If you research “best practices” in leadership, you will find evidence that supports the importance of having a vision statement. As organizations (and individuals) create vision statements and refer to them often, vision statements help them to set goals, focus on them, evaluate where they are in the process of meeting those goals, and in identifying what still needs to be done. In the end the vision, can help them reach the goals they have set.

As a church, coming up with a vision statement should be easy. Our vision ought to include preparing ourselves and all God’s children, to receive all that the Father has. There are of course many small steps and course adjustments that we make every day while we focus on reaching goals and on this vision.

In D&C: 128, Joseph Smith shares a vision he had, regarding the redemption of the dead. He talks of angels, the work of different prophets in different dispensations, and our work. In verse 22, we read: “Brethren (sisters) shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward, courage brethren; and on, on to victory! Let your hearts rejoice and be exceedingly glad. Let the Earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free.” Continuing at the end of verse 24, “…Let us therefore as a church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness; and let us present in his holy temple, when it is finished, a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worthy of all acceptation.”

What a vision! Temple and family history is a work of salvation. We are promised that as we are engaged in this work and participate in saving God’s children, we will also be saved. I hope as we focus on this vision, it will become part of our own vision, to not only serve our ancestors, but to guide us and bring us joy. –Elaine Hardman