“Lesson 19 Class Preparation Material: Assisting the Lord in the Redemption of the Dead,” Jesus Christ and His Everlasting Gospel Teacher Material (2023)
“Lesson 19 Class Preparation Material,” Jesus Christ and His Everlasting Gospel Teacher Material
Lesson 19 Class Preparation Material
Assisting the Lord in the Redemption of the Dead
What do you know about your ancestors? Whether you know a lot or a little, it is important to remember that they were real people. Each is a beloved daughter or son of Heavenly Father. Think about how many of your ancestors and others throughout history lived and died without a knowledge of Jesus Christ or did not have the opportunity to receive the ordinances of the gospel. As you study, consider how the Savior’s ministry to the spirit world helped extend the blessings of the gospel to all people. Ponder what you can do to assist the Savior in redeeming the dead.
Section 1
What does Jesus Christ’s ministry in the spirit world teach us about Him?
Elder Spencer J. Condie, while serving as a member of the Seventy, said:
The facts of Jesus’ death and Resurrection are hailed by those of Christian denominations as fundamental tenets. However, what Jesus’ immortal spirit did after His death and before His Resurrection is a mystery to all but the Latter-day Saints. (“The Savior’s Visit to the Spirit World,” Ensign, July 2003, 32)
The spirit world is a mystery for many because the Bible makes little reference to it. During His mortal ministry, Jesus Christ prophesied that “the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live” (John 5:25; see also verses 24, 26–28). When on the cross, Jesus said to the repentant thief next to Him, “Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise [or, the spirit world]” (Luke 23:43; see also Gospel Topics, “Paradise,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Peter later taught that after Jesus’s death, He “went and preached unto the spirits in prison” (1 Peter 3:19; 4:6).
In 1918, President Joseph F. Smith was pondering these words from Peter and contemplating the Savior’s Atonement when he had a remarkable vision of the spirit world (see Doctrine and Covenants 138:1–11).
The Commissioned, by Harold I. Hopkinson
Study in Preparation for Class
Read Doctrine and Covenants 138:12–19, 23–24, and imagine what it would have been like to be there with the faithful spirits described in these verses.
During this vision, President Joseph F. Smith wondered how the Savior could teach the gospel to all the spirits of the dead since He was there for such a short time (see Doctrine and Covenants 138:25–28).
Study in Preparation for Class
Read Doctrine and Covenants 138:29–35, and look for how the Savior prepared the way for His gospel to be preached to all people in the spirit world.
Ponder in Preparation for Class
What might we learn about the Savior from President Smith’s vision? How would you explain the significance of this remarkable event to someone who had not heard of it?
Section 2
How can I assist the Lord in the redemption of the dead?
Because of Their infinite love and mercy, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ prepared a way for all people to receive the ordinances essential for exaltation—baptism, confirmation, ordination to the Melchizedek Priesthood (for men), the temple endowment, and the marriage sealing. When viewed from an eternal perspective, we see followers of the Savior on both sides of the veil working together with Him for the salvation of all Heavenly Father’s children. The work of salvation for the dead is a sacred opportunity we can participate in now and for the rest of our lives. One way we can assist in this work is through proxy ordinances, which can be performed only in temples.
Through His prophets, the Lord invites all Church members to prepare their own family histories and identify those who need saving ordinances. President Russell M. Nelson taught:
By doing for others what they cannot do for themselves, we emulate the pattern of the Savior, who wrought the Atonement to bless the lives of other people. (“Personal Preparation for Temple Blessings,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2001, 34)
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said of the proxy work performed in temples:
Our efforts on behalf of the dead bear eloquent witness that Jesus Christ is the divine Redeemer of all mankind. His grace and promises reach even those who in life do not find Him. (“The Redemption of the Dead and the Testimony of Jesus,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 11)
Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles identified a list of “breathtakingly amazing” blessings we can receive as we engage in family history and temple work:
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. When ordinances are performed on behalf of the deceased, God’s children on earth are healed. (“Family History and Temple Work: Sealing and Healing,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 47)
Act
What could you do today to participate with the Lord in temple and family history work? Consider talking to a family member about your ancestors, working on indexing, becoming more familiar with FamilySearch, or going to the temple and performing an ordinance for someone who has died.