Weekly Family History Activities

Revelation 15–22

“He That Overcometh Shall Inherit All Things” 

Revelation 16–18; 21–22

The Lord invites me to flee Babylon and inherit “the holy city.”

From Come, Follow Me:

You might also ponder what it means for you to “come out of” Babylon (Revelation 18:4). What do you find in Revelation 21–22 that inspires you to do so?

Forgiveness, Family History, and Temple Work

Read or watch the story of forgiveness in the talk by Elder Gerritt W. Gong, Happy and Forever, and Elder Renlund’s talk, "Family History and Temple Work: Sealing and Healing. "  

From Elder Renlund’s talk (see Related Family History Activity) :

"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.

Think about ways to connect with living relatives to share your family stories of forgiveness. Here are a few ideas:

• Compile and share written stories of how your living family members and ancestors have been forgiving and forgiven. 
• Record and share stories on FamilySearch Memories.
• Share family history stories, events, photos and memories on social media - who knows if it might help unite your family and open the door to make connections. Read Hashtags, Tweets, and Blogs: the New Language of Family History for ideas to get started.

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. Pray as a family for help to clear up any misunderstandings, and become closer to those you love. Rely on the promises Elder Renlund lists!

Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19

From Come, Follow Me:

Family members could share how they feel toward the Savior because of what He suffered for us.

The Savior’s Last Week

One way to focus on the blessings of the Savior’s Atonement this week is to spend time each day reading about the last week of Jesus’s life (a possible reading schedule follows). What do you find in these chapters that helps you feel the Savior’s love? Ponder what these chapters teach you about how He can deliver you from sin, death, trials, and weaknesses. How are you exercising faith in His power of deliverance?

• Sunday: Triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:6–11)
• Monday: Cleansing the temple (Matthew 21:12–16)
• Tuesday: Teaching in Jerusalem (Matthew 21–23)
• Wednesday: Continued teaching (Matthew 24–25)
• Thursday: The Passover and Christ’s suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26)
• Friday: Trial, Crucifixion, and burial (Matthew 27:1–61)
• Saturday: Christ’s body lies in the tomb (Matthew 27:62–66) while He ministers in the spirit world (Doctrine and Covenants 138)
• Sunday: Jesus Christ’s Resurrection and appearance to His disciples (Matthew 28:1–10)

See also Easter.ComeuntoChrist.org. 

This activity is adaptable and can be experienced by groups or families. You could decide to dress up like the people of Jerusalem, or simply sit together and talk. You may want to prepare food that would have been eaten back then. The idea is to “re-enact” or “role-play” what it might have been like to live in Jerusalem during the last week of the Savior’s life, and to have heard of the events going on, or to have been a witness to them.

The “scene” is in a home at the end of the Holy week (Sunday) in which family (and perhaps friends and neighbors) are gathered to discuss the events they have been hearing about, or been part of. Share what you might have seen, heard, and felt. “Eyewitnesses” can help others understand so that they might believe.

Remember that you are discussing these events with only the perspective of the day (no modern revelation or scriptures). See the discussion points at the end of the activity, and the specific ways temple and family history work tie into this experience. 

Palm Sunday

• Jesus of Nazareth came to Jerusalem and people “took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord” (John 12:12–13). See also Matthew 21:1–11 and Mark 11:1–11. 

The Cleansing of the Temple—Healing and Teaching

• “And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves. And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. (Matthew 21:12–13, 23; Mark 11:17, 27; Luke 19:46–48; John 12:42–50)
• “And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them” (Matthew 21:14).

The Last Supper

• “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:19–20). 

Gethsemane

• Jesus went into the Garden of Gethsemane “and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. (Luke 22:41–44). 

• “And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?” (Luke 22:45 - 48)
• And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him. (Luke 22:49 - 51)
• .And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

Betrayal, Judgment, and Abuse

• “And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? And many other things blasphemously spake they against him…” (Luke 22:63).

• “And the soldiers plaited a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, and said, Hail, King of the Jews! And they smote him with their hands” (John 19:2–3).

The Death of the Lamb of God By Crucifixion

• Jesus Christ begs His Father to “forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Even now, in His darkest moment, Jesus speaks of love and redemption. With His dying breath, Jesus addresses His Father. “It is finished” (John 19:30 and Matthew 27:54). 

The Empty Tomb and the Risen Lord

• After the Savior's Resurrection, others were resurrected and appeared to many (see Matthew 27:52–53; 3 Nephi 23:9). 
• After Christ was resurrected, He appeared to Mary Magdalene. “Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God” (John 20:17).

So we who are invited to remember Him can feel a connection with those who looked forward to Him. For truly Jesus Christ has borne “the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6; italics added), and “in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22; italics added). 

Discussion Points: Switch from the Role-play To The “Here And Now”

• The Savior's Last Week 
• For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent… Doctrine and Covenants 19:16–19. 
• “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55).
• "The facts of Jesus' death and Resurrection are hailed by those of Christian denominations as fundamental tenets. [John 20:17]. 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  
• "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 Peter 3:18 -19 and.D&C 138:16–19). Read more here.

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Revelation 20:12–15; 21:1–4

All of God’s children will be judged out of the book of life

From Come, Follow Me:

What do you hope will be written about you in the book of life?<

Your Book of life

“We will be judged by our book of life. We can choose to write a comfortable narrative for ourselves. Or we can allow the Master Author and Finisher to write our story with us, letting the role He needs us to play take precedence over other ambitions.

Let Christ be the author and finisher of your story!

Let the Holy Ghost be your witness!

Write a story in which the path you are on is straight, on a course leading you back to your heavenly home to live in the presence of God.

Let the adversity and affliction that are part of every good story be a means by which you draw closer to, and become more like, Jesus Christ.

Tell a story in which you recognize the heavens are open. Ask questions to which you do not know the answer, knowing God is willing to make known His will for you through the Holy Ghost.

Let your narrative be one of faith…” Camille Johnson, Invite Christ to Author Your Story

Examine your life and make a record and help others to do the same! 

Read and study Doctrine and Covenants 128. 

See also: 

• Week 24 Weekly Family History Activities 2021
•  It’s a New Year – Let’s Start This Week to Record Our Personal Histories!