When I was growing up, I loved to hear the stories my mother would tell, about her life growing up, about experiences she had that shaped her life. When our family would gather for family reunions, I was the kid that would sit and listen to my parents, and extended family talk and laugh and cry together as they reminisced, about their shared experiences.

These stories helped me to face challenges in my own life and to build my faith and testimony in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for the experiences my family shared with me and the influence they still have on my life though many are long gone.

Recently in an a blog article shared on Family Search, titled: Want to Help Others Get through Tough Times? Share Family Stories with Them! Several suggestions were made about sharing our stories, or those of loved ones to lift and bless us through hard times. These stories provide us with examples of how to endure trials and bounce back. The experiences of our loved ones can give us courage and perspective in our own lives. Getting those we love and serve, to think about their own stories may help them face challenges now and those that lie ahead.

In this article we read: “lifting someone else with family stories couldn’t be simpler. Begin by finding a friend and starting a conversation. If it helps, ask a question about the friend’s family” These questions from this article were suggested to get the conversation started.

• Which of your ancestors do you feel closest to and why?
• Which of your ancestors has influenced you the most and how?
• Which of your ancestors are you most like? In what ways are you similar?
• Do you have a special keepsake or artifact from an ancestor that you treasure?
• Which of your ancestors would you most like to meet?

The article also suggested that, while talking to your friend, you may hear something like “I wish I knew more—” or “It would be nice if there was a way to find out—” These comments are great opportunities to ask your friend if he or she would like your help to learn more about family history. Most of the time the answer will be “yes.”

You may be able to help them log on to Family Search, and search their family memories that have been posted there. If there are none, you may be able to help them record the stories they know and share them.

In this blog article you will find other great ideas and even a video to help you as reach out and help others tell their stories. The article concludes:

“In these days of uncertainty and anxiety, why not reach out to someone you know and let your love for and knowledge of family history give a sorely needed lift? It takes so little effort on your part, yet it can feel to others like the greatest gift they have ever received.”

As we share our stories and help others to share their stories the Spirit of Elijah can lift us together in facing challenges in our lives.

–Elaine Hardman