family history class invitation

Jess Stoker sent out an email to the Relief Society sisters to get us in the “family history” mood.  At the bottom she included a quote from David B Haight.

“Why do you do this?” some ask … “Why have such great concern for those who have died?” 

Our answer is simple, yet profound: “Because we love them.”

Doing family history and temple work not only increases our love and appreciation for deceased ancestors, but it builds ties and strengthens relationships with living relatives.  We not only honor our past, but we are preserving the present for future generations who follow us.

So where do you start?

Family history is no longer little old ladies with white hair peering into a microfilm reader searching for clues.  Today, people may find themselves involved with:

Indexing – making records searchable by computer

Stories – recording valuable lessons you’ve learned in life

Preserving photos and documents – using technology to digitize, save and share images

Research – how to find names to fill out our family tree

Taking family names to the temple – which takes temple attendance to a whole new level

And then Sharing what you’ve learned with others

President Nelson said, “I invite you prayerfully to consider what kind of sacrifice, and preferably a sacrifice of time, you can make to do more family history and temple work this year.”

Next week we will be starting up our temple and family history class during Sunday School.  We have an entire team of capable instructors who have been called to assist you in whatever aspect of family history work interests you the most.  We share inspirational messages and give you hands-on experience in learning how to do what needs to be done.  Technology is constantly evolving making this work easier than ever, so we invite you to bring your laptops, tablets and cell phones to class.  If schedule conflicts on Sunday don’t allow you to join us during Sunday School, just contact myself, Patty Browning, Diane or Keith Linford, Hannah or Bryan Montague.  We will come to your home and get you started or help you along your way.

While no-one arrives at having all their family history done, it is an exciting adventure filled with discovery and making new connections.  We look forward to joining you on your journey as you find, connect and belong.  
We'll be starting with stories. So if you'd like to see a video of how David met Linnea at a crosswalk, stop in the priesthood room during Sunday school hour next week ... see you then!

family history for kids

see complete article by Rachel Trotter

Make family history for kids by:

1. Make it a game.

2. Set goals and offer rewards.

3. Watch some good old-fashioned television together.

4. Speak their language.

5. Make family history and family storytelling a part of your family culture.

games: 

PANDO­

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Battle your siblings to see who knows the most about Mom and Dad’s past. Mom and Dad ask the questions, siblings race to answer and earn points.

PANDO™ is a living room game built for grown siblings and their parents.

CARD PLAY:

Mom draws a card and reads aloud, “What is the first movie I ever saw in a theater?”

Billy raises his hand and says, “Star Wars Episode IV!!!”

Jane raises her hand and says, “Annie Hall!”

Mom says, “Nope, it was Saturday Night Fever! No points for you!”

Dad is up next, he draws a card . . .

First sibling to 5 points wins the round. Play as many rounds as you wish.

A FEW EXAMPLE QUESTIONS:

Describe what I was doing and where I was at age 20.

How old was I when I got my first computer?

Name a poor hairstyle choice I made when I was younger.

---

PANDO™ is the world’s first family history game. Read more about PANDO™ here.

Watch video about Pando here.

portions of the script from the video:

"The family history industry has been stuck trying to discover different names and dates for decades.  People everywhere are trying to discover their roots and see where they come from.  However, many of those same people couldn’t tell you what grandpa’s favorite food was or how mom met dad.  I started to think about all those things I don’t know about my parents early life.  Simple details about their dating experience, proposal, wedding, us kids being born, places they’ve lived, pets they’ve had.  I was drawing blanks everywhere.  Answering the same questions about my grandparents was near impossible.  I realized that, thru no fault of my family, a generational gap had been created.  I also realized that the vast majority of grown kids and grandkids lacked the same basic knowledge about their parents and grandparents’ story.  To me, that was a problem that needed to be fixed.  How can we allow ourselves not to know where we come from?  

Somehow, with so much focus put on discovering our ancestor’s names and birthplaces, we’d missed the story of our own parents and grandparents.  The funny thing is, that is the only story we truly have access to and we’re letting it go."

(:20-1:25)

(1 of 234 questions): Name my most preferred past time.  When did I start doing it?

What sports did I play in high school?

How many cars have I owned since getting married? List them.

"The story of mom and dad, grandma and grandpa, is important enough to save.  If you sense the urgency of finding out where you come from, if you believe in the power of families gathering and connecting, if you get that family history is not a hobby but a transformational force that belongs in every families living room, then I am ready to join you in the cause."

I can be played at a family reunion where each family present plays as a team and grandma and grandpa are the elders.

Find, Take, and Teach - a family history lesson

complete lesson plan can be found here

The purpose of this class is to help all class members further discover their eternal families by following the steps to find, take, and teach.

Most family trees are not symmetrical, so class members may need to follow more than one path to expand the different branches of their tree. 
The 3 different paths are ...
1. none - the easiest people to find are those in the first four generations. Living relatives often remember these family members.
2. many - On this path, where much of the work has been done back to the early 1800s, you can often find success in looking for descendants of an early ancestor.
3. Some - look for green temple icons

Ask class members how they feel as they listen to or share family stories. 

Blessings come through family history. Do family history work with immediate and extended family members. Regardless of membership status or activity level, all family members can enjoy the blessings of family history. Assure the class that there are consultants who can help them, no matter their tree status.

Gatherers in the Kingdom

President Nelson said: “I invite you prayerfully to consider what kind of sacrifice, and preferably a sacrifice of time, you can make to do more family history and temple work this year.”

The primary gathering place is the home, where family members learn and share memories of their family and record that information in the Family Tree on paper or online. With or without technology, the ultimate family history center is in the home.
Once gathered in the Family Tree, family members can then be safely gathered into the covenants and ordinances of the temple.

What can we do to help others act on the invitation to spend more time on temple and family history work?

Our primary responsibility is to help others learn how to follow the Spirit and focus on the temple as they find their ancestors, take them to the temple, and teach others to do the same. This should be done through one-on-one personalized experiences.

0. Temple and Family History Consultants

From Technical and Clerical To Spiritual

From Class or Group To Individuals and families

From One-time To Ongoing

Spiritual preparation and prayer are essential to helping others find their families. You should begin your preparation for each person you help by asking the Lord to lead you to those who are ready to have their temple work done. You do not need to be an expert in research, but work to become an expert in following the guidance of the Spirit. He will lead you to those who can help you do things you do not know how to do today and help you to nd the resources you need to help others.

for consultant's complete lesson plan

Renlund general conference talk

When we gather our family histories and go to the temple on behalf of our ancestors, God fulfills promised blessings simultaneously on both sides of the veil.
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2018/04/family-history-and-temple-work-sealing-and-healing?lang=eng

When God directs us to do one thing, He often has many purposes in mind. Family history and temple work is not only for the dead but blesses the living as well.

As we participate in family history and temple work today, we also lay claim to “healing” blessings promised by prophets and apostles. This long list includes these blessings:

• Increased understanding of the Savior and His atoning sacrifice;
• Increased influence of the Holy Ghost7 to feel strength and direction for our own lives;
• Increased faith, so that conversion to the Savior becomes deep and abiding;
• Increased ability and motivation to learn and repent8 because of an understanding of who we are, where we come from, and a clearer vision of where we are going;
• Increased refining, sanctifying, and moderating influences in our hearts;
• Increased joy through an increased ability to feel the love of the Lord;
• Increased family blessings, no matter our current, past, or future family situation or how imperfect our family tree may be;
• Increased love and appreciation for ancestors and living relatives, so we no longer feel alone;
• Increased power to discern that which needs healing and thus, with the Lord’s help, serve others;
• Increased protection from temptations and the intensifying influence of the adversary; and
• Increased assistance to mend troubled, broken, or anxious hearts and make the wounded whole.9
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.”10

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.”17 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.