It is hard to believe it is January 2020. The month January was named after the Roman God Janus. He was the god of doors and gates and had two faces. He could look both backward and forward at the same time.

Looking back at 2019 warms my heart as I realize the many hours of service, the activities and classes, and the one on training that occurred at the Granite FHC. For example, in 2019:

• Consultants and tech staff contributed over 7500 hours of volunteer service at the FHC
• There were over 11,000 visits to the FHC
• Over 400 activities were conducted
• Over 100,000 scans and prints were made
• We conducted our first youth summer boot camp which was  a huge success
• After school youth activities were scheduled throughout the school year with a substantial increase in the number of youth participating
• The number of youth consultants participating at the FHC continues to grow to almost equal the number of adult consultants
• Individuals from over 105 different stakes visited the FHC
• Visitors to the FHC website have more than doubled with views also increasing dramatically
• New posts to the FHC blog were made at least two times per week
• Supporting stakes have seen substantial increases in the number of members submitting a name for temple work
• Over 180 classes were taught on a myriad of topics
• Members of the tech committee and volunteers spent hundreds of hours helping patrons digitize their slides, movies and tapes

As we now turn our focus to 2020, we see exciting opportunities ahead for temple and family history. We recognize that there are still many who have yet to experience the joy of participating in temple and family history work, who have not been embraced by the Spirit of Elijah and who are missing out on the blessings that come from engaging in temple and family history work. In 2020 we hope to expand the reach of the FHC in the following ways:

• Reach out to organization leaders to help them experience the joy of family history
• Provide training for leadership of wards and stakes
• Provide continuing training for existing and new consultants and assist them in helping members of their wards
• Provide equipment and training to help patrons preserve their memories and photos and share them with other family members
• Provide family history activities for youth and families that will help them develop an appreciation for temple and family history
• Allow flexibility in the use of the FHC to meet the varying needs of individuals, families, organizations, wards and stakes
• Continue and expand the after school youth program

Almost six years ago the Granite FHC was dedicated to be 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 place that will bless our lives and help us to further Heavenly Father’s work. From the very beginning many members have shared their time, talent, resources and love to develop and operate the FHC. Today we are the beneficiaries of so many wonderful individuals who have served and who continue to serve to share the joy and blessings of temple and family history with our community and beyond. I express my deep appreciation to all these devoted and dedicated people and I thank my Heavenly Father daily for the opportunity to associate with all those who help to make the FHC what it is. I look forward to 2020 and the rich blessings and miracles it will bring. –Dave Castleton, Director, Granite Family History Center