Happy New Year - 2026 - Need a hand up for Family History Organization in your Ward or Stake?

 Happy New Year!   

  May you have and record lots of Family History Moments in 2026!

From Ted and Karen Meyer

naswfamilyhistory@gmail.com

We are Stake Temple and Family History Consultants

for Phoenix East Area, Camelback Stake, 

Please email us for any help you need.

NEW FREE MATERIALS FOR 

BISHOPS, ELDERS' QUORUM PRESIDENTS, 

TEMPLE AND FAMILY HISTORY LEADERS

Helping a new or less active Member get to the Temple in 60 Days

2026 FAMILYHISTORY ANNUAL WARD PLANNER

What’s happening in your part of the world?

Mormons in Nigeria

Our friend and his family in Nigeria are such good examples of Christ’s love they have baptized over 3000 members in 2025.  I was sad to hear that after having their home ravaged by Isis and Alqueda they put on the whole Armour of God and loved helping others in the face of their own tragedies.  Here are pictures

ORGANIZING THE EFFORTS OF YOUR FAMILY HISTORY TEAM

 ORGANIZING THE EFFORTS OF YOUR FAMILY HISTORY TEAM

First, assess where your ward is in knowledge and in ability to assist.  

Have your Clerk do a ward query for JUST the Head of Household, Spouse, Email, Phone

Drop it into the attached excel sheet

Read the first page on how to set it up Page 1

Pge2

Page 3

 Page 4

The next sheet is just the Ward list

formatted as Head of Household, Phone,Email

All of your data and work culminate in this sheet to take to your correlation, communication meeting; this is the ONLY PAGE THAT GETS PRINTED OUT.

ALL OTHER PAGES ARE TOO MASSIVE - JUST LET THE ANSWERS FINALLY REST ON THE PAGE BELOW THEN, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ENTER THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF ACTIVE PEOPLE IN THE WARD - THE FORM WILL DO THE REST.

COPY AND PASTE THIS INTO AN EMAIL - SEND IT TO NASWFAMILYHISTORY@GMAIL.COM

Ted and Karen,

Please send me this workbook in an email to:

My calling is:

I am from the :                Stake

I live in _____________(Stateor Country

From:

Your name,

email

FAMILY HISTORY GAMES THIS ONE IS CALLED RETURN TO HEAVEN...

THE KID'S ZONE

an important element of any Family History Fair

 I always have a Kid Zone or Children's Corner when I book a family history fair - because parents need to be able to study the presentations from each booth.  Little kids get bored.  

This is my newKid Zone class marker - I hang it on the door of the 1/2 way open slider door of the Overflow in the cultural hall.  

Sorry for the terrible picture but it's basically Utah in the background, pioneer parents, wagon train, oxen team rattlesnake,cactus, and the Temple  I put them on 

Cricut Design Space so that anyone can create this.  I made a new Kid Zone poster this year.  One goes on the Greeter's Handout showing them the answers to what they need to find, where they need to find it and then a picture which will be attached to the booth.  There is also a numbering system that will have the # on the Greeter packet matching the # on the table.  They can't get lost.

Bring in two low 12 x 3" tables from the Nursery and about 10 chairs - Make sure there are chairs for the leaders.  Have a sign in with the text number of the parent.  Make sure that the parent knows this is only for their convenience while they are on the premesis.  Yes, I had a woman drop them off and go shopping.  I guess I was her tender mercy for that day but they need to know that they are liable and not shift that to us and leave to do errands.

Kids Corner is always the overflow in each building - So I leave the CH overflow open so parents can see their kids and know they are having fun.  The following things are listed in my book, 

"How to Create the Successful Family History Fair!" 

 https://www.amazon.com/create-successful-Family-History-Fair-ebook/dp/B0B9KHT9QP  They will actually let you read it for free for the first 30 days!

I look for religious or family-oriented coloring books and crayons - not markers (they are problematic with the carpet).  I also look for the 4 x 6 white plain puzzles so that each child can draw a picture of their family and then when they break it up, they can put it into an envelope and put it together when they get home. 

4.00 per pack - Try amazon.  make sure you bring white envelopes to put each family picture in for them to take home.  Also bring sandwich bags that they can decorate for whatever they get to take home - 

 A great thing for them to work on is a Family Crest. 

 I found these at Oriental Trading - but they may be in other places or you may have an artist who could do a large one and copy it at Kinkos several times.    

One board game we created is called 20 ways to gather Israel - and the people playing it and having the most fun were actually the kids and the  missionaries -

  https://naswfamilyhistory.blogspot.com/2019/09/20-ways-to-gather-israel-family-history.html

The one below is called "Return to Heaven"  

Here is the video that we presented at our Stake Meeting to teach others how to do a FH Event.

Planning the perfect family history event (3) (1) [Autosaved].pptx

I have this in book form on Amazon - 

I believe I called the game pieces "laggers"  from a place we saved when it would be our turn again in hopscotch.  I found family Tree charms to put  10 different colored ribbons on for markers for the game board.

The cards are just from an excel file on my one drive and you print them onto regular paper then glue them onto thick card stock and cut out.  

HOME MADE GAMES ROCK!

I raised five children, and one of the things I loved was when the teachers wanted them to memorize things like - American Explorers, spelling words, or even capitols of states.  It was so much fun to make the games - all I needed was the following:

1 large cardboard box flattened.

6-12 12x12 pieces of cardstock to cover the board ( use glue)

using a 2" marker from cardboard, create a trail all over the board.

Include these types of things - a SLIDE - if they land on it they slide down to another level;

a LADDER - if they land on it, they climb instantly to another level.  Obviously, slides represent procrastination and ladders represent opportunities or blessings.

GAME PIECES.  Here is a link to an excel file with  2" blue and red hearts, and also the pictures of grandparents, relatives, things that we readily recognize from our teachings

RETURN TO HEAVEN GAME

Okay, you are noticing that my artistic abilities leave something to be desired. All I can tell you is that kids love this game, So I always take it when we have a Family History Fair for the Children's Corner. The directions are pretty easy: spin (I got a spinner from eBay—so what's it used for????). I fastened it down to the board, or when it spins, the white top goes flying like a helicopter.

RETURN TO HEAVEN

Everyone starts on the Family  

Everyone gets to spin once - the highest will go first - go clockwise from there

If you land on a pink heart or blue heart you have things to do and many of them have something to do with learning more about your Grandparents or could be.....remembering something nice about them. Game pieces are usually some r piece that would represent a family - I found family tree charms on eBay and I use 10 different colors of ribbon to tie to each one.  See excel file below to print out pink heart and blue heart cards (only the player gets to use from two piles on the board. On the game board remember to cover the whole game board with clear packing tape - liquid accidents won't ruin your game.

Keep going until you get to the entrance  You need the exact amount to get into heaven.  Sometimes people get stuck there waiting to roll a 1 and others surpass them and win.  The point is that we do not always have to have the perfect (or be perfect) because if we keep trying, God and the Atonement of Jesus Christ will help us get whatever perfect number will help us get to heaven.  

For the "Pearly Gates" picture for the game board, I just googled the same name and in images - found what my mind thought the gates might look like at the time I created this game.  Funny thing is, on one of my last illnesses with my hip saga, I actually passed over for a few seconds or minutes - my body was floating above the hospital bed and then I could only see fog and hear certain voices.  I talk about it in the introduction of my book, "Get the Story Right!"    I wish great success for your wonderful Family History Event Perhaps this game will help the children understand how our Heavenly Father desires all of his children to return to His presence where God and our Savior reside and to have the kind of life that exists in the Celestial glory.  Only the Adversary would tell our minds that we must be perfect or have

the perfect life to get in.  That is impossible - Perfection is only able through our loving God's only Son's Atonement for our sins.

Ok - remember, play nice.  Everyone spins one time - highest gets to start the game and spin - then go clockwise around the board.

land on a picture and do what it says

land on a heart - draw a blue card

land on a pink heart - draw a pink card

do whatever it says and move that many spaces if you get it right.

this is motivation to learn where your grandparents are from.  

Another fun game:

This is a game that teaches you where to look for documents

Hope you love it.

FAMILY HISTORY GAME PLAN2.xlsx

These are fun invitations that you can create to give with a plate of cookies to a non member or less active member to invite them to create a family tree - look for the pattern on Cricut - it's free.

This was an idea for one of our FH linger longers.  Extra tables were brought in - ones for consultants who wore a white shirt and these hats (from tshirt.com?).  At first I balked silently but Kristina Potter was in charge and people said - I lie the hats because I can tell who can help us and who can't.  That sold me on this idea and they were correct.

Are your Primary Kids good to go to YW and YM?

  Primary children turning 12 in the year 2025 will enter Young Women and Young Men's Organizations on the first Sunday in January of 2025.  They should have been trained by the parents, however, the counselors can meet with Consultants so they can advise the parents on any new things which will make it easier for a young person to adapt.  The most important thing is that each youth should have their own login and password to their own tree.

1Children generally advance from Primary into Young Women or the deacons quorum in January of the year they turn 12. They may receive a Certificate of Advancement.   These at this link are for "advancement", but here is an option.  After the parents train on these things, they could possibly have the Bishop or Primary President present this to him or her.

PRIMARY GENEALOGIST CERTIFICATE.docx

e certificates may be generated in Leader and Clerk Resources.

In recognition of increasing skill based knowledge in: 

1. Making sure I have my own login and password,
2. Learning the meaning of genealogy terms,
3. Learning to document,
4. uploading a memory to Family Search, 
5.  Spending time with Grandma and writing down her story,
6. Baking cookies with Grandpa or Grandma and listening to their stories,  
7. Learning how to “Source” my data,
8. learning how to scan a picture, l
9. earning about Find a Grave,
10. reserving a name,
11. printing an ordinance card out. 

Track their progress

In some  Wards, an 11-year-old may not be ready to leave Primary. The bishop, parents, and child counsel together about the timing.

Children may not complete Primary before January of the year they turn 12. Nor may young men be ordained deacons before that time.

12.1.7

Temple and Priesthood Preparation Meeting

Parents have the primary responsibility to teach their children about the temple and the priesthood. To support them, the Primary presidency plans a Temple and Priesthood Preparation meeting each year. The bishopric gives direction. The meeting is for children in the Valiant 10 class. Parents are invited. This meeting has the following purposes:

• Help children understand priesthood purposes, responsibilities, and blessings.

• Help children participate in temple and family history work and prepare to make and keep sacred covenants.

• Help boys prepare to receive the Aaronic Priesthood.

• Help children prepare to receive a temple recommend.

The meeting may be held during Primary on Sunday, at another time on Sunday, or at a different time. A member of the bishopric conducts. At least one member of the Primary presidency attends.

 If a unit has few children, the meeting may be held under the direction of the stake presidency. Some or all of the wards in the stake meet together.

For more information, see Temple and Priesthood Preparation on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

For Wards who wish to help the Parents to get their kids ready to acclimate to Young Men's and Young Womens, we put together a slide deck called Primarily Primary - with ideas of things that would keep them from making large errors in the data base without much training.

https://1drv.ms/b/s!AjS2RGb0p-4P9z9l11VzqEVD5thG?e=3Zgeju

LEADERSHIP INSTRUCTION FOR 2024

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/family-history?lang=eng

Summary of recent changes to the Handbook for Temple and Family History

Chapter 25: Temple and Family History Work in the Ward and Stake

• 25.0. Introduction (reorganized section and added a sentence to emphasize uniting families for eternity)

Church members have the privilege and responsibility to help unite their families for eternity.

• 25.1. Member and Leader

•  Participation in Temple and Family History Work (bulleted list moved to 25.2)

25.1.1. Individual Responsibility for Temple Worship (revised title; added paragraph about scheduling appointments with the temple)

• 25.1.2. Ward and Stake Temple Trips (added paragraph about scheduling appointments with the temple)

Each Church unit is assigned to a temple district. Organized ward or stake visits to temples outside the assigned temple district are not encouraged.

All ward and stake temple trips should be scheduled with the temple. See temples.ChurchofJesusChrist.org for each temple’s contact information.

25.2. Organizing Temple and Family History Work in the Ward (incorporated list items from 25.1, 25.2.1, and 25.2.2 to consolidate information about ward leaders’ responsibilities)

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1. Ward leaders have the following responsibilities for temple and family history work in the ward:
2. Help individual members prepare to make covenants with God by receiving temple ordinances (see 27.1).
3. Encourage members to worship in the house of the Lord as often as their circumstances allow.
4. Encourage individuals and families to learn the doctrine and blessings of temple and family history work.
5. Ensure that the doctrine and blessings of temple and family history work are taught regularly during Church meetings. This work unites families for eternity.
6. Encourage members to learn about their ancestors and perform temple ordinances on their behalf.
7. Support parents in helping their children participate in temple and family history work.
8. Encourage all youth and adult members, including new members, to have a current temple recommend.

See chapter 26 for information about temple recommends.

• 25.2.1. Bishopric (revised bulleted list)

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• 25.2.2. Elders Quorum and Relief Society Presidencies (moved some list items to 25.2)

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• 25.2.4. Ward Temple and Family History Consultants (reordered list items; added references to 25.4.1 and 25.4.2)

This part has not changed, but we have been getting responses from other Stake Consultants saying that Temple and Family History Leaders are not assigning Consultants to go to the Stake Center to receive more training from Stake Consultants.  Here is the verbiage and it is needed for your Wards to grow in knowledge.

•  Where applicable, assign ward temple and family history consultants to serve in the FamilySearch center (see 25.3.6).

e 25.2.7).

1. Serve in a local FamilySearch center when assigned (see 25.3.6).Consultants teach others in simple ways how to participate in temple and family history work. They have the following responsibilities:
2. Help members prepare to receive temple ordinances and make temple covenants.
3. Help members experience the blessings of discovering their ancestors and performing temple ordinances on their behalf. 
4. These experiences are especially important for those learning the gospel, new and returning members, and those preparing to receive a recommend for proxy baptisms and confirmations.
5. Participate in temple and family history coordination meetings (se

25.2.6. Ward Temple and Family History Plan (revised bulleted lists and clarified that wards should not establish quotas or reporting systems)

Ward Temple and Family History Plan

Each ward should have a simple temple and family history plan. This plan helps ward members, including children and youth, prepare to worship in the house of the Lord and participate in family history work as often as their circumstances allow.

1. The elders quorum and Relief Society presidents help the ward council develop the plan. The ward temple and family history leader also helps. In developing the plan, they:
2. Prayerfully consider members’ needs and the available resources.
3. Identify actions to take during the year.
4. Determine how to implement the plan and make assignments accordingly.
5. Examples of what the plan might include are listed below:
6. Help specific members prepare to receive temple ordinances.
7. Help members build their family trees on FamilySearch.org or with the FamilySearch Family Tree app (see 25.4.1).
8. Help members use the Ordinances Ready feature on FamilySearch.org or the FamilySearch Family Tree app to take the name of an ancestor to the temple.
9. Involve new and returning members, youth, and children in temple and family history work.

1. The ward temple and family history plan should not establish quotas or reporting systems for temple worship (see 25.1.1).
2. The bishop reviews and approves the plan. Members of the ward council take the lead in implementing it. They report on progress in ward council meetings. They also update the plan as needed.

• 25.2.7. Ward Temple and Family History Coordination Meetings (revised bulleted lists)

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1. Brief informal ward temple and family history coordination meetings are held regularly. The ward temple and family history leader conducts these meetings.
2. Others who are invited include:
3. Assigned members of the Relief Society and elders quorum presidencies.
4. An assistant in the priests quorum (or the teachers or deacons quorum president if there are no priests in the ward).
5. A presidency member of the oldest Young Women class.
6. Temple and family history consultants.
7. All who attend, including the youth, counsel together as equal participants. The purpose of these meetings is to:
8. Coordinate efforts to implement the ward temple and family history plan (see 25.2.6).
9. Plan how to help specific ward members prepare to receive temple ordinances.
10. Plan how to help specific ward members with their temple and family history work.
11. These meetings may be held in person or remotely. Coordination can also happen in other ways, including phone calls, texts, and emails.
12. 25.3.1. Stake Presidency (reordered and revised bulleted list)

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• 25.3.3. High Councilors (added “FamilySearch center coordinators” and replaced “efforts in indexing” with “family history volunteer efforts”)

High Councilors

1. The stake presidency may assign high councilors to instruct and support the following people in their responsibilities for temple and family history work:

1. Elders quorum presidencies

2. Ward temple and family history leaders

3. Stake temple and family history consultants

4. FamilySearch center coordinators

5. One or more high councilors may be assigned to lead these efforts. However, all high councilors have these responsibilities for the wards and quorums to which they are assigned.
6. High councilors may help ward temple and family history leaders instruct ward temple and family history consultants. High councilors may be assisted by stake temple and family history consultants.
7. The stake presidency may assign a high councilor to coordinate the stake’s family history volunteer efforts (see 25.4.3). He or another high councilor may be assigned to oversee the work in FamilySearch centers (see 25.3.6).

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• 25.3.5. Stake Temple and Family History Consultants (replaced “stake indexing efforts” with “volunteer” efforts)

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• 25.3.6. FamilySearch Centers (added information about FamilySearch center coordinators and FamilySearch centers near temples)

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• 25.3.7. FamilySearch Center Coordinator (new section)

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• 25.3.8. Area Temple and Family History Advisers (added “FamilySearch Center Coordinators”; reordered list items to emphasize helping members prepare to go the temple)

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• 25.4.1. FamilySearch.org, Ordinances Ready, and FamilySearch Apps (new section number shown; title revised; section moved up from 25.4.2 to emphasize the preferred FamilySearch resources; section revised)

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• 25.4.2. My Family: Stories That Bring Us Together (moved from 25.4.1 to 25.4.2; minor revisions)

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• 25.4.3. Family History Volunteer Activities (title and section revised to include activities in addition to indexing)

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• 25.5.2. Requirements for Temple Workers (title and section revised because temple volunteers are no longer called; all who work in the temple are temple workers)

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• 25.5.3. Requirements for Temple Volunteers (section deleted)

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• 25.5.3. Calling and Setting Apart Temple Workers (new section number shown; title revised)

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• 25.5.5. Assigning Volunteers (section deleted)