Home and Ward Activities

Start with booklet, My Family: Stories that Bring Us Together

Primary Children:

1. Family History Coloring Book Family History Coloring Pages

1. Duration: 30-60 minutes
2. Location: Home activity
3. Reference: FamilySearch Kids Activities

2. Family History Scavenger Hunt: Develop a scavenger hunt where children search for clues related to their ancestors. Clues can include photos, names, or dates found on family tree documents.

2. Duration: 1-2 hours
3. Location: Home activity
4. Reference: FamilySearch Scavenger Hunt Ideas

3. Ancestor Puppet Show: Have children create puppets of their ancestors and put on a puppet show acting out family stories or events.

3. Duration: 1-2 hours
4. Location: Home activity
5. Reference: Family History Puppet Show

4. Family Tree Craft: Provide materials for children to create a family tree craft, including photos or drawings of ancestors.

4. Duration: 1-2 hours
5. Location: Home activity
6. Reference: Family Tree Craft Ideas

5. Storytime with Ancestors: Have children listen to stories about their ancestors and then draw pictures or write short stories based on what they learned.

5. Duration: 30-60 minutes
6. Location: Home activity
7. Reference: FamilySearch Storytime

Young Men and Young Women:

1. Youth Temple Trip: Organize a temple trip where youth can perform ordinances for their ancestors. This can be followed by a group discussion about the importance of temple work.

1. Duration: Half-day
2. Location: Temple visit
3. Reference: Church leaders’ talks on temple work

2. Youth Family History Camp: Plan a weekend camp focused on family history research and temple work. Activities can include workshops, games, and temple visits.

2. Duration: Weekend
3. Location: Campsite or retreat center
4. Reference: Family History Camp Ideas

3. Youth Indexing Night: Host a group indexing event where youth can help digitize historical records. Provide training and snacks to make it engaging.

3. Duration: 2-3 hours
4. Location: Church or home
5. Reference: FamilySearch Indexing

4. Youth Ancestor Photo Challenge: Challenge youth to find and bring photos of their ancestors to a group activity. Display the photos and share stories about each ancestor.

4. Duration: 1-2 hours
5. Location: Church or home
6. Reference: Family History Photo Challenge

5. Youth Genealogy Game Night: Organize a game night with genealogy-themed games like “Guess the Ancestor” or “Family History Trivia.”

5. Duration: 1-2 hours
6. Location: Church or home
7. Reference: Family History Games

Relief Society Members:

1. Relief Society Family History Retreat: Plan a retreat focused on family history research, temple work, and spiritual renewal. Invite guest speakers and provide workshops and resources.

1. Duration: Weekend
2. Location: Retreat center or Church facility
3. Reference: Family History Retreat Ideas

2. Relief Society Family History Book Club: Start a book club where members read and discuss books related to family history, genealogy, or inspiring ancestor stories.

2. Duration: Monthly meetings
3. Location: Church or home
4. Reference: Family History Book Club Ideas

3. Relief Society Indexing Challenge: Organize a friendly indexing competition among Relief Society sisters to see who can index the most records within a set timeframe.

3. Duration: 1 month
4. Location: Church or home
5. Reference: FamilySearch Indexing Challenge

4. Relief Society Ancestor Story Swap: Host a gathering where members share stories about their ancestors. Encourage personal experiences and connections to strengthen testimonies.

4. Duration: 1-2 hours
5. Location: Church or home
6. Reference: Family History Story Swap

5. Relief Society Temple Day: Coordinate a day for Relief Society sisters to attend the temple together and perform ordinances for their ancestors. Provide time for reflection and testimony sharing afterward.

5. Duration: Half-day
6. Location: Temple visit
7. Reference: Church leaders’ talks on temple work

Young Single Adults (YSA):

1. YSA Family History Conference: Host a conference specifically tailored to YSA members, featuring workshops, guest speakers, and interactive activities related to family history and temple work.

1. Duration: Full-day event
2. Location: Church or conference center
3. Reference: YSA Family History Conference Guide

2. YSA Ancestor Discovery Trip: Plan a group outing to a local historical site or cemetery where YSA members can learn about local history and possibly discover ancestors’ graves.

2. Duration: Half-day
3. Location: Local historical site or cemetery
4. Reference: Local historical society or genealogical society

3. YSA Virtual Genealogy Night: Host a virtual genealogy night where YSA members can connect online, share research tips, and collaborate on family history projects.

3. Duration: 1-2 hours
4. Location: Virtual meeting platform
5. Reference: FamilySearch Community Groups

4. YSA Family History Retreat: Organize a weekend retreat focused on family history research, temple attendance, and fellowship. Include workshops, discussions, and recreational activities.

4. Duration: Weekend
5. Location: Retreat center or Church facility
6. Reference: YSA Family History Retreat Guide

5. YSA Temple Night: Schedule

Elders Quorum:

1. Elders Quorum Family History Challenge: Organize a friendly competition within the Elders Quorum to see who can find and document the most ancestors within a set timeframe. Provide prizes for participation and progress.

1. Duration: 1 month
2. Location: Church or home
3. Reference: Church leaders’ talks on family history

2. Elders Quorum Temple Night: Coordinate a temple trip specifically for members of the Elders Quorum to perform ordinances for their ancestors. Encourage bonding and fellowship before and after temple service.

2. Duration: Evening
3. Location: Temple visit
4. Reference: Church leaders’ talks on temple work

3. Elders Quorum Genealogy Workshop: Host a genealogy workshop where members can receive personalized assistance with their family history research. Provide access to online resources and offer one-on-one guidance.

3. Duration: 2-3 hours
4. Location: Church or home
5. Reference: FamilySearch Learning Center

4. Elders Quorum Ancestor Discovery Hike: Plan a group hike to a local historical site or cemetery where members can learn about local history and possibly find ancestors’ graves. Foster camaraderie and shared experiences.

4. Duration: Half-day
5. Location: Local historical site or cemetery
6. Reference: Local historical society or genealogical society

5. Elders Quorum Family History Fireside: Arrange a fireside event where members can hear inspiring stories of family history discoveries and share their own experiences. Invite guest speakers or use multimedia presentations.

5. Duration: 1-2 hours
6. Location: Church or home
7. Reference: Church leaders’ talks on family history

Ward with Predominantly Military Members:

Ward Activities:

1. Military Family History Night: Host a family history night specifically geared towards military members, featuring stories of military ancestors and resources for researching military records.

1. Duration: 2-3 hours
2. Location: Church or home
3. Reference: Fold3 Military Records

2. Military Family History Service Project: Organize a service project where ward members research and document the military service of local veterans buried in a nearby cemetery. Clean and decorate graves as needed.

2. Duration: Half-day
3. Location: Local cemetery
4. Reference: Local historical society or veterans’ organizations

Temple Recommend Activities

Primary Children:

1. Temple Recommend Coloring Pages: Provide coloring pages depicting temple scenes, including recommend interviews, baptisms, and sealings. Use these pages to teach children about the temple recommend process.

1. Duration: 30-60 minutes
2. Location: Home or church
3. Reference: LDS Coloring Pages

2. Temple Ordinance Role-Play: Organize a simple role-play activity where children act out receiving a temple recommend, participating in baptisms for the dead, and being sealed as a family.

2. Duration: 1 hour
3. Location: Church or home
4. Reference: Church leaders’ talks on temple ordinances

3. Temple Recommend Craft: Create temple recommend cards using craft materials like paper, markers, and stickers. Discuss the importance of having a recommend and attending the temple.

3. Duration: 1-2 hours
4. Location: Home or church
5. Reference: Temple Recommend Craft Ideas

4. Temple Bingo Game: Make a bingo game featuring symbols and aspects of temple worship, such as recommend interviews, baptismal fonts, and celestial rooms. Play as a family to reinforce temple concepts.

4. Duration: 1 hour
5. Location: Home
6. Reference: Temple Bingo Template

5. Temple Excursion: Take a virtual tour of a temple or visit a nearby temple grounds. Explain the significance of the temple and answer any questions children may have.

5. Duration: 1-2 hours
6. Location: Virtual or local temple
7. Reference: Virtual Temple Tours

Young Men and Young Women:

1. Temple Recommend Interviews Workshop: Arrange for youth to practice temple recommend interviews with leaders or experienced members. Provide guidance and feedback on responses.

1. Duration: 2 hours
2. Location: Church
3. Reference: Church leaders’ talks on temple worthiness

2. Temple Ordinance Simulation: Set up a mock baptistry and sealing room where youth can simulate performing baptisms and sealings. Emphasize reverence and respect for these sacred ordinances.

2. Duration: 2-3 hours
3. Location: Church or temple grounds
4. Reference: Church leaders’ talks on temple ordinances

3. Temple Recommend Scavenger Hunt: Organize a scavenger hunt with clues related to temple recommend questions and requirements. Include discussions about each question and its significance.

3. Duration: 1-2 hours
4. Location: Church or outdoor venue
5. Reference: Temple Recommend Questions

4. Temple Ordinance Video Night: Watch videos or documentaries about temple ordinances and temple service. Discuss the feelings and impressions youth have about temple worship.

4. Duration: 1-2 hours
5. Location: Church or home
6. Reference: LDS Temple Videos

5. Temple Recommend Goal Setting: Help youth set personal goals related to temple worthiness and attendance. Encourage regular temple trips and provide support to help them achieve their goals.

5. Duration: Ongoing
6. Location: Church or home
7. Reference: Church leaders’ talks on temple goals and preparation

Relief Society Members:

1. Temple Recommend Preparation Class: Offer a class for Relief Society sisters on the importance of temple recommends, how to prepare for temple interviews, and understanding temple covenants.

1. Duration: 1-2 hours per session
2. Location: Church or home
3. Reference: Church leaders’ talks on temple preparation

2. Temple Ordinance Study Group: Form a study group where sisters can learn about temple ordinances, symbolism, and the blessings associated with temple service through scriptures and talks.

2. Duration: Weekly or biweekly meetings
3. Location: Church or rotating homes
4. Reference: LDS Scriptures and talks on temple ordinances

3. Temple Recommend Renewal Celebration: Organize a celebration for sisters who have recently renewed or received temple recommends. Share testimonies and experiences related to temple attendance.

3. Duration: 1-2 hours
4. Location: Church or home
5. Reference: Church leaders’ talks on temple blessings

4. Temple Recommend Accountability Partners: Pair sisters with temple recommend accountability partners to support each other in temple attendance and worthiness. Schedule regular check-ins and encourage accountability.

4. Duration: Ongoing
5. Location: Church or home
6. Reference: Personal mentorship and support

5. Temple Service Project: Plan a service project focused on supporting temple attendance and temple preparation within the Relief Society. This could include organizing transportation, childcare, or meal assistance for sisters attending the temple.

5. Duration: Varies
6. Location: Church or community
7. Reference: Relief Society service guidelines and needs assessment

Young Single Adults (YSA):

1. Temple Recommend Workshop: Host a workshop for YSA members to review temple recommend questions, discuss worthiness, and address common concerns about temple attendance.

1. Duration: 1-2 hours
2. Location: Church or home
3. Reference: Church leaders’ talks on temple worthiness

2. Temple Ordinance Retreat: Plan a retreat focused on temple ordinances, including workshops, discussions, and temple attendance opportunities for YSA members.

2. Duration: Weekend
3. Location: Retreat center or temple grounds
4. Reference: Church leaders’ talks on temple service

3. Temple Recommend Accountability Group: Form small groups of YSA members who commit to supporting each other in maintaining temple worthiness and attending the temple regularly.

3. Duration: Ongoing
4. Location: Church or rotating homes
5. Reference: Personal commitment and support

4. Temple Ordinance Reflection Night: Host a reflective evening where YSA members share experiences, feelings, and insights gained from recent temple attendance or ordinance participation.

4. Duration: 1-2 hours
5. Location: Church or home
6. Reference: Personal testimonies and spiritual experiences

5. Temple Recommend Goal Setting Workshop: Facilitate a goal-setting workshop where YSA members can set specific, measurable goals related to temple worthiness and attendance, with accountability partners for support.

5. Duration: 1-2 hours
6. Location: Church or home
7. Reference: Church leaders’ talks on setting and achieving goals

Elders Quorum:

1. Temple Recommend Interview Preparation Meeting: Organize a meeting to discuss the temple recommend interview process, answer questions, and provide guidance