What is the purpose of Family History and Temple work?

President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, has taught: “True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior.” We are familiar with the doctrine of family history and temple work, but let’s review to improve our attitudes and behavior.

God is our loving Heavenly Father and He wants all of His children to receive His eternal blessings. Many of our ancestors died without the opportunity to receive and accept the gospel. If we think about all the blessings the restored gospel brings into our lives, we can’t help but have the desire to share it with others. 

President Henry B Eyring stated “Many of your deceased ancestors will have received a testimony that the message of the missionaries is true. When you received that testimony you could ask the missionaries for baptism. But those who are in the spirit world cannot. The ordinances you so cherish are offered only in this world. Someone in this world must go to a holy temple and accept the covenants on behalf of the person in the spirit world. That is why we are under obligation to find the names of our ancestors and ensure that they are offered by us what they cannot receive there without our help.”

We must not forget that family history research and temple work go hand in hand and should not be separated. President Howard W Hunter declared “I have learned that those who engage in family history research and then perform the temple ordinance work for those whose names they have found will know the additional joy of receiving both halves of the blessing.”

The words of the prophets and apostles are so powerful. To read more of their words and hear experiences of other visit the Family History section of lds.org.