As we complete another summer and move to our fall season, I am overwhelmed with the joy I feel in my life because of temple and family history. Spending time at the FHC, expanding on the things I learn there in my home, and then connecting with ancestors in the temple, has led to an inspiring summer. President Russell M. Nelson promised joy through temple and family history in an Ensign article last October 2017 where he stated:
“We can be inspired all day long about temple and family history experiences others have had. But we must do something to actually experience the joy ourselves. . . .I invite you to prayerfully consider what kind of sacrifices–preferably a sacrifice of time–you can make to do more temple work and family history work.”
In the time spent at the FHC this past summer, I have been taught by so many. Whether it’s the instructors, the consultants, the youth, the staff, or the patrons, I have learned so much and have felt such great joy. I have found the temple and the FHC to be happy places where the spirit is felt and the veil is thin. I have also learned much about my ancestors which has given me strength, inspired me to do more, and helped me to feel closer to family and God. In the last General Conference, Elder Renlund promised that engaging in family history and temple work will bring increased joy through an increased ability to feel the love of the Lord. I know this is true as I see it in the lives of those engaged in this great work and have felt it in my own life.
If you have not visited the FHC website recently (granitefhc.com), you will be pleasantly surprised with all the new content. The fall class schedule is now listed with many new classes. You will also see a variety of activities as we have primary, youth, young single adults, mutual groups, Elders Quorums, Relief Society groups, single adults, missionaries, and families using the FHC to discover, gather, and connect. The FHC website will also be adding resources that will be available during the coming fall season, like webcasts, handouts from classes, on-line registration for classes, consultant resources, and many more. We have so many talented and dedicated people serving at the FHC on our communications, curriculum, and technology committees. They are working night and day to make your experience with family history even more accessible and meaningful.
The fall class schedule is robust with many offerings which will be available both live and on-line thanks to our amazing curriculum committee. You will find something there for all levels of experience. If you want to just have a little one on one help, you are in luck as our patron services committee is continually training and developing new consultants and insuring they are at the FHC to serve you during regular patron hours.
In response to President Nelson’s invitation to the youth to enlist in Zion’s Army, our youth committees have developed exciting and meaningful activities for the youth. They are also training scores of new youth temple and family history consultants. Our 3-5 p.m. hours dedicated to youth on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, will be a blessing in the lives of our youth and help them prepare for and be protected in the battles ahead. If you are concerned about the rising generation, drop by the FHC after school and witness the light in the eyes and the joy in the countenances of these youth recruits. It will give you faith and hope for the future!
If you haven’t felt the excitement yet for the opportunities awaiting you at the FHC, please drop by in the next month and let us show you around. We look forward to participating with you in this great work and look forward to seeing a smile on your face. –David Castleton