This year we celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Granite Family History Center (“GFHC”). From its very inception, its history has been filled with miracles and tender mercies. Today the center blesses over a thousand visitors a month and houses over 50 computers, multiple scanners, copiers and digitizing equipment. Approximately 130 consultants have been called to serve shifts and assist the patrons who visit. In addition to all the consultants, we have dozens of administrative and staff personnel who help with classes, website, blog, training of consultants, youth activities and keeping the technology running and up to date. The GFHC serves many individuals and groups each week with its flexibility to entertain groups of all sizes. In addition, the GFHC reaches beyond its walls to allow others to participate in family history through on-line accessibility to classes and training.
There are a few that have been part of the GFHC since the beginning, but many of those serving at or using the GFHC today are not aware of its humble beginnings or the guidance of the Lord in bringing this to past. It all started when the school district moved the 9th graders to high school leaving an empty seminary building at Albion Middle School. This was shortly after the invitations made by Elder Bednar to participate in temple and family history and the promises he made to the youth associated with such activity. Seeing the intensifying influences of the adversary and the promised protection to the youth if they engaged in this work, the Sandy Granite Stake saw this as an opportunity to have the seminary building become a family history center for the youth.
Turning a vacant seminary building into a family history discovery center for youth was a much bigger task than originally contemplated. Multiple letters and phone calls were made to many departments of the church in an effort to do something new. However, each step of the process was filled with inspiration and guidance. Promptings felt by the stake presidency years before resulted in the necessary resources to open the center. Calls were made to individuals with unknown talents and abilities whose faith and diligence resulted in a design and plan that ended up being endorsed by the church and permission was granted to try this new concept.
On the day of dedication in February 2014, the GFHC had about a dozen computers and three rows of computer tables. Couches and other comfort furniture made the center feel more like home and the décor demonstrated the love of those serving and the spirit of Elijah. At the time only the Granite Stake was involved with the Alta View Stake showing its support and desire to participate. Fourteen youth had been called to serve as temple and family history consultants to take part in the planning of activities at the center. Their service changed their lives and the lives of many around them.
The dedicatory prayer for the GFHC included the following words of thanksgiving: “We are grateful for the youth, for allowing us the opportunity to work with them, to feel of their love, their spirit, and their enthusiasm. We recognize Father what they deal with every day is very difficult. We are grateful to give them a place where they can feel thy Spirit, where they can learn new skills, where they can bless those beyond the veil, and learn of the lessons that will help them in this life.”
The dedicatory prayer also stated: “We pray for continued guidance with the programs that we offer here and the training. We pray that this center will touch many lives, and that we will make good use of the sacred funds, be protective of this Center, and treat it with respect and love.” As I think back over the past five years, I realize that the programs have been inspired. Each year they have been modified and expanded as those in charge have followed promptings from on high. The inspired leadership of the current Sandy Granite Stake Presidency, with the support of the Alta View, Granite View and Willow Creek stakes, has led to the expansion of the GFHC to what it is today.
In addition to the many patrons who have come to the GFHC, there are other resources that had their beginnings through inspiration received at the GFHC. For example, the Family History Guide, now a resource available world-wide to help all of us learn how to do family history, began with one of the first consultants here at the center, Bob Taylor. In his desire to make family history work easier and more attainable by patrons, he followed promptings of the spirit which led to the development of a website that now is an amazing free resource to millions of people throughout the world.
In a world of graffiti, vandalism, and shootings, it is comforting to know our patrons, and particularly our youth, have a safe place to come and be edified. The GFHC has been a safe and joyful place and continues to welcome young and old. I was particularly touched after a recent snow storm when Debbie Weaver came to the GFHC and found hand written in the snow at the center “I love family history!” What a beautiful, unsolicited testimony of the blessing family history can be to us.
Looking back I have seen miraculous events that have led up to the establishment, growth and development of the GFHC. I realize that it is because of hundreds of inspired, dedicated and faithful leaders, patrons, consultants, advisors, and committee members who have listened and who continue to listen to the promptings of the Spirit so that this great work may move forward. We have truly seen the hand of the Lord all along the way. I don’t know what the future will bring for family history centers in the church. But I do know my life has been changed as I have had the opportunity to work with so many of you and watch the hand of the Lord touch the work in this part of His vineyard. The final words of the dedicatory prayer stated: “We dedicate this center unto Thee as 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 to further thy work.”
I look forward to many more miracles and joyful experiences in the coming years. –Dave Castleton, Director, Granite Family History Center