How to get started in the work of Salvation

Your ancestors and their posterity are being taught the gospel in the spirit world, and they need your help. Now some of you may think your family history work is done, but it isn't.  You see your ancestors had brothers and sisters, with posterity through other lines.  And you can do their work as well.

And Family Search and the Family Tree Mobile app will show you how to find those relatives through the "ancestors with tasks" section of the App (Just open the app, tap the 3 lines, and you will see it). Then follow these steps:

Choose an ancestor in the "ancestors with tasks" section:

1. Look at the person's record in family tree.  see whether they have children or a spouse listed, or brothers or sisters.  Keep a mental note. The next step shows you how to compare this relative to other genealogical records that have been found that may show more family members.

2. There is a blue dot on your relative's name.  Tap it, then tap one of the records that comes up, and then tap "review and attach," and you will be able to compare these side by side.  If the new record found lists new siblings, a spouse, or parents, you will find the option to add a new person to the tree. If there are not any new people there, go back to the ancestors with tasks section, and choose another ancestor and repeat the steps. 

3. If you do find someone you can add, Family Tree will do a quick search to make sure there aren't duplicates.
a. if there aren't, add them in and request the ordinances.
b. if there are, make sure the names, birthdates, and relatives are the same before adding the new person.  You may want to call Family Search before moving forward with this.  It's an extra step, but worth it.

Final step, take the names to the temple, and enjoy feeling of the spirit that is there.  You are doing something for people they can't do for themselves. You have become a Savior on Mount Zion.

Now it's not always that easy.  Sometimes you have to merge duplicates, and you have to be careful, but don't be afraid.  You will figure it out, sometimes with the help of Family Search Genealogists who are just a phone call away (tap the 3 lines, tap help, and call).

Additionally, you will have help from the Lord, and from the other side of the veil.  When you exercise faith, God can inspire you to find their information needed for the temple. As Quentin L. Cook taught, you should not “underestimate the influence of the deceased in assisting your efforts” (“Roots and Branches,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 46–47).

The church gives the following instructions on what to pray for:

1. Pray to be led to find your ancestors who have accepted the gospel in the spirit world but haven’t been baptized yet.

2. Pray frequently that you can be a gatherer in this great work and that you can help God’s children receive the gospel.

3. Make a plan to act; consider family or ward members who can help you.  

I testify that this is the Lord's work. As you engage in it either on the Family Search Website, or the Family Tree Mobile App, you will find a peace beyond compare, and your life will change. You can also find other resources and stories on this blog.

Picture is the Fort Lauderdale Temple, courtesy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Media Library.