Lesson
39
“The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn to Their Fathers”
Purpose
To help class members understand the need to seek out their ancestors and receive priesthood ordinances in their behalf.
Preparation
1. Prayerfully study the following scriptures and other materials: a. Doctrine and Covenants 2; 110:13–16; 138; Joseph Smith—History 1:37–39. b. Our Heritage, pages 98–99, 101–2, 105–7. 2. Review the material for this lesson in the Class Member Study Guide (35686). Plan ways to refer to the material during the lesson. 3. In advance, give the following assignments: a. Ask a class member to prepare to summarize the story about Bishop Henry Ballard and his daughter from Our Heritage, page 99. b. Ask another class member to prepare to report briefly on the revelation that President Wilford Woodruff received about tracing our family histories and sealing children to their parents (see the second full paragraph on page 101 of Our Heritage). c. Ask one or two class members to prepare to talk briefly about their experiences in providing priesthood ordinances for the dead. Invite these class members to tell how they have felt toward the people for whom they have provided these ordinances. d. Ask a class member to prepare to report briefly on President Joseph F. Smith’s prophecy that the time would come when the land would “be dotted with temples” (see the last full paragraph on page 106 of Our Heritage). 4. If the following pictures are available, prepare to use them during the lesson: Elijah Restores the Power to Seal Families for Eternity (Gospel Art Picture Kit 417); Wilford Woodruff (Gospel Art Picture Kit 509); Joseph F. Smith (Gospel Art Picture Kit 511); and Gordon B. Hinckley (63001; Gospel Art Picture Kit 520). Rather than using the individual pictures of Presidents Woodruff, Smith, and Hinckley, you could use the picture Latter-day Prophets (62575; Gospel Art Picture Kit 506).
Suggestions for Lesson Development Attention Activity
As appropriate, share the following story or use an activity of your own to begin the lesson. Frederick William Hurst was working as a gold miner in Australia when he first heard Latter-day Saint missionaries preach the restored gospel. He and his brother Charles were baptized in January 1854. He tried to help his other family members become converted, but they rejected him and the truths he taught.
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