Nov 3-9, Come Follow Me, youth lesson, YM &YW

Doctrine and Covenants 128:5–25

The salvation of my ancestors is essential to my salvation.

It’s clear from what God revealed through Joseph Smith why our ancestors who weren’t baptized in this life need us: we are baptized on their behalf so they can choose to accept or reject this ordinance. But the Prophet also taught that our ancestors’ salvation is “necessary and essential to our salvation.” As you read Doctrine and Covenants 128:15–18, think about why that is.

Verse 5 teaches that the ordinance of baptism for the dead was “prepared before the foundation of the world.” What does this truth teach you about God and His plan? What does Elder Dale G. Renlund’s message “Family History and Temple Work: Sealing and Healing” add to your understanding? (Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 46–49).

Joseph Smith used phrases like “binding power,” “welding link,” and “perfect union” when teaching about priesthood ordinances and baptism for the dead. Look for these and similar phrases as you read Doctrine and Covenants 128:5–25. Can you think of objects you could use to illustrate these phrases, such as a chain or rope? Why are these good phrases to describe this doctrine?

Considering the following questions may also help your study of these verses:

• In your opinion, why could baptism for the dead be considered the “most glorious of all subjects belonging to the everlasting gospel”? (verse 17). What experiences have helped you feel this way?

• In what sense might the earth be cursed if there is no “welding link … between the fathers and the children”? (verse 18).

• What impresses you about Joseph Smith’s words in verses 19–25? How do these verses affect the way you feel about Jesus Christ? about temple service for your ancestors? (see also “Come, Rejoice,” Hymns, no. 9).

Here is an idea for an object lesson:

Hold up a single piece of yarn.

“When we try to live the gospel alone, we’re like one string — easy to break.”

• Twist several strings together.

  “But when we are sealed together — parents, children, and ancestors — we become like this strong yarn (can't be broken). We are bound through Christ’s power.”

This is a beautiful video; everyone loves Elder Holland. I created a sheet for the youth to take notes. It is a free print.

Print Here

After studying these verses, you may feel inspired to do something for your ancestors. The ideas on FamilySearch.org could help.

The “Inspirational Videos” in the “Temple and Family History” collection of the Gospel Library can give you practical help, inspirational stories, and messages from leaders about family history.

Here is another free Print:

Print Here

The rest of the lesson help is available in my store.

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I love this lesson. I learned a lot about how healing it can be to do work for our ancestors. I wanted to use art to convey how beautiful this lesson is. I also wanted to create a chain link heart. So I decided to create a picture match-up puzzle.

Here is a sample of my favorite pieces:

Cut out all the pieces; there are 18 completed links. 18 scriptures or quotes from Elder Renlund's conference talk. If you have a small class, you can hand out a couple of the scriptures at a time that you feel are the most important to be covered. Then summarize or briefly cover the pieces you don't want to go into much detail.

After you hand out the scriptures (especially), they will need some time to look them up and answer their question. Be available to help them, and know the material. They will answer their questions later, when it is their turn to assemble the puzzle. Just give them 5 min to prep, so you don't get the "I don't know" response.

Then put this first puzzle piece on the board:

Here is the matching piece:

The next piece is a picture, but it's easy because it fits like a puzzle piece. Place all the other pieces of the pictures on the floor or table, so the youth can easily tell which picture goes next. Then they will determine whether their scripture matches that picture, and so on, until your puzzle is completed.

Here is a picture of the completed puzzle. You can click this and zoom in as your students put it together to make sure it looks right.

Warning: the pieces are smaller than I would like, but it is a pretty big puzzle in the end.

Hopefully, this picture gives you an idea of the size.

This is already in the lesson bundle, but you can purchase it separately by clicking on the image below.