Genealogy Talk

I thought I would share my genealogy talk with you. It is long so don't read it all if you dont have the time. I just thought it might be a good way to motivate someone else out there....

The Lord God told Moses that his work and glory was “To bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” The immortality of man has now been assured by the atonement and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Each of us is privileged to assist in the remaining work of bringing to pass the eternal life of man. This is the mission of the Church. Our current efforts to accomplish this mission of the Church have been organized to include three dimensions: proclaim the gospel, perfect the Saints, and redeem the dead. As we know, these three dimensions are interlocking and inseparable. The seen and unseen worlds are closely connected. One assists the other. Those who fail to partake of the privileges and blessings of temple work deprive themselves of some of the choicest gifts within the keeping of the Church. Temple work or redeeming the dead begins with genealogy.
Elder Widtsoe said “In our preexistent state, in the day of the great council, we made a certain agreement with the almighty. The lord proposed a plan, conceived by him. We accepted it. Since the plan is intended for all men we became parties to the salvation of every person under that plan. We agreed, right then and there, to be not only saviors for ourselves but measurably, saviors for the whole human family. We went into a partnership with the lord. The working out of the plan became then not merely the father’s work, and the saviors work, but also our work. The objective of family history work is to make the blessings of the temple available to all people, both living and dead. Elder Packer heard of an incident that happened in WWII. A group of commandos were sent across the English Channel to accomplish a military mission. They were sent ashore at night in high seas and had to make their way across a treacherous reef. When the first of them reached the beach, led by a sergeant, they heard a companion calling for help. He was caught up on the reef and was unable to free himself. If left to himself he would be dashed to pieces by the heavy seas against the reef. The sergeant pulled off his gear in preparation for an attempt to rescue the man. One of those on the beach said “Don’t go out there- it’s too dangerous and difficult. If you go out there you’ll never come back” the sergeant replied “I don’t have to come back, I just have to go out there.” This illustrates something of our position with regard to our doing the work for the lord. Many are hung up on the reef, as it were. They cannot free themselves. It is for us to go get them. They are otherwise described as being in prison. We can assist in setting them free. We can be their saviors. We in the church must not retreat before the overwhelming assignment of extending the gospel message to all men, both living and dead. As we attend the temple and perform work for the dead, we accomplish a deep sense of alliance with God and a better understanding of his plan for the salvation of the human race. Truly there is no work equal to that done in the temple, but you cannot have regard for the temple ordinance work without having a great respect for genealogical work as well. Genealogical work is the fundamental service for the temples. There are millions across the world who are working on family history records. Why? Why are they doing it? I believe it is because they have been touched by the spirit of this work, a thing which we call the spirit of Elijah. It is a turning of the hearts of the children to their fathers. That purpose, of which we bear solemn witness, is to identify the generations of the dead so that ordinances may be performed in their behalf for their eternal and everlasting blessing and progress. And without this work, the Lord indicated, the whole purpose of creating and peopling the earth would be frustrated, would be wasted.

With any sacrifice or selfless service we receive blessings. What are some of the blessings that come from actively engaging in genealogy? Brother Widtsoe said “those who give themselves with all their might and mind to genealogical work receive help from the other side. Whoever seeks to help those on the other side receives help in return in all the affairs of life.” Elder Packer said “if you want the influence of dignity and wisdom and inspiration and spirituality to envelop your life, involve yourself in temple and genealogical work. Once we started, we found the time. Somehow we were able to carry on all of the other responsibilities. There seemed to be an increased inspiration in our lives because of this work.” Family history builds bridges to activity in the church. Family history work solidifies converts and strengthens all members of the church. Family history research and the preparation of names for the temple can be most valuable in the retention of new members. Faith and confidence grow as family members are included in the saving ordinances of the gospel. What a blessing it is to strengthen the saints! One of the greatest blessings that come from genealogical work is the Spirit of Elijah. We receive further light and knowledge as the work requires. We can each receive inspiration- the spirit of Elijah- as we involve ourselves in this sacred labor of love. Elder Packer said “when a member of the church comes under its influence, it is a powerful, compelling force which motivates him with desire to be attending to genealogical and temple work. It leaves him anxious over the wellbeing of his forebears. When that spirit comes, somehow we desire to know more about those forbears- we desire to know them, to serve them, and to be their saviors upon Mount Zion.” When we research our own lines we become interested in more than just names or the number of names going through the temple. Our interest turns our hearts to our fathers. There is no greater joy and blessing than helping to bring to pass the eternal life of man.
What is your role in genealogy? The prophet Joseph Smith stated “the greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us is to seek after our dead.” Brigham Young said “Our fathers cannot be made perfect without us; we cannot be made perfect without them. They have done their work and now sleep. We are now called upon to do ours; which is to be the greatest work man ever performed on earth.” That which goes on in the house of the Lord, and which must be preceded by research, comes nearer to the spirit of the sacrifice of the Lord than any other activity of which I know. Why? Because it is done by those who give freely of time and substance, without any expectation of thanks or reward, to do for others that which they cannot do for themselves, said President Hinkley. But the decision, the action, must begin with the individual. The lord will not tamper with our agency. If we want a testimony of family history and temple work, we must do something about that work. There somehow seems to be the feeling that genealogical work is an all or nothing responsibility. That is not so. Genealogical work is another responsibility for every Latter-day Saint. And we may do it successfully along with all the other callings and responsibilities that rest upon us. While it may be true that our Aunt Clara has done a lot of the family genealogy, she most likely would welcome some help. She also may have made some mistakes and perhaps even missed someone. And she certainly has not done it all. Wilford Woodruff said “We want the latter-day saints from this time to trace their genealogies as far as they can, and to be sealed to their fathers and mothers. Have children sealed to their parents, and run this chain through as far as you can get it.” Some of the most important efforts toward fulfilling the mission of the church will be those of parents who teach their children the doctrines and practice of the church by precept and example. Do not be hesitant to share with your children their family histories, and to let them feel the sacredness of joining our families together. Our effort is not to compel everyone to do everything, but to encourage everyone to do something. There are many different things our members can do to help in the redeeming of the dead, in the temple and family history work. Some involve callings. Others are personal. All are expressions of devotions and discipleship. All present opportunities for sacrifice and service.
Just as we are drawn to the temple and know of its sacred nature, it is the same with genealogy. Most of us really don’t understand the procedures, but somehow we sense that it is an inspired, spiritual work. But many of us don’t get started because, never having done any of the work, we don’t feel we know how to. Genealogical work has, I fear, sometimes been made to appear too difficult, too involved, and too time consuming to really be inviting to the average church member. No member of the church needs to be left out of this work. There is a way it can be done. And there is a place to begin. You can begin with you, with who you are and what you have right now. Gather information you know about yourself such as birth certificates, certificate of blessing, certificate of baptism, certificate of ordination, certificate of graduation. Talk with family member about what they might know. Write a personal history. After you have done your own personal history begin to collect the information beginning with the first four most recent generations on each line, and then go back as far as you can. Remember like Nephi, you will be “led by the spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which you should do.” It is very important to prayerfully determine what you can do in wisdom and in order in your present circumstance.
Some of the most important temple and family history work is done at home, this has never been more true than it is today. Genealogy is primarily an individual responsibility, but with the New Family Search program we can hasten the work, do it from home, and work collectively. In 1994 president Hunter said “With regard to temple and family history work, I have one overriding message: This work must hasten. The work waiting to be done is staggering and escapes human comprehension. Surely the lord will support us if we use our best efforts in carrying out the commandment to do family history research and temple work. The great work of the temples and all that supports it must expand. It is imperative. In recent years we have begun using information technology to hasten the sacred work of providing ordinances for the deceased. The role of technology in this work has been accelerated by the lord himself, who has had a guiding hand in its development and will continue to do so. However, we stand only on the threshold of what we can do with these tools. I feel that our most enthusiastic projections can capture only a tiny glimpse of how these tools can help us-and of the eternal consequences of our efforts.” The New Family Search is a fulfillment of President Hunters prophetic words. Some of the benefits of New Family Search and why members will want to use it are:
1. A major reason the New Family Search was created is to prevent duplication of temple ordinances. The duplication of ordinances has long been a concern for members and church leaders. In the October 2005 general conference President Hinkley said “One of the most troublesome aspects of our temple activity is that as we get more and more temples scattered across the earth there is duplication of effort in proxy work. People in various nations simultaneously work on the same family lines and come up with the same names. They do not know that those in other areas are doing the same thing. We, therefore, have been engaged for some time in a very difficult undertaking. To avoid such duplication, the solution lies in complex computer technology. Preliminary indications are that it will work, and if this is so, it will be a truly remarkable thing with worldwide implications.” Significantly the New Family Search will reduce duplication of temple ordinances by checking the churches temple records before and additional temple work can be done. If ordinances have previously been done, New Family Search will not allow ordinances to be done again.
2. The new family search also encourages collaboration among extended family members researching common lines, so duplicate research efforts are reduced. The New family search provides a secure site where people can share family history information and work together in order to get the most accurate records possible.
3. The churches previous programs for family search including family search, the IGI, and various temple records have all been combined into one program making this work much easier.
4. New Family Search links us into families instead of each individual with their own information.
5. By using new family search members can clear names for the temple at home over the internet.
6. When ordinances are completed the New Family Search will display the completion of ordinances within 24 hours.
7. Family History consultants are able to login as helpers to those who need help or do not wish to use a computer in submitting names. Consultants can work with and in their behalf. New Family Search will display the member at the contributor of their information and the consultant as the one who submitted it.
Genealogy does require sacrifice and work. My mother’s family has lived in South Africa since the 1600’s. In Africa around the 1940’s in order to have your own temple ordinances completed you would have to trace your lineage outside of Africa. Native Africans at this time were not able to hold the priesthood, and so members were required to trace their origins out of Africa. At this time there were no computers, no internet, and hardly the resources we have available now. My Great Granny work tirelessly to trace her family’s ancestral line back to Holland in the mid 1600’s. I cannot imagine how hard it would have been in that day to research and work with such tremendous effort simply to be able to go through the temple for your own ordinances and for the sake of your children, and of course for that of your ancestors. 51 years ago when finally all their roots had been established out of Africa, they faced yet another obstacle; at that time there was no temple in Africa and wouldn’t be for 30 more years. My Granny and Oupa knew the how vital temple work is and for their families salvation together, their need to be sealed together for all eternity. For years they saved money and prepared names of their ancestors to take to the temple. Finally in 1958 with a toddler and newborn in their arms they bid farewell to their homeland and their families, to their jobs, their security and their possessions and embarked on a 3 month journey by boat to Los Angeles, California. There they enjoyed the fruits of their labor of love and were sealed as a family and to the ancestors. If only we could all have such strength and courage and determination to get this work completed, I can hardly comprehend how truly blessed we are to live in close proximity to a temple and to have such amazing tools like New Family Search to ease and facilitate in our genealogical work.
Brother and Sisters I love this work. I know the lord will provide all that will be required to accomplish it as we devotedly do our part. May the lord bless each of us as we make our contribution to this great work, which we must accomplish in our day, I humbly pray in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.