In “Revelations in Context” on the Gospel Library app, there is an interesting section by Nathan Waite titled “A School and an Endowment.” It describes the origins of the School of the Prophets founded in Kirtland, Ohio in January 1833. While this is a familiar topic in Church history for most Latter-day Saints, what may not be so apparent was that this School of the Prophets actually laid some of the groundwork for the present-day efforts we are involved with in gathering Israel, on both sides of the veil. 

In 1833, the School of the Prophets was meant to prepare the elders of the Church for the time when they would be endowed and sent forth to preach the gospel. There was no temple at the time, so this school was perhaps the closest thing to it. The subjects taught at the school were intended to be part of that preparation; and this is where a fascinating insight unfolds.

First, the “students were to become well-versed in the theory, principle, doctrine, and the law of the gospel” (Revelations in Context). No surprise there, of course. But they were also learn about the following:

• History and current events
• Foreign countries
• Languages

Those subjects might seem a bit out of place for a group of farmers and merchants, who were busy raising crops and dealing with the rigors of rural life. When you think of those three subjects in terms of family history, however, it adds a whole new perspective.

First, history and current events form the foundation of family history research. Understanding what shaped the events in your ancestors’ lives helps you identify them correctly and find the records they are associated with. 

Second, most of the early Saints were either immigrants themselves or were just a few generations removed from their immigrant ancestors. Knowing about countries goes beyond mere curiosity about geography; it is a necessary element in connecting families together in their heritage.

The third element, languages, sets the stage for understanding and preserving genealogical information as the Church expands its worldwide reach. Indeed, Joseph Smith said to the early brethren. “You know no more concerning the destinies of this Church than a babe upon its mother’s lap … this Church will fill North and South America – it will fill the world.”

Today it’s stunning to see how that destiny has unfolded, together with the harnessing of technology that helps us gather Israel in ways we could scarcely have imagined. In my view, one of the starting places for the education we would so urgently need for family history today was there in the School of the Prophets, with its directives to learn about history, countries, and languages.

Bob Taylor – Assistant Director – Curriculum, GFHC; Co-Founder – The Family History Guide