Weekly Family History Activities

Week 48: November 20–26, 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.

1 and 2 Peter

“Rejoice with Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory”

1 Peter 1:3–9; 2:19–24; 3:14–17; 4:12–19

I can find joy during times of trial and suffering

From Come, Follow Me:

What is it about the plan of salvation and the gospel of Jesus Christ that gives you joy?

The Plan Of Salvation

“Heavenly Father prepared a plan of salvation that teaches us where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going after mortality. Understanding our place in the plan of salvation helps us develop faith and find joy in a world with many inequities. We can use our knowledge of the plan of salvation to help us in our earthly challenges.” Read more here.

This activity works for families, groups, and wards. Ahead of time, reserve a church meeting house or another place with several available rooms. Prepare the menu and materials for the "carnival." Collect discarded keys or make paper cut-outs. You will need two keys for each participant, except for one or two adults who know ahead of time that they will not get keys. Find a place to begin such as a church building or temple grounds. A home will also work.

Step #1: PRE-MORTAL EXISTENCE

Bring a picture of the temple (representing life before we came to earth), or if you live near a temple visit it if possible and do Step #1 outside the temple. Explain what the premortal life was like (see Abraham 3:22-28 and Moses 4:1-6). See The Family: A Proclamation To The World.

We felt happy and secure there in the care of our Heavenly Father, and we shouted for joy when we heard the plan. We knew our Savior would help us through mortality and be the means by which we could return to our Father in Heaven. "... in the Grand Council of Heaven He loved us and was [so] wonderfully strong, that we triumphed even there by the power of Christ and our faith in the blood of the Lamb." Jeffrey R. Holland, This Do In Remembrance

What specific things can we do in our home to rely on the Savior? What were our hopes in premortal life, and how does the Savior make it possible to reach our dreams? At this point, give each group member three keys and tell them that they are important.

Step #2 BORN INTO MORTALITY

As you gather and go toward the next room (or return from visiting a temple), share stories of what it was like to welcome new babies into your family.

Explain that the purpose of mortality was "for spirit sons and daughters to obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life;" (see The Family: A Proclamation To The World). Explain why the "veil was drawn and why we don't remember what the premortal existence was like. Discuss Alma 43:32.

You are all now "born" and the room representing "mortality" could be set up like a big carnival with food, party hats and decorations, tokens to play games that are available, and birthday cake because it is your collective imaginary "birthdays." Earth life is filled with wonderful opportunities! Give out plenty of tokens (tickets) for games and prizes for those who win games. You could also go to a fun venue for this part.

During this phase, some of the adults could try to talk others out of the keys by offering to trade three tokens for one key. Some of the kids will figure out that the keys must be very valuable, and they will keep them. Some may trade them for tokens.

Step #3: DEATH

Suddenly it will be time for mortality to end. At the end of life on earth, all the material prizes, food, party hats and decorations, etc. must be left behind. Discuss death and its part in the plan of salvation (See Romans 5:12). Have everyone walk to the next room without anything extra except keys they still have. Discuss what mortality was like. What do the treats, games, prizes, and decorations represent? (worldly pleasure) What do the keys represent? (ordinances and covenants).

Step #4: THE SPIRIT WORLD

In the "Spirit World," begin by asking those who have keys if they are prepared for their reward. Make sure that one or two adults did not get keys. This is a prime opportunity to explain that there are those people who do not have the knowledge of the gospel, or who did not have the opportunity to understand it fully.

Those with keys represent people who have made covenants and received ordinances. In D&C 138:32-35 we learn that in the spirit world, those who did not have the gospel in mortality will have an opportunity to learn about, understand, and accept the gospel.

Invite (or this may happen naturally) those with keys to share the gospel with those who don't have keys. Explain that only through the atonement of Jesus Christ, our Savior, can the opportunity to receive exaltation be possible for all of us. Talk about missionary and family history work on both sides of the veil (see Families Gathering Families on Both Sides of the Veil).

Step #5: THE FINAL JUDGMENT, RESURRECTION, AND ETERNAL LIFE

We will all be resurrected (see Revelations 20:12, 1 Cor. 15:22, D&C 93:33, and Alma 40:23). So, because keys were shared to those without keys, everyone now has them, and everyone receives his or her symbolic reward (treat or gift)! That is what missionary work and temple work is all about - gathering Israel on both sides of the veil!

View any other relevant videos from the ChurchofJesusChrist.org Video Collections. Share what it is like to lose a loved one, and the glory of the resurrection. Visit the grave of a loved one or view online, tell family history stories, rejoice together in the fact that families are eternal.

1 Peter 3:18–20; 4:1–6

The gospel is preached to the dead so they can be judged justly.

From Come, Follow Me

How do these verses strengthen your faith in God’s fairness and justice? To explore this doctrine further, study Doctrine and Covenants 138, a revelation President Joseph F. Smith received as he pondered these writings of Peter. What additional truths did President Smith learn?

The Savior’s Visit to the Spirit World

Because we believe the accounts in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon about the literal Resurrection of Jesus Christ, we also believe the numerous scriptural teachings that a similar resurrection will come to all mortals who have ever lived upon this earth. That resurrection gives us what the Apostle Peter called "a lively hope" (1 Peter 1:3). Dallin H. Oaks, First Presidency Shares Easter Message

The Eternal Family through Christ, by Judith Mehr

"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 (see also this video which is also part of the above activity: Jesus Christ at the Spirit World)

"By which also he [Jesus Christ] went and preached unto the spirits in prison." 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 (1 Pet. 3:18-20). See also D&C 138:16–19.

Proxy Work for the Dead

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.

"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?

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.

Video Work 2

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, your 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.

Quentin L. Cook taught, you should not "underestimate the influence of the deceased in assisting your efforts."

1 Peter 3:18–20; 4:6

From Come, Follow Me

What can your family do to feel connected to your ancestors?

Connecting with Ancestors

See: 10 Ways To Discover, Gather, and Share Ancestor Stories, Family Activities: 5-Minute Ideas for Latter-day Saints (including links to all activities in The Family History Guide) and Activities Videos.