of God’s children have a yearning to know about where they came from.” Read more in this article: Gathering Israel through Ministering
There is always a great family history activity that you can do with those you visit. Many will lead to further discussion, strengthening friendships, and teaching opportunities. See the following:
Many family history activities require a FamilySearch account. Helping others set up an account is definitely a wonderful way to minister to them. See Create Account — FamilySearch.org, and FamilySearch Project 1, Goal 1.
Building your own tree will help you find where you connect to FamilySearch's global family tree. With one link, your small family tree could suddenly stretch back hundreds of years! See also How to Start a Family Tree on FamilySearch.
The Family History Fun Basket is a “go to,” activity because you can select the questions to fit the group, and the only preparation is writing questions and putting them in a basket!
The Year I Was Born on FamilySearch Activities is a great activity to do with any kind of group.
Ask what inventions have come since the year you are exploring? Look up photos and more information as you look at birth years. Capture, preserve and share these conversations by using FamilySearch apps.