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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.
Jesus Christ gained victory over death.
From Come, Follow Me:
How has temple and family history work strengthened your faith in the doctrine of resurrection?
“The facts of Jesus' death and Resurrection are hailed by those of Christian denominations as fundamental tenets. However, what Jesus' immortal spirit did after His death and before His Resurrection is a mystery to all but the Latter-day Saints. And the significance of what He did during those hours provides the doctrinal foundation for building temples across the earth." Spencer J. Condie, The Savior’s Visit to the Spirit World
"The dead who have not heard or who rejected the gospel in mortality are in darkness, or in a state of misery (see Alma 40:14; D&C 138:2). Yet because of our Savior's visit, we have a hope for their salvation. We may go to the temple and turn the key, opening the gates of heaven for them and, by our service, for ourselves. For we know "that they without us cannot be made perfect—neither can we without our dead be made perfect" (D&C 128:15). Mercy and justice combine to give all of our Father's children the opportunity to return to Him." (Read more here)
Our ancestors and others are being taught the gospel in the spirit world, and they need our help.
While the gospel may be accepted by spirits in the spirit world, the ordinances of salvation must be performed for them by those who are living here on earth.
Watch this video from President Nelson: "You cannot imagine, my son, how many spirits there are in the spirit world who have not yet received the gospel ... But many are receiving it, and a great work is being accomplished. Many are anxiously looking forth to their friends who are still living to administer for them in the temples."
Read more about the story here. President Nelson invites us to gather Israel on both sides of the veil. Watch his General Conference talk to us all and his broadcast to the youth in which he states: "My dear extraordinary youth, you were sent to earth at this precise time, the most crucial time in the history of the world, to help gather Israel. 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."
Here are some ways to find those who need ordinance work done, See How do I create a free FamilySearch account?
See also Latter-day Saint Youth: Ancestors To The Temple and FamilySearch In-Home Activities.
When you exercise faith, you will receive inspiration to find the information needed for the temple. As Quentin L. Cook taught, you should not "underestimate the influence of the deceased in assisting your efforts."
Read more about proxy work for the dead here, and decide how you and your family can do your part and receive the promised blessings for helping those who cannot do this work for themselves.
Another idea is to visit a temple (if you live close enough) to talk about the peace being in the temple can bring, and how doing work there for the dead blesses those on both sides of the veil. Share stories from your family history about the temple and how it has blessed your ancestors, you living family, and you. Enjoy watching videos of temples or seeing pictures of temples, and talking about ways to increase temple blessings in your lives. You might want to share stories, photos or videos you have of temple marriages in your family. Save these to FamilySearch memories.
From Come, Follow Me:
We learn from verse 29 that ancient Christians participated in baptisms for the dead, just as we do today. How would we explain to others why we are baptized for our ancestors? (see “What Are Baptisms for the Dead?” [video], ChurchofJesusChrist.org). What are we doing as a family to provide temple ordinances for our deceased ancestors who need them?
"What a marvelous thing that is that you ... can stand in the place of some great man or woman who at one time lived upon the earth but who is now powerless to move forward without the blessing that you can give to him or her. … There is no greater blessing. ... And it will be your privilege and your opportunity and your responsibility to live worthy to go to the temple of the Lord and there be baptized in behalf of someone else." (Gordon B. Hinckley, Baptism for the Dead)
Take turns telling about your baptismal day. Where were you baptized and by whom? Who was there to share your baptism? What do you remember about that day? How did you feel when you were baptized? How did making covenants change your life? Help younger children and others who have not yet been baptized express their feelings about looking forward to that day.
Capture these stories as they are being told, using the FamilySearch Memories App, or use Record My Story (see this blog post). You might want to create a folder, book, or digital file of baptism memories of family members.This would be a beautiful gift for anyone of any age preparing for baptism or just a wonderful way to share memories with those you love.
Ask a family member or friend to share how he or she felt the first time performing baptisms for the dead. Ask other family members to share their experiences.
Discuss how an ancestor who is waiting to have his or her work done may feel.
"Let me assure you that these are principles in relation to the dead and the living that cannot be lightly passed over, as pertaining to our salvation. For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation ... they without us cannot be made perfect—neither can we without our dead be made perfect." (D&C 128:15)
"Because baptism by water and of the Spirit is essential for full salvation, in the eternal nature of things, all of God's children should have this opportunity—including those who have lived in centuries past ... Doing something so vital for those who cannot do it for themselves is truly Christ-like. (James E. Faust, Born Again)
You and your family may enjoy reading a printed baptismal program or searching for other documents about an ancestor's baptism. Where was he or she baptized? At what age? Who performed the baptism and confirmation? How is your child related to this person? If they are related, can you find the person in the FamilySearch Family Tree? For help finding baptismal records, see the Research Projects in FamilySearch, Ancestry, MyHeritage, or Findmypast.
Learn about the very first proxy baptism in the church by watching the following video about Jane Neyman.
You may also want to consider creating a collection of the stories of the first converts in your family lines. If you don't have many stories from the lives of your ancestors available, you could learn from conversion stories and other stories from the lives of our church leaders. These collections would be wonderful to send with missionaries.
Find family history stories using the suggestions in 10 Ways To Discover, Gather, and Share Ancestor Stories. Read more here. You may want to put these stories in your memories on FamilySearch and attach them to your tree. Find instructions in this FamilySearch article. The Family History Guide gives step-by-step instructions for preserving your photos and stories in Project 2: Memories. Share these stories and upload them to FamilySearch, with instructions from The Family History Guide found here.
Here are some fun activities to get to know your ancestors. Find more in Activities Videos.
From Come, Follow Me:
What can we do to “stand strong” when we are tempted to make bad choices? (see also “Stay in the Boat and Hold On!” [video], ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
See Week 36 for family history activity ideas to help you stand strong when faced with temptation.
