2021-12 Dec - Becoming Through Temple & Family History Service

Dec 7, 2021 family history connected becoming

From your Ward Temple & Family History Consultants:

FYI - The Stake has asked that we reopen the Family History Center (it had been closed due to COVID) at the building. Our ward Temple & Family History Consultants staff the center from 11:00-2:00 pm Sundays and the other ward staffs it from 2-4pm Sundays. Others are helping staff the Family History Center on Wed nights from 7-8 pm. Stop by if you have a question. Missionaries can bring people by too.

The Ward has asked that we focus on what we become by working on Temple & Family History, over just doing transaction tasks. So this December message is not about guilt trips over a huge task list. Just like we expect our children to BECOME capable of crawling, then walking, then running, our Father expects us to BECOME more capable in service of Temple & Family History over time. Being “done” is a stressful mindset. Think service and progress instead. Especially when stuck in one area, I have often been blessed with unexpected progress in others areas.

So here are a few thoughts on BECOMING as related to Temple & Family History service:

  1. New members since 2015 can BECOME more aware of who they are and where they come from as they complete their 4-Generations work as an initial milestone. Our ward encourages new members to work on this, and the ward consultants are willing to help. You are not alone learning new skills. Also, the Church has released a nice little booklet to help you get going. Get your copy (physical copy in Family History Center, digital copy at https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/ldsorg/topics/my-family-booklet-pdf/english-whole-pdf.pdf). If you’ve been a member longer than 6 years, the digital booklet can still give you ideas for memories in Family Search. Our future families BECOME more aware of our part in the linked generations as each of us help add stories of the memories with family that they didn’t get to meet directly like we did (memories section of familysearch.org). This cool little booklet is now available in 42 languages. Please skim the digital version for ideas.

  2. President Nelson said we fulfill our inborn yearnings for family connections when we are linked to our ancestors through sacred ordinances of the temple. That is BECOMING fulfilled and connected. Like the Prophet said, we too can sense, to a slight degree, the love that our Heavenly Father bears for us as His children. (talk at https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2010/04/generations-linked-in-love?lang=eng)

  3. President Nelson also said that we will experience a refining influence when engaged in Temple & Family History work. Refinement is BECOMING over time (just as children crawl, walk, run).

  4. Our hearts are turned towards our families as we tithe some of our time and ability to perform Temple & Family History work.

“And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. (JS History, 1:39)

“But how are they to BECOME saviors on Mount Zion? By building their temples … and going forth and receiving all the ordinances … in behalf of all their progenitors who are dead … ; and herein is the chain that binds the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, which fulfills the mission of Elijah” (Teachings: Joseph Smith, 472–73).

Having our hearts turned is BECOMING.

  1. Elder Bednar said in 2011, “This distinctive influence of the Holy Ghost draws people to identify, document, and cherish their ancestors and family members—both past and present.”

We BECOME as we serve our ancestors (direct and cousins) and as we become, we begin to cherish family both past and present. I testify that over the years, I have come to cherish family in the past to a higher degree. This is BECOMING line upon line, precept upon precept.

  1. We BECOME laborers together with thousands of other people worldwide in Temple & Family History work. I am regularly blessed by someone else doing something for their family (direct & cousins) that also provides me more for my own family. I have been able to see photos of some of my ancestors that I did not have, but that another person did have. These photos help me think of them as a person rather than as a series of dates in a history class. That helps me cherish them more. This is BECOMING here a little and there a little, and it is a blessing when many hands make the work easier.

  2. Just like having tools like dollies helps during helping a member move, the Lord has blessed our generation with new technology makes it easier than ever to fulfill Temple & Family History responsibilities. When we BECOME willing to try, he blesses us with easier processes to do it. Like learning any other skill, we don’t “become” capable of playing a piano concerto in an hour. Yet unlike piano (I quit as a kid), the T&FH tools make our efforts multiplied. The tools today are world class.

We also BECOME more in the various knowledge and skills required to be quickly effective in Temple & Family History work. A family history task took me 10 times as long 30-years ago than it takes in 2021. Most of that speed difference is the really nice tools the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has released to the world. And a bit of it is my capabilities have grown in Temple & Family History.

  1. By helping exalt our family we BECOME blessed.

  2. If you have written or are writing your personal history for your posterity, you BECOME more aware of God’s blessings in your life as you ponder and write them. Your posterity perhaps may BECOME influenced by your thinking and your spirit in the future. (See https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1980/04/writing-your-personal-and-family-history?lang=eng)

So that’s it for December’s message. What is your goal for BECOMING in 2022? What will you do to become? You are not alone in this work. What help from Heaven do you need? Temporally, Ward Consultants are skilled and knowledgeable. They are willing to transfer knowledge and skills to you. You have but to ask for assistance. We can meet virtually by Zoom or in person at the FH Center when it is open.

HERE A LITTLE, THERE A LITTLE - Feel better by doing small & simple things and becoming here a little and there a little. Great things come to pass over time, so don’t give up.

We are happy to serve you,

Your Ward Temple & Family History Consultants (call, text, or zoom any one of us for help with your family history)