From the earliest generations, people have kept books of remembrance—spiritual records which remind people of their ancestors and reinforce their faith in God. We can also feel a sense of belonging and build our faith by reviewing memories of our ancestors.
Family History and Belonging
Connecting with our ancestors can give us a sense of belonging and of contributing to an intergenerational project instead of merely pursuing individual ambitions. Lehi, Alma, Mormon, Joseph F. Smith, and M. Russell Ballard all expressed their deep connections with ancestors that shaped and enriched their ministries.
A Fruitful Bough
Lehi's words to his son Joseph were incredibly far-reaching, stretching generations into the past and future. I think he wanted Joseph to identify with these prophets and to recognize the intergenerational impact his life could have.
Seed
After studying the brass plates, Lehi's thoughts turned to his "seed." His invitation to Ishmael and his tree of life dream were both related to this focus. Like Lehi, we can think about the impact of our current decisions on future generations.
Genealogy of Jesus
None of us is an island, and the impact of our lives is not limited to people currently living. We operate in a multigenerational space, and our decisions affect "generations gone before" and "generations yet to be." (See "Turn Your Hearts," Hymns, 291.) An awareness of that reality can help us feel connected and can... Continue Reading →
“Ye Sons of Jacob”
Elder Dale G. Renlund taught, "When God directs us to do one thing, He often has many purposes in mind. Family history and temple work is not only for the dead but blesses the living as well" ("Family History and Temple Work: Sealing and Healing," General Conference, April 2018). The prophet Malachi understood this principle.... Continue Reading →
Your Brother
Obadiah was unhappy with the Edomites. They stood by and watched as their neighbors in the kingdom of Judah were conquered and carried away captive. "On the day that you stood aloof," he said, "on the day that strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were... Continue Reading →
The Spirit of Elijah
On the day Elijah was translated, he visited three locations: Beth-El, Jericho, and then a location on the far side of the river Jordan. Each time, he urged Elisha to stay behind, and each time, Elisha answered the same way: "As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee" (2 Kings 2:2, 4, 6). After they miraculously... Continue Reading →
We Need Our Ancestors—and They Need Us
The word "fathers" appears 182 times in the Book of Mormon, usually meaning "ancestors." For example: On the title page, we read that one of the purposes of the book is "to show unto the remnant of the House of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers."Lehi was delighted to find... Continue Reading →
Three Covenants
One of the purposes of the Book of Mormon is for us to "know the covenants of the Lord" (Title Page). The Savior emphasized three of those covenants during His visit to the American continent, following His death and resurrection: Israel will be gathered: "Then will I gather them in from the four quarters of the earth;... Continue Reading →