Train up a child...from Proverbs...and Family History

There has been a lot of skirmish about the "training" or "teaching" family history to children 11and 12 years of age.  A while back,  I received a message from someone stating that I should back off a little on the "training" of little children as "we would never want to associate the word training with turning the hearts of children to their fathers".   

I have thought long and hard about this and believe that the Proverb, "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.", fits here perfectly.  Family History is a subject, just like Math or History and the research techniques and entering data into a database needs to be trained.  The obvious difference between school subjects being trained or taught and family history is the tremendous spiritual consequences of using your time.  The person admonished me not to train on the Consultant Planner and Partner Access - which I personally believe assists greatly in the work.  Her comments were that we "may need to be prescriptive on what to do with the primary so they do not turn them all into little genealogists.”  Is that really so bad?  

In a world where children are exposed to violent video games, pornography, foul words, online predators, and much more, wouldn't it be nice to have a way to channel their online activities to something very beneficial and constructive?

I do agree with part of her comment that "It is not the intent of the Temple and Family History Department to expect young children to perform complicated experiences in the Tree - there is too much cognitive growth that still needs to occur."  However, we need to make sure they are trained on simple genealogy terms and data entry procedures and learn the power of discernment between records.  In my own family, my granddaughter decided to work on her tree.  She had my 94-year-old mother as deceased.  I can't even undo that - it has to be done by family search or maybe a clerk.  She guessed at people's names and who they were married to.  No one trained her (she is in another state, so I'm blameless here).  She just called me and asked me to work on her tree because she might "have messed some things up."  

People, any people, any age, need to be trained on how to do this work.  The Brethren in Salt Lake have determined that there is no set training for Consultants, but we do have some ideas that we created which are helpful and have proven helpful in the past.  Though we usually just deal with the 9 stakes around us, people have come to us from other regions of the world to ask for our slide decks.  

We are not paid by the church to do this.  It is a labor of love.  We simply love helping others find their families, whether they are a member of the Church, we are here for them.  If you wish to use our ideas and are inspired that they are right for your Ward, then that is wonderful.  

Let us know how we can serve you in your calling.  Below are some of the benefits of doing family history work.  It applies, not just for the youth of the church but for all of us.

This section has been borrowed from this link:  https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/prophets-and-apostles/unto-all-the-world/spiritual-benefits-of-family-history-work?lang=eng

President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has taught that “family history work has the power to do something for the dead. It has an equal power to do something to the living. Family history work ... has a refining, spiritualizing, tempering influence on those who are engaged in it” (Boyd K. Packer, “Your Family History: Getting Started,” Ensign, Aug. 2003, 17).

Read what Apostles have taught about the blessings available to us when we engage in family history and temple work.

Help from the Other Side

“Brother Widtsoe reaffirmed that ‘those who give themselves with all their might and mind to this [family history] work receive help from the other side. Whoever seeks to help those in the other side receives help in return in all the affairs of life’” (Boyd K. Packer, The Holy Temple, 252).

“Remember that the names which will be so difficult to find are of real people to whom you owe your existence in this world and whom you will meet again in the spirit world. … Their hearts are bound to you. Their hope is in your hands. You will have more than your own strength as you choose to labor on to find them” (Henry B. Eyring, “Hearts Bound Together,” April 2005 general conference).

Spiritual Protection

“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” (Richard G. Scott, “The Joy of Redeeming the Dead,” Oct. 2012 general conference).

“I promise you will be protected against the intensifying influence of the adversary. As you participate in and love this holy work, you will be safeguarded in your youth and throughout your lives” (David A. Bednar, “The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn,” Oct. 2011 general conference).

Increased Testimony and Conversion

“I invite the young people of the Church to learn about and experience the Spirit of Elijah. …

“As you respond in faith to this invitation, your hearts shall turn to the fathers. The promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will be implanted in your hearts. Your patriarchal blessing, with its declaration of lineage, will link you to these fathers and be more meaningful to you. Your love and gratitude for your ancestors will increase. Your testimony of and conversion to the Savior will become deep and abiding (David A. Bednar, “The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn,” Oct. 2011 general conference).

Enhanced Temple Experience

“Any work you do in the temple is time well spent, but receiving ordinances vicariously for one of your own ancestors will make the time in the temple more sacred, and even greater blessings will be received” (Richard G. Scott, “The Joy of Redeeming the Dead,” October 2012 general conference).

“When members of the Church find the names of their ancestors and take those names to the temple for ordinance work, the temple experience can be greatly enriched” (First Presidency Letter, Oct. 8, 2012).

Related Links:

Learn how easy it is to get started now.