Recently, I received the calling to serve as the Temple and Family History Leader in my ward. In the weeks leading up to this, I knew a calling was coming, but despite considering various possibilities, Family History was never on my radar.
Before meeting with the Bishop, my experience with Family History work was minimal. I had done just enough to gather names for temple ordinances and grasp the basics of finding them. Fortunately, my wife’s passion for this work had taught me the fundamentals. However, it wasn’t an area I had personally explored in depth.
Beyond temple work and providing names for proxy ordinances, I hadn’t grasped the personal relevance or potential blessings of Family History. Frankly, I had never truly considered how these activities could be “likened” to myself for my “profit and learning,” as Nephi taught (1 Nephi 19:23).
Upon receiving and being set apart for this calling, I recognized the vital need to deepen my understanding of Family History. I needed to learn how to research, and explore the resources available for the eternal benefit of both ourselves and our ancestors. That very day, as I delved deeper into the FamilySearch website and Ancestry, a scripture that had previously held little significance for me suddenly resonated with profound meaning: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse” (Malachi 4:5-6).
Through using Lds Family Search, I began to receive personal revelation on how to find sources and verify information. What once seemed like mere lists of names to facilitate ordinances transformed into a realization that these were real people. They had lived real lives, faced real challenges, and held immense worth in God’s eyes. Learning about their life stories inspired me to be a more dedicated disciple of Jesus Christ and to strive harder to be a peacemaker. After all, dwelling together in unity is pleasing to God (Psalm 133:1).
Seeing my connections to these individuals through LDS Family Search deepened my commitment to keeping covenants. I felt a stronger desire to help them receive the ordinances necessary for salvation and exaltation.
Learning to effectively use LDS Family Search and dedicating myself to this sacred work is a responsibility and a source of unique blessings for all of us. As we learn about the trials and triumphs of our kindred dead, we find comfort and develop a greater hope for a brighter future, an eternity with our families. It awakens within us a profound sense of our responsibility to them.
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we possess the knowledge of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ in its fulness. We have a duty to our ancestors to diligently identify them and ensure they receive temple ordinances. Moreover, we owe this to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, who have blessed us with both the technology of resources like LDS Family Search to accomplish this work, and the guidance of the Spirit to aid us.
Remember Helaman’s words to his sons: “When you remember [your ancestors] ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good” (Helaman 5:6).
I testify that engaging in family history, particularly through resources like LDS Family Search, is a privilege and a joy. I invite you to participate in this work as often as you can. You will be blessed as you do so.
