Sunday School: Temple and Family History Work - Performing the Ordinances for Your Kindred Dead

by Tristi Pinkston | More from this Blogger

19 Dec 2007 12:58 AM

You've done the research, you've obtained the information and submitted it to the temple using the TempleReady software, and now it's time to see that the temple work is complete. This is the final step in your long journey, the moment when all your hard work bears fruit. Doesn't it feel marvelous to come this far?

If you have decided to do the temple work yourself rather than having the temple provide the proxies, you are in for a special treat as you feel the satisfaction and joy that come from serving in the house of the Lord for your kindred dead. You should prepare yourself for your visit by reading your scriptures, praying, and making sure that you are worthy in every way to hold the recommend that has been given you. Be warned, too, that things may crop up to keep you from going to the temple. Power through them - this work is important.

You can have one of your children do the baptism, if you like, as long as that child is at least twelve years of age and has a limited use recommend, obtained through your bishop. The other ordinances must be performed by an older person who holds a regular temple recommend.

If you are performing baptisms or sealings, you will want to contact the temple and arrange a good time. The endowments don't need an appointment - you can perform those any time the temple is open.

You may worry that your kindred dead might not want their work done for them. When you take their names to the temple, you are giving them an opportunity to accept or reject. If they don't desire their work to be in effect, so be it, but you've done everything you can to see to it that the option is there for them.

Congratulations - you have just completed a very important part of the Lord's plan, redeeming the dead. I'm sure you've found that you have grown a lot during the process as well - we not only bless our dead when we do research and ordinance work in their behalf, but we bless ourselves as well.

This is the last blog in the Temple and Family History Work series. I hope you take the opportunity to attend the class, if it's offered in your ward or stake. It will truly bless your life.

Related Blogs:

Obtaining the Records

Too Distracted to Go to the Temple

Temple Ordinances for the Dead

Learn more about Tristi Pinkston

I've been a blogger for Families.com since August of 2006.

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