A Scenario

So for Family History class, we watched this short animated video. It had two people talking, and one asked what the other did for a living; they replied saying they were a genealogist. The other person said, “Oh good for you. I could never do something like that. Genealogy never interested me, but I am glad there are people like you who like it. My Aunt Bertha does genealogy. She has done all of mine for me.” We were then asked to think about this video when we responded to these questions below. 1. If you were to trade the words "scripture study," "temple work," "missionary work," or "good works" for the word "genealogy" in this video's conversation, how would the conversation feel differently to you? (or would it?) This conversation would feel differently to me. It would be a huge slap in the face. It would be saying that by ignoring our genealogy, and not working at it, or trying to find our ancestors, we are missing out on so many blessings. We are missing out on the same blessings we get from scripture study, temple work, missionary work, and performing good works. That is quite a scary thought. I would not want to miss out on any of these blessings. 2. Why do you think people are so comfortable admitting this about their family's history in public, when doubtless few would dare say the same about temple work, missionary work, or personal spiritual progress? I believe it’s because people do not fully understand the importance of family history work. In my experience, the majority of people are waiting for others to do their family history work for them, or they just assume someone will. People don’t understand that everyone has a part and that in order to be saved; we are required to do family history work, and to help give the blessing of the gospel to our ancestors who have gone before us. Everyone in the church realizes the importance of temple work, missionary work, and personal spiritual progress, but what they don’t always recognize is that family history work is JUST as important. 3. How can we respond to comments such as this in a way that will help others feel the Spirit of Elijah and want to participate, rather than feel uninterested in the Work or satisfied that "someone else is doing my work for me"? I believe that we tell them we gain so many individual blessings for doing family history work, and our ancestors are blessed as well. We tell them that we owe our ancestors for all that they did before us, and this is the way we can do that. I also believe we let them know it’s a commandment from our Heavenly Father. I would tell them we each have our own individual work to do for family history, that no one else, not even our grandma’s who may be family history fanatics, could do for us. Also, I would let them know not to feel overwhelmed. That it’s exciting to be connected to our ancestors and learn their stories and about their lives! I would let them know they can start their own family history by getting everything organized and records of their immediate family, themselves included. Also keeping a journal is a small but successful step on the right path.