Weekly Family History Activities

Jacob 1:6–8, 15–19; 2:1–11

I have an “errand from the Lord.”

From Come, Follow Me :

To Jacob, teaching the word of God was an “errand from the Lord,” so he labored diligently to “magnify [his] office” (Jacob 1:17, 19). 

What is our collective “errand from the Lord” in these latter days?

“The Lord is hastening His work to gather Israel. That gathering is the most important thing taking place on earth today. Nothing else compares in magnitude, nothing else compares in importance, nothing else compares in majesty.” President Russell M. Nelson, Hope of Israel 

“When we speak of gathering Israel on both sides of the veil, we are referring, of course, to missionary, temple, and family history work. We are also referring to building faith and testimony in the hearts of those with whom we live, work, and serve. Anytime we do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—to make and keep their covenants with God, we are helping to gather Israel.” President Russell M. Nelson, Let God Prevail

“The tenth article of faith says, “We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes.” So, what does it actually mean?

Here are 12 facts about the gathering, with some background to help you see how the gathering fits into the gospel—and how you fit into the gathering.” See 12 Facts about the Gathering of Israel 

Gathering Israel

Study and discuss together the following invitations from our prophet:

To the brethren:

After some 4,000 years of anticipation and preparation, this is the appointed day when the gospel is to be taken to the kindreds of the earth.This is the time of the promised gathering of Israel. And we get to participate! Isn’t that exciting?

To the sisters:

My dear sisters, we need you! We “need your strength, your conversion, your conviction, your ability to lead, your wisdom, and your voices.”4 We simply cannot gather Israel without you. 

To the Millennials:

"Spend more time on your knees in prayer, more time in the scriptures, more time in family history work, more time in the temple. I promise you that as you consistently give the Lord a generous portion of your time, He will multiply the remainder." 

To the youth :

"You—my dear, extraordinary youth—were sent to earth at this precise time, this most crucial time in the history of the earth, 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."

"Now, participating in the gathering of Israel will require some sacrifice on your part. It may even require some changes in your life. It will definitely take some of your time and energy and your God-given talents. Are you interested?"

"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." 

See also:

• You Can Gather Israel! Ahmad S. Corbitt 
• Latter-day Saint Youth: Gather Israel and other tabs in Youth: Latter-day Saints 
• President and Sister Nelson: RootsTech Family Discovery Day (see a clip here A Sacrifice of Time)
• Youth Connecting with Generations 
• Hearts Bound Together Henry B. Eyring

Find step-by-step instructions to do temple work in the “Church of Jesus Christ” section of The Family History Guide. See also Take Ancestors To The Temple.

See Ordinances Ready - a tool that simplifies finding names for the temple. Learn more here. Read how to verify names and relationships here. Watch this video to see how to use the app:

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Jacob 4:6, 10–11

I can strengthen my faith in Jesus Christ.

From Come, Follow Me :

What phrases in Jacob 4:6, 10–11 describe what we can do to make our faith in Jesus Christ unshaken?

Strengthening Faith and Families

Find a nearby large tree and have your family try shaking different branches. 

Then have them try to shake the trunk. If it's not feasible to use an actual tree, look at a picture of a large tree together.

• How easy is it to shake a branch?
• How easy was it to shake the trunk?
• Why is the trunk harder to shake than the branches?
• If you were able to shake the roots, what would happen to the branches or the trunk?
• In what ways can you compare the tree with its roots, trunk and branches to your family? 

Jacob teaches that as we search the prophets through scripture study that we may have many revelations and thereby "obtain a hope, and our faith becometh unshaken" (Jacob 4:6). Jacob and those of his day were learning from prophets who had come before them. Just as a tree trunk is stronger because of its roots and branches, your family is also stronger because of its roots and branches. Roots anchor a tree and tie it to the ground. This provides the tree stability. Likewise, roots in your family tree also anchor your family and give you a sense of belonging. You learn and receive strength from those in your family.

"Our Father's plan is about families, symbolized by a great tree. In order for a tree to live and grow, it needs both roots and branches. We likewise need to be connected both to our roots—our parents, grandparents, and other ancestors—and to our branches—our children, grandchildren, and other descendants ... Never forget that family history—and the temple ordinances enabled by it—are an essential part of the work of salvation. Participating in this sacred work for the dead blesses the lives of the living. It strengthens our faith and commitment to the gospel, helps us resist temptation, draws families closer together, and strengthens our wards and stakes." Quentin L. Cook, RootsTech 2015

Elder Cook continues: "I have challenged families to hold ... a 'Family Tree Gathering.' This should be a recurring event. Everyone could bring to these gatherings existing family histories, stories, and photos, including cherished possessions of grandparents and parents ... However, this cannot be only a one-time effort. It requires a lifetime of diligence ... Our young people are excited to learn about the lives of family members—where they came from and how they lived. We need to help them develop a love for this work." RootsTech 2015

See Youth Activities and Activities: Home Page. 

See the Kid's Corner - My Family Tree for family tree activities like the following: K2-06 Create A Family Tree with Photographs

Strengthen Relationships With Living Family Members

Activity idea: 

• Sit in a family circle (extended family can join). Take turns going around the circle saying something good about the person to your right—a characteristic, a good deed, a gift, etc. Then reverse and go to the left.
• Discuss how hearing positive comments made you feel. How did it differ when you were receiving rather than sharing? How does this activity strengthen each individual? How does this strengthen you as a family?
• Consider writing a note of gratitude to family members. Write about an experience with that person or a positive characteristic that has helped you. Tell them how and why they are an important part of your life.
• Another idea is to audio-record and preserve a tribute to a deceased loved one using the FamilySearch Audio app. See instructions in The Family History Guide here.

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Your Personal History

Write one brief story about your life as you study each Come, Follow Me lesson. By the end of the year, you will have compiled 50 stories to add to your personal history. Save as a story (also consider audio-recording it) and add it to your FamilySearch memories to preserve it. Use your own questions or those from (or inspired by) the #52 Stories Project below. For example:

• How has each family member helped you become the person you are today?
• Write about your parents and how they have helped you.