• Day 63
    • Principle: You have the opportunity to follow Christ's example to perform work for the dead.
    • Read: 2 Nephi 25:14 - 25:26
      •  Look in this section about the promise of salvation through Jesus Christ.
    • The work that takes place in Holy Temples is building on the example of Jesus Christ.  Read the following statements and look for why temples are on the earth today.
      • John A. Widtsoe taught: “In our preexistent state, in the day of the great council, we made a certain agreement with the Almighty. The Lord proposed a plan, conceived by him. We accepted it. Since the plan is intended for all men, we become parties to the salvation of every person under that plan. We agreed, right then and there, to be not only saviors for ourselves, but … saviors for the whole human family. We went into a partnership with the Lord. The working out of the plan became then not merely the Father’s work, and the Savior’s work, but also our work. The least of us, the humblest, is in partnership with the Almighty in achieving the purpose of the eternal plan of salvation (“The Worth of Souls,” Utah Genealogical and Historical Magazine, Oct. 1934, 189)” (in Doctrine and Covenants and Church History: Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual[1999], 173).
      • Richard G. Scott said: 

        “Any work you do in the temple is time well spent, but receiving ordinances vicariously for one of your own ancestors will make the time in the temple more sacred, and even greater blessings will be received. …

        “Do you young people want a sure way to eliminate the influence of the adversary in your life? Immerse yourself in searching for your ancestors, prepare their names for the sacred vicarious ordinances available in the temple, and then go to the temple to stand as proxy for them to receive the ordinances of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. … I can think of no greater protection from the influence of the adversary in your life” (“The Joy of Redeeming the Dead,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 93–94).

      • David A. Bednar promised: 

        “I invite the young people of the Church to learn about and experience the Spirit of Elijah. I encourage you to study, to search out your ancestors, and to prepare yourselves to perform proxy baptisms in the house of the Lord for your kindred dead (see D&C 124:28–36). And I urge you to help other people identify their family histories.

        “As you respond in faith to this invitation, your hearts shall turn to the fathers. The promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will be implanted in your hearts. Your patriarchal blessing, with its declaration of lineage, will link you to these fathers and be more meaningful to you. Your love and gratitude for your ancestors will increase. Your testimony of and conversion to the Savior will become deep and abiding. And I promise you will be protected against the intensifying influence of the adversary. As you participate in and love this holy work, you will be safeguarded in your youth and throughout your lives” (“The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn,” Ensign or Liahona,Nov. 2011, 26–27).

      • Gordon B. Hinckley shared: “That which goes on in the House of the Lord, … comes nearer to the spirit of the sacrifice of the Lord than any other activity of which I know. Why? Because it is done by those who give freely of time and substance, without any expectation of thanks or reward, to do for others that which they cannot do for themselves” (“A Century of Family History Service,” Ensign, Mar. 1995, 62–63; see also Obadiah 1:21).
    • When have you seen one or more of the blessings promised of temple work?
    • Think of a time in the temple, why did you go?  What feelings did you have while in the temple?
    • What does the phrase "That which goes on in the hOuse of the Lord, . . . comes nearer to the spirit of the sacrifice of the Lord than any other activity of which I know." mean to you?
    • Additional Study