Lesson by Mandy W. on Temple Work and Family History

A little background on Mandy, who recently moved into our ward (and we are so happy to have her!)
-from Mesa, Arizona
-served a mission in Santiago, Chile
-Married 8 yrs with 3 kids. Oldest is Ellie (5yrs), then Noah (3yrs), and Rowena (4mo)
-Last 5 yrs in Michigan

Moved here in June and was just called to be RS Temple Coordinator.
In Mandy's words: "I am grateful to be set apart with this calling before I teach this because I truly hope to have the Spirit to help inspire people about the importance of Temple trips."

Lesson: Temple Work and Family History
Mandy started out with this short video on why we build temples.

??? What makes the temple important to you personally???
-It is a place of peace and a refuge form the outside world
-It is the greatest university known to man-- provides higher education
-To learn about life after death
-To leave our pains and trials behind as we lose ourselves in service
-To have a personal encounter with God and to hear His voice. In the temple, God and Jesus Christ speak to us and to one another, and then invite us to respond verbally to them.
-One sister shared that her life has changed since she became a temple worker. She has learned more about her relationship with Jesus Christ, about God's love for her, about the importance of sacred ordinances, and has felt deeper love for others.

The things we are taught in temples:
o Our purpose here
o Our relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ
o Our premortal existence
o The meaning of life and life after death

“[Temples] are a souce of spiritual power and strength. They are a place of revelation”
–Silvia H. Allred (General Conference 2008)

“The all-important and crowning blessings of membership in the Church are those blessings we
receive in the temples of God” –President Monson (April General Conference 2011)

President Monson in the Mormon Message said “It lifts us”, “It exalts us”, “Points us to Celestial
Glory”, it is a place of “tranquility, kindness, love and light”

???Why are temples important in our lives???

-Perform necessary ordinances and covenants!! AND THEY ARE NOT JUST FOR US!

I love how the book specifically adds how “[Heavenly Father] has ASKED us to perform ordinances for our ancestors in the temples” WHAT AN HONOR – He has asked us to be a part of it!

I absolutely loved the last priest shown in that Mormon Message – he said “It’s a beautiful thing . . . extending the blessings that have come to me in and through Jesus Christ. That’s a beautiful way of letting the ETERNAL mix into the temple – which, in a way, is what Christianity is all about”

???What are the ordinaces???

Temple Ordinances Seal Families Together Forever

???What does it mean to be sealed???

“Whatsoever thou shalt bind in earth shall be bound in heaven” Matt 16:19, D&C 132:7

The book “Baptism and all other ordinances prepare us for THIS sacred event” EVERYTHING IS
LEADING UP TO THE TEMPLE. Growing up we always hear about how important baptism is but it is amazing to realize that that is just the stepping stone.

Quote:
“The Atonement of Jesus Christ assures each of us that we will be resurrected and live forever. But if we are to live forever with our families in Heavenly Father’s presence, we must do all that the Savior commands us to do. This includes being baptized and confirmed and receiving the ordinances of the gospel.

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have each been baptized and
confirmed by one having the proper priesthood authority. Each of us may also go to the temple to receive the saving priesthood ordinances performed there. But many of God’s children have not had these same opportunities. They lived at a time or place when the gospel was not available to them.

Heavenly Father wants all of His children to return and live with Him. For those who died without baptism or the temple ordinances, He has provided a way for this to happen. He has asked us to perform ordinances for our ancestors in the temples.”

Like that sweet man pointed out in the Mormon Message we have the chance now – and the
RESPONSIBILITY to extend “the blessings that have come to [us] in and through Jesus Christ.”

Story from the manual:
“Mario Cannamela married Maria Vitta in 1882. They lived in Tripani, Italy, where they raised a family and shared many wonderful years together. Mario and Maria did not hear the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ during their lifetimes. They were not baptized. They did not have the opportunity to go to the temple and be sealed together as an eternal family. At death, their marriage ended.


Over a century later a great reunion took place. Descendants of Mario and Maria went to the Los Angeles Temple, where a great-grandson and his wife knelt at an altar and served as proxies for the sealing of Mario and Maria. Tears filled their eyes as they shared in Mario and Maria’s joy.”

Many of our ancestors are among those who died without hearing about the gospel while on the earth. They now live in the spirit world (see chapter 41 in this book). There they are taught the gospel of Jesus Christ. Those who have accepted the gospel are waiting for the temple ordinances to be performed for them. As we perform these ordinances in the temple for our ancestors, we can share their joy.

???What experiences have you had doing temple work for your ancestors???

???How do we get started???

1. Identify our ancestors.
2. Find out which ancestors need temple ordinances performed.
3. Make certain that the ordinances are performed for them.

???How has the Lord helped you or members of your family find information about your ancestors???

Additional Family History Opportunities: Participate in Family Organizations! Go to your family reunions, even if it's hard. Consider organizing a family reunion if your family doesn't regularly hold one.

CONCLUSION:

If you have children, take them to the temple! Walk around the grounds, take a picnic, and go to the Visitors Center.
If your children are 12 years old or older, they can share in these blessings by being baptized and confirmed for their ancestors.

Involve the whole family – Make the temple part of your family’s tradition!

**The Relief Society presidency would like to help you go to the temple and invites you to bring the temple more into your life. Marguerite shared that we can come "face to face with God and feel of His great love for us." Please let us know how we can help you in your efforts to go!

More on Temples from LDS.org