Come Follow Me & Family History: 2 Samuel 11-12; 1 Kings 3; 6-9; 11

HEARTS OF GOLD

One of the more difficult parts of David's story is found in 2 Samuel 11–12. David, a man who loved the Lord and had been greatly blessed by Him, made serious mistakes. Through the prophet Nathan, David was called to repentance and forced to confront the consequences of his actions.

As I read these chapters, I couldn't help but think about family history.

Sometimes we imagine our ancestors as heroes of the faith—and often they are. We celebrate their courage, admire their sacrifices, and cherish the stories they left behind. Yet as we learn more about them, we may also discover mistakes, poor decisions, and painful chapters that are harder to understand.

Like David, our ancestors were real people. They experienced moments of great faith as well as moments of weakness. Their stories remind us that discipleship is not about perfection, but about continually turning our hearts toward the Lord.

The truth is that every family tree contains stories of both faith and frailty. Our ancestors were not perfect. Neither are we.

When I was fourteen years old, I learned that my aunt was my dad's half-sister rather than his full sister.

I didn't need anyone to explain what that meant. Even as a teenager, I understood enough to know that somewhere in my grandmother's story there had been heartache, mistakes, and difficult circumstances.

One of the lessons I take from David's story in 2 Samuel 11–12 is that while sin has consequences, it does not place us beyond the reach of God's love and mercy. The Lord continues to call His children to repentance, healing, and hope.

My grandma passed away two months before I met Aaron and a year before we were married. As I tied ribbon around our wedding invitations, I turned to my mum and said, “Grandma would have loved this.” She adored all things HGTV and anything related to making life beautiful. In that moment, grief hit all over again — the ache of knowing she wouldn’t be at my wedding sank deep.

On September 17, I sat in the celestial room of the temple, waiting quietly for Aaron. It was just me and a temple worker when suddenly the room filled with a spirit I instantly recognized a my grandma. She was there. I could feel her presence with every fiber of my being.

Both the temple worker and I were in tears when Aaron walked in and asked if I was crying because I was marrying him (insert eye roll here).

When I shared my experience with my family, my aunt wasn’t surprised to hear that her mother — my grandmother — had been there. With certainty, she said, “I knew she wouldn’t have missed it.”

As I have reflected on that experience over the years, I have often thought about the contrast between what we see and what the Lord sees.

As a teenager, I learned that my grandmother's story contained chapters that were complicated and painful. Like David, she was not perfect. Like all of us, she experienced both faith and frailty.

Yet on my wedding day, the Lord did not remind me of her mistakes. He reminded me of His love for her.

That experience taught me something important about family history. When we discover difficult stories in our family tree, it can be tempting to focus on the mistakes, the heartache, or the consequences. But the Lord sees something more. He sees His children. He sees their efforts, their growth, their repentance, and their potential.

Family history has taught me that our ancestors are not defined by the worst moments of their lives. They are sons and daughters of God with stories that are still being written through the Savior's redeeming power.

The same is true for us.

David's story is ultimately not a story about sin. It is a story about repentance, mercy, and a God who does not give up on His children. I am grateful that through Jesus Christ, our mistakes do not have to be the final chapter. Because of Him, there is always hope, healing, and a way back home.

ACTIVITY: HEARTS OF GOLD

David's story reminds us that even faithful people make mistakes. Family history teaches the same lesson. As we learn about our ancestors, we may discover both strengths and weaknesses, moments of faith and moments of frailty.

Yet the Lord sees something more. He sees the heart.

Choose an ancestor, grandparent, parent, or another family member you admire.

Inside the hearts, write or draw qualities that describe them:

• kind
• faithful
• brave
• hardworking
• patient
• generous
• loving
• forgiving

Then discuss:

• What is your favorite memory of this person?
• What did they teach you?
• How did they bless your family?
• What quality would you like to develop in your own life?

Remember that no one is perfect. But when we look for the good in others, we begin to see them a little more the way the Lord does.

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