Did you know there is an official National Day of Listening in the United States? It is the Friday after Thanksgiving, which occurs on November 29, 2024. (See link) It is a day dedicated to the art of active listening, fostering connections, and preserving the narratives and memories of our loved ones. This special day provides… Read More Savoring Memories through the Sense of Listening
Our children love stories, and stories can help us preserve memories. Back in 1996, I started a family history Valentine’s Day project by sending out a questionnaire to my parents and siblings about their courtships and marriages. I thought those stories were important for my children to know. Because I didn’t complete it in time for… Read More Family History Valentine
A few years ago I wrote a history of my father. He died quite young, and my children and grandchildren did not get to know him. I wanted to help them learn about his life and experiences. As I began writing, I realized I did not know much about my father. As part of my… Read More DON’T FORGET THE AUNTS AND UNCLES
A number of years ago I felt prompted to write a history about my father. He died quite young and most of my children and all of my grandchildren never knew him. I thought by recording his history for them they would come to know him better. Due to a busy schedule, the project ended… Read More Writing Family Histories: Unanticipated Blessings
As we have reopened the Granite Family History Center, it has been a blessing to meet with many of the consultants who serve shifts there. As you can imagine, consultants come with all varying degrees of interests and abilities to do the work of Family History. Yet some have expressed the concern that they feel… Read More Tell Me a Story
My great-grandmother, Julia Anderson was born on July 10, 1876, in Denmark, one of eleven children. Early on, her parents left the Lutheran Church and joined the Baptist Church. Her father, Lars Peder Andersen, was a traveling Baptist Minister in Denmark. When Julia was 9 years old, her family immigrated to America, ending up in… Read More A Legacy of Faith
Due to the pandemic during much of 2020, we have been isolated from circumstances where we feel that we belong. Not being able to associate as we have in the past at work, church, in the community and even with extended family, have made us keenly aware of the value of those relationships. When we… Read More BELONGING
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…
Recently, with the time I have had at home, I decided to write my personal history. I have been keeping a journal off and on for many years, beginning with my missionary journal. I read through that first journal, in an effort to refresh my memory of events that occurred some time ago. As I… Read More How to Write Your Personal History in a Year
Last year I attended a class at the Sandy Granite Family History Center regarding using social media to assist with family history. The instructor shared a story about a woman whose mother died when she was quite young. She didn’t remember much about her mother and each mother’s day, as others would talk about their… Read More INVITING OTHERS TO SHARE