A couple of weeks ago while chatting with our Director, Dave Castleton, he asked me a question that has caused me to reflect on my Family History journey. The question he asked was, “How did you gain your testimony of family history work?” I thought back to the time when the full-time missionaries were allowed to… Read More One By One
After many months of being shut down due to the pandemic, the temples are now beginning to reopen. A few weeks ago the Draper Temple moved to phase 2 allowing certain live ordinances on a limited basis. Key precautions have been put in place for temple workers and patrons, including: masks worn at all times, very… Read More BACK IN BUSINESS
When I see the American flag, my thoughts turn to my parents, both of whom grew up in the Great Depression and also served in World War II. My father served in the Navy on an aircraft carrier in the South Pacific, he was trained as a radioman and a tail gunner. My mother was… Read More The Sacrifices of Our Fathers
Telling our children stories about their ancestors’ experiences is a powerful way we can help turn our posterity’s’ hearts towards their fathers. My grandfather, Armanag Kezerian, was born in a small village in Armenia called Zara, Sivas. When my grandfather was at the tender age of three his father died and his mother was taken… Read More Turning Our Hearts, A Legacy of Faith
For the last six months as we have been learning about Coronavirus, learning a new language that included COVID-19, CDC, social isolation, viral replication, I have wondered what the long-term affect of this pandemic would be. While it has led to some anxiety, there is much good that has come from it. One thing I… Read More What’s Awesome About This?
My mother-in law’s mother died when she was 5 years old, and her father placed her and her sister for adoption in separate families. Consequently, she had little knowledge of her parent’s families, though she did have some contact with her father. She had a letter written by her paternal grandmother to her father and… Read More Following the Clues in Family History Research
It has been unbelievable how the Book of Mormon “Come, Follow Me” lessons have been so relevant to our current events each week, both as a world community and personally. Something really struck me when I was reading from Chapter 37 of Alma verses 2 and 14 where he was giving counsel and direction to… Read More For a Wise Purpose…
Over the past few weeks there has been much in the media about preparing for the return to school in light of the pandemic. A lot of thought and planning have gone into preparing the physical facilities, administration, teachers, and students, to insure that the learning environment this fall will be both meaningful and safe.… Read More Preparing in a Pandemic
I recently received a call from my brother in Sweden who was excited to tell me that he and his kids were at the cemetery in the old town of Laxarby where a few of our ancestors were buried. We paid a visit to this cemetery 8 years ago when my family and I vacationed… Read More Sharing the Spirit of Elijah
My missionary grandfather with his companion, other missionaries and members swimming at Coney Island – 1926 In 2017, I started a journey to learn more about my father’s father, Clair Pingree. My grandpa Pingree died in 1966, at age 61, when I was eight years old. My memories are the memories of a child. He… Read More Who is Your Oldest Living Relative?