In President Russell M. Nelson’s opening remarks in the October General Conference he stated:  “The long-standing objective of the Church is to assist all members to increase their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and in His Atonement, to assist them in making and keeping their covenants with God, and to strengthen and seal their families. In this world today this is not easy. The adversary is increasing his attacks on faith and upon us and our families at an exponential rate. To survive spiritually, we need counterstrategies and proactive plans.”

President Nelson then went on to introduce the change in the Sunday worship schedule in an effort to fortify members and families. Since we have been admonished many times over the past decade by our leaders of the protection and blessings that will be ours through temple and family history, we too are making changes and developing counterstrategies and proactive plans at the Granite Family History Center. Let me share a few of the changes and developments that have occurred and will be coming to pass in the near future.

With the change in the Sunday schedule families will have more time on Sundays to engage in family history work. In order to assist families in this great work we will be expanding the Sunday hours at the FHC to assist families who want help with their family history experience or simply want to use our large touch-screen computers, scanners, copiers, and other resources. We already have families that come on Sunday and work together in discovering, gathering, and connecting their ancestors. Words cannot express the joy I feel as I see families and individuals being strengthened in this way.

In order to help more of our members discover the joy and protection that comes from engaging in temple and family history work, we are working to provide more opportunities for Relief Society groups, Elders Quorums, Young Men and Young Women classes, Primary, and other groups with tailor made instruction and activities. We realize the hours the FHC is open are not always convenient for groups and families. We want to make it accessible and will work to open the FHC on other days and hours for specific groups that schedule in advance.

Last month I mentioned the increase in the youth participation in family history work at the FHC on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday during the hours of 3-5 pm. We look forward to continuing this program and even expanding it so that more youth will find joy after school as they come and enjoy the training, activities, and FOOD!

For years the FHC has produced Family Ties, a monthly newsletter. Beginning in January we will be moving to a blog format. Please note the information in this newsletter about this change. By moving to a blog format, we hope to provide you with timely information on a regular basis and keep you up to date on what is happening at the FHC and with family history. We are grateful to Liz Kennington for her work over the years in producing the newsletter and will look forward to her continuing to share her knowledge and talents in our new blog, supported by our talented communications committee chair, Debbie Brady and our dedicated technical assistant, Aimee McDaniel.

I can’t end this message without expressing the deep appreciation we all have at the FHC for Laurie Beardall who has been instrumental in the development and growth of the center since its beginning. Sister Beardall is being released so she can begin service with her husband, President Larry Beardall, as mission president. We are so grateful for the many hours Sister Beardall has spent over many years at the FHC and for her expertise in family history. We hope to continue her love and passion for family history and for sharing it with the world. We all wish her well in her new assignment. We know that she will take the same faith and devotion to the missionaries and people in the mission field.

Now as we move into 2019, I am excited for the FHC and the great work that will occur here. As stated in the dedicatory prayer for the FHC, it is a “place of learning, a place of love, a place of light, a place of caring, a place of missionary work, a place of testimony, a center that will bless our lives and help us further Thy work.” I look forward to sharing this great experience with you in the coming year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!     –David Castleton