Sunday, Feb 1st

The lesson this week was given by Sister Lisa Lara. 

What happens in the Spirit World? It is where deceased persons who have not had the opportunity to hear the gospel are taught of its truths by those who have already accepted it. Bro. Larry Peterson’s funeral was almost like a missionary farewell. He loved missionary work and was sure he would be teaching others the gospel after he died. Why do we teach the gospel in the Spirit World? So that those who have not been taught the gospel have a chance to learn it and hopefully accept it. 

In the book True to the Faith it teaches us that "In the spirit world, the gospel is “preached to those who [have] died in their sins, without a knowledge of the truth, or in transgression, having rejected the prophets. These [are] taught faith in God, repentance from sin, vicarious baptism for the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, and all other principles of the gospel that [are] necessary for them to know in order to qualify themselves that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit” (D&C 138:32–34).

Many in the spirit world embrace the gospel. However, they cannot receive priesthood ordinances for themselves because they do not have physical bodies. In holy temples, we have the privilege of receiving ordinances in their behalf. These ordinances include baptism, confirmation, Melchizedek Priesthood ordination (for men), the endowment, the marriage sealing, and the sealing of children to parents."

So now we know a little bit about WHY we do Family History work, so we can do for the dead what they cannot do for themselves. Another reason why we should do family History work is because we are commanded to. In Elder Allan F. Packer’s recent conference talk, The Book, he teaches us that we are all trying to qualify for exaltation., and that it is the quest of a lifetime. “As explained in the Church handbook: 'In fulfilling its purpose to help individuals and families qualify for exaltation, the Church focuses on divinely appointed responsibilities. These include helping members live the gospel of Jesus Christ, gathering Israel through missionary work, caring for the poor and needy, and enabling the salvation of the dead by building temples and performing vicarious ordinances.' These four focuses and all other laws, commandments, and ordinances are required and not optional."

Doctrine and Covenants 128:18 says, "For we without [our ancestors] cannot be made perect; neithe can they without us be made perfect." – it’s a continuous circle.

Elder Allan Packer says, “Like partaking of the sacrament, attending meetings, reading the scriptures, and saying personal prayers, doing family history and temple work should be a regular part of our personal worship.”

Sis. Charlene Browne shared with us her experiences doing family history and helping to perserve important events and stories from her family. Through family history work she has been able to connect with distant cousins all over the country and help with countless ordinances.

“Family history also includes the present as we create our own history. It includes the future as we shape future history through our descendants. A young mother, for example, sharing her family stories and pictures with her children is doing family history work,” teaches Elder Allan Packer.

I have realized in the past few months that many of the stories I know about my grandparents are not written down. There are also very different perspectives of the same story depending on who tells it. I shared a story of my grandparents traveling from Chicago to St. George, Utah during WWII to be married in the temple. My mother had shared that story with me. I later mentioned to my aunt that I had shared the story in a RS lesson, and she then recounted the same story, but with many different details that my Mom hadn’t included. It is my job now to write down the story including information from my aunt and my Mother. FamilySearch.org has a place that I can record that story, with a picture even, and it can be shared with all my relatives. 

How hard is it to do Family History work? Many of us feel that is can be overwhelming looking for data and searching for documents. Elder Packer says, “To assist members, the Church has gathered records and provided tools so that much of the work can be done in our own homes or in the ward buildings and the temple. Most obstacles have been removed. Whatever your past perception, it is different now!”

In True to the Faith it tells us our 3 basic responsibilities: 1) Receive the temple ordinance for yourself and help immediate family members receive them. 2) Hold a current temple reccomend and attend the temple as frequently as circumstances allow. 3) Gather family history information so you can help your ancestors receive the blessings of the temple.

There are suggestions to help us start gathering family history information so that our ancestors can receive the blessings of the temple. “While you probably will not be able to do everything, you can do something.” 

• Record important details about your own life. Record your birth date and birthplace and the dates of your baptism and confirmation. Keep a personal journal to record the highlights of your life, including personal experiences that will strengthen the faith of your children and other future generations.
• Learn about your ancestors. Begin by recording information from your memory and from accessible sources at home. Record the vital information you accurately remember or can find about siblings, parents, uncles and aunts, grandparents, and great-grandparents. Where possible, obtain copies of certificates or other documents that include this information. As you gather more information, you may want to search in other locations, such as public records. The local ward or branch may have a family history consultant who can help you. You may also want to visit the Church’s official Web site for family history, www.familysearch.org.
• As you identify your ancestors, use pedigree charts and family group forms to record the information you find. These forms are available on paper and also in Church-produced software programs, such as Personal Ancestral File.

Did you know there are even missionaries that are called to help us do our Family History work? There are missionaries like Sis. Debbie Orvin called to answer questions you may have as you work on FamilySearch.org. These missionaries are available around the clock, 24 hours a day, to be of help to you. Believe it or not, the majority of the people they help are not members of the church. So many people from all walks of life are interested in Family History work. We need to be all the more interested because we can help with saving ordinances for our ancestors.

Elder Allan Packer tells us not to hesitate in doing this work. “All it requires is a decision and a little effort. It does not require a large block of time. Just a little time on a consistent basis will yield the joy of the work.” I think of the time that I spend on social media, or doing this or that. Perhaps that is not time spent in the best way. “We must not sacrifice our exaltation or that of our families for less important interests.”

This video from Pres. Eyring and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir was shared at the end of the lesson. Hopefully it touches your heart as it did mine.