Rock's Portfolio

Lesson #3

The Family

Read through the commentary and the accompanying scriptures, then answer the questions in the assessment. When you have completed this lesson click on the next lesson located just below.

The Family

Commentary

"When President Faust talked to the young men in the priesthood session last October, he called on them to lead out and become a part of temple and family history work. He said: “I encourage you … to begin to unlock the knowledge of who you really are by learning more about your forebears. … You can easily access a vast collection of family history records using the Internet on your home computer or at your nearest family history center. … Temple work is essential … because ‘we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect.’ ” [“The Phenomenon That Is You,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2003, 53–54; see also D&C 128:18.]

The youth have been prepared “for such a time as this.” [Esth. 4:14.] They are intelligent and bright. They are proficient on computers and the Internet. They are a great untapped resource for good in the world! They have been reserved for these latter days, and they have a great work to do. And not only do they have a great work to do there, but the temple will also be a refuge for them that will protect them from worldly pressures and influences.

As I contemplate President Faust’s words, I can visualize an army of righteous youth prepared and worthy to attend the temple. I can see families sealed together for eternity. I can see youth who understand what it means to be “saviours … on mount Zion.” [Obad. 1:21.] I can see youth whose hearts are turned to their fathers. [D&C 2:1–3.] And I can envision youth growing up in such a way that they will come forth from the temples filled with strength to resist worldly pressures. [D&C 109:22.] I can see a generation of youth who will “stand … in holy places, and be not moved.” [D&C 87:8.] (Elaine S. Dalton, “We Did This for You,” Ensign, Nov. 2004, 89).

Scripture

Esther 4:13-17

13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews.

14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

15 ¶ Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,

16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

17 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.

Questions

1 - What gave Esther strength to go unto the King?

2 - In what ways do you think the youth have been prepared "for such a time as this" to come to certain families?

3 - What does the phrase "if I perish, I perish" mean to you?

4 - How will the youth gain strength to resist temptations today so as to be a stronger force in the family? (check all that apply)