Chapter 17. Accomplishing the Redemption of the Dead

Transcription

1 Chapter 17 Accomplishing the Redemption of the Dead In this syllabus, you have been learning about various temple and family history resources and activities, both in and out of the Church. This chapter will help you gain a vision of how these fit together to help accomplish the entire mission of the Church, particularly the redemption of the dead. You will also learn how priesthood and family history leaders are organized in wards and stakes to direct family history work. Many aspects of temple and family history service are directed by priesthood leaders such as building and operating temples, and establishing and operating family history facilities. Chapter 17 Objectives: Understand how temple and family history service help accomplish each of the missions of the Church: proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, perfecting the saints, and redeeming the dead. Understand the roles of local priesthood and family history leaders in accomplishing temple and family history work. Understand how FamilySearch Centers, the FamilySearch Indexing Program, Ward Family History Consultants, and FamilySearch computer files work together under priesthood direction to help accomplish the redemption of the dead. Chapter 17 Outline: Supporting the Mission of the Church Priesthood Leadership Family History Consultants FamilySearch Centers Missionary Service 171

2 Chapter 17: Accomplishing the Redemption of the Dead 172 Supporting the Mission of the Church The mission of the Church is to invite all to come unto Christ (D&C 20:59) and be perfected in him (Moroni 10:32). The three ways to fulfill this mission are to: (1) proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, (2) perfect the Saints, and (3) redeem the dead. Each of these methods leads to the making and keeping covenants. Although the focus of this syllabus is on redeeming the dead, temple and family history service also helps in proclaiming the gospel and perfect the saints. Proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ Contacting and Referrals. People around the world are being touched by the Spirit of Elijah. Many nonmembers want to learn more about where their families came from and who their ancestors were. Missionaries may talk about family history while contacting (e.g. tracting). Also, members may refer names of nonmember friends who are interested in family history. Missionaries may then introduce the nonmembers to FamilySearch, a FamilySearch Center, or publications about family history. While helping them, missionaries may develop relationships of trust that lead to gospel discussions. Convert Retention. Investigators may begin identifying their ancestors while they are still receiving the missionary discussions. Family history work provides an opportunity for new converts to enter the temple within weeks of their own baptism to be proxies for their ancestors. Attending the temple may help them become more motivated to remain active so they can receive endowments and sealings for themselves and their ancestors. Temples and Temple Sites. Nonmembers can visit temples prior to their dedication, and temple sites with visitor centers after temples are dedicated. Temples can have a powerful effect on missionary work, often prompting people to have an interest in gospel teachings. When they learn about the doctrines of eternal families and of the redemption of the dead, many people want to learn more about the restored gospel (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints 1992, 1). Perfecting the Saints 1. Receiving temple ordinances themselves and assisting immediate family members to qualify to receive them helps members grow closer to the Lord. 2. Members are perfected as they strive to live worthy of a temple recommend. As members live the gospel and keep their temple covenants, they may attain eternal life through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

3 Chapter 17: Accomplishing the Redemption of the Dead Attending the temple on behalf of their ancestors and others strengthens members spiritually. 4. Members feel the sanctifying influence of the Spirit, not only when they attend the temple, but also when they participate in family history service. 5. Less active members who are interested in family history may be encouraged to return to activity so they can receive ordinances for their ancestors. 6. By keeping journals and writing personal and family histories, members become more aware of the direction their lives are going. They may come to understand the importance of their mortal probation, and may be more motivated to live the gospel. 7. Temple and family history work helps members meet life s challenges by: a. Strengthening marriages, b. Improving relationships between parents and children, c. Fortifying those facing serious personal problems, d. Providing comfort to those who are grieving, and e. Instilling Christ-like attributes in all members as they become saviors on Mount Zion. Redeeming the Dead As we consider again the redemption of the dead, it is important to remember that Christ is the Redeemer of all mankind living and dead. Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth. Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered. Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise. Wherefore, he is the first fruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved. And because of the intercession for all, all men come unto God; wherefore, they stand in the presence of him to be judged of him according to the truth and holiness which is in him (2 Ne. 2:6 10). Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me. And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil. And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw

4 Chapter 17: Accomplishing the Redemption of the Dead 174 all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works. (3 Ne. 27:13 15) Because Christ suffered in our behalf, those who qualify by obeying the laws of the gospel and receiving the requisite ordinances can be saved in the Kingdom of God. Christ has given us the great privilege of participating with Him in His work of redemption. We may do this by providing temple ordinances for those of our kindred dead who did not receive them in mortality. This work, which is Christ s work and our work, will not be completed until every descendant of Adam has had the opportunity to accept the gospel and receive its ordinances. How can the redemption of all of the dead be accomplished? There are no records available containing names or other identifying information for most of the people who have lived on the earth. These people still need ordinances. The time will come when it will be possible to identify them through revelation. Brigham Young taught: No man can enter the celestial kingdom and be crowned with a celestial glory, until he gets his resurrected body; but Joseph and the faithful who have died have gained a victory over the power of the devil, which you and I have not yet gained. So long as we live in these tabernacles, so long we will be subject to the temptations and power of the devil; but when we lay them down, if we have been faithful, we have gained the victory so far; but even then we are not so far advanced at once as to be beyond the neighborhood of evil spirits. Those who have died without the Gospel are continually afflicted by those evil spirits, who say to them Do not go to hear that man Joseph Smith preach, or David Patten, or any of their associates, for they are deceivers. Spirits are just as familiar with spirits as bodies are with bodies, though spirits are composed of matter so refined as not to be tangible to this coarser organization. They walk, converse, and have their meetings; and the spirits of good men like Joseph and the Elders, who have left this Church on earth for a season to operate in another sphere, are rallying all their powers and going from place to place preaching the Gospel, and Joseph is directing them, saying, go ahead, my brethren, and if they hedge up your way, walk up and command them to disperse. You have the Priesthood and can disperse them, but if any of them wish to hear the Gospel, preach to them. Can they baptize them? No. What can they do? They can preach the Gospel, and when we have the privilege of building up Zion, the time will come for saviors to come up on Mount Zion. My brother Joseph spoke of this principle this forenoon. Some of those who are not in mortality will come along and say, Here are a thousand names I wish you to attend to in this temple, and when you have got through with them I will give you another thousand; and the Elders of Israel and their wives will go forth to officiate for their forefathers, the men for the men, and the women for the women. Then in the spirit world they will say, Do you not see somebody at work for you? The Lord remembers you and has revealed to His servants on the earth, what to do for you. To accomplish this work there will have to be not only one temple but thousands of them, and thousands and tens of thousands of men and women will go into those temples and officiate for people who have lived as far back as the Lord shall reveal (Young 1978, 3: ).

5 Chapter 17: Accomplishing the Redemption of the Dead 175 Between now and the time when names are provided through revelation, the Lord expects us to do all we can to provide ordinances for those whose names are available to us in existing records. The glorious doctrine of vicarious service for our dead, is part of the doctrinal foundation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To secure the names of our dead, as far back as the records go, a splendid genealogical organization has been created, perhaps the largest, in membership, in the world. Besides, there are thousands of individual workers in the field, throughout the Church. The spirit of the work has gone beyond the Church itself. During the last hundred years, there has been a world-wide interest in genealogy, which has resulted in the publication of libraries of books giving the names and vital data of the dead, back to the beginning of record-keeping for the common people, about three hundred years ago. As for the records of the dead before that time, we wait for the day when all things shall be revealed. We do our duty now as far as is possible (Widtsoe 1944, ). We are now living in the time when the Lord expects us to provide ordinances for those dead who are listed in existing records. The steps to accomplishing this work are: (1) Record Family History Information, (2) Preserve Original Family History Records, (3) Copy Family History Records, (4) Provide Access to Family History Records, (5) Organize Family History Information, (6) Disseminate Family History Information, and (7) Provide Temple Ordinances. 1. Record Family History Information. Family history information such as names, dates, and places of key life events are recorded by governments, churches, schools, hospitals, families, etc. In the past, most of this information has been recorded on paper. (A family history record is any document that contains family history information, regardless of the reason why that information was originally recorded. There are family history records available for about six billion people, most of whom lived and died after 1500.) 2. Preserve Original Family History Records. The original paper copies of the documents have typically been preserved in libraries, archives, record offices, parish chests, and so on. 3. Copy Family History Records. To further ensure preservation of the information on the records, the records may be microfilmed, digitally recorded, or copied in some other way. 4. Provide Access to Family History Records. The information on the records can be made more widely available by distributing or circulating copies (e.g., paper, microform, or digital copies). Also, to facilitate access, the individual documents are cataloged by the archives, libraries, and other institutions that house them (or copies of them). 5. Organize Family History Information. The family history information in the records can be organized in two ways. First, the information in each document can be extracted or indexed. Second, the information can be lineage-linked into families. Obviously, it is usually more efficient to extract or index the data before endeavoring to lineage link it. 6. Disseminate Family History Information. Once the organized information on the records has been automated, it can be disseminated (e.g., on compact disc). 7. Provide Temple Ordinances. Members of the Church identify their kindred dead, submit their

6 Chapter 17: Accomplishing the Redemption of the Dead 176 names to the temple, and receive ordinances in their behalf. Contributing to any one of these seven steps is assisting with the redemption of the dead. For centuries, the Spirit of the Lord has influenced nonmembers worldwide to assist with family history work so that when the gospel was restored the ordinances could be provided. Although members assist with all aspects of this work, only the last step requires membership in the Church. To assist with this process, the Church has made great strides in microfilming and providing access to records. Through FamilySearch indexing projects, a small percentage of the family history information in the records has been organized and automated. Much of this automated information has been disseminated via FamilySearch resource files. At FamilySearch Centers and other libraries, member and nonmember researchers have been engaged in the challenging but rewarding task of linking names into family lines. Through Family Tree and the published genealogies on FamilySearch.org, much of this lineage-linked information is now being disseminated worldwide. Assisted by family history consultants, members of the Church are identifying those kindred dead whose names are readily available and providing their ordinances. However, in comparison to what can and must be done with information in existing records, we have just begun. Here is a description of the roles of local priesthood and family history leaders who organize and give direction to the portion of temple and family history work assigned to local Church units. As you come to understand the above seven steps and the work being accomplished in wards and stakes to further the redemption of the dead, prayerfully consider how you might assist. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest (Luke 10:2). Priesthood Leadership Both at the general and local levels, family history work of the Church is accomplished under priesthood direction. This section briefly describes how local stake and ward priesthood leaders are organized to direct temple and family history work. Priesthood leaders have a responsibility to lead and direct temple and family history work. Although others may help, priesthood leaders personal leadership and visible direction can motivate others to do this important work (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1992, 6).

7 Chapter 17: Accomplishing the Redemption of the Dead 177 Stake Presidency The stake presidency directs temple and family history work in the stake. One member of the presidency usually coordinates temple and family history matters (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints 1992, 7). High Council Adviser The assigned high councilor, under the direction of the stake presidency, oversees temple and family history work in the stake. He works with stake and ward priesthood leaders to see that the stake, wards, and quorums are organized to do temple and family history work (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1992, 8). Bishopric The bishopric directs temple and family history work in the ward (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints 1992, 8). Priesthood Executive Committee The bishopric directs the correlation of temple and family history work weekly through the ward priesthood executive committee meeting. In this meeting, leaders receive assignments and report on efforts to help members do temple and family history work (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1992, 8). High Priests Group Leader The high priests group leader in each ward is assigned to supervise the ward family history consultant(s) and ward extraction director (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1992, 8). Temple and Family History Committees Elders quorum presidents and high priests group leaders should organize quorum and group temple and family history committees to help them identify members needs and provide appropriate assistance (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1992, 9). All Stake and Ward Priesthood Leaders Through study and prayer, learn the doctrines related to temple and family history work. Learn how all members can participate in the work according to their circumstances.

8 Chapter 17: Accomplishing the Redemption of the Dead 178 Fulfill their basic responsibilities and bear testimony from personal experience. Teach the doctrine and emphasize members basic responsibilities. Provide the family history resources members need to succeed. Family History Consultants Family history consultants can be a great help to members doing family history work. Ward family history consultants help members begin identifying their ancestors and providing temple ordinances for them. Consultants should be skilled in working with members and in communicating simply and should have some computer experience (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1992, 11). Ward Family History Consultants The work of ward family history consultants is focused on helping members provide temple ordinances for those ancestors whose names are readily available (usually the first three to five generations). To do this, ward consultants help members accomplish the three steps outlined in A Member s Guide to Temple and Family History Work (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 2009). These are: (1) Gather information to identify your ancestors, (2) Record information about your ancestors who have not yet received them, and (3) Perform temple ordinances for your ancestors who have not yet received them (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 2009, v). Ward family history consultants assist members in three places: (1) in their homes, (2) in a meetinghouse classroom, and (3) at a FamilySearch web site. When meeting with members in their homes, ward family history consultants assist members to follow the steps in A Member s Guide to Temple and Family History Work, adapting the instructions to individual needs. Home visits are usually working meetings, where consultants help members accomplish whatever needs to be done to ensure that ancestors receive their ordinances. As members gain experience they become more self-reliant, and less assistance from the consultant is needed. When teaching the family history Sunday School class, ward family history consultants rely on the information in the Section 9: Temple and Family History Work of the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2: Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1998b) to meet local needs. Like the home visits, classes are working meetings where members receive help providing ordinances for their ancestors. The recommended six class periods can be reduced or extended depending on needs of class members. When helping members at the FamilySearch site, ward family history consultants, as needed, show

9 Chapter 17: Accomplishing the Redemption of the Dead 179 members how to: Identify ancestors on FamilySearch and other resource databases and files. Locate family histories in the Surname portion of the FamilySearch Catalog. Organize family information and prepare names for the temple using FamilySearch. Priesthood leaders play a key role in helping ward family history consultants find members who need assistance. Bishoprics, quorum presidencies, and group leaders will often be aware of members who are ready to begin. Home teachers can identify people who need the assistance of the consultant. Under priesthood direction, ward family history consultants may also: Assist with missionary work, convert retention, and activation, using family history. Give special classes, such as a family history mini-class to priesthood or auxiliary groups. Assist youth groups to identify and submit names of ancestors for baptisms and confirmations. Teach lessons on journal keeping, preparing personal and family histories, family organizations, preserving family memorabilia, or other topics that strengthen family ties and build interest in providing ordinances for ancestors. Give motivational presentations in sacrament meetings, firesides, quorum meetings, etc. about providing ordinances for ancestors. These meetings are more effective if leaders contact members individually afterwards. Contact new converts, who often have many names in the first few generations that can be submitted to the temple. Advertise their services in Sunday meeting programs, in a ward newsletter, on bulletin boards, and so on. Give short, individualized software demonstrations to ward members. Training Students successfully completing Religion 261 have enough family history training to serve effectively as stake or ward family history consultants. Consultants may also receive training from local FamilySearch Centers. All consultants should be thoroughly familiar with A Member s Guide to Temple and Family History Work (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 2009). FamilySearch Centers

10 Chapter 17: Accomplishing the Redemption of the Dead 180 The Church has established approximately 4,500 FamilySearch centers in more than 80 countries to help members identify their ancestors. Like ward family history consultants, FamilySearch center specialists help members provide ordinances for those ancestors whose names are readily available, following the instructions in A Member s Guide to Temple and Family History Work (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 2009). In addition, many FamilySearch centers provide resources that help members identify ancestors in extended generations. Depending on the level of service offered, FamilySearch Centers may provide any of the following: Reference consultation for beginning and advanced patrons FamilySearch Microfilm circulation Book, microfilm, and microfiche reference collection Photocopying Sources on compact disc (CD-ROM) To find a FamilySearch center near you go to: Missionary Service Opportunities exist for couples and single sisters to serve as missionaries in temple and family history work. This service provides an alternative missionary assignment for individuals who are interested in temple or family history work. Both full-time and part-time assignments are possible. Members interested in this type of assignment may serve as Church-service missionaries (usually a local assignment that is either full-time or part-time) or full-time missionaries with an additional assignment in either temple or family history work (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1992, 19).