It’s been said, “The struggle ends when gratitude begins.” This week begins one of my favorite times of the year! Certainly, the weeks that are left in the year will be busy, and we will have so many options to choose from in how to fill our days. But with Thanksgiving being celebrated this week, it… Read More Remember to Give Thanks
Last year I went to visit my mother in Ohio. She is elderly and physically not strong. She often feels like she can’t contribute to life as she wants. It was during this visit that the 1950 census came out on FamilySearch. I had the impression to look at the census and index names as she napped or… Read More My Mother Found Purpose Through Indexing
In our recent General Conference, Elder Ronald A. Rasband stated, “To gather Israel, we need missionaries, many more than are serving. There are so many ways senior missionaries can do what no one else can.” (link to talk) Elder Rasband noted that serving a senior mission can mean traveling to serve as a full-time missionary, but… Read More Is a Mission Possible?
Often it seems that we are willing to go to great lengths to get something we want. How often do we observe others seeking solutions or remedies for things they think will make them happier, keep them younger longer or even help them become more successful. The world would have us chasing the latest fads in… Read More Promised Blessings
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
This is a unique and pivotal time in history. We are blessed to live in the last dispensation before the Second Coming of the Savior. Near the commencement of this dispensation, in 1829, the year before the Church was formally organized, a revelation was received, declaring that “a marvelous work” was “about to come forth.” And at… Read More Love is at the Center of This Work
The 24th of July is a natural time for us to reflect on our family history. Many of us may not have Utah pioneer ancestors, however, one dictionary definition of “pioneer” is one who “prepares the way for others to follow.” We all have stories of “those who have prepared the way for us to… Read More Different Kinds of Pioneers
I hear some people say that their family history has all or mostly been done. They feel there isn’t much left for them to do or worry about. A lot of my family history has been done, at least on one side of my family and I admit I was somewhat relieved. Therefore, I decided to… Read More The Ancestor That Came to Life for Me
We all know the responsibility President Russell M. Nelson has placed on each one of us when it comes to the gathering of Israel. He has profoundly emphasized that our unique responsibility is to help gather scattered Israel and prepare the world for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Fortunately for all of us, our Father… Read More Helping to Gather Israel
Have you ever thought about messaging an unknown distant relative on FamilySearch or other family history sites? Reaching out to unknown family members is a great way to develop relationships with extended family and add information to your family tree. Back in the 1990s before online research, I connected with Geoff Sadler, who was researching… Read More Making New Family Connections