Purpose
Help youth discover more about their family history and connect to their ancestors by sharing family traditions.
Activity Suggestion
Before the activity, invite the youth to identify a favorite family tradition. This could be a song or dance, a recipe, a story, a game, an activity, or something similar.
At the activity, give each youth a turn to share their tradition. For example, if a group member identified a family recipe that they want to share, ask them to bring a sample of the recipe for the group to try. Or you could make the recipe together as a group. Invite the youth to talk about where the tradition came from and to explain why it has significance to their family.
After the activity, you could invite the youth to record the traditions that the other group members have just shared.
Adaptation Ideas
- Show the youth how to record and share their traditions on FamilySearch Memories at FamilySearch.org.
- Some group members may not be able to identify a family tradition. You could suggest that they discuss a tradition from their school or club or a geographical region. They could also discuss a tradition that they would like to start.
Discussion
Encourage youth to talk about how what they are learning can help them and others grow closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Discussions can take place before, during, or after the activity and should last just a few minutes. You could ask questions like the following:
- What do you like about family history? Why do you think it’s important?
- Besides family traditions, what else could you include in your family history?
- How can you help establish family traditions like cherishing the Sabbath and studying the scriptures?
Related Resources
- Quentin L. Cook, “Roots and Branches,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 44-48