Family History
The Absolute Joy of Temple and Family History
by Brother Lowell Curtis
Announcement: Rootstech 2025 in rapidly descending upon us, March 6-8th. Few in our ward participate in this event that draws participants from all over the world. On line registration is free, and sessions may be viewed at the time of the event or on demand when you’re available. Four keynote speakers have been announced (grandson of Nelson Mandela’s is one) and over 800 online family history presentations will be available, something for everyone.
To register just log into your Family Search account home page. You will see a Rootstech 2025 window on the upper right hand corner. Just click on it and registration is almost instantaneous. Log on later to see what you may be interested in viewing. It really is a grand, premier event. If you need help in navigating the Rootstech website, give the Curtis’ a call.
Temple and Family History
In the Prophet Joseph Smith’s King Follett funeral address, the Prophet taught us that “the greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us is to seek after our dead”. Let me suggest to you that this includes ordinance work, but also includes involvement in some facet of this marvelous research. Family History is a collaborative effort, many hands doing many things. Some of us index; some use the Get Involved App to do name review, other serve Church Service and full time missions in support of Family Search. Others find and attach sources documenting lives and adding names to our combined tree. There is also research done moving family lines further back in time. There are many ways to contribute, this is an invitation for you to assist and discover what you can do to assist. You will notice that the Prophet said we are to seek after our dead. Not the dead, or someone else’s dead, but our dead. Give that some consideration. You can help!
The great news is that we have never had the tools that we have now. There are recent changes in Family Search, and we suspect more to come. It’s all part of this marvelous miracle. We are anxious to help you discover this inspiring and fulfilling aspect of our sacred duty. Please contact Sister Jan Johnson or Brother and Sister Curtis for assistance if it is needed. Best wishes to you all.