My challenge for you is to prepare as many names for the temple as you perform baptisms in the temple.
Earlier this year, Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, addressed over 4,000 youth at the RootsTech conference in Salt Lake City. Deseret News reports that Elder Andersen spoke to the youth about the importance of combining temple work with family history. He told the youth the following: “My challenge for you is to prepare as many names for the temple as you perform baptisms in the temple.”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints created a website, templechallenge.churchofjesuschrist.org, to help youth from around the world accept and complete Elder Andersen’s challenge. The site explains what the challenge is and guides visitors through the four-steps to completing the challenge. The four steps are as follows:
1. Accept the Challenge
Those who wish to participate in the challenge can navigate to the website and click the “I accept” button.
2. Find a Name
Participants are urged to navigate to the FamilySearch site and do four things: (1) watch the video, (2) find a name, (3) reserve the ordinances, and (4) print a family ordinance request.
3. Go to the Temple
The next step is for participants to take their Family Ordinance Request forms to the temple, complete the baptism ordinances for deceased relatives, and enjoy the beautiful and peaceful spirit that is felt there.
4. Share with Others
After the temple ordinances are completed, participants are encouraged to share their experiences and encourage others to also accept the challenge. When shared via social media, participants are encouraged to tag the posts with #templechallenge.
Elder David A. Bednar and Elder Richard G. Scott have both stated that people will be blessed for taking time to search for family names and to prepare those names for temple ordinances. In a 2012 Ensign article, Elder Scott said:
I can think of no greater protection from the influence of the adversary in your life.
The temple challenge website lists the following additional blessings promised by Elder Bednar and Elder Scott for those who participate in family history work.
- Your conversion to the Savior will become deeper.
- You will receive light and knowledge through the Holy Ghost.
- Your testimony will be strengthened.
- Your patriarchal blessing will become more meaningful.
- Your love and gratitude for your ancestors will grow.
- You will have greater opportunities to serve.
- Your service in the temple will become more sacred
Read more information about the challenge at templechallenge.churchofjesuschrist.org, and start your family history work today! Don’t forget to share with us your #templechallenge experiences!
