I first became interested in Family History as a girl in Danville, CA where after school, I would walk sometimes to my friend Sharon's home. To get there, you had to walk by the old Alamo Cemetery on the border of Danville and Alamo, which had been in existence since the 1800s. To get to Sharon's even quicker, you could cut through the cemetery. As a 12-year-old, I wasn't afraid of the spirits there, I was, however, fascinated with the stories on the headstones. It was a pretty rickety old cemetery, not really kept up, no lawn to manicure. I felt almost transformed into that space in time which they lived. I longed to know what they endured, how I could have helped them, or make their lives easier somehow. That became my first experiences with learning about our ancestors.
Today was our Stake Conference. In attendance was General Authority, Hugo E. Martinez who spoke to us. His stories were heartwarming and full of love for the people and especially family history.
We had the opportunity to speak with him after the Conference and told him of the idea to have investigators be assigned to a TFHC while working with the Missionaries. Once they are baptized, we can present them with a fan chart for their home and family members and continue to work on their tree. They would already have names to take to the Temple, which is the request of the 1st Presidency, that each new member take their own names to the Temple within 60 days of Baptism.
He was thrilled that we were working on this project and that it was a success. He said that only 3% of all members every truly catch the Spirit of Elijah and that finding people for their family tree and not just getting names for the Temple, but really helping them to get to know their ancestors by finding stories and pictures for them, should our motivation for truly helping new members.
Several years ago, when I was first a Family History Consultant, I had put my pictures of my family on my computer as a screensaver. Whenever I would walk by, I would see their names and faces floating by and I would hear their voices saying, "Please help us! Don't forget us!" I can't express the feeling enough of the heartache or the tears stinging, rushing from my eyes within seconds of walking past that sight. It was an emotionally impacted moment of which I will not soon forget.
I knew, even then, at 28 years old, that my goal would be to help people find out more about their families. To have this wonderful man come right out and say to the effect of 'Don't just be a Temple Hunter, find out about the love in their families' was so heartwarming that I was moved to tears.
. Family History heals hearts in a way that no other action can replace. That relationship which was not so great when you were younger, will become as strong as a rock when you choose to show your ancestors that they have not been forgotten.
Start today. Discover who your Ancestors are. Gather them all together and Connect them to your family tree. No wonder Family History is the 3rd most popular hobby worldwide. It is inspirational to learn more about stories which can be passed down to their posterity.
Let us know how we can help you!
Ted and Karen Meyer
Educate yourself on Genealogy! You won't regret it!
