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
