This year's annual Temple and Family History Leadership Instruction focused on the theme "Accessing God’s Power Through Temple Ordinances and Covenants."
This instruction is directed toward members of the ward council. All Church members, including those with temple and family history callings, may be personally edified by watching this instruction. Consider watching the instruction together as a ward council, and use the accompanying discussion guide as you counsel together.
You can watch the leadership instruction and download the accompanying discussion guide here:
Remembering the Prophet's Invitations
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles began the instruction by reminding us to follow President Russell M. Nelson’s April 2024 request to study Doctrine and Covenants 109, which contains the dedicatory prayer for the Kirtland Temple. Elder Andersen led a discussion with five other Church leaders about the importance of each of the priesthood keys restored in this dispensation. They also discussed President Russell M. Nelson’s talk from the April 2024 general conference, "Rejoice in the Gift of Priesthood Keys."
The significance of these keys being returned to the earth by three heavenly messengers under the direction of the Lord cannot be overstated.
Highlights from Leadership Instruction
The 2025 leadership instruction included a discussion between 6 General Officers of the Church. Here are some of their insights:
- President Susan H. Porter (Primary General President) shared that the five covenants we make in the temple remind her that sacrifice and obedience to God's commandments open our hearts to accessing God’s power.
- Elder Patrick Kearon (Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) taught us that to access God’s power, we have to act, we have to go to the temple, and we have to seek our ancestors. Then, the forces of heaven and earth can come together.
- Elder Kevin S. Hamilton (General Authority Seventy) encouraged us to be in the temple as often as our circumstances permit. Through our repeated experiences in the house of the Lord, increased knowledge and understanding will unfold.
- Sister Kristen M. Yee (Relief Society General Presidency) invited us to ponder how we can invite others to receive temple blessings. Temple blessings positively affect lives for generations. We can change the world with God's power.
- Elder Kevin R. Duncan (General Authority Seventy) reminded us that in the house of the Lord, the Spirit is the teacher.
The session also included two videos of Church members sharing their testimonies of how they access God’s power in His holy house and how discovering their ancestors and performing ordinances on their behalf helps these members to access God’s power.
The instruction concluded with each of the six speakers sharing their testimony of how family history work and temple worship together help us to access God’s power.
The temple is the gateway to the greatest blessings God has for each of us.
Have you had a chance to watch the leadership instruction individually or as a group with your family, presidency, committee, ward, or stake? We would love to hear your thoughts and impressions. Please share in the comments!
Past Leadership Instruction
At FamilySearch, we care about connecting you with your family, and we provide fun discovery experiences and family history services for free. Why? Because we cherish families and believe that connecting generations can improve our lives now and forever. We are a nonprofit organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To learn more about our beliefs, click here.
