I remember the first time I logged onto Family Search and was able to find the name of a family member who needed her temple work done. I printed her ordinance card, and attended the temple and was able to complete her work. It was such a sweet experience.

I didn’t know this person during my lifetime, but was prompted by the Spirit that I would one day have the opportunity to meet her again and to renew a real friendship. This experience increased my desire to find and do the temple work for others in my family. Though I have always loved the temple, completing the ordinances in the temple for my own family members has deepened my temple experience, motivated me to attend more often, and think more consciously about my ancestors whose work I am doing, looking forward to meeting them one day.

In LDS Living Magazine several years ago, Elder Boyd K. Packer shared a story of his ancestor who was impressed to do the temple work of a spirit who visited him in the night time.

 Elder Packer had wondered over the years about the meaning of the scripture recorded three times in the Book of Mormon, that “the course of the Lord is one eternal round.” (1 Nephi 10:19, Alma 7:20, Alma 37:12.).

Elder Packer said, “In Genealogical work, the essential preparation for temple work, puts us to seeking through the records for those who have lived in the past. We look back to the past to find them. We perform temple ordinance work for them and then we look forward to the future to meet them. Something sacred is consummated when we have safely recorded, in the list of ordinances completed, the names of those who lived in our past and who yet live in our future. This ordinance work is crucial to us and to the Church.”

I love this picture of seeking out our ancestors, completing their temple work and then being able, at some time in the future, to meet them. What a grand family reunion that will be. I know from miracles in my life, and from the experiences that you have shared with me, that this great work of salvation, is God’s work. Blessings await those on both sides of the veil that are engaged in this work. –Elaine Hardman