Each day of our lives we engage in all kinds of activities and entertainment in an effort to feel joy and satisfaction. However, often the activities we participate in leave us unfulfilled, frustrated, upset, tired, or discouraged. Have you ever stopped to realize the unique and abundant joy you feel when engaged in temple or family history work? Whether it is writing a history of a family member, finding an ancestor to take to the temple, indexing, playing Geneopardy, or serving in the temple, each of these experiences brings a profound joy into my life. Each experience lifts my spirits, draws me closer to my Heavenly Father and makes me feel of greater worth.

We often refer to the wonderful spirit that attends family history and temple work as the Spirit of Elijah.The Spirit of Elijah, by definition, is the Holy Ghost as His directing influence guides those who participate in family history and temple work. As I think back over my life, I did not really experience the Spirit of Elijah and its accompanying joy until I began serving as a temple ordinance worker and became anxiously engaged in family history. The invitation to participate in those activities attracted me not because of the Spirit of Elijah, but because of the many promises made by modern prophets regarding the protection from the adversary, the increased testimony and the better understanding I would have of God’s plan. Those promises led me to discover the Spirit of Elijah and the overwhelming joy that attends temple and family history service.

Although my exposure to the Spirit of Elijah has been only in the last decade of my life, Elder Richard G. Scott invited me to participate in this great work in General Conference of October 1990, when he said:

“I testify that the spirit of Elijah is touching the hearts of many of Father’s children throughout the world, causing the work for the dead to accelerate at an unprecedented pace.

“But what about you? Have you prayed about your own ancestors’ work? Set aside those things that don’t really matter in your life. Decide to do something that will have eternal consequences. Perhaps you have been prompted to look for ancestors but feel that you are not a genealogist. Can you see that you don’t have to be anymore? It all begins with love and a sincere desire to help those who can’t help themselves.

“This is a spiritual work, a monumental effort of cooperation on both sides of the veil where help is given in both directions. It begins with love. Anywhere you are in the world, with prayer, faith, determination, diligence, and some sacrifice, you can make a powerful contribution. Begin now. I promise you that the Lord will help you find a way. And it will make you feel wonderful.”

I testify that engaging in temple and family history work will make you feel wonderful. I wish I would have listened and followed Elder Scott’s counsel back in 1990. But I have learned it is never too late. The Family History Center is a great place to get started or to advance your skills and knowledge in family history. It can help you prepare to take your ancestors to the temple and bless you with the Spirit of Elijah and its accompanying joy. We hope to see you this year at the FHC and look forward to participating with you in this rewarding and joyous work. –Dave Castleton, Director, Granite FHC