Your dedicated service will bless Heavenly Father’s children on both sides of the veil. President Russell M. Nelson has declared: “The Lord is hastening His work to gather Israel. That gathering is the most important thing taking place on earth today. Nothing else compares in magnitude, nothing else compares in importance, nothing else compares in majesty. And if you choose to, if you want to, you can be a big part of it” (“Hope of Israel” [worldwide youth devotional, June 3, 2018], HopeofIsrael.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
When we engage in temple and family history activities, we discover more about ourselves and our ancestors. We then connect with our ancestors by getting to know them and then by performing needed gospel ordinances. This discovery and connection is part of the gathering of Israel (see Ephesians 1:10).
You have been called to help coordinate temple and family history efforts with ward organization leaders, including youth quorum and class presidencies. Your primary objective is to help members invite the blessings of the temple and of family history into their lives and to prepare them to attend the temple for themselves as well as for their ancestors.
Where to Start
- Seek guidance from the Spirit through prayer, scripture study, fasting, and, if possible, temple attendance.
- Read chapter 25, “Temple and Family History Work in the Ward and Stake,” in General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Seek to understand your responsibilities as a temple and family history leader (see General Handbook, 25.2.3)
- Also review chapters 1–4 in the General Handbook, which summarize the doctrinal foundation of God’s plan and give more guidance.
- Watch or read the transcripts of the past Temple and Family History Leadership Instruction broadcasts (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). The messages and discussion in these sessions will help you learn how to hear the Lord through temple and family history work based on President Russell M. Nelson’s promise that “as you increase your time in temple and family history work, you will increase and improve your ability to hear Him” (“Hear Him,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 90). From these sessions, you will also learn how to assist in the work in your ward and minister to all through temple and family history work, especially those learning the gospel, new and returning members, and children and youth preparing to receive a limited-use temple recommend.
After You Are Sustained and Set Apart
- With so many responsibilities, remember that your family is your first priority.
- Continue to pray for guidance about your service. Counsel with other ward leaders to understand how you can encourage and support temple and family history efforts in their organizations. Help the ward council develop and implement the ward temple and family history plan (see 25.2.6).
- Plan to conduct regular temple and family history coordination meetings (see “Conduct Ward Temple and Family History Coordination Meetings” under “What Should I Focus On?”).
- Organize regular instruction for ward temple and family history consultants. Coordinate their efforts to help members with temple and family history work.
- To ensure the safety of children and youth, complete the training course found at ProtectingChildren.ChurchofJesusChrist.org. You are required to renew this training every three years.
Callings and Responsibilities
General Handbook 25.2.2
Elders Quorum and Relief Society Presidencies
The elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies lead the day-to-day temple and family history efforts in the ward (see 8.2.4 and 9.2.4). The elders quorum presidency leads these efforts for members of the elders quorum. The Relief Society presidency leads the efforts for members of the Relief Society. They work together to lead these efforts with the ward council, under the coordination of the bishop.
These leaders have the following responsibilities:
- Encourage individuals and families to learn the doctrine and blessings of temple and family history work.
- Ensure that the doctrine and blessings of temple and family history work are taught at church.
- Help members prepare to receive temple ordinances and make temple covenants.
- Encourage members to worship in the temple as often as their circumstances allow.
- Encourage members to learn about their ancestors and perform temple ordinances on their behalf.
- Help the ward council develop and implement the ward temple and family history plan (see 25.2.6).
- Ensure that temple and family history work is planned and reported in ward council meetings and in ward temple and family history coordination meetings.
- Lead the work of the ward temple and family history leader. If this leader is not called, a member of the elders quorum presidency fills this role (see 25.2.3).
The elders quorum president and Relief Society president each assign a presidency member to help lead temple and family history work in the ward. These two presidency members work together. They attend ward temple and family history coordination meetings (see 25.2.7).
General Handbook 25.2.3
Ward Temple and Family History Leader
The bishopric consults with the stake president to determine whether to call a ward temple and family history leader. If they decide to extend this calling, the bishopric counsels with the elders quorum and Relief Society presidents in determining whom to call. This person should be a Melchizedek Priesthood holder. If this leader is not called, a member of the elders quorum presidency fills this role.
The ward temple and family history leader supports the elders quorum presidency and Relief Society presidency in their temple and family history responsibilities. He also has the following responsibilities:
- Coordinate temple and family history efforts with ward organization leaders, including youth quorum and class presidencies.
- Lead ward temple and family history coordination meetings (see 25.2.7).
- Attend ward council meetings when invited.
- Help the ward council develop and implement the ward temple and family history plan (see 25.2.6).
- Instruct ward temple and family history consultants. Coordinate their efforts to help members with temple and family history work.
- Work with the ward mission leader and the missionaries to help those learning the gospel, new members, and returning members engage in temple and family history work.
- Where applicable, assign ward temple and family history consultants to serve in the family history center (see 25.3.6).
General Handbook 25.2.4
Ward Temple and Family History Consultants
Ward temple and family history consultants serve under the direction of the ward temple and family history leader or the member of the elders quorum presidency who fills this role. The bishopric calls these members to serve. Adults and youth may be called. The elders quorum, Relief Society, and Young Women presidents may suggest who could serve.
Consultants have the following responsibilities:
- Help members experience the blessings of discovering their ancestors and performing temple ordinances on their behalf. These experiences are especially important for those learning the gospel, new and returning members, and those preparing to receive a recommend for proxy baptisms and confirmations.
- Help members prepare to receive temple ordinances and make temple covenants.
- Participate in temple and family history coordination meetings (see 25.2.7).
- Serve in a local family history center when assigned (see 25.3.6).
General Handbook 25.2.5
Ward Council
Members of the ward council prayerfully develop and implement a ward temple and family history plan. For information about the plan, see 25.2.6.
The bishop may invite the ward temple and family history leader to attend ward council meetings.
Temple and Family History work in the Ward
General Handbook 25.2.6
Ward Temple and Family History Plan
Each ward should have a simple temple and family history plan. This plan helps ward members, including children and youth, participate in family history work and prepare to worship in the temple as often as their circumstances allow.
The Elders Quorum and Relief Society presidents help the ward council develop the plan. The ward temple and family history leader also helps. In developing the plan, they:
- Consider available needs and resources.
- Identify actions to take during the year.
- Determine how to implement the plan and make assignments accordingly.
Examples of what the plan might include are listed below:
- Help members build their family trees on FamilySearch.org or with the FamilySearch Tree app (see 25.4.2).
- Involve new and returning members, youth, and children in family history work.
- Help specific members prepare to receive temple ordinances.
The bishop reviews and approves the plan. Members of the ward council take the lead in implementing it. They report on progress in ward council meetings. They also update the plan as needed.
General Handbook 25.2.7
Ward Temple and Family History Coordination Meetings
Brief informal ward temple and family history coordination meetings are held regularly. If a ward temple and family history leader is called, he conducts these meetings. Otherwise, the member of the elders quorum presidency who fills this role conducts.
Others who are invited include:
- Assigned members of the Relief Society and elders quorum presidencies.
- An assistant in the priests quorum.
- A presidency member of the oldest Young Women class.
- Temple and family history consultants.
The purpose of these meetings is to:
- Coordinate efforts to implement the ward temple and family history plan (see 25.2.6).
- Plan how to help specific ward members with their temple and family history work as requested.
These meetings may be held in person or remotely. Coordination can also happen in other ways, including phone calls, texts, and emails.
Ward Temple and Family History Leader
What Should I Focus On?
“Leaders encourage members to engage in God’s work by becoming ‘true followers of … Jesus Christ’ (Moroni 7:48)” (General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4.1). As ward temple and family history leader, you help individuals and families come unto Christ as they prepare for and participate in temple and family history work.
In President Russell M. Nelson’s first address as President of the Church, he counseled: “Your commitment to follow the Savior by making covenants with Him and then keeping those covenants will open the door to every spiritual blessing and privilege available to men, women, and children everywhere. … The end for which each of us strives is to be endowed with power in a house of the Lord, sealed as families, faithful to covenants made in a temple that qualify us for the greatest gift of God—that of eternal life” (“As We Go Forward Together,” Ensign, Apr. 2018, 7).
Lead in the Savior’s Way
You are a disciple of Jesus Christ. Discipleship includes loving, teaching, leading, and serving others. President Henry B. Eyring taught: “You are called to represent the Savior. Your voice to testify becomes the same as His voice, your hands to lift the same as His hands” (“Rise to Your Call,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2002, 76).
The following leadership principles will help you as you fulfill your calling:
- Pray to be led by the Holy Ghost.
- Prepare ahead of time to help each individual or family you work with have a unique experience with their temple and family history work.
- Minister to the one.
- Invite others to act
Learn more about these principles.
Organize the Work
- Coordinate temple and family history efforts with ward organization leaders, including youth quorum and class presidencies.
- Under the direction of the elders quorum presidency member assigned to temple and family history work, conduct ward temple and family history coordination meetings (see General Handbook, 25.2.7).
- Attend ward council meetings when invited.
- Help the ward council develop and implement the ward temple and family history plan (see General Handbook,25.2.6).
- Instruct ward temple and family history consultants. Coordinate their efforts to help members with temple and family history work.
- Work with the ward mission leader and the missionaries to help those learning the gospel, new members, and returning members engage in temple and family history work.
- Where applicable, assign ward temple and family history consultants to serve in the family history center.
Help the Ward Council Develop and Implement the Ward Temple and Family History Plan
Each ward should have a simple temple and family history plan. This plan helps ward members, including children and youth, participate in family history work and prepare to worship in the temple as often as their circumstances allow.
The elders quorum and Relief Society presidents help the ward council develop the plan. The ward temple and family history leader also helps. In developing the plan, they:
- Consider available needs and resources.
- Identify actions to take during the year.
- Determine how to implement the plan and make assignments accordingly.
Examples of what the plan might include are listed below:
- Help members build their family trees on FamilySearch.org or with the FamilySearch Tree app (see General Handbook, 25.4.2).
- Involve new and returning members, youth, and children in family history work.
- Help specific members prepare to receive temple ordinances.
The bishop approves the plan. Members of the ward council take the lead in implementing it. They report on progress in ward council meetings. They also update the plan as needed.
Conduct Ward Temple and Family History Coordination Meetings
Brief, informal ward temple and family history coordination meetings are held regularly. If a ward temple and family history leader is called, he conducts these meetings. Otherwise, the member of the elders quorum presidency who fills this role conducts.
The purpose of these meetings is to:
- Coordinate efforts to implement the ward temple and family history plan (see General Handbook, 25.2.6).
- Plan how to help specific ward members with their temple and family history work as requested.
- These meetings may be held in person or remotely. Coordination can also occur through phone calls, video calls, texts, and emails.