In the April 2017 General Conference (See Link), Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, Second Counselor in General Primary Presidency, shared a touching story of a sister who had been diagnosed with cancer. Sister Cordon was told “On October 29, 2015, I found out I had cancer. My cancer had a 17 percent survival rate. The odds weren’t good. I knew that I would be in for the fight of my life. I was determined to give it everything I had not just for myself but, more important, for my family.”

This dear sister shared, “I was familiar with many of the side effects of cancer-fighting drugs, but I did not know that it was possible for someone to be so sick and still be alive.”  She continues, “At one point, I declared chemotherapy a human rights violation. I told my husband that I was done. I quit! I was not going back to the hospital. In his wisdom, my sweetheart patiently listened and then responded, ‘Well, then we need to find someone to serve.’”

In sharing this sister’s story, Sister Cordon shared how she had been told that on those nights when the pain of this dear sister was too great to allow her to sleep, she would lie in bed with her iPad and search for ordinances that needed to be completed on behalf of her deceased ancestors.

“Service saved my life,” is what Sister Cordon was told. (See Link)

I can’t help but think there is more room for “searching for ordinances” in all our lives.  We don’t have to be experiencing a life changing event to look for ways to serve. We can begin today, with the knowledge and experience that we have. We may not have the knowledge and expertise that we want, but in time, and with patience, we can expand our talents and understanding of family history and seek out those that need our help.

I’m guessing we have all felt the joy that comes from serving others. The joy that comes from doing something for someone that they perhaps can’t do for themselves.   There are those that are waiting for us to do for them that they cannot do for themselves.  I hope we won’t wait to begin our search for those that need this sacred work done for them, let’s start today, let’s begin together, let’s expand our abilities and then let’s sit back and watch the hand of the Lord as He guides us and directs us in this most sacred work.

We are blessed to have FamilySearch centers accessible for many of us, but all can participate in this work from the comfort of our own homes.

Let’s all join forces and do for others what they can’t do for themselves, let’s discover our ancestors, and then offer them lifesaving ordinances.  Let’s let service “save our lives.”

Doug Nielsen, Director, Sandy Granite FamilySearch Center