One Way This Pioneer Day to Draw closer to the Lord and our Ancestors

With Pioneer Day here soon, we can joyfully reflect upon the foundations of this Church here in the Latter-Days, as well as discover something we can do to honor all faithful pioneers, and their relatives.

Pioneers, both ancient and modern day, come from all walks of life, and from all nations. Both then and now they made sacrifices so we could have the peace we do have.  

And each of us can do something to help them and our shared relatives.  

First, we can discover their stories. Part of us comes from them.  We may notice traits we have that our ancestors had as well. We may discover we are not alone in the world as well.

As we find out more about them, we can feel the spirit confirm that God ordained Families as a part of his plan, and we can draw closer to him and to them.

You may find out things they did that can help you today. And there is something you can do for them as well.

Some of them had other relatives who didn't have their ordinance work done. And it's easier than ever to do, because even if you think your family's work is all done, it really hasn't. Things have changed, as you will see in the video below.  

Feeling the joy of family history, even just for 10 minutes a month, and then doing your relatives' temple work is something that can bind you closer to them, and closer to the Lord. And it can heal your soul.

We have promises from Apostles that show the healing that can come as we engage in Family History.  And in addition to the video at the bottom of this post, I've also shared a post that shows you that your Family History isn't anywhere near done, and the church has some wonderful tools to get started, either on the Family Tree Mobile App or the Family Search Website.  

But how do you get started, or continue if you have run into roadblocks?

The video below can show you how to get started, however first, I wanted to share my testimony of this great work.

Some of the greatest healing moments in my life have come when I was finding my relative's names, and have done their ordinance work in the temple.

Some of the most sore trials I've ever been through were made a bit easier when I engaged in Family History and Temple Work.

I know there is healing as we do this. And in the life to come, those we have done work for will embrace us and we will weep tears of joy together.

They can't do it on their own. That's part of our purpose here.  Even if it is just 10 minutes a month or every 3 months, it will be worth it both now and in the eternities.  

So this Pioneer Day, to thank those who did so much for us, we can turn around and do something to bind our common relatives to us and the Savior.  Here's the get started video

The Link to Family Search Hints referenced in the video is at https://www.familysearch.org/campaign/hints

One last note: If you can't see any record hints after logging into Family Search when you use the above link, it may be because you haven't put your parents, grandparents, and great grandparents into the tree.  

If that is the case, reach out to your family!  Get their birthdates and family stories, and start putting them into Family Search until you get back to your most recent ancestor who has passed away.  If Family search then connects to the global family tree, and you can see more ancestors, come back to this post in a week or so, when Family Search has been able to match records up, and follow the instructions on the video.  

If it doesn't connect to ancestors already in your tree, I would contact one of the Family History Consultants in your ward or branch, or reach out to a genealogist in your family and have them assist you.  It's well worth the phone call, and will change your life.

For those who need help, You can also find a great post about resolving duplicates here.

Picture of the Washington DC Temple is courtesy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Media Library

You are not alone in this world

Discovering where we came from can help us discover who we are. We may have many similarities to our ancestors, and we are linked together in more ways than one.  

Here's a very short video about learning how we are linked together, and how we are similar. It can give us a deep love for our ancestors and ourselves.

As we will discover this, we will find healing, help, and strength in our lives. And we will feel of the Love of the Lord. He lives, he loves us, and is the perfect parent. That I know.

Discover from Family more about your ancestors, or you can find them on Family Search or the Family Tree Mobile App.

Then, if you wish to get started with Family History, there's a post with a quick-start video.

Still picture from the video, available in the Media Library of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Promised Blessings Part 2 (Video)

In previous posts, I've shared a short 3 minute video awhile ago by the church about the Promised Blessings of Temple and Family History Work. It's one of the most amazing videos ever.

This last year, the church made a Part 2 of that video, and made it available for Rootstech. Without further ado, here's the video.  

It's easier than ever to start or continue with Family History. There is a short get started video posted below that can show you a secret to finding your ancestors, even if you have never done it before, or if you have run into some roadblocks.

The Link to Family Search Hints referenced in the video is at https://www.familysearch.org/campaign/hints

One last note: If you can't see any record hints after logging into Family Search when you use the above link, it may be because you haven't put your parents, grandparents, and great grandparents into the tree.  

If that is the case, reach out to your family!  Get their birthdates and family stories, and start putting them into Family Search until you get back to your most recent ancestor who has passed away.  If Family search then connects to the global family tree, and you can see more ancestors, come back to this post in a week or so, when Family Search has been able to match records up, and follow the instructions on the video.  

If it doesn't connect to ancestors already in your tree, I would contact one of the Family History Consultants in your ward or branch, or reach out to a genealogist in your family and have them assist you.  It's well worth the phone call, and will change your life.

For those who need help, You can also find a great post about resolving duplicates here.

Picture is the Cedar City Utah Temple, courtesy of the Media Library of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Nativity at the Temple: A Sacred Activity this Christmas

As I have gone to the grounds of a couple of temples locally, I have noticed that even though they are closed to proxy ordinances this Christmas Season (many carefully opening up next year, according to the church), they do have Life-size Nativities on the grounds of the temples I saw.

One sacred activity this year might be to go to your local temple, sit on the grounds and feel of the spirit of that place. And chances are there is a nativity there that could make the visit more meaningful.

A Sacred Experience

A nativity is wonderful, and a nativity setup on hallowed ground can turn a great Christmas activity into a sacred experience as you go, especially as you take some time to ponder and silently pray when you are there.  

I recommend you take some time before Christmas, perhaps on a weekend, and go to the temple grounds if local regulations permit. Even though it's outside, please maintain social distancing and make sure and observe any local mask mandates.

And then enjoy the spirit of the temple that we all have missed these last 9 months. And take some time to reflect upon the significance of the Birth of the Savior.

If you have children, it's a perfect time to teach them more about the Savior, as well as teach them more about the temple. You might let them know the spirit they feel on the temple grounds comes from the Savior whose birth we celebrate. You might let them know that spirit is one of the reasons you love the temple.  

This Christmas is a time for Hope: I look forward with hope for the future. This pandemic will not last forever, and in a future day, we will be able to enter the temples again. But until then, the grounds are dedicated to the Lord, too. And we can have our cups filled, our testimonies strengthened, and can experience Christmas in a different way as we will go up to the Mountain of the Lord.  

God lives. He loves each of us. He will ever be our hope, our light, our salvation, our Redeemer, our King, and our best friend. And he is the reason for the season.

Find out how you can #LightTheWorld this Christmas Season at the Church Website. Serve others and spread the light of Christ this Season.

Picture Still from Celebrating the Light of the World: A Christmas on Temple Square Performance, program available at the Church Media Library, and on Youtube

Watch President Nelson's Brief Message of Hope this Friday

Normally I post about Family History, however this post is to share an invitation to listen to our Prophet this week.

This Friday at 11 am MST, the Prophet will give a ten minute message of hope and healing to the world. It will be posted to Church media channels and apps afterwards.

As we together face this tumultuous year, and now as we go into uncertain times, we need the Savior of the World. And we need the words of our prophet as we begin this Holiday Season.

I know God Lives. Jesus Christ is our Savior. He is the one who will heal our hearts, calm our troubled minds, and comfort our weary souls. He stands at the head of this church. He is real, and I love him with all my heart. And I know he loves all of his children. He is there. And his words will again be spoken this Friday.

I hope and pray that all of us may watch this, either live or later on. You can find out more about this, and how to watch on the Church News Announcement Page.  

Here's the 30 second video of the Invitation.

Pray about your direction in life
One last bit. I encourage you today to just take some time to login to Family Search, or the Family Tree Mobile App, and search through some of the stories of your ancestors.  And prayerfully decide about engaging in Family History. It's another way to heal your heart and soul, and can bring the peace of the Savior into your life. And it can save the lives of others.

How to keep You and your Family Rooted to Christ's Gospel-a short video

Family History is for children as well as families. Take a couple of minutes, and watch this story of a boy who started Family History as a child, and how it changed his whole family for the better. And it is also important for individuals.

I know some of the most powerful spiritual experiences our children, or anyone can have is when they are somehow engaged in Family History.  It touches their sensitive natures and binds them to Christ. And it touches our hearts as well.

10 Minutes
First, you have to learn how yourself, and there is a great video quickstart guide on a previous post that you can use to get started in as little as 10 minutes.

Even if you only try it once a month, it will change your life, and the lives of your family, and especially your children.  It can set you as a family firmly on the gospel path for your entire lives.  And individually you can feel the Love of the Lord.

Remember you don't have to be a genealogist. You don't have to do it all the time.  And you as a family or individually can prayerfully decide how much you do.  Here's the video:

Begin your story at Discover your story on the Family Tree Mobile App, or on the Family Search Website. Quick Start Guide is on this blogpost.

Picture is of the Sapporo, Japan Temple, courtesy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Family Search's Fresh new look for Resolving Duplicates (with Video)

If you have ever gone to reserve names for the temple, but couldn't, and instead got the message "possible duplicates exist," this post is for you. It can also get you one step closer to finding more of your ancestors in a more accurate way.

Resolving and merging duplicates can be fraught with anxiety, however merging duplicates, when done right, can actually help the global family tree, and make sure fragmented families are connected.

Now Family Search updated a bit ago, and it has a new, fresh look, and merging is a bit different, so I wanted to share this video that walks you through the changes.  

One note. If you make a mistake and merge people that are actually different people, you can reverse that, so it's not something to be afraid of.  That being said, it's still important to make sure dates and data match up so you don't merge people who are actually separate people (birth dates can be off by a year because census records can sometimes be off by a year).   

This can be done on the Family Search website or the Family Tree Mobile App, however I prefer the website.  However, feel free to use whichever you prefer, as the layouts are similar.

As President Nelson said, this is the work of Almighty God, and will help prepare the world for the second coming of our Savior. It is one way of many that we can Let God Prevail in our lives.  Here's the Video
 

If you have never done Family History on Family Search, I've done a 10 Minute Quick Start Guide on another post. 

Begin your story at Discover your story on the Family Tree Mobile App, or on the Family Search Website.

Picture of the Logan Utah Temple in Wintertime is courtesy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

My Heavenly Experience on the Temple Grounds - an invitation for all

I had the most wonderful experience today. Though temples are still closed to proxy ordinances (thought that may be changing soon), I decided to drive to a temple that is close by, and just sit there on the grounds.

A Beacon of Light

The grounds were beautiful, the temple was elegant, and shone like a beacon of light. And it wasn't just the building that shone, it was the spirit.  I felt the spirit in a way I haven't since temples closed for proxy ordinances.

Love from our Heavenly Home here on Earth

I felt the Love of the Lord, and I felt a peace that cannot be obtained anywhere else on earth. I felt like I was in my heavenly home for the first time since the start of the pandemic.  

I have so missed the temple. but even if we can't go inside, we can still feel of the spirit of the temple as we will go there, and sit on the temple grounds.  It is still a place of prayer, and a place dedicated to the Lord.  And angels attend as we go there, even if we can't go inside.

An invitation to go to the temple

So, I recommend the following as an individual or a family activity with your children, parents, or friends.  Perhaps today, or in the next week or couple of weeks just go to your local temple, and just spend some time on the grounds.  Perhaps you go on a Saturday or a weekday.  You may wish to call your local temple first before you go and ask when their grounds are open.  And you will want to follow safe social distancing guidelines. 

How the House of the Lord can fill us with God's love

My heart is full. I still feel the peace of the temple filling my day with the light of Christ, and the comfort of his love.  And I want to share that, and I know the Lord wants to share that love with his children.

God Lives. This work still goes on. And we can still feel of the peace of the temple as we wait for them to open to proxy ordinances.  With all my heart, I encourage you to do that, if you are able to.

Find your local temple on the Member tools App for Apple or Android, or on the church website.  Discover your story on the Family Tree Mobile App, or on the Family Search Website.   

Picture Courtesy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Media Library

Until Temples Open, or if you can't go to one right now, Discover an easy way to engage in Family History Work if you have never done it with this 10 minute quick start guide with video. 

General Conference Prep: Your Family Stories about General Conference

With General Conference Approaching, I wanted to suggest something that can help you to draw closer to our Heavenly Father, closer to Christ, and draw closer to your Family as well. You can get your children involved in any of these, and can create age-appropriate activities that will involve them.

Your Family Members experiences with Conference

Take some time today, this week, or maybe between sessions of Conference to ask some older members of your family about their Favorite General Conference experience or talk. It can strengthen your testimony, and help make Conference more meaningful. 

Your Ancestor's Experiences

You can also go onto the Family Tree Mobile App or the Family Search website, and search through family stories of your ancestors that may have been uploaded by some of your relatives.

You may find out that you are not alone, and that your ancestors may have faced many of the challenges you are facing. 

Watch for Invitations to engage in Family History

Also, this Conference, listen for what our Leaders say about Family History and Temple work, including indexing, and pray to know if it is something the Lord would have you participate in in. 

One final suggestion. Watch or read the talks from this last General Conference to prepare for this coming General Conference. To get started, here is a 2 minute clip from one of President Nelson's talks last Conference that was shared by our Bishop.

Discover your story on the Family Tree Mobile App, or on the Family Search Website. You can also find a 10 minute quick start guide and video on this blog.

Picture is the Mount Timpanogas Temple, courtesy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Just 10 minutes to engage in the Lord's Work and to discover who you are

This quick post can help the Windows of Heaven open for you in ways you may never have considered.  I've experienced sore trials for many years. And for me healing has come in a way I didn't anticipate.  For Many Years I was too intimidated to Start Family History Work, and I thought my Family History work was done. 

But I was wrong on both counts. When I found how easy it was with the church's tools, I was amazed.  And I discovered I didn't need to do it all the time. Once a month or once a year, I realized I was needed.

And the blessings of heaven began to pour down upon me. And that's why this post with a get started video.  So you can experience the same thing.

First, though, this work is a supernal work. It will help prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Savior. Additionally, you will also discover who you are as a child of our Father in Heaven. And you will feel of his love.  But how do you get started?

I've put together a short how to video showing you how to get started in Family History on Family Search in just 10 minutes.  It shows how easy it is to find your ancestors.
 
Family Search has hints to get started or continue
It starts with how to find record hints, and below the video I'll include the link to where you can view these same hints that Family Search has created just for you to get started, or to continue on in this work of Salvation.

Testimony of this Work and how it will help us feel heaven near
I know that as we will follow President Nelson's invitation from Last Conference to engage in Family History work before the temples open, that when the temples do open, we will feel of the gratitude of our Father in Heaven, and of our ancestors as well. And our cup of joy will be filled to overflowing. 

And you will discover that your life really does matter in a whole new way.  You will feel of the gratitude of our Heavenly Father, and Savior Jesus Christ. You will find a sense of purpose, and will experience all the blessings promised by Apostles and Prophets.

And you don't have to wait until temples open. Blessings will come as you are just getting started in this work.

And one day after you have left this life, you will meet these ancestors, and you will embrace them, and weep tears of joy with them because you have done for them what they couldn't do for themselves. Here's the get started guide..

God Lives. Christ is our Savior; this is his work and his church. We are a part of it.  And his work is the greatest thing we can engage in.

The Link to Family Search Hints referenced in the video is at https://www.familysearch.org/campaign/hints

One last note: If you can't see any record hints after logging into Family Search when you use the above link, it may be because you haven't put your parents, grandparents, and great grandparents into the tree.  

If that is the case, reach out to your family!  Get their birthdates and family stories, and start putting them into Family Search until you get back to your most recent ancestor who has passed away.  If Family search then connects to the global family tree, and you can see more ancestors, come back to this post in a week or so, when Family Search has been able to match records up, and follow this.  

If it doesn't connect to ancestors already in your tree, I would contact one of the Family History Consultants in your ward or branch, or reach out to a genealogist in your family and have them assist you.  It's well worth the phone call, and will change your life.

Picture is of the Provo Temple in Autumn, courtesy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Media Library