— Education —

Line Upon Line

February 9, 2021

This past year has been a time of reflection, as we have had to adjust to the changes in how we meet together, how we worship, how we learn and how we serve in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In D&C 107:99, we read: “Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence.” This can be a challenge, and we may have used some creativity in our callings to assure that this sacred work of the Lord moves forward.

In the General Handbook of the Church of Jesus Christ of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we read: “

Uniting families for eternity is part of the work of salvation and exaltation. Temple and family history work is the means for uniting and sealing families for eternity). This work includes:

  • Making covenants as we receive our own temple ordinances
  • Discovering our deceased ancestors and performing ordinances for them in the temple so they can make covenants with God
  • Going to the temple regularly, where possible, to worship God and perform ordinances for His children

While we can’t go to the temple regularly right now, there is still much we can do to further this work.

Members wanting to receive help with their Family History research, preparing names to take to the temple, or learning to index records, may have felt like they had to wait to get started on these goals. Those called as Temple and Family History Consultants, may have felt limited in their abilities to serve others, or to magnify callings. While the social distancing has come with it’s fair share of challenges, there are many resources available, even now, that can help us to engage in this great work.

Resources for Temple and Family History Consultants

Resources for Members seeking to discover, gather, and connect with their family through Temple and Family History work

  • The Family History Guide start with the introduction and go from there. There is even a section on computer basics, and a quick start guide.
  • Seek the assistance of your ward Temple and Family History Consultants.
  • Videos of tutorials available at The Granite Family History Center website.
  • Learn to index at Family Search. You will find videos and tutorials, and be able to practice. Once trained, there are beginning intermediate and advanced indexing projects that you can choose from. If you speak a language besides English, your skills are especially needed in this great work. Indexing tutorials can also be found at The Family History Guide

These are just a few resources available for us to serve one another and to further this work to gather all unto Christ. As we continue to seek opportunities to serve others in this great work our lives will be blessed. As we read in D&C 128:19, we will hear; “… A voice of gladness! A voice of mercy from heaven; and a voice of truth out of the earth; glad tidings for the dead; a voice of gladness for the living and the dead; glad tidings of great joy. –Elaine Hardman