Weekly Family History Activities

Week 49: November 27–December 3, 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.
("God Is Love" by Annie Henrie Nader—used with permission)

1–3 John; Jude

“God Is Love”

1 John; 2 John

From Come, Follow Me:

What experiences have taught you that God is light and love?

Spiritually Defining Memories

"Embrace your sacred memories. Believe them. Write them down. Share them with your family. Trust that they come to you from your Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son. Let them bring patience to your doubts and understanding to your difficulties. I promise you that as you willingly acknowledge and carefully treasure the spiritually defining events in your life, more and more will come to you. Heavenly Father knows you and loves you!" Neil L. Andersen, Spiritually Defining Memories (See also: Week #36, 2020.)

You might want to consider creating a collection of your spiritual experiences, and those of your family members that they would like to share. This book can be a meaningful gift for siblings, children, parents, grandparents, and other family members.

Record your spiritual experiences using the Memories Audio app or the "Record My Story" feature on FamilySearch Discovery.

Journaling

John recorded his feelings and experiences to inspire and help others and to bring them joy. "And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full." (1 John 1:4) Recording and preserving personal feelings and experiences that have taught us that God is light and love can influence generations to come.

"I wrote down a few lines every day for years. I never missed a day no matter how tired I was or how early I would have to start the next day. Before I would write, I would ponder this question: "Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?" As I kept at it, something began to happen. As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day. As that happened, and it happened often, I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done.

More than gratitude began to grow in my heart. Testimony grew. I became ever more certain that our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. I felt more gratitude for the softening and refining that come because of the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ. And I grew more confident that the Holy Ghost can bring all things to our remembrance—even things we did not notice or pay attention to when they happened ... My point is to urge you to find ways to recognize and remember God's kindness. It will build our testimonies.” Henry B. Eyring, O Remember, Remember

What can we learn from a woman who wrote in her personal journal for over fifty-five years? Jeanie recorded her thoughts and feelings and the events of her life every day from the time she was thirteen years old until she could no longer write. Her son recounts the influence of his mother's journals on generations of family members:

Learn how to upload documents (including journal entries) to FamilySearch with instructions found in The Family History Guide, Project 2: Memories.

"A life that is not documented is a life that within a generation or two will largely be lost to memory. What a tragedy this can be in the history of a family. Knowledge of our ancestors shapes us and instills within us values that give direction and meaning to our lives." Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Bridges and Eternal Keepsakes

Family Journal

Consider keeping a family journal to document the Lord's influence and tender mercies in your lives. See Trina Holden's article 24 Ways and Reasons to Keep a Family Journal. She suggests:

What: A sturdy, spiral bound, hardcover book with lines spaced wide enough that a grade-schooler would not be intimidated.
Authors: Anyone in the family who can write legibly, though younger artists are encouraged to add illustrations.
Where: Kept in the open, pen sandwiched inside, ready for instant reporting.

See The Benefits And Blessings Of Keeping A Family Journal.

1 John 5

From Come, Follow Me:

As you read 1 John 5, look for what we must do to overcome the world and gain eternal life. What might overcoming the world look like in your life?

Sharing Testimonies of Christ

Write questions (see examples below) to encourage the sharing of testimonies of Christ on slips of paper and place in a basket. Each member could write one question (or a parent or group leader could have the questions prepared ahead of time). Simplify for younger children.

What is a favorite scripture that helped develop your testimony of Christ?
When has the atonement been especially meaningful to you?
What counsel from the prophets did you follow to strengthen your testimony?
Share a time when someone's testimony strengthened yours.
What was a time when you felt the love of the Savior in your life?
Share a story of an ancestor's faith that has helped you in your life?
How have your parents or others taught you gospel truths?
In what ways can you show your gratitude for the life, teachings, and atonement of Jesus Christ?

Take turns drawing one slip from the basket and sharing your feelings and gratitude for the Lord's hand in your lives. Audio recordings of your experience can be recorded on or uploaded to FamilySearch.

Jude 1

From Come, Follow Me :

What do you learn from verses 20–25 about how to keep your faith in Jesus Christ strong?

From President Nelson’s address, Hear Him: "I promise that as you increase your time in temple and family history work, you will increase and improve your ability to hear Him." Watch President Nelson's temple invitation here.

A Sacrifice of Time

Sister Wendy Nelson: I entreat you to make a sacrifice of time to the Lord by increasing the time you spend doing temple and family history work, and then watch what happens. It is my testimony that when we show the Lord we are serious about helping our ancestors, the heavens will open and we will receive all that we need.” Open the Heavens Through Temple and Family History Work

President Nelson: "As you pray about this sacrifice of time, you will be guided to know both what you can give up that week and what you can do instead to help gather Israel." Worldwide Youth Devotional

This activity starts out without mentioning how the blessings are received - that will be the conclusion of the activity.

See Elder Renlund's promised blessings for doing temple and family history work in Family History and Temple Work: Sealing and Healing. Copy each of the blessings listed below on a small piece of paper and put them into a basket. In a group or as a family, take turns drawing them out one-by-one and stating why you would want that 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 particular thing can we do to have these incredible blessings in our lives and in the lives of those we love?" Elder Renlund: “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." Make plans to continue doing, or begin to do more temple and family history work.