I hope to see us dissolve the artificial boundary line we so often place between missionary work and temple and genealogical work, because it is the same great redemptive work! PRESIDENT SPENCER W. KIMBALL
“People typically have spiritual feelings as they talk about families. People also feel the Spirit as they are taught about the doctrine concerning why we do family history work.” (Preach My Gospel, p. 165)
IN ORDER FOR RECENT CONVERTS TO REMAIN ACTIVE
“…[C]onvert retention is enhanced as new members are able to search their family roots and perform sacred ordinances in behalf of their ancestors.” (Preach My Gospel, p. 165)
- Each young person and adult that is baptized should take a family history class during Sunday School, immediately after his or her baptism and begin to fill out the booklet.
- All converts from the past two years should receive help in filling out the booklet.
TO REACTIVATE FAMILIES
On occasion, members that have been absent from Church for a long time may be less receptive to the messages of the gospel. However, a spiritual experience with his or her family history could be a determining factor for his or her return to activity.
- Identify less active families who will receive help with this booklet.
TO FIND PEOPLE TO TEACH
“Family history is a powerful resource to use in finding those whom the Lord is preparing to receive the restored gospel.” (Preach My Gospel, p. 165)
- Identify families in which everyone is not a member of the Church, and help them to have a powerful spiritual experience with their family history.
SUGGESTED METHOD
- You can begin by asking each family member (whether or not he or she is a member of the Church) to name one of the ancestors that he or she loves and admires greatly. It can be someone who is still alive or someone that has passed on already.
- Immediately following, you could ask each family member to name one reason for which he or she loves the ancestor that was named, or some specific story that he or she remembers or has heard.
- Promptly hand out a copy of the booklet to each family member, and allot five or ten minutes for each person to write the story that he or she told on the corresponding page of his or her booklet.
- Invite them to find and attach a photo of that ancestor in the booklet, if possible.
WHAT IS NEXT
- A young person could help them to input that information on www.familysearch.org/myfamily.
- A family history consultant can help him or her to find more ancestry records.
HOW TO GET COPIES OF THE BOOKLET
- This important resource is already found in the homes of many Church members.
- The ward or branch can purchase additional copies at a very low cost in the local distribution center or on www.ldscatalog.com.
- The mission president may have additional copies, so that the missionaries may use them.
Receive additional help on the toll-free telephone line in your country. (Find the number on http://contact.familysearch.org)
