GPC40: Comments and Resources

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Gospel Principles
Unit 8: Family Salvation
Chapter 40: Temple Work and Family History
Comments and Resources

"Temple work... gives a wonderful opportunity for keeping alive our spiritual knowledge and strength...  The mighty perspective of eternity is unraveled before us in the holy temples; we see time from its infinite beginning to it's endless end; and the drama of eternal life is unfolded before us.  Then I see more clearly my place amidst the things of the universe, my place among the purposes of God; I am better able to place myself where I belong, and I am better able to value and weigh, to separate and to organize the common, ordinary duties of my life, so that the little things shall not oppress me or take away my vision of the greater things that God has given us." (John A. Widstoe, in Conference Report, Apr. 1922, pp.97-98.)

During the study of this topic, we will learn the purpose of temples, that the people of the Lord has always built temples, that the Lord expects us to search out our ancestors, and some of the blessings that we receive in the temple.


Resources
Gospel Principles, chapter 40.
A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, chapters 13, 17.
Articles of Faith, chapter 7.
Truth Restored chapter 5, pp. 47-50; and chapter 7, pp. 70-72


Scriptures :
2 Nephi 5  The Nephites separate themselves from the Lamanites, keep the law of Moses, and build a temple Because of their unbelief, the Lamanites are cursed, receive a skin of blackness, and become a scourge unto the Nephites. Between 588 and 559 B.C 

Exodus 26; 40
Chapter 26 Tabernacle to be built with ten curtains and with boards Vail to separate the holy place from the most holy place Ark of testimony (with the mercy seat) to be put in the most holy place. 
Chapter 40 The tabernacle is reared Aaron and his sons washed and anointed and given an everlasting priesthood Glory of the Lord fills the tabernacle A cloud covers the tabernacle by day, and fire rests on it by night. 

Ezekiel 40-44, 46-47
Chapter 40 A heavenly ministrant shows Ezekiel in vision a city wherein is the temple He is shown the form and size of the temple and its courts. 
Chapter 41 Ezekiel sees the inner temple and the holy of holies, and is shown their form and size. 
Chapter 42 Ezekiel sees in the temple the chambers for the priests. 
Chapter 43 The glory of God fills the temple His throne is there and he promises to dwell in the midst of Israel forever Ezekiel sees the altar and sets forth the ordinances thereof. 
Chapter 44 The glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord No strangers may enter the sanctuary Services of the priests in the temple are set forth. 
Chapter 46 Ordinances of worship and of sacrificial performances are set forth. 
Chapter 47 Waters issue from the house of the Lord and heal the Dead Sea The Lord shows the borders of the land. 

John 2  Jesus turns water into wine in Cana He attends the passover, cleanses the temple, foretells his death and resurrection, and performs miracles. 

D&C 124 Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Nauvoo, Illinois, January 19, 1841. HC 4: 274 286. Because of increasing persecutions and illegal procedures against them by public officers, the saints had been compelled to leave Missouri. The exterminating order issued by Lilburn W. Boggs, Governor of Missouri, dated October 27, 1838, had left them no alternative. See HC 3: 175. In 1841, when this revelation was given, the city of Nauvoo, occupying the site of the former village of Commerce, Illinois, had been built up by the saints, and here the headquarters of the Church had been established. 

1-14, Joseph Smith is commanded to make a solemn proclamation of the gospel to the president of the United States, the governors, and the rulers of all nations; 15-21, Hyrum Smith, David W. Patten, Joseph Smith, Sen., and others among the living and the dead are blessed for their integrity and virtues; 22-28, The saints are commanded to build both a house for the entertainment of strangers and a temple in Nauvoo; 29-36, Baptisms for the dead are to be performed in temples; 37-44, The Lord's people always build temples for the performance of holy ordinances; 45-55, The saints are excused from building the temple in Jackson County because of the oppression of their enemies; 56-83, Directions are given for the building of the Nauvoo House; 84-96, Hyrum Smith is called to be a patriarch and to receive the keys and stand in the place of Oliver Cowdery; 97-122, William Law and others are counseled in their labors; 123-145, General and local officers are named, along with their duties and quorum affiliations. 


Topical Guide: <http://Scriptures.lds.org/en/tg/contents>
                         Baptism for the Dead
                         Book of Remembrance
                         Endowment, Endow
                         Genealogy and Temple Work
                         Mount
                         Salvation for the Dead
                         Sanctuary
                         Temple
                         Temple, House of the Lord

Bible Dictionary:  <http://Scriptures.lds.org/en/bd/contents>
                             Elijah
                             Genealogy
                             Holy of Holies
                             Tabernacle
                             Temple
                             Temple of Herod
                             Tabernacle of Solomon
                             Temple of Zerubbabel
                             Temple on Mount Gerizim

Concept 1: Introduction

'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 receiving the ordinances of the temple.

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have each been baptized 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 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.

Discussion

What blessings does the Savior's atonement provide for us?  What must we do to return and live with our Heavenly Father?'


Concept 2: Temples of the Lord

'Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are special buildings dedicated to the Lord.  Worthy Church members may go there to receive sacred ordinances and make covenants with God.  Like baptism, these ordinances and covenants are necessary for our salvation.  They must be performed in the temples of the Lord.

We also go to the temple to learn more about Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ.  We gain a better understanding of our purpose in life and our relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus.  We are taught about our premortal existence, the meaning of earth life, and life after death.

Discussion

Why are temples important in our lives?'

Concept 3: Temple Ordinances Seal Families Together Forever

'All temple ordinances are performed by the power of the priesthood.  Through this power, ordinances performed on earth are sealed, or bound, in heaven.  The Savior taught his Apostles, "Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven" (Matthew 16:19;  also D&C 132:7 "And verily I say unto you, that the conditions of this law are these: All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, of him who is anointed, both as well for time and for all eternity, and that too most holy, by revelation and commandment through the medium of mine anointed, whom I have appointed on the earth to hold this power (and I have appointed unto my servant Joseph to hold this power in the last days, and there is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred), are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead.").

Only in the temple can we be sealed together forever as families.  Marriage in the temple joins a man and woman as husband and wife eternally if they honor their covenants.  Baptism and all other ordinances prepare us for this sacred event.

When a man and woman are married in the temple, their children also become part of their eternal family.  Couples who have been married civilly can receive these blessings by preparing themselves and their children to go to the temple and be sealed to each other.

Discussion

What does it mean to be sealed?'


Concept 4: Our Ancestors Need Our Help

'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 45, "The Postmortal Spirit World").  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.

Discussion

How are baptism and other ordinances made available to our ancestors?'


Concept 5: Family History--How We Begin Helping Our Ancestors

'Latter-day Saints are encouraged to participate in family history activities.  Through these activities we learn about our ancestors so that we can perform ordinances for them.  Family history involves three basic steps:

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

Most wards have family history consultants who can answer questions and direct us to the resources we need.  If a ward does not have a family history consultant, the bishop or branch president can provide direction.

Identify Our Ancestors 
To perform temple ordinances for our ancestors, we need to know their names.  Many wonderful Resources are available today to help us identify our ancestors' names.

A good way to begin gathering information about our ancestors is to see what we have in our own homes.  We may have birth, marriage, or death certificates.  We may also find family Bibles, obituaries, family histories, or diaries and journals.  In addition, we can ask relatives for information they have.

How much we learn will depend on what information is available to us.  We may have only a little family information and may be able to do no more than identify our parents and grandparents.  If we already have a large collection of family records, we may be able to identify ancestors from generations further back in time.

We can keep track of the information we gather on family group records and pedigree charts. Samples of these forms are shown at the end of this chapter.

Find Out Which Ancestors Need Temple Ordinances Performed 
Temple ordinances have been performed for the dead since the early days of the Church. Consequently, some ordinances for our ancestors may have already been done.  To find out which ancestors need temple ordinances, we can look in two places.  Our own family records might have information about what has been done.  If not, the Church has a record of all ordinances that have been performed in the temple.

Make Certain the Ordinances Are Performed 
Many of our ancestors in the spirit world may be anxious to receive their temple ordinances.  As soon as we identify these ancestors, we should arrange for this work to be done for them.

One of the blessings of family history work comes from going to the temple and performing ordinances in behalf of our ancestors.  We should prepare ourselves to receive a temple recommend so that, when possible, we can do this work.  If our children are twelve years or older, they can share in these blessings by being baptized and confirmed for their ancestors.

If it is not possible for us to go to the temple to participate in the ordinances, the temple will arrange to have the ordinances performed by other Church members.

Discussion

How do we go about performing ordinances for our ancestors?  What help is available if we need it?'


Concept 6: Additional Family History Opportunities

'In addition to providing temple ordinances for the ancestors we know about, we can help those in the spirit world in many other ways.  We should seek the guidance of the Spirit as we prayerfully consider what we might do.  Depending on our circumstances, we can do the following things:

1. Attend the temple as often as possible.  After we have gone to the temple for ourselves, we can perform the saving ordinances for others waiting in the spirit world. 
2. Do research to identify ancestors who are more difficult to find.  Family history consultants can guide us to helpful Resources. 
3. Serve in the Church's name extraction program where it is available.  Through this program, members prepare genealogical information for use in the Church's family history computer programs.  These programs make it easier for us to identify our ancestors. 
4. Contribute family history information to Ancestral File(TM), one of the Church's computer programs.  It contains genealogies contributed by people all over the world.  Ancestral File allows people to share their family information.  Family history consultants can provide more information about Ancestral File.
 5. Participate in family organizations.  We can accomplish much more for our ancestors as we work together with other family members.


This Chapter on LDS.ORG with images of a Family Group Record and Pedigree Chart
<http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,11-1-13-50,00.html#>


Discussion

What are some of the things we can do to help those in the spirit world?

Additional Scriptures 

1 Peter 4:6 (gospel was preached to the dead)
 6  for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 

Malachi 4:5-6; D&C 2:2; 3 Nephi 25:5-6 (mission of Elijah)

Mal. 4:5-6  
  5  Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: 
  6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. 
urse.

D&C 2:2   And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers.  

 3 Nephi 25:5-6
  5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord; 
  6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. 


D&C 1:8-9 (sealing power)
  8 And verily I say unto you, that they who go forth, bearing these tidings unto the inhabitants of the earth, to them is power given to seal both on earth and in heaven, the unbelieving and rebellious; 
  9 Yea, verily, to seal them up unto the day when the wrath of God shall be poured out upon the wicked without measure 


1 Corinthians 15:29; D&C 128:15-18 (work for the dead)

1 Corinthians 15:29  
  29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? 

D&C 128:5-18  
  5 You may think this order of things to be very particular; but let me tell you that it is only to answer the will of God, by conforming to the ordinance and preparation that the Lord ordained and prepared before the foundation of the world, for the salvation of the dead who should die without a knowledge of the gospel. 
  6 And further, I want you to remember that John the Revelator was contemplating this very subject in relation to the dead, when he declared, as you will find recorded in Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 
  7 You will discover in this quotation that the books were opened; and another book was opened, which was the book of life; but the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works; consequently, the books spoken of must be the books which contained the record of their works, and refer to the records which are kept on the earth. And the book which was the book of life is the record which is kept in heaven; the principle agreeing precisely with the doctrine which is commanded you in the revelation contained in the letter which I wrote to you previous to my leaving my place that in all your recordings it may be recorded in heaven. 
  8 Now, the nature of this ordinance consists in the power of the priesthood, by the revelation of Jesus Christ, wherein it is granted that whatsoever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Or, in other words, taking a different view of the translation, whatsoever you record on earth shall be recorded in heaven, and whatsoever you do not record on earth shall not be recorded in heaven; for out of the books shall your dead be judged, according to their own works, whether they themselves have attended to the ordinances in their own propria persona, or by the means of their own agents, according to the ordinance which God has prepared for their salvation from before the foundation of the world, according to the records which they have kept concerning their dead. 
  9 It may seem to some to be a very bold doctrine that we talk of a power which records or binds on earth and binds in heaven. Nevertheless, in all ages of the world, whenever the Lord has given a dispensation of the priesthood to any man by actual revelation, or any set of men, this power has always been given. Hence, whatsoever those men did in authority, in the name of the Lord, and did it truly and faithfully, and kept a proper and faithful record of the same, it became a law on earth and in heaven, and could not be annulled, according to the decrees of the great Jehovah. This is a faithful saying. Who can hear it? 
  10 And again, for the precedent, Matthew 16:18, 19: And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 
  11 Now the great and grand secret of the whole matter, and the summum bonum of the whole subject that is lying before us, consists in obtaining the powers of the Holy Priesthood. For him to whom these keys are given there is no difficulty in obtaining a knowledge of facts in relation to the salvation of the children of men, both as well for the dead as for the living. 
  12 Herein is glory and honor, and immortality and eternal life The ordinance of baptism by water, to be immersed therein in order to answer to the likeness of the dead, that one principle might accord with the other; to be immersed in the water and come forth out of the water is in the likeness of the resurrection of the dead in coming forth out of their graves; hence, this ordinance was instituted to form a relationship with the ordinance of baptism for the dead, being in likeness of the dead. 
  13 Consequently, the baptismal font was instituted as a similitude of the grave, and was commanded to be in a place underneath where the living are wont to assemble, to show forth the living and the dead, and that all things may have their likeness, and that they may accord one with another that which is earthly conforming to that which is heavenly, as Paul hath declared, 1 Corinthians 15:46, 47, and 48: 
  14 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy; and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as are the records on the earth in relation to your dead, which are truly made out, so also are the records in heaven. This, therefore, is the sealing and binding power, and, in one sense of the word, the keys of the kingdom, which consist in the key of knowledge. 
  15 And now, my dearly beloved brethren and sisters, let me assure you that these are principles in relation to the dead and the living that cannot be lightly passed over, as pertaining to our salvation. For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation, as Paul says concerning the fathers that they without us cannot be made perfect neither can we without our dead be made perfect. 
  16 And now, in relation to the baptism for the dead, I will give you another quotation of Paul, 1 Corinthians 15:29: Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead? 
  17 And again, in connection with this quotation I will give you a quotation from one of the prophets, who had his eye fixed on the restoration of the priesthood, the glories to be revealed in the last days, and in an especial manner this most glorious of all subjects belonging to the everlasting gospel, namely, the baptism for the dead; for Malachi says, last chapter, verses 5th and 6th: Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. 
  18 I might have rendered a plainer translation to this, but it is sufficiently plain to suit my purpose as it stands. It is sufficient to know, in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or other and behold what is that subject? It is the baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect. Neither can they nor we be made perfect without those who have died in the gospel also; for it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time. And not only this, but those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been kept hid from the wise and prudent, shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times. 

D&C 138 (redemption of the dead)  
A vision, given to President Joseph F. Smith in Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 3, 1918. In his opening address at the eighty-ninth Semiannual General Conference of the Church, on October 4, 1918, President Smith declared that he had received several divine communications during the previous months. One of these, concerning the Savior s visit to the spirits of the dead while his body was in the tomb, he had received the previous day. It was written immediately following the close of the conference; on October 31, 1918, it was submitted to the counselors in the First Presidency, the Council of the Twelve, and the Patriarch, and it was unanimously accepted by them. 
1-10, President Joseph F. Smith ponders upon the writings of Peter and our Lord s visit to the spirit world; 11-24, He sees the righteous dead assembled in paradise and Christ s ministry among them; 25-37, How the preaching of the gospel was organized among the spirits; 38-52, President Smith sees Adam, Eve, and many of the holy prophets in the spirit world who considered their spirit state before their resurrection as a bondage; 53-60, The righteous dead of this day continue their labors in the world of spirits. '

Additional Resources

Family Search Internet Genealogy Service
<http://www.familysearch.org/>

Genealogy Links (Scott's World)
<http://scottsworld.info/ldslinks.htm#GENEALOGY>
   
If you need Genealogy program, you can download Personal Ancestral File from Family Search at PAF Free genealogy Software or the program I'm using the paid for version, Free Trial of Ancestral Quest.  Start with yourself, add your known family, ask your relatives to fill blank spots where they can, then take a family history class.

A Member's Guide to Temple and Family History Work: Ordinances and Covenants


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Moroni 10:4-5
" 4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. 
  5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

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