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.
The book of Judges can be both a warning and an encouragement. Look for this warning and encouragement as you read Judges 2:1–19; 3:5–12. How do you feel the warning and encouragement apply to you?
As you read the story below, ponder how forgiveness ties in to what the Pratt brothers learned about the power and promises of temple and family history.
Elder Dale G.Renlund: "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.
"... as we participate in family history and temple work today, we also lay claim to 'healing' blessings promised by prophets and apostles. These blessings are also breathtakingly amazing because of their scope, specificity, and consequence in mortality. This long list includes these blessings:
Increased understanding of the Savior and His atoning sacrifice;
Increased influence of the Holy Ghost7 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; and
Increased assistance to mend troubled, broken, or anxious hearts and make the wounded whole.
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. When ordinances are performed on behalf of the deceased, God's children on earth are healed. No wonder President Russell M. Nelson, in his first message as President of the Church, declared, 'Your worship in the temple and your service there for your ancestors will bless you with increased personal revelation and peace and will fortify your commitment to stay on the covenant path.' (Dale G. Renlund, "Family History and Temple Work: Sealing and Healing," General Conference, April 2018)
See the related “Promised Blessings” activity here.
To get started, or continue your family history journey, check out the Learning Paths menu in The Family History Guide.
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.
Watch the following video to see how one family found ways to forgive. The story is at time stamp 8:44.
The Lord can work miracles when I trust in His ways.
From Come, Follow Me:
As you read Judges 6–8, make note of instances where the Lord asked Gideon to believe something that might have seemed unlikely. Has He ever asked something similar of you?
What do you feel the Lord is trying to teach you with this account? How have you seen the Lord do His work in ways that seemed unlikely?
Temple and Family History Miracles
What are the miracles that brought your ancestors and other family members into the church? Perhaps you are the first convert in your family! We can all be inspired by the conversion stories in the scriptures, church history, and from our ancestors.
"Frederick Christian Sorensen is Scott Anderson’s second great-grandfather whose influence has now been felt by six generations of his posterity. Scott’s niece illustrated his conversion story when she was a young girl.
Have fun discovering, illustrating, and sharing your own family history stories, including the conversion stories and other miracles in your family!
Personal Miracles
Ponder for a moment—what family history miracles have you experienced? Are there times when you have felt an influence from the other side? Have you had times when a record “just” appeared? Did things “just” come together? Count the blessings you have received and find joy in them. Share them with your family. You may want to record them in your journal, audio-record them or upload them to Memories in FamilySearch Tree.
If you need some help remembering, below are some stories of others who have experienced miracles in their family history endeavors that might jog your memory.
God strengthens me as I am faithful to my covenants.
From Come, Follow Me:
As you read about Samson in Judges 13–16, note verses that show that the Lord was with Samson, as well as verses showing that Samson was not fully committed to the Lord.
You might also ponder the covenants you have made with the Lord. How have these covenants brought His power into your life? What do you learn from Samson’s experiences that inspires you to stay true to your covenants with God?
Promised Blessings
As a family, read stories about your ancestors and research ideas for compiling and sharing histories, stories collections, and memories. Continue to share what you are working on and any finished family history projects that you have done.
Knowing the basic terms used in genealogy will help you keep your research on track. Here’s a glossary of terms provided by FamilySearch, and here’s one provided by Ancestry.
