*HI ALL:

     Thanks to those who have posted what they do in their classes in their ward.  I think it helps everyone to see what others do, gives us all ideas....and we all need help with new ideas/suggestions, at some time!!

     What we are doing is using the booklets, COME UNTO CHRIST through temple ordinances and covenants, and the booklet, A MEMBER'S GUIDE TO TEMPLE AND FAMILY HISTORY WORK. 

      We use as a guide to WHAT TO TEACH the "Basic Task List" that is in the back of the COME UNTO CHRIST booklet.

It is great for giving an OUTLINE of how to teach the class.

       The main thing we are to be teaching in our classes is HOW TO PREPARE YOUR NAMES FOR TEMPLE WORK .... (Extra Research type instruction is for another, different type of environment...although SOME research tips are in order for these Sunday classes. The classes we do are during Sun. School time, and the main thrust is GETTING NAMES READY FOR AND DOING THE TEMPLE WORK.)

        We use the Basic Task List, which is as shown below:

1.   GAIN A DESIRE TO PROVIDE TEMPLE ORDINANCES FOR YOUR ANCESTORS

2.   COLLECT FAMILY INFO

3.   REVIEW FAMILY RECORDS TO FIND ANCESTORS WHOSE TEMPLE WORK HAS NOT YET BEEN DONE

4.   CHECK THE ORDINANCE INDEX FOR COMPLETED TEMPLE WORK

5.   REQUEST TEMPLE ORDINANCES FOR YOUR ANCESTORS

6.   RECEIVE TEMPLE ORDINANCES IN BEHALF OF YOUR ANCESTORS, WHERE POSSIBLE.

In our ward, we use the Basic steps ... but add additional things here and there, where needed and appropriate; and depending on the experience level of the class.  In the first class, I usually take a little poll and have each person describe where they are, genealogically speaking! 

Like whether they have their first 4 generations on PEDIGREE & FAMILY GROUP SHEETS.  If so, HOW MUCH HAS BEEN CHECKED for temple worked that might be needed.  If people aren't familiar with the sheets, then of course I have them there, and they start at Square One, and start filling them out!  Then they take them home to DO THEIR HOMEWORK, and obtain the names and dates and info needed, and bring back the next week.  (of course, the FIRST THING WE DISCUSS is 'WHY' we do temple work, and I use alot of the QUOTES FROM THE PROPHETS AND CHURCH LEADERS, which are in the two booklets mentioned above.)  Always leaving time open for people to discuss, ask questions, make comments, share experiences, etc.   BUT, one thing I've found is that I do sometimes have to WORK at keeping the classes somewhat ON SCHEDULE ... and not let some people who want to SHARE ALL THEIR EXPERIENCES and take up the entire class time! (This doesn't happen often , but it can, so you have to remember to BE THE LEADER OF THE CLASS, and use class time wisely, so all members get what they are there for.)

   Once CHARTS are filled out, info is obtained, and this can take a while if they dont all bring it back the next week... we also discuss CENSUS RECORDS and some of the main research tools for obtaining info .... And ALL THE WHILE encouraging them to go on their own time to the FHC. We also have a little office in our ward that has two computers with PAF AND FAMILYSEARCH on it.  We encourage them to set up times to come in and we will help them either learn PAF if they want, OR learn to use FamilySearch program....

    After all info seems to be obtained by most everyone (altho not everyone gets it all done, but they are still learning while coming to class), then we do TEMPLEREADY and show them h ow to do that.... If people have ALOT OF NAMES , then class time is not the time to complete all their TempleReady work . BUT it is the place to LEARN HOW TO DO IT.... if each person at least does it on a couple of their names (if you  have a large class), then they will LEARN HOW TO DO IT, AND CAN COME IN ON THEIR OWN TIME TO THE FHC or our little office, and do it on t heir own time.  There usually isn't time to do all the TempleReady work that needs to be done.... during the Sunday class time.

     BUT IF WE CAN TEACH THEM *HOW*, give them the TOOLS they need to be able to do it themselves, they will usually do it! I've found that usually what keeps members from DOING IT is that they aren't sure enough HOW to do it, and don't want to mosey on over to the FHC by themselves, although usually at the FHC there is someone who can show them the same as I can!   But, have you found this too, that when they take the Sunday morning CLASS, they tend to like to STICK WITH THE TEACHER when doing TempleReady??? 

     We also add in some extra classes, sometimes showing some of the films from the ward library ... about CENSUS RECORDS, land records, etc.  We've had a lot of positive comments about those types of short videos...that it is very helpful.  So the extra class or two to have these types of 'lessons' has been worthwhile. 

      Also, I've found that there are lots of questions about WHO can they do temple work for, and they bring up lots of situations where they want to know if they can do the work for this relative or that one ....

      In my new ward, where we recently moved, we have only done one actual CLASS....all the way through.  It needs a little refining, but once we do that, I will have an exact OUTLINE of what we do and will post here for anyone who is interested.  But roughly, above, is what we try to cover.

Main thing is to get people MOTIVATED & INSPIRED!  

      Oh, another thing we are going to do, that was done in a past ward that was very helpful --- is to type up a half-page of a FAMILY HISTORY QUESTIONNAIRE, and include it in the SACRAMENT MTG. PROGRAM one Sunday.... The Bishop could even mention it at the beginning of Sacrament Mtg., what it's for, etc., who to return it to, etc. 

       What it is is asking a few BASIC but important questions of the ward members .... as to what temple work they HAVE DONE, if they know WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, if they've completed their '4 generations', etc etc.  I will be typing up one of these Questionnaires for an upcoming Sunday, and will include that here too, if anyone would like to see what we will do, and can use it however they wish.  (We will also have them, after completing the short form, put their NAME AND PHONE NUMBER, and we can then follow up with all those who do need and want help with their temple work....even if they've done the temple work, if they want further RESEARCH HELP, etc., we will  offer that too. 

         PS  Also, I like to try and have at least one handout each week for members to take home ..... and one handout is usually one with a lot of good INTERNET SITES for genealogy and research.

       SO --- how are YOU doing it in your ward?????

          *Tina/CA*