I love Genealogy. I feel a deep connection to my ancestors. I want to know all about them. But, to be honest, I don't know what I'm doing. Researching the topic to find these quotes has inspired me again to keep plugging away. There are so many people in the church that are willing to help. So many that have a great talent for it. But, I often forget the other half family history work. Learning all about them and finding dates and such are wonderful and marvelous accomplishments. The part I often forget is that our kindred dead are waiting on us! They need their work done. They need the blessings of the temple just like we do. I picture myself sometimes meeting them in heaven and knowing that I didn't do enough, that I failed them. I want to be able to do my part, to do all I can. It is an untapped talent I have, I can feel it. Like President Faust said, "we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect.
"This work is a spiritual work, a monumental effort of cooperation on both sides of the veil, where help is given in both directions. Anywhere you are in the world, with prayer, faith, determination, diligence, and some sacrifice, you can make a powerful contribution. Begin now. I promise you that the Lord will help you find a way."
- By Richard G. Scott, 2012 October General Conference, The Joy of Redeeming the Dead, Sun. Afternoon Session
"I have learned that those who engage in family history research and then perform the temple ordinance work for those whose names they have found will know the additional joy of receiving both halves of the blessing."
- By Richard G. Scott, 2012 October General Conference, The Joy of Redeeming the Dead, Sun. Afternoon Session
" The great work of providing saving ordinances for our kindred dead is a vital part of the threefold mission of the Church. We do this work for a purpose, which is to redeem our dead ancestors. Temple work is essential for both us and our kindred dead who are waiting for those saving ordinances to be done for them. It is essential because "we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect." They need saving ordinances, and we need to be sealed to them. For this reason it is important that we trace our family lines so that no one is left out."
-By James E. Faust, 2003 October General Conference, The Phenomenon That Is You, Priesthood Session
"It is a joy to become acquainted with our forebears who died long ago. Each of us has a fascinating family history. Finding your ancestors can be one of the most interesting puzzles you young men can work on.
Each of us has to begin this work somewhere, and it can be done by young or old."
-By James E. Faust, 2003 October General Conference, The Phenomenon That Is You, Priesthood Session
"In many ways each of us is the sum total of what our ancestors were. The virtues they had may be our virtues, their strengths our strengths, and in a way their challenges could be our challenges. Some of their traits may be our traits."
2003 October General Conference, The Phenomenon That Is You, Priesthood session- James E. Faust
"Consider the spiritual connections that are formed when a young woman helps her grandfather enter family information into a computer or when a young man sees the name of his great-grandfather on a census record. When our hearts turn to our ancestors, something changes inside us. We feel apart of something greater than ourselves. Our inborn yearnings for family connections are fulfilled when we are linked to our ancestors through sacred ordinances of the temple."
2010 April General Conference, Generations Linked in Love, Sunday afternoon session- Russell M Nelson
"The Prophet Joseph Smith said, "The greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us is to seek after our dead." New technology makes it easier than every to fulfill that responsibility. Temple and family history work is now facilitated by a system known as the "newFamilySearch." This internet based system helps members identify their ancestors, determine what ordinance work needs to be done for them, and prepare their names for the temple. It can be accessed from home, a family history center, or wherever the Internet is available. The steps are easy to follow."
2010 April General Conference, Generations Linked in Love, Sunday afternoon session- Russell M Nelson
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