About 4 months ago, I was called in to meet with a member of
the Stake Presidency. I had a feeling that I might be getting a particular
calling and I was right. A couple of weeks later I was called as an Institute teacher
for the YSA 16th Stake.
Six weeks prior to receiving this calling, I had started
attending the Family History class at Institute. I decided to put away all of
the old excuses I made for not doing this work, and see what I could do. I
enjoyed going to a class at institute where I could get to the application in
class and not just talk about stuff. I didn’t find any ancestors who needed
ordinances during this time, but I felt a spark in my heart that began to grow.
I was hesitant to suggest that I teach the family history
class because I truly knew so little about how to actually do the work. But my
desire to learn and do the work was there. I knew the best way to learn would
be to teach, so I secretly hoped that I would be assigned to this class.
After the assignment came, I knew I needed help right away.
I found the number of the stake family history co-chair, Rob Martin, and called
him to see how I could best learn family history. He said he could meet with me
to get me started. Rob continues to meet with me to answer all my questions and
teach me the things I need to know. What a blessing. I am amazed by his knowledge on the
subject. I have found that the best way to learn is simply by researching my
own family lines. I have already found three people who needed ordinances.
I discovered
the "people" page on the family search website just after I was
assigned to teach the family history class with Glade Snyder. Many members of
my family have uploaded pictures, stories/memories, and journal entries from my
ancestors. As I looked at these pictures and read the stories and journal
entries, I felt such a powerful connection to my ancestors and a strong desire
to find out more about them and to do their work. I was actually startled by
the strong feelings I had towards these, my ancestors.
I often
re-visit my "people" in familysearch.org and I have the same feelings every time
I look at their pictures and read about their lives. They have become real to
me and I feel their support more and more from the other side. They have become
a strength to me.
We have a
Facebook group for our institute class. I named it “Saved by our Ancestors”
because I believe that we are the ones that are really being saved as we make
sacrifices to do such a selfless work.
Doing family
history work brings a power into my life that I don’t think anything else could
replicate. It’s very distinct. I feel the Spirit more when I take time to do it
at least weekly. I hope I can continue learning so that I can help others learn
how to do the work and feel the power in their lives too. It is real.
