Tip of the Week: Become Converted

This week's tip is to become converted!

As I was prayerfully considering what I should blog about today, my mind kept returning to one specific phrase I heard at a Family History Training I attended this morning:

"Testimony is to know and feel. Conversion is to do and become." 

Anyone can know or feel something. I'm sure most people have strong testimonies of parts, or even all, of the gospel. This being said, not all have been converted to what they have a testimony of. For example, many people have a testimony of the Word of Wisdom; however, they may not follow it entirely. They know of the blessings they may receive from following it, but they choose not to act on that knowledge.

In regards to family history, someone can understand its importance and have a sure testimony of it, but will not be fully converted to it until they choose to participate in family history work and become a servant of the Lord. Doing family history work for your ancestors is serving them and in serving them, you are serving God (Mosiah 2:17).

"Conversion includes a change in behavior, but it goes beyond behavior; it is a change in our very nature...Conversion is a process, not an event." -lds.org, Topics: Conversion.

"The Lord taught us that when we are truly converted to His gospel, our hearts will be turned from selfish concerns and turned toward service to lift others as they move upward to eternal life. To obtain that conversion, we can pray and work in faith to become the new creature made possible by the Atonement of Jesus Christ." -"Testimony and Conversion," Henry B. Eyring, Ensign, February 2015

"Would any of us truly do any less than our very best in keeping a covenant or commandment, fulfilling an assignment, or in following Christ if we were truly converted in our hearts? ...Truly converted Latter-day Saints do not go to the temple because of a quota they are expected to fulfill, but out of a sincere desire to perform sacred and saving ordinances in behalf of deceased ancestors—or even complete strangers—who cannot do the work for themselves." -"Conversion and Commitment," W. Mack Lawrence, Ensign, May 1996

I know that when we each strive to have a testimony of and become converted to family history, we will be blessed with opportunities to do so and to help others do the same. 

Alma 5:7-14
Luke 22:32

Tip of the Week: Ask For Help

This week's tip is to ask for help!

When it comes to family history there are so many new things to learn and understand how to do. It can be really hard to try to figure everything out on your own. There are so many people you can ask for help -Family members, friends, ward members, family history consultants, etc. In addition to all the people you may know, FamilySearch's website has a little "Get Help" tab in the top right corner. Here you have the option to call, Live Chat, message, or find local help. You can also find plenty of blogs and articles on Family History. 

"This work is a spiritual work, a monumental effort of cooperation on both sides of the veil, where help is given in both directions. Anywhere you are in the world, with prayer, faith, determination, diligence, and some sacrifice, you can make a powerful contribution. Begin now. I promise you that the Lord will help you find a way." -"The Joy of Redeeming the Dead," Richard G. Scott, Ensign, October 2012


"Brothers and sisters, we need each other! As covenant-keeping women and men, we need to lift each other and help each other become the people the Lord would have us become. And we need to work together to lift the rising generation and help them reach their divine potential as heirs of eternal life." -"We'll Ascend Together," Linda K. Burton, Ensign, May 2015

"It has been said that no one is so rich that he does not need another’s help, no one so poor as not to be useful in some way to his fellowman. The disposition to ask assistance from others with confidence, and to grant it with kindness, should be part of our very nature." -"We Can't Do It Alone," Robert D. Hales, Ensign, November 1975

I know that when we offer what help we can to others and seek out help from others we will be given the help we need. I know that the people put in our lives can help us accomplish the tasks we need to. I know that we have a loving Heavenly Father who will always answer our prayers and offer us blessings and guidance. 

Isaiah 41:10

Family History Talks

This is a list of some of my favorite talks on family history!

• The Promise of Hearts Turning
• By Henry B. Eyring, Liahona, July 2014

• Generations Linked in Love
• By Russell M. Nelson, Ensign, May 2010

• Your Family History: Getting Started 
• By Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, August 2003

• Our Hearts Knit as One 
• By Henry B. Eyring, Ensign, November 2008

• Family History Together 
• Ensign, April 2000

• Hearts Bound Together
• By Henry B. Eyring, Ensign, May 2005

• The Joy of Redeeming the Dead 
• By Richard G. Scott, Ensign, October 2012

• The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn 
• By David A. Bednar, Ensign, October 2011

• Putting the Puzzle Together
•  By Sally Johnson Odekirk, New Era, November 2006

• Roots and Branches 
• By Quentin L. Cook, Ensign, May 2014

• See Yourself in the Temple
• By Quentin L. Cook, Ensign, May 2016

Family Tree Keepsake

Family history doesn't just have to be on a family history website on your computer. FamilySearch has created different "Keepsake" templates to view your family tree, share it, and print it off! There are four different layouts to see your family tree in. All you have to do is click on the link below and log in using your FamilySearch username and password. FamilySearch will pull all the names and placements and put them in a cute layout you can share or print.

Family Tree Keepsake

Here's an example of my family tree in one of the templates:

Tip of the Week: Get to Know Your Ancestors

This week's tip is to get to know your ancestors!

Sitting at a computer for hours looking at names, dates, place, etc. can sometimes grow to be a little boring. However, if you can put more meaning behind all the little details you are looking at, it becomes a lot less boring! In reality, these people you are looking at on family history sites are real people who had amazing lives here on earth! We can get to know our ancestors by researching records of them, asking relatives about their stories, and finding old photos of them. 

"The Lord has provided ways for us to feel love in families that can continue forever. Young people in the Church today are feeling their hearts turn to their families. They are searching for names of family members who did not have the opportunity to receive the ordinances of salvation in this life." -Henry B. Eyring, "The Promise of Hearts Turning," Liahona, July 2014

"Every human being who comes to this earth is the product of generations of parents. we have a natural yearning to connect with our ancestors. This desire dwells in our hearts, regardless of age." -Russell M. Nelson, "Generations Linked in Love," Ensign, May 2010

"You cannot find names without knowing that they represent people. You begin to find out things about people. When we research our own lines we become interested in more than just names or the number of names going though the temple. Our interest turns our hearts to our fathers-we seek to find them and to know them and to serve them." -Boyd K. Packer, "Your Family History: Getting Started," Ensign, August 2003

I know that as we each seek to get to know our ancestors our faith and families will be strengthened, we will find a greater meaning and purpose to family history, and we will be guided on what family history work the Lord would have us do. I know that family history is an essential part of Christ's plan of eternal happiness. 

D&C 98:16

Genesis 12:3

Tip of the Week: Work Together

This week's tip is to work together!

Family history is a big job and we can't do it alone. Working together on family history can be very helpful, you can learn more, and you can share the joy family history with those around you! Including your family in family history work can help families draw closer to one another and teach about their ancestors' lives. Including your friends in family history work can help strengthen friendships and keep each other on the right track. 


So how can you include others in family history? 

1. Ask your parents and grandparents to share stories and help you get facts straight. You never know what cool records, stories, and pictures your relatives might have laying around.
2. Go to the temple with your friends and/or family. The temple brings peace, clarity, and happiness. Doing work in the temple for your ancestors with your friends and/or family is a wonderful opportunity to grow, learn, and strengthen your testimony right along side with the people you love here on earth. 
3. Share on social media. Our world is evolving very quickly and many people use social media every day. This also provides the ability to easily and quickly share many things. The church keeps up to date on the technological changes in our society, which means family history can be shared on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. at the click of a button.  

"With the unity I see increasing, the Lord will be able to perform what the world will think is miraculous. The Saints can accomplish any purpose of the Lord when fully united in righteousness."- Elder Henry B. Eyring, "Our Hearts Knit as One," General Conference, October 2008

"Latter-day Saints find blessings and enjoyment by working together on family history and temple ordinances." -"Family History Together," Ensign, April 2000

There are three awesome short stories about working together on family history found on the link referenced above from the April 2000 Ensign.

I know that when we work together on family history we will grow closer to our loved ones and our testimonies will be strengthened. We will learn more than we would on our own and we will begin to unify the church through the blessings of the family history work and the temple. 

Romans 8:28
D&C 101:64