Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints put the family at the forefront of their lives. Nothing can be more important to them than the family who is there through thick and thin and will be until eternity. The Latter-day Saints, sometimes referred to as Mormons, believe that families last forever and that connections with family members are irreplaceable. A family is composed not just of members who are still living, but also of people who are part of one’s full ancestry, like grandparents, forefathers, predecessors and those who’ve gone before us. Family history is a great way to connect with all generations of our family.
Why is family history work so important to Latter-day Saints?
One’s own personal identity is best gained by knowing who you are, where you came from and how you came into existence. Family history gives you true identity and learning it is advantageous and beneficial in many ways. For many people, researching their family history gives them strength as they get to know how their ancestors overcame challenges during difficult times. Getting to know family members who form part of your family tree makes the bonds that tie different generations much stronger. Sharing family stories with your parents and siblings is a great way to spend quality time together to achieve closeness among members of the family. Many Latter-day Saints write personal journals, record momentous events and keep family records so their children and grandchildren can appreciate and know them better.
What is the relationship between family history and temples?
Learning about our family history makes our love for our ancestors go beyond this finite life. As such, we want this bond to be blessed by the Church. Temples are great places for families to be united till eternity; the reason why members take the names of their ancestors to the temple is for them and sealed together as families across generations.
Why is this important?
God loves all of His children and wants them to return to live with Him after this life. To do this, everyone must complete certain ordinances, such as baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. However, many of God’s children did not have an opportunity to receive these saving ordinances while they were alive.
Thankfully, we continue to live as spirits after we die and the preaching of Jesus Christ’s gospel continues in the next life. Many of God’s children who have passed on will desire to have ordinances such as baptism performed for them. Temples serve as venues for them to complete these ordinances.
God has commanded members of His Church to build temples. Temples are sacred places where God’s faithful children perform saving ordinances for members of their family. Those who have passed on can choose whether to accept these ordinances. Doing so makes them a part of the family forever.
How can I make my own family tree?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints owns one of the largest family history libraries in the world consisting of more than a billion records. Many of these records are available online for free, and anyone can search for his family history at FamilySearch.org. Create your own free family tree at FamilySearch.org, and learn more about the importance of temples and the importance of families.
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Volunteering knows no age
Twelve years-old Cael Yoshiki B. Hatada is the youngest volunteer of the Family Search booth in this year’s Session Road in Bloom Panagbenga 2019 in Baguio City.
Wearing his Family History shirt the Deacon came with his friend and immediately started to share about the booth, the importance of doing Family History and the Book of Mormon.
All throughout his stay at the booth the young man can be seen on his feet ready to talk to anyone who would listen to what he has to say. From friends to classmates, strangers, young and old he was ready to to share about the joys of Family History work, the truth about the Book of Mormon.
When asked if he was tired his response was simply, “No, I am excited because I was able to help them trace their roots and find their family since family is very important to me”
His fellow volunteers were all in awe of this young man and his eagerness to talk to people and share what he knows about family history with a smile on his face.
Older brother Zeph Kentero who is fifteen years old was also present volunteering for the cause.
The Panagbenga festival reflects the history, traditions and values of Baguio and the Cordilleras. It is the annual flower festival of the City of Pine usually celebrated on the month of February. Panagbenga which means the “season of blooming” comes from the Kankana-ey dialect. ◼︎