Who is Elijah?

Usually when discussing family history the term "the spirit of Elijah" is used. In order to fully understand what this is we must first understand who Elijah is.

Elijah was an Old Testament prophet. He worked miracles throughout his time on earth. He was the last prophet of his time to hold the keys of the sealing power. He was translated (taken to heaven without experiencing death) around 900 BC, because he had to retain his body in order to later give those keys to Peter, James, and John. In 430 BC, the prophet Malachi prophesied of Elijah's return. Elijah appeared to Peter, James, and John. On April 3, 1836, the prophecy of Malachi was fully fulfilled in this dispensation. The sealing powers were given to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple (Family History Student Manual).

Key Doctrine, Principles, and Gospel Truths (source)

1. The sealing keys of the priesthood enable ordinances to be binding beyond the grave.
2. Elijah was the last Old Testament prophet to hold the keys of the sealing power of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
3. In fulfillment of prophecy, Elijah restored the keys of the sealing power of the Melchizedek Priesthood to the earth in this dispensation. 
4. The spirit of Elijah, by definition, is the Holy Ghost as His directing influence guides those who participate in family history and temple work.
5. After Elijah's return, interest in family history began to accelerate around the world. 

"Elijah came not only to stimulate research for ancestors. He also enabled families to be eternally liked beyond the bounds of mortality. Indeed, the opportunity for families to be sealed forever is the real reason of our research" (A New Harvest Time, 1998).

"The sealing of family units can be counted until the family of God is made perfect. This is the great work of the dispensation of the fulness of times, by which the hearts of the fathers are turned to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers. The uniting and redemption of the family of God was the divine plan before the foundations of the earth were laid" (Elijah the Prophet, 1971).

"The turning of the hearts of the children to the fathers is placing or planting in the hearts of the children that feeling and desire which will inspire them to search out the records of the dead. Moreover the planting of the desire and inspiration in their hearts is necessary. This they must have in order that they might go into the house of the Lord and perform the necessary labor for their fathers, who died without a knowledge of the gospel, or without the privilege of receiving the fulness of the gospel" (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:127-28).

Video: By the Hand of Elijah the Prophet

I know that by understanding the importance of Elijah, I have been blessed with a greater knowledge in regards to family history work. I know that it is our responsibility to turn the hearts of the children to the fathers and the hearts of the fathers to the children. I promise that you will feel the spirit of Elijah when you make an effort to make family history a priority. 

D&C 28:15
D&C 128:17-19
D&C 110:15
D&C 124:28-36

Tip of the Week: The Importance of Family

This week's tip is to understand the importance of family!

Family history work is ALL ABOUT FAMILIES! The idea of families is one of the most important aspects of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Understanding the importance of families is necessary for understanding the basics of this gospel.

"THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities" (The Family: A Proclamation to the World).

"Being part of a family is a great blessing. Your family can provide you with companionship and happiness, help you learn correct principles in a loving atmosphere, and help you prepare for eternal life. Strong families require effort. Your family will be blessed as you do your part to strengthen it. Be cheerful, helpful, and considerate of family members...Show love for your family members each day. Share your testimony with your family through words and actions. Your righteous example can make a difference in strengthening your family" (For the Strength of Youth- Family).

“President Brigham Young explained that our families are not yet ours. The Lord has committed them to us to see how we will treat them. Only if we are faithful will they be given to us forever. What we do on earth determines whether or not we will be worthy to become heavenly parents.” (The Importance of the Family, L. Tom Perry, May 2003)

"The Church tries to help us make our mortal families reflect the beauty and happiness of the larger eternal family unit. It might be said that everything we do as a church and as individuals is to strengthen the family unit, both here and hereafter. Indeed, the family unit is where most of the important lessons of life are learned and practiced." (The Family- Now and Forever, Terry J. Moyer, June 1993)

Video- Unto All the World: Putting "Family" Back into Family History

I know that when we understand the importance of families we will be blessed with knowledge and the ability to understand the importance of family history work. I am so grateful for my family and my opportunity to grow closer to them though family history work. 

3 Nephi 18:21
D&C 31:2 
Abraham 2:11

Tip of the Week: Take Baby Steps

This week's tip is to take baby steps!

You can only eat an elephant one bite at a time. Family history is an elephant. There is so much to do! But it is impossible to complete it all at once. We have to take baby steps. Slowly but surely we will be able to accomplish all the Lord asks of us as long as we are trying! All the little things will add up. 


So what baby steps can you take?

1. Pray. Pray for the desire to find your ancestors. Pray to feel the spirit of Elijah. Pray to be guided to those who need you. Pray to have success in your work. Pray to be an example to your family and friends. Pray to have the determination to not give up. Pray always!

2. Find help. Whether you have never done family history before and don't know what you are doing or you have done family history before and you are just stuck, there is someone who can help. Find out who in your ward, branch, or stake can help you. Contact someone at Family Search through their online help options or by calling directly. Go on lds.org and type in "family history" in the search bar. There are always loving people ready and willing to help you. 

3. Pull out the books. Find and open up those dusty old scrapbooks and journals from your crazy great aunt (or whoever kept records for your family). Look through the pictures, notes, and words of those who have passed on before you. They are the reason you are here today. Become familiar with the people, the dates, the places, and the events. You need this information to complete their family history work as well as yours! If you don't have access to records or no one ever kept any in your family, start writing down things you remember about family members who have passed on and record their history for them! 

4. Write your own books! We have records of our ancestors because someone wrote them down. If your histories are never written, your descendants will never know of your records. If you don't currently have any journal, scrapbooks, memory books, etc. start making them! It does take time and effort but if you take baby steps and just start small, all of it will add up. For example, if you don't have a lot of time to journal, try to write down one miracle you see each day or even each week. Then when you get the time you can start to elaborate on some of the things you wrote.

I know that the Lord will direct our steps when we go to Him with sincere righteous desires. I know that we are each called to participate in family history work in any way we can. I know that we will be blessed with power, guidance, and comfort when we put our full effort in doing our best. I know that we can each develop a strong and sure testimony of family history work if we just have the desire to and we don't give up!

Job 23:11

Psalms 37:23

Psalms 18:36

Proverbs 16:9

Tip of the Week: Family History for Family Home Evening

This week's tip is to incorporate family history into family home evenings!

Family home evenings are a fantastic time to show your family the importance of family history and encourage your family to participate in it! Family history is all about your family! Why not spend time growing closer to your ancestors along with your family here on earth?

"In a world of turmoil and uncertainty, it is more important than ever to make our families the center of our lives and the top of our priorities. Families lie at the center of our Heavenly Father’s plan. This statement from “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” declares the responsibilities of parents to their families: “Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. ‘Children are an heritage of the Lord’ (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.”" -L. Tom Perry, "The Importance of the Family," Ensign, May 2003

“We counsel parents and children to give highest priority to family prayer, family home evening, gospel study and instruction, and wholesome family activities. However worthy and appropriate other demands or activities may be, they must not be permitted to displace the divinely-appointed duties that only parents and families can adequately perform.” -First Presidency letter, February 11, 1999.

FHE Family History Ideas

Songs: 

• Families Can Be Together Forever

• Family History-I Am Doing It

• I Have a Family Tree

• Here We Are Together

• The Hearts of the Children

• Truth from Elijah

• The Lord Gave Me A Temple

Activities/Games: 

• Families Are Forever Pedigree Chart

• Family Interview Printable

• Can You Hear Them? Do I Look Like My Ancestor? All About Me!

• Also check under the "Activities" tab!

I know that when we make families a priority we will receive the blessings God has promised. I know that family home evening should be highly valued and implemented whenever possible. I know that our families extend from our ancestors to our descendants and that we can grow closer to them and our Savior, Jesus Christ, when we participate in family history work. 

3 Nephi 18:21

D&C 93:40

Mosiah 4:14-15