The Power of Family History

Family History and Me
I come from a long line of faithful latter-day saints who engaged in family history work. I was told that our family history work was already done all the way back to Adam. When conference talks of family history work came or talk of taking a name to the temple came I didn't feel I needed to do anything. I thought those talks were for people whose family history work had not been done yet.

Elder Richard G. Scott in October conference of 2012 said, "Do you young people want a sure way to eliminate the influence of the adversary in your life? Immerse yourself in searching for your ancestors, prepare their names for the sacred vicarious ordinances available in the temple, and then go to the temple to stand as proxy for them to receive the ordinances of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. As you grow older, you will be able to participate in receiving the other ordinances as well. I can think of no greater protection from the influence of the adversary in your life."1 I longed to have that extra protection in my life and so I decided that I was going to do something.

My children were young so I didn't think that I would have time to sit and sift through all the work of my ancestors in hopes of finding a name. What I did know was that with all the work that was done that I could find stories to share with my kids and develop a love of ancestors in them. Perhaps as they became older we could learn together how to search for names to take to the temple. I had learned a format of how to engage in getting to know others. It was a DVD course that was given to me by a business contact. It occurred to me that this would be a great way to get to know our ancestors. I developed a template and started learning about family members both alive and dead. 

When I started this journey my only real intent was to have greater power to resist temptations, but I have found much more. I have found a connection to my family that has helped me to know who I am. With that connection I have found greater confidence in who I am and my part in our family chain. I have become aware of certain family patterns that could destroy me if I am not careful. I have learned of faith filled stories that inspire me to do my best to live the gospel. I have a deep and abiding love for my family including ancestors who have passed on. Family history has brought me joy in ways I can not explain. I am grateful for what I have learned through studying my family history. It truly is a blessing.

Know Who You Are
It's amazing how learning family history can change your perspective on yourself. Especially in a world that would have you believe that your value is determined only by how much you make and how beautiful you are. I have read stories of hardship and perseverance. I marvel learning how my ancestors changed not only my life, but the lives of those they came in contact with. Learning of my great grandmother who was a doctor who was taught how to use herbs to heal has helped me realize why I am an advocate for alternative medicines. Stories of another great grandmother's love for singing in the choir gave me a knowledge of where my musical talent comes from and why I love singing. This gives me a greater sense of confidence knowing my gifts have been passed from generation to generation.

Know What Traps to be Aware Of
Every family has pitfalls and places that they seem to struggle. A story of my great grandfather from Switzerland tells of him settling the area of Bern, Idaho. They made their way to an area around Garden City when they found another family who spoke Swiss and they decided to stay there for the winter. The history says when they got to Bern in the spring the only land that was left was the barren hills. That taught me that my family has had financial struggles. It's something for me to learn from and try to improve on.

While studying other family histories I have learned that there was a terrible rift in the family and have seen that rift develop among family members today. It has taught me to beware of those traps and do my best to always work through problems and support one another despite differences. It is something I continue to work on.
 
A Greater Connection to Live the Gospel
One of my favorite stories is of my Great Grandpa who was quite poor. He was sitting in church one day when the bishop was instructing the saints that they needed to pay more tithing. He was a poor man and was already giving a lot but he increased his tithing even still. The bishop told him that he already gave a generous tithe and was not one of those who he was asking to pay more. My grandfather then told the bishop that he could not take from him the blessings of paying an honest tithe. My son reminds me of this story often as he joyfully pays his tithing to the Lord.

Many faithful ancestors have faith filled stories. One story I love is that of my ancestor Agnes Hailey Love. Agnes came from a wealthy family with a plantation in North Carolina. Her husband James Madison Flake also came from wealth. They came west with the saints and had many hardships. She lost her husband very young. A wealthy brother, learning of her widow status, asked that she return to North Carolina. He promised her that she and her children should never want for anything, if she would only leave the "Mormon" people alone. She replied that "she knew the Gospel was true and that she had rather wash for a living than to leave the people whom she knew were right in thought as to religion. She remained loyal to the teaching of the Latter-Day Saints and died in that faith."

With stories like these and many more my testimony and my resolve to live the gospel of Jesus Christ is strengthened. I realize there were many sacrifices that were made so that I could have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life and I want to pass that on to my children. I am beyond grateful for the heritage that I have been left and the legacy of faith that I have been given. It is my desire that I leave my own legacy of faith for my posterity to follow. 

Love For My Family
I have always had a great love for family. I grew up close to both sets of grandparents. As I learn where my parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings and I all came from and the stories that make us who we are I develop a greater love for us all. I appreciate those things that they have given to me and my posterity. It is amazing when you realize all of the amazing people who not only make you who you are, but have developed your family as a whole.

Joy
Learning my family history has brought me so much joy! It has helped me to know where I come from and the amazing things that I can accomplish because of that. I am so thankful for the wonderful men and women who have lived such amazing lives and shared their blessings with me. I can't say enough of how grateful I am for them. I have truly been blessed!

1. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/the-joy-of-redeeming-the-dead?lang=eng

Am I really a good Samaritan?

The parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-35 reads... 

"30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 

32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee."

At times I have wondered how someone can walk by and not help a hurt man. In my heart of hearts I hope that I would help. In the last month I have had experiences that have made me wonder "Am I really a good Samaritan? Can I do better?" 

I recently had an experience where I was left wounded emotionally and mentally. I was victim to some very unkind words. There were many people who witnessed this abuse and thought it was wrong. For weeks I prayed that one of those who witnesses this would step up and support me and those prayers went mostly unanswered for weeks. I don't know if anyone corrected this person besides me and my husband, but I was mostly left to deal with this on my own. I won't say those prayers went entirely unanswered because the Lord did let me know that he heard my prayers and he answered them in His own quiet way. However, I surely would have loved the same care and nurturing that was shown to the good Samaritan. 

As some of this problem has been openly discussed a comment was made that others didn't want to get involved. I understand protecting yourself and because of that it's not hard for me to forgive but the response leads me to ask a question. Is this not the same as the priest or the Levite walking by? Maybe I am wrong, but I feel it is still a good question to consider. How often do I stay out of it when perhaps I could stand with someone and lend support? Often doing what it right is uncomfortable and takes great courage. With the Lord's help we can have that courage.

A friend of mine taught me by example. She shared an experience the other day that I've been given permission to share. These are her words, "While meeting my family for some Mother’s Day top golf fun, I stopped a man who was attacking his wife. After getting out of my car I overheard a man violently yelling. I followed my gut and walked toward the yelling. I soon realized it was much more. I watch this man screaming in the face of his wife and push her around so violently that she looked like a rag doll under his force. I sprang into action by getting close enough to make a stance but far enough to not be hurt. I yelled, ‘I’m calling the police, don’t you touch her again!’ He started screaming ‘I want a divorce’ but backed away and left in his car. The woman seemed slightly shaken but almost unfazed and very thankful and asked to be on her way. I couldn’t do anything more. It’s frightening to think what happens behind closed doors and I can only pray she gets away." 

I wondered if I would have the courage to do what she did. I don't believe I have ever been in that kind of situation, but maybe I have and thought "I don't want to get involved or it's non of my business." At the end of her post she wrote "Don’t be afraid to speak out against abuse and other wrong doings!" She is right. We should stand up against that which is wrong.


Edmund Burke said, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." How often does our gut tell us to do something, but fear motivates us to do nothing?  In church a few weeks before all of this I heard the scripture in 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." My friend in her courage showed the power to stop this abuse, her love for a fellow life traveler whom she didn't know, and a sound mind to act without putting herself in harms way. I admire her for her courage. It is my prayer that I can follow her example.

None of us are perfect. I know I am not. I hope and pray that I can be courageous enough to listen when the Lord instructs me to open my mouth or to bind up someone's wounds whether emotional, mental, spiritual or physical. I'll close these thoughts with the wise words of *Margaret D. Nadauld, which apply to both women and men. "The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity."

*https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2000/10/the-joy-of-womanhood?lang=eng
Photo credit to https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-10-010-parable-of-the-good-samaritan?lang=eng

April 2018

Jordan River Temple Open House

Whenever a temple is built of rededicated they open it up to the public to come see. 

It is always a delight to be able to take my kids to see the beautiful temple during that time.

Spring Break 

We spent a couple of days down at Grandma and Grandpa Robison's 

house for Spring Break and Easter.

We spent the rest of the time staying in Richfield with Gordon and Holly and enjoyed exploring in the Goblin Valley area! We can't wait to go back and spend a little more time!

Scouts in Moab

The scouts decided to take a quick trip to Moab for an 

overnight camp out and I think everyone had a blast!

Snow in April

Crazy things happen in April!

Cort's 1st Grade Program

There's nothing better than 1st grade flowers growing in a program.

Check out that confident kid! Love him!

It was fun to watch Cort perform!

Checking Out Girl's Camp

in beautiful Cache Valley

Kent and I took the boys for a ride so I could check out the location of girl's camp. We didn't make it up in time before they locked the gate, but we got to go on an adventurous ride complete with prayers that our exhaust that broke and Kent tied together would make it all the way back home. 

Crazy fun memories! 

Life in April

My two youngest taking selfies. The beautiful lawn without dandelions this year. Tackling the trampoline when it tried to take off over Jen's fence and finally turning it upside down to let Kent deal with it. The crazy disaster Marshal and Gloria made in his room. Never a dull moment.

Marshal-hood. My selfies. I have no idea why Marshal looked sad. Bearded Dragon photos. Abella came to our house and left me this note that my house is the Best. place ever!!!! Very sweet and cute!

Politics and Entertainment

One April 14 I was able to be a county delegate and I really enjoyed the opportunity to visit with the candidates and get more involved in the political process. April 19 we had the opportunity to go to Kristen Hickman's play The Importance of Being Earnest and we had a blast!