Revolutionizing Temple and Family History Work

Because of Jesus Christ (Video)

Upcoming Special Events

What’s Happening in our Stake

This year in our study of the Old Testament, we have witnessed the struggles of ancient loved ones to live in covenant family relationships with God and with each other. As we read of their successes and failures, it is natural for us to compare them with our own, and we learn to “trust in the Lord” just as they did. (Proverbs 3:5). We trust that just as our Father in Heaven was able to work miracles in those days, He can and will accomplish things that seem impossible in our days. (Matthew 19:26, Phillipians 4:13)

• We do all we can…

• We exercise faith…

• Heavenly Father comes through at the perfect moment.

At the beginning of this year when we announced the special emphasis on Temple and Family History work, we did not know that 2022 would be the year that computers would revolutionize the Gathering of Israel.

For years, indexing historical documents (making them searchable by computers) has been a laborious and tedious process. Indexers would look at photos of the documents and then carefully type the information into a computer. Dedicated women and men have given thousands, perhaps millions, of collective hours in this work for the benefit of ancestors.

But just recently, FamilySearch introduced an amazing enhancement to the indexing process…

Computer-Assisted Indexing

Now, instead of you and me poring over handwriting on a document, a computer “reads” it, finds names, places, and dates, then suggests to us what the document says for our approval or correction.

We simply look at the shaded area on the screen, check what the computer suggests is written there, and either approve it, correct it, or mark it…”unsure”. With each transaction, the computer “learns” to recognize the handwriting style in the document and gets faster and more accurate.

This computer-assisted process has increased the speed of indexing by leaps and bounds and made it almost as easy as reading an email or a text message.

This is a major step forward in the work to ‘heal the family of God’ in ways that were not previously possible.

The many implications of this breakthrough are stunning…

Let me focus on just two:

1. Connecting Lost or Hidden Loved Ones

With this new process, more and more of our loved ones, who may have been overlooked or hidden, can now be found and connected to a family tree. Members doing family history research can perform the ordinances for these ancestors giving them access to the atonement of Jesus Christ. Every time this happens, another family is healed…on both sides of the veil.

It is exciting for me to hear of the sacred experiences you are having in the temple… and at your computer, as you participate in this miracle-laden work that is healing and spiritually strengthening us during increasingly perilous times.

2. Prophecy Fulfilled

With this change, more and more of us can get involved in family history work. The other day I reviewed forty names… in around ten minutes…on my phone…as I was waiting for an appointment!

This is a “game-changer”!

“Genealogy”, as it used to be known, was thought to be something old people did when they retired. With technology changing the speed and breadth of this work, our young women and young men will now assume a leadership role. Their expertise, their time, their creativity, their energy will literally fulfill the promise of Malachi as our hearts are turned to each other. (Malachi 4:6)

I hope with our emphasis this year, we are all learning that Temple and Family History work is NOT extra work we are asked to do when we retire. It is an integral part of our covenant relationships with God and each other. Choosing to spend time researching or performing ordinances in the temple is as vital to OUR well-being and exaltation as it is for those we are finding and connecting as families through the atonement of Jesus Christ.

Of course, all of us are busy…

Choosing to make time for Temple and Family History work may mean we let go of some other things. So, I ask you to remember this…

• We are not expected to do it all…but, anything we do will make a positive difference

• We are not expected to do this alone...we can do it with friends or family

I hope we will all choose to do…something.

Every small act of faith, allows God to heal and connect our family…in ways, only He can.

All my love,

President Gardner