He Shall Prepare a Way

We frequently quote 1 Nephi 3:7 to encourage each other in keeping the commandments of God, especially those which appear to be beyond our present capability.

I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

Every prophet in this last dispensation has reiterated the command given to Joseph Smith to identify our ancestors and provide saving ordinances and sealings for them, yet many members hesitate to begin. As Nephi said, "he shall prepare a way," and He has. The Church has prepared two booklets for members to help them understand their family history responsibilities.

A Member's Guide to Temple and Family History Work (no charge) contains a concise explanation of why the Church encourages temple and family history work. Pages 1-6 discuss ordinances for the living and the dead, the endowment, sealings, and temple attendance. Pages 7-17 lead members through the process of organizing and recording information found at home, determining which ancestors need ordinances, and making certain that the ordinances are performed.

This booklet is also where the minimum requirements are for submitting names to the temple can be found.

Ward consultants are responsible for guiding members through this process of organizing papers of genealogical significance found in their homes and the homes of their near relatives.

A Guide to Research (40 cents each). Family history research involves five basic steps. This booklet teaches members how to record and organize what they know about their families, select and search records, use a research log, and submit names for temple ordinances. Sample forms are also included.

Providing these booklets is one of the ways the Church has "prepared a way" for members to keep the commandment to complete ordinances for our ancestors. These booklets should be in every home and used to help guide members through the first steps of the research process. To those who have been involved in family history for some time, these booklets may seem too simple, but remember, milk first.

Much thought and prayer has gone into the preparation of these excellent teaching tools. They may be used effectively by either family history center staff or ward family history consultants.

Put them to work for your members.