There is More to Family History Than Genealogy

Have you noticed the words in our title? It is not Ward Genealogy Consultant, it's Ward Family History Consultant. Is there a difference? Think about Malachi's words for a minute. He says, "turn the hearts of the children to the fathers and the hearts of the fathers to the children." Most of us take that to mean genealogical research and temple work. However, are our hearts fully turned to our fathers if all we know are their names and when and where they were born and died?

"What could you do better for your children and grand children than to record the story of your life, your triumphs over adversity your recovery after a fall, your progress when all seemed black, your rejoicing when you had finally achieved?" (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 351.)

Helping and encouraging our ward members to create their own personal histories and family histories is also part of our calling. We should be doing more than just helping ward members prepare names for the temple. In fact, the ward members can go over to the family history center and get help in doing that.

It is interesting to note that when a person begins to create their own personal history, they then want to do the same for their parents, grandparents, and other relatives. Their interest in their own ancestors increases and naturally spills over into wanting to make sure that all Temple work is completed. Creating one's own personal history seems to open up a sense of responsibility for others in their family. Encouraging and teaching people how to do their own personal histories can get people interested in actually doing genealogy work and, therefore, temple work, when they may have had no interest in the past.

We also should be aware that part of our calling as ward consultants is to get our ward members to keep a journal. "Let us then continue on in this important work of recording the things we do, the things we say, the things we think, to be in accordance with the instructions of the Lord. For those of you who may not have already started your books of remembrance and your records, we would suggest that this very day you begin to write your records quite fully and completely. We hope that you will do this, our brothers and sisters, for this is what the Lord has commanded." (ibid p. 349)

The prophet Nephi wrote that he delighted in writing scriptures for the profit and learning of his children. (2 Nephi 4:15.) I have wondered over the years why writing scripture would be a delightful experience. Then it occurred to me that Nephi was actually writing his own personal history and loved to tell about the good things the Lord had done for him and his children. When something great happened, I can just imagine that Nephi could hardly wait to pick up his tools and start engraving on the plates so we would know about it too.

We should also look forward to writing in our journals the great things the Lord has done for us. Sometimes I can hardly wait to get home to write what I have learned or experienced. In fact, I measure my own spirituality by how anxious and faithful I am in writing in my journal.

Again, President Kimball wrote: "Get a notebook, a journal that will last through all time, and maybe the angels may quote from it for eternity. Begin today and write in it your goings and comings, your deepest thoughts, your achievements and your failures, your associations and your triumphs, your impressions and your testimonies. Remember, the Savior chastised those who failed to record important events." (ibid, p. 351.)

In addition, we should be familiar with what ward members can do to help them stay in closer touch with their own personal extended families. President Kimball wrote: ". . . We have counseled that Latter-day Saints not only establish family organizations, but that they hold reunions and plan meetings to further secure the family ties." (ibid p. 349.) If someone in your ward asked for help in organizing a family reunion for next summer, would you know what to tell them?

How about family newsletters. They are a great way to help family members stay in touch when they may be living far from parents and grandparents. Could you suggest what to put into a family newsletter and how to get it printed?

As you can see, a Ward Family History Consultant has a lot of eternally important responsibilities.