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