Lesson 207: Temple Preparation

Family History and Temple Service

We Can Perform Ordinances for Our Deceased Ancestors in the Lord’s House

In Heavenly Father’s merciful plan, those who died without receiving the saving ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ are not lost forever. We can offer our deceased ancestors the help they need by doing family history and temple service. This lesson can help students find the names of their deceased ancestors and prepare to perform ordinances for them in the Lord’s temples.

Possible Learning Activities

Blessings of family history and temple service

Help students ponder the blessings available through family history and temple work. If students have had personal experiences, you could invite them to share the blessings they have witnessed.

If needed, you could also share the video “Improve Your Temple Experience; Change Your Life” (3:21), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, from time code 1:42 to 3:21.

Improve Your Temple Experience; Change Your Life

Elder Scott speaks of youth doing family history and how the youth in Kansas City embraced and succeeded in the work.

Another option would be to share the following testimony.

Pierre-Alban, a 17-year-old living in France, shared the following testimony about his experience visiting the temple:

The first time I went to the Bern Switzerland Temple, I went with my family and friends. This experience brought me great joy. We all felt the Spirit. I knew that what I was doing was good and that God was proud of our work. I know that the temple brings us many blessings. When we make time to do the temple work for our ancestors, Heavenly Father blesses us. He will be happy with what we have done for His children in His house. (Pierre-Alban C., For the Strength of Youth, Apr. 2022, inside front cover)

• What blessings do you know are available through family history and temple service?

• How might you begin helping someone who wants to participate in temple and family history work but doesn’t know how to start?

Performing ordinances for those who have died

Consider sharing some experiences from Church history of people who learned about baptism for the dead when it was first taught in this dispensation. You could invite students to read the following excerpt from Saints, Vol. 1, The Standard of Truth and discuss what they learn with a partner.

The Saints gathered in Nauvoo for the October 1840 general conference. Joseph taught them more about baptism for the dead, explaining that the spirits of the dead were waiting for their living kindred to receive the saving ordinance in their behalf.

Between sessions of the conference, the Saints rushed to the Mississippi River, where several elders stood waist-deep in the water, beckoning them to be baptized for their deceased grandparents, fathers, mothers, siblings, and children. Soon after, Hyrum was baptized for his brother Alvin.

As Vilate Kimball watched the elders in the river, she longed to be baptized for her mother, who had died more than a decade earlier. She wished Heber was back from England to perform the ordinance, but since Joseph had urged the Saints to redeem the dead as soon as possible, she decided to be baptized for her mother right away.

Emma Smith’s thoughts were also on family. Her father, Isaac Hale, had passed away in January 1839. …

… Emma loved her father and was baptized for him in the river. He had not accepted the restored gospel in this life, but she hoped it would not be that way forever. (Saints, 1:423–24)

• What did you find meaningful from these experiences?

In addition to other things mentioned, you might point out that these baptisms were performed in the Mississippi River and not in the temple. At the time, there was no temple or baptismal font in Nauvoo. Students might also notice that Emma Smith was baptized for her father. You could explain that later, the Lord revealed the pattern of women performing ordinances for women and men for men (see Saints, 1:578–79).

Read Doctrine and Covenants 124:29–36, looking for what the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith about the baptisms the Saints in Nauvoo were performing for the dead.

• What did the Lord reveal?

• What can these verses also teach us about Him?

  Students will likely identify different truths about the Lord that highlight the importance He places on His temples. One example is that the Lord accepts the ordinances we perform for our deceased ancestors in His holy temples.

  Students may also mention truths about the Lord’s character. They may identify that Jesus Christ is patient and fair because He promised the Saints “sufficient time” (verses 31, 33) to build the temple. While the remainder of this lesson is focused on performing ordinances in temples specifically for our ancestors, if students desire, feel free to spend time discussing attributes of Jesus Christ.

• What can we learn from the Lord’s use of the words “baptisms for your dead”? (see Doctrine and Covenants 124:32–33; 127:5).

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said this about our ancestors:

The Lord in initial revelatory instructions referred to “baptism for your dead” [Doctrine and Covenants 127:5; emphasis added]. Our doctrinal obligation is to our own ancestors. This is because the celestial organization of heaven is based on families. (Quentin L. Cook, “Roots and Branches,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 45)

• How has learning about your ancestors influenced you? How might it influence you?

• How do you think performing temple ordinances for your deceased ancestors could affect your relationship with your Heavenly Father?

The part you can play in the Lord’s work of salvation

You could invite students to think about their experiences with family history and temple work by reflecting on how well the following statements apply to them.

On a scale of 1 through 5 (1 = not true and 5 = very true), rate how well these statements describe you.

I know how to find the names of my ancestors.

I know how to submit the names of my ancestors to the temple.

I want to find names of my ancestors and perform ordinances for them in the temple.

I feel the importance of doing work for my deceased relatives.

Encourage students to share their understandings of and experiences with temple and family history work. Ask them what they want to learn and what they need help with. Invite them to learn from each other and from the Holy Ghost by discussing the blessings that temple and family history work can bring.

If needed, consider showing one of the following videos.

“Focus on the Temple” (7:18; watch from time code 3:50 to 4:36)

Focus on the Temple

President Nelson teaches about the importance of temples and announces plans to build more temples.

“Spiritual Dynamite” (2:40)

Spiritual Dynamite

Family history and temple service combine to create a spiritual power that will enable you to become the person God wants you to be. You can read Elder Renlund's talk from Family Discovery Day here.Read about Alfred Nobel - Man of Peace.

“Gathering the Family of God” (4:18)

Gathering the Family of God

Family History enthusiasts share touching experiences they had while finding their ancestors’ stories.

Steps you can take

Display the following steps that can help students engage in family history and temple work. Encourage students who have previously taken these steps to help other students as much as possible.

• Step 1. Create a Church account.

• Step 2. Explore the My Family: Stories That Bring Us Together booklet, FamilySearch, or the Family Tree app.

• Step 3. Use the Ordinances Ready feature.

• Step 4. Schedule an appointment and attend the temple.

Invite a student to demonstrate how to use the Ordinances Ready feature. Encourage students to download and learn to use the Family Tree app. In the app, they can click the temple icon and the Ordinances Ready link to find names of family members for whom they can perform ordinances. Help students learn how to request and print name cards to take to the temple. Once students have found the names of some ancestors, encourage them to learn how they are related and any personal information available about those ancestors. Invite students who have a temple recommend to schedule an appointment to attend the temple.

If needed, the following information can provide additional guidance.

• “How do I create a Church account using ChurchofJesusChrist.org?”

• “How do you want to get started?”

• “How to Start a Family Tree on FamilySearch: Adding the First Four Generations”

• My Family: Stories That Bring Us Together

• “Ordinances Ready”

Once students have helped each other find names to take to the temple, you could invite them to share insights and lessons learned. Encourage them to think about the Savior and His desire for us to help our ancestors. You might ask:

• How do you think participating in temple and family history work now can help prepare you to make and keep covenants with God in His temple?

• How can doing family history and temple service deepen your love for the Savior?

Additional Resources

Why do my ancestors need me?

Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

We honor our ancestors by opening the heavens through temple and family history work and by becoming a welding link in the chain of our generations. …

… Selfless temple service for dear ones makes our Savior’s Atonement real for them and us. Sanctified, we can return home to God’s presence as families united eternally. (Gerrit W. Gong, “We Each Have a Story,” Liahona, May 2022, 44–45)

What blessings come from temple and family history work?

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles promised:

I promise that lovingly performing ordinances for ancestors will strengthen and protect our youth and families in a world that is becoming increasingly evil. (Quentin L. Cook, “Great Love for Our Father’s Children,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 79)

Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

It is breathtakingly amazing that, through family history and temple work, we can help to redeem the dead.

But as we participate in family history and temple work today, we also lay claim to “healing” blessings promised by prophets and apostles. … This long list includes these blessings:

• Increased understanding of the Savior and His atoning sacrifice;

• Increased influence of the Holy Ghost 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. (Dale G. Renlund, “Family History and Temple Work: Sealing and Healing,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 47)

What can I do if I live far away from any temple?

Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said:

Temples are getting closer and closer to you. However, for those of you who live where distance or circumstances do not allow regular temple attendance, you should always keep yourself worthy to attend. You can do important work outside of temples as you research and submit your family names. (Gary E. Stevenson, “Where Are the Keys and Authority of the Priesthood?,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 31)

What if I don’t know how to find my ancestors?

Elder Benjamín De Hoyos of the Seventy said:

To those of you who do not feel capable of doing this work, you should know that you are not alone. We can all turn to the tools that the Church has prepared and that are found in the FamilySearch centers, which we used to know as family history centers. These FamilySearch centers have been designed so that almost everyone, with little help, can find their ancestors’ information and organize it properly so that they can take it to the house of the Lord. Please contact the family history consultants in your ward or branch, who will guide you every step of the way. (Benjamín De Hoyos, “The Work of the Temple and Family History—One and the Same Work,” Liahona, May 2023, 53–54)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Connecting with our ancestors

Consider inviting a few students to share what they know about their ancestors. Encourage students to share details that help them feel a connection to these family members. You could show an ordinance card and ask students to share how these cards help us perform ordinances for our ancestors in temples. If necessary, explain that temple ordinance cards help track temple work as ordinances are performed for our ancestors.

The article “Preparing Your Child for Temple Baptisms and Confirmations” could help your students prepare for the temple by finding an ancestor’s name.

“Glad Tidings: The History of Baptisms for the Dead”

Students may benefit from learning about the history of baptisms for the dead in this dispensation. Consider using the following video and pausing at different moments to allow students to ask questions or share insights.

“Glad Tidings: The History of Baptisms for the Dead” (6:55)

Glad Tidings: The History of Baptisms for the Dead

Joseph Smith's struggle with his brother Alvin's death led eventually to the introduction of baptisms for the dead. This new ordinance was embraced by saints in Nauvoo who did the first genealogical and family history research in Church history.

Promised blessings of gathering our families

If students want to focus on the blessings of performing ordinances for deceased ancestors in the temple, you might show one of the following videos. Encourage students to record the blessings the Lord has promised and perhaps choose one or two to seek.

• “Gathering the Family of God” (2:10)

  Gathering the Family of God

  President Henry B. Eyring describes how we can grow closer to our ancestors through family history and temple work.

• “The Promised Blessings of Temple and Family History Work” (3:26)

  The Promised Blessings of Temple and Family History Work

  Modern apostles, including David A. Bednar, Quentin L. Cook, Neil L. Andersen and Dale G. Renlund have promised many powerful blessings to those who participate in Family History and Temple Service.

• “The Promised Blessings of Temple and Family History Work 2” (4:04)

  The Promised Blessings of Temple and Family History Work 2

  Temple and family history work can provide you with purpose and strength as you selflessly engage in it. It can also help you understand that you are precious in the eyes of God.

Many who have died desire to be sealed to their families

Help students recognize that many of their ancestors want their temple ordinances to be performed. You could share accounts that Church leaders have given in general conference.

President Russell M. Nelson shared the following in April 2016:

In my last conference message, I related my devastating experience many years ago when, as a heart surgeon, I was not able to save the lives of two little sisters. …

Congenital heart disease afflicted three children born to Ruth and Jimmy Hatfield. Their first son, Jimmy Jr., died without a definitive diagnosis. I entered the picture when the parents sought help for their two daughters, Laural Ann and her younger sister, Gay Lynn. I was heartbroken when both girls died following their operations. Understandably, Ruth and Jimmy were spiritually shattered. …

Then one night last May, I was awakened by those two little girls from the other side of the veil. Though I did not see or hear them with my physical senses, I felt their presence. Spiritually, I heard their pleadings. Their message was brief and clear: “Brother Nelson, we are not sealed to anyone! Can you help us?” …

In June, I literally knelt in front of Jimmy, now 88 years old, and had a heart-to-heart talk with him. I spoke of his daughters’ pleadings and told him I would be honored to perform sealing ordinances for his family. …

… And then, not long ago, in the Payson Utah Temple, I had the profound privilege of sealing Ruth to Jimmy and their four children to them. Wendy and I wept as we participated in that sublime experience. Many hearts were healed that day! (Russell M. Nelson, “The Price of Priesthood Power,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 66–67).

Elder Gary E. Stevenson shared this experience in April 2016:

Where Are the Keys and Authority of the Priesthood?

Elder Stevenson teaches about how priesthood keys and authority were restored and how they can bless young men and young women.

I recently learned of a mother who regularly escorted her children to the temple to perform proxy baptisms. On this particular day, as this family completed their baptisms and were leaving the temple, a man entered the baptistry area with a large batch of his own family names. Realizing there was no one remaining in the baptistry to assist with these family names, a temple worker caught the departing family and asked the children if they would consider reentering and changing once again to assist with these baptisms. They willingly agreed and went back in. As the children were baptized, their mother, listening, began to recognize the names and soon, to the amazement of all, realized the man’s batch of family names were deceased ancestors of her family as well. A sweet, tender mercy for them. (Gary E. Stevenson, “Where Are the Keys and Authority of the Priesthood?,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 31)