November 1-7
Doctrine and Covenants 125-128
"A voice of gladness for the living the dead"
Materials: Computer or tablet with Family Tree app installed, chain, Come Follow Me: For Individuals and Families 2021, Construction paper cut into strips, stapler, art supplies.
Opening Song: "Family History" (Children's Songbook, 94)
Opening Prayer:
Attention Activity:
Show your family a chain (a bike chain, necklace, etc.). What do chains do? Chains link two separate things together. Chains are made up of individual links. Each link is important because it lengthens the reach of the chain.
Lesson:
In August of 1840, the saints were settling into Nauvoo and constructing the temple. When Joseph Smith attended a funeral, he felt impressed to share what the Lord had revealed about those who died before being baptized. Joseph's own brother, Alvin, had died before the church had been organized and Joseph always felt very deeply on the subject of his salvation. Joseph revealed that family members could be baptized on behalf of their deceased relatives. The Lord's plan is to give every soul who has ever lived the opportunity to hear the gospel and let them decide whether or not to accept or reject it. This new revelation excited the saints, bringing them hope and unsurmountable joy!
Read Phebe Chase's account from the CFM Manual (pg. 192). The saints in Nauvoo were eager to be baptized on behalf of their family members. The proxy baptisms were first performed in the nearby river. Then later, when the basement of the temple in Nauvoo was complete, they were baptized their in a pine wood font carved to look as though 12 oxen were holding a great bowl. This was later replaced with a similar one made of limestone. Show the picture below.
When Joseph Smith was teaching people about baptism for the dead in section 128, he likened baptisms for the dead as "the welding link... between the fathers and the children." How is baptisms for the dead like the link of a chain?
Baptisms for the dead link us to Christ. We take His name upon us when we are baptized, and He in turn, promises that His spirit will always be with us. Temple ordinances performed for the dead have "binding power"--when we make covenants in the temple, they are recorded in heaven. We are bound to the covenants we made; we are bound to God. They are also like the link of a chain in the essence that temple ordinances can link or seal us to our loved ones, our ancestors and our progeny.
Activity (older children):
Using Family Search or the Family Tree app. Show your family your family tree. Tell them about one of your deceased ancestors. Show your family how to find a name and request it for the temple to perform a baptism. Here is a link with more information. If you're family would like additional help, talk with your ward family history leader.
Activity (younger children):
Using Family Search or the Family Tree app. Show your family your family tree. Tell them about one of your deceased ancestors.
Using construction paper, a stapler, and art supplies, make a family chain. Cut the construction paper into strips. Have everyone write their name on a strip and staple the strips together in a link patter. Using names of relatives on family tree, make the chain longer and longer. Tell your family that this chain can stretch back for thousands of years and each one of the links represents a family member, as we go to the temple and perform work for the dead, the links are stapled together as we are all linked together in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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Read D&C 128: 18. Joseph Smith said, "For we without them [our ancestors] cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect." We need to help our ancestors. As we perform ordinances for them, we will be reminded of the covenants we made. We humble ourselves as we serve others and we help in the great work to gather Israel. Our ancestors need us too. They cannot be baptized without our help. They are patiently waiting on the other side of the veil to receive the ordinances only those with bodies can perform.
If you have a family member who has recently been to the temple to do baptisms, let them share their testimony of the experience. Encourage all those who turn 12 this year or older to receive a limited use temple recommend. Perhaps you could schedule a date to go as a family to do baptisms or go walk the temple grounds.
Closing Song: "I Love to See the Temple" (Children's Songbook, 95)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Sweet Potato Pie recipe here
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