How the Windows of Heaven were opened for Josh (with video)

Josh turned off the television and sat there for a moment. He felt no joy, and even television didn't help him.  In fact, it seemed to be making things worse.  For the last couple of months, he had felt like the usual things he did weren't bringing him joy.

Is this all there is to life?" was the question that was the center of his thinking.  There was an unsettling feeling in him that made him wonder if there was something more he should be doing.

He was praying, but reading scriptures had become perfunctory, almost a chore. Then he remembered Sunday.  He had been assigned the Family History class for Sunday school, and when the Bishop told him, he wondered why?  He knew almost nothing about Family History, except that he had setup an account on Family Search one time a year ago. 

But last Sunday was different. As he started hearing about the experiences others related about doing Family History, he felt the first bit of joy in a few weeks. He tried to remember the talk they had shared, something by Elder Renlund.  He felt like he should look it up.  He pulled out the gospel library mobile app and searched for Renlund Family History, and came up with a Conference talk. 

He started reading through it, just skimming like usual, and found himself being drawn to the stories told of people being drawn closer together through Family History work.

His heart still ached because his wife had died a few years before, and it had left a huge hole in his life, because they hadn't been able to have children yet.  And yet it was almost as if she was here, encouraging him to read this. 

Then he found something that riveted him to his seat. Elder Renlund said

"as we participate in family history and temple work today, we also lay claim to “healing” blessings promised by prophets and apostles. These blessings are also breathtakingly amazing because of their scope, specificity, and consequence in mortality. This long list includes these blessings:

1.  Increased understanding of the Savior and His atoning sacrifice;

2.  Increased influence of the Holy Ghost to feel strength and direction for our own lives;

3.  Increased faith, so that conversion to the Savior becomes deep and abiding;

4.  Increased ability and motivation to learn and repent because of an understanding of who we are, where we come from, and a clearer vision of where we are going;

5.  Increased refining, sanctifying, and moderating influences in our hearts;

6.  Increased joy through an increased ability to feel the love of the Lord;

7.  Increased family blessings, no matter our current, past, or future family situation or how imperfect our family tree may be;

8.  Increased love and appreciation for ancestors and living relatives, so we no longer feel alone;

9.  Increased power to discern that which needs healing and thus, with the Lord’s help, serve others;

10.  Increased protection from temptations and the intensifying influence of the adversary; and

11.  Increased assistance to mend troubled, broken, or anxious hearts and make the wounded whole.

If you have prayed for any of these blessings, participate in family history and temple work. As you do so, your prayers will be answered. When ordinances are performed on behalf of the deceased, God’s children on earth are healed. No wonder President Russell M. Nelson, in his first message as President of the Church, declared, “Your worship in the temple and your service there for your ancestors will bless you with increased personal revelation and peace and will fortify your commitment to stay on the covenant path.”

Josh read that and started weeping. The television had just been something to cover up the lingering sadness he always felt. And yet he felt a powerful comfort come over him both as he read, and after he read, and he knew it was the spirit. 

Before the feeling subsided, he went to the 10 Minute Quick Start guide given him by a member of his ward, and took a few minutes to watch it.  He wiped a few more tears away, and got started.  An hour later, he finally put things down, but his soul felt at peace for the first time in months. This was easier than he had thought, and the reward was so great.  

A Month later, as he was leaving the temple, having done the baptisms and confirmations for several of his ancestors, he realized that in his life, many of the promises in Elder Renlund's talk had come true.  He felt a healing power in his life.  He gradually felt more motivation and fulfillment.  Even more, he had felt a closeness to his departed wife in the temple, and even more, had felt the Savior near.  He had felt the gratitude of his ancestors, and these weren't just feelings.  They were real. 

His heart was full for the first time in years, and he couldn't wait to keep doing Family History.  His life had meaning. There was a reason he was left behind.  He had a work to do, and he could feel his loved ones near, helping him from the other side of the veil. 

There were so many times trying to find relatives that he wanted to quit doing family history.  And for a few weeks he did.  But he always came back to it, even if just for a few minutes a month. Because nothing gave him joy like this work did.  He understood the struggle made the reward more sweet.

And one last impression he received.  Many of his ancestors and their relatives hadn't been sealed for eternity as he had been to his wife. This comfort he had in his own sealing was something he wanted to share with them.  For a moment, it was almost like he could feel their longing to be sealed together.  And he wanted them to feel the same comfort he had.

A Lesson for us: Many of us are like Josh, who sometimes reach a point where we wonder "is this all to life?" or we may have trials, pains, and burdens that cause us to struggle.  Life is like that, and trials and pains will still come.  And we need healing, but sometimes don't know where to look.  But there is hope.

As we will engage in Family History and Temple work, the windows of heaven will be opened, and we will experience the healing power of the Lord as we help his children back to his presence.  If it is just one step you take by opening the app or using the quick start guide (below), take it today.  

And then go back again and again and drink from the healing waters of the blessings associated with this great saving work.  On that note, Elder Renlund closed his talk with this quote and commentary,

"President Russell M. Nelson, however, cautioned: “We can be inspired all day long about temple and family history experiences others have had. But we must do something to actually experience the joy ourselves.” He continued, “I invite you to prayerfully consider what kind of sacrifice—preferably a sacrifice of time—you can make [to] do more temple and family history work.” Elder Renlund concludes; "As you accept President Nelson’s invitation, you will discover, gather, and connect your family. Additionally, blessings will flow to you and your family like the river spoken of by Ezekiel. You will find healing for that which needs healing."

I testify what Elder Renlund promised is true, for it has happened in my own life.  Below is a more comprehensive video of the promises of Family History from our leaders. And then below that is the quick start video that can show you how easy the church has made it to get started in Family History.  Enjoy

And an incredible 10 Minute Family History Quick Start Guide is below as well

Discover your story at Family Search online or on the Family Tree Mobile App and signing in.    

Though the story of Josh is fictional, the experiences are similar to very real experiences of healing that people experience every day through engaging in Family History work.  And the promises that Elder Renlund gave are real as well. I know because I have experienced many of them in different experiences in my own life.  

Picture is the Brigham City Temple at Sunrise, courtesy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Media Library.