On Friday there was a ward temple trip. I had remembered about my family names that had yet to be done. I had done all the female ones that I've found so far, but hadn't been able to do many of the male names. I went on the website and started clicking on male names to be printed out. There was a group that showed had not been done yet. Printed, but not completed. I was confused trying to find out what happened. I checked through my ordinance cards and sure enough they hadn't been done. I remembered that back in January 2012, I had planned on printing out names for the temple trip, but everything that could've gone wrong did and it never happened.
As I was clicking on their names to be reprinted, I felt something. It was this energy. Kind of an excitement, anxiousness, happiness, sort of feeling. I took another look at the names I had just clicked and realized they are my grandfathers, great-grandfathers, and some cousins. All within 2-3 generations back, so they were relatively close. As well as a female that I hadn't clicked yet and didn't notice before. In total, I took 30 males names and 1 female name to the temple.
I love going to the temple. Its my favorite place to be. As we entered the temple grounds, I felt elated. But as we went inside, I felt very overwhelmed with emotion. It was the excitement and anxiousness I had felt earlier, but seriously increased. I started having tremors. Its something that my body goes through when I have an anxiety attack, my hands shake uncontrollably and my arms twitch. What was different about this was I wasn't going through the fear and nervousness that associates with it. Some people asked me if I was going to be OK and what was going on, etc. I did my best to explain that I was fine, despite the shaking. I pondered why it was happening. The answer hit me with full force that what I was feeling is what they were feeling. My family on the other side of the veil. I had begun the ordinance work for the women, but hadn't for most of the men yet. They were excited and anxious that they were finally going to be able to see their husbands, sons, brothers, nephews, and cousins again. As well as the men that were going get their work started, they were excited and anxious to see their loved ones again.
I got to watch the ordinance work for my male family members and it was so exciting. I couldn't stop smiling and would spontaneously start crying. Happy tears though, like ones of relief. My body slowly started calming down and I wasn't shaking anymore. I could feel their anxiousness had calmed down and replaced with indescribable joy.
I am thankful for the young men who helped me with the work. Although I don't really know them outside of name and face, I hope that they took something away from helping me and my family. I hope that it helped instill an enjoyment for family history work and temple work.
I was thinking back to the general conference talk I studied for the talk I wrote. The Joy of Redeeming the Dead by Elder Richard G. Scott. There is a quote that stands out to me:
"Many faithful saints have done the work of researching their family lines and are using the reserve feature of FamilySearch to hold the ordinances for their own family members to serve as proxy. The intent of reserving names is to allow a reasonable period of time for individuals to perform ordinances for ancestors and collateral lines. There are currently 12 million names and millions of corresponding ordinances that are reserved. Many names have been reserved for years. Ancestors who have been found are no doubt anxious and thrilled when their names are cleared for ordinances. They, however, may not be very happy when they have to continue to wait for their ordinances to be performed."
I had started doing family history work in August/September 2011. I didn't have a plan for how it was all going to be done other than I want to do it. I didn't occur to me how it would feel for them. My family members on the other side. Especially when I had only taken care to get the females done. I left the males waiting. The females waiting for them. I feel kinda bad about it, but also am glad that I did get the beginning part done. I haven't figured out getting the next part of the ordinances done, outside of a friend offered to help. I think I want to at least get my next part of them done first. So I can help.
I feel a something extra being family history consultant. I am thankful for my calling. I am thankful for the ability to help my family and others beyond the veil. I learned that by doing this work, it is also doing missionary work :-) I am thankful to know that my family who has passed will be together for all of eternity. I am thankful to be a member of this church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am thankful we have a way to help those who've passed on. We're the only ones to the best of my knowledge who do.
I'm just so thankful for it all :-)
I testify these things in the name of our beloved Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
Amen.
Subscribe To
Posts
All Comments
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
To Bribe or Not To Bribe - an opinion piece (March 19, 2013)
I want to start off by saying that I do know the difference between bribing someone and a reward system.
As well as for the things I have to say about parenting and young children. Yes I know I am not a parent yet and things might be different when I have my own. However, I believe I have a good amount of common sense and I was raised well so I can see some stuff that doesn't need to go on.
I don't believe in bribery. I think bribing children into proper behavior relates to rotten adults that still expect the bribe. Often its food, or sometimes money. I do believe in setting up a reward system with consequences for young children can help them learn what behavior is OK and not. As well as teaches them that when you do really well and exceed expectations, often a reward follows. That no reward follows when minimum expectations are not met. It can encourage children to always do their best to exceed because they want what could be waiting for them.
This has been stirring in my head for a time. Set off by a few things: Stuff a friend said to me, behaviors at work, observations, and a discussion with my brother finding he actually shares my opinion.
I was talking to a friend about some stuff that had been bothering me. She told me that often in order to get people to do what you want, you have to bribe them into it. She went on to explain that when she was a child, for her parents to get her to do what they wanted, they had to bribe her to do it. She said she has since grown out of that expectation. I disagreed with that opinion because with what I wanted people to do, there was already a reward involved. When you are already getting something, be it temporal or spiritual, that should be enough. You shouldn't need or expect a reward on top of that.
This has become a problem at work. We have minimum expectations that are not too much to follow. In my opinion, the reward for meeting expectations is your paycheck. There shouldn't be an extra reward for doing what you are paid to do. An honest days work for the pay. There is a young man at work in which I am having difficulties with. He was recently moved into my area. He has been at DI for longer than I have. My problem is he does not move fast enough to get the minimum amount of work done. He's not up to par. I've tried encouraging him, coaching him, and teaching him ways to pick it up. He acknowledges what I say, but continues to poke along. Today I had to have another co-worker work alongside with him to get the job of one person done. They were tagging priced items and placing them on carts. It is a very easy job. The easiest part of the area. The other day, I had the same pair work together, sorting items from a cart into bins for me to price. Even when I had both of them do the same job, I had very little to price. I'm not quite sure what to do to get him up to standards. I have yet to bring this attention to my manager. I'm trying to see if there is anything I can do before getting my boss involved.
Earlier today, there was a time in which he was tagging by himself and during the time it would've taken me to complete one cart, he completed about 1/8th of the cart. I was frustrated so I told him (nicely) that I need him to work as fast as possible. He told me he couldn't. I told him that I believe he can. He insisted that is not possible. I figure it is, because when I first started out at DI, I was slow. I didn't think I would ever be fast enough. My manager at the time set clear expectations for me and let me know she knew I could do it. At the time, I didn't care for it too much because I didn't believe in myself. Then I started meeting quota and gradually got faster and faster to then I was up to par and usually exceeded expectations. I appreciate that manager for not giving up on me or giving in.
It was brought to my attention from a girl that used to work with him in his previous area that he can work fast. Their manager told them that if they got a clothes rack done in half an hour, they would each receive $5 store credit. The young man was well able to complete that task. So I know he can move. There comes the question, does he just not want to? Or is he waiting to be rewarded for doing his job?
My friend had come back to my area the other day when he was working and was telling me excitedly about how her boss is going to strongly reward his team if the basic expectations are met. I don't agree with that idea, but its her boss. Currently, my area in the soft-lines section is the only one where there is not an extra reward for minimum work done. As it should be. We are not exceeding expectations, or even meeting them half the time, so there shouldn't be a reward. An idea was brought up that maybe if the people in my dept were bribed with food that they would try to meet the minimum. I vetoed that. I hope that my boss doesn't decide that is a good idea.
I like to observe people. Often, I observe parents in stores with unruly children, bribe them with treats or toys if they would just behave that one trip. When I would go to my home ward, I would observe parents give their kids food, toys, anything to just get them to stop screwing around, screaming, and misbehaving. I don't agree with parents who bribe their children into behaving. From what I've seen and can assume, it makes for a spoiled child. They get what they want. Whether it be to go home or just embarrass their parents. They learn a bad pattern. They learn that by being bad, they are rewarded. When they are good, they may also be rewarded. There is nothing to separate which is right and wrong if they get a treat either way. I don't know what changed in parenting styles that parents began to give into their children and let them run them ragged. I think it should go back to the children respect their parents, do what they are told, and behave simply out of obedience.
Growing up, our (my brother and I) were never bribed. We did what we were told or there would be consequences that followed. My mom said we were just naturally good kids. I think there was more to good child-rearing involved in that. I can remember that I wasn't the easiest to raise. One thing I remember most out of that was a reward system my parents set up. If I was good, I would earn a blue poker chip. If I was bad, I would earn a red poker chip. At the end of the week, depending on how many blue chips I had, I would get to choose a reward. If the red outdid the blue, then I didn't earn a reward that week. That was rare. I remember I would usually get to choose from getting a candy bar, donuts, or if I exceeded I would get to choose McDonald's. I remember I loved going to McDonald's, or as I called it back then "Mickey D's" so I strived to earn those blue chips. Something else I think I remember them doing (Mom correct me if I'm wrong!) is we would get to choose our own candy bar. My dad loved Hershey Bars. Often on Sunday's we would get to have a Hershey Bar after dinner. If we were good for I think I week, we'd get to choose the candy we got. I remember my brother and I choosing Sixlets.
We were never physically punished. If misbehaved, we'd get put in time outs and have privileges taken away. My parents are good parents and I agree with how they raised us. I remember they were pretty no-nonsense. It just didn't benefit us to go against the rules laid out for us. There was no fussing in the store to get what we wanted. If we fussed in the store, one parent would take us out to the car and sit with us while the shopping was finished. We didn't get extra food or toys in order to get us to behave. Getting to be in the store with them was a privilege and we liked being able to see things picked out and sometimes our opinion asked. Things were always made clear. Tv, games, toys were things we earned, not things we had a right to.
There also wasn't a continuous purchase of wants and toys. We never went without. We also weren't spoiled. Birthday and Christmas were extra special because we appreciated the gifts we got. I think that's because we didn't get it right when we asked for it.
How we were raised as kids, brought us up to be good adults. We don't take things for granted because we know things can be taken away. We strive to do the best we can at work. We get along with our managers. We get along with our parents. I'm thankful that they never bribed us.
I plan on raising my future children the same way I was. I want to be a good mom just like mine is.
To conclude, don't give into your kids or bribe them into things. They may fuss and pout for that time. But they'll respect you as the authority figure. Then when they grow up, they'll appreciate how you raised them. It'll all be worth it :-)
As well as for the things I have to say about parenting and young children. Yes I know I am not a parent yet and things might be different when I have my own. However, I believe I have a good amount of common sense and I was raised well so I can see some stuff that doesn't need to go on.
I don't believe in bribery. I think bribing children into proper behavior relates to rotten adults that still expect the bribe. Often its food, or sometimes money. I do believe in setting up a reward system with consequences for young children can help them learn what behavior is OK and not. As well as teaches them that when you do really well and exceed expectations, often a reward follows. That no reward follows when minimum expectations are not met. It can encourage children to always do their best to exceed because they want what could be waiting for them.
This has been stirring in my head for a time. Set off by a few things: Stuff a friend said to me, behaviors at work, observations, and a discussion with my brother finding he actually shares my opinion.
I was talking to a friend about some stuff that had been bothering me. She told me that often in order to get people to do what you want, you have to bribe them into it. She went on to explain that when she was a child, for her parents to get her to do what they wanted, they had to bribe her to do it. She said she has since grown out of that expectation. I disagreed with that opinion because with what I wanted people to do, there was already a reward involved. When you are already getting something, be it temporal or spiritual, that should be enough. You shouldn't need or expect a reward on top of that.
This has become a problem at work. We have minimum expectations that are not too much to follow. In my opinion, the reward for meeting expectations is your paycheck. There shouldn't be an extra reward for doing what you are paid to do. An honest days work for the pay. There is a young man at work in which I am having difficulties with. He was recently moved into my area. He has been at DI for longer than I have. My problem is he does not move fast enough to get the minimum amount of work done. He's not up to par. I've tried encouraging him, coaching him, and teaching him ways to pick it up. He acknowledges what I say, but continues to poke along. Today I had to have another co-worker work alongside with him to get the job of one person done. They were tagging priced items and placing them on carts. It is a very easy job. The easiest part of the area. The other day, I had the same pair work together, sorting items from a cart into bins for me to price. Even when I had both of them do the same job, I had very little to price. I'm not quite sure what to do to get him up to standards. I have yet to bring this attention to my manager. I'm trying to see if there is anything I can do before getting my boss involved.
Earlier today, there was a time in which he was tagging by himself and during the time it would've taken me to complete one cart, he completed about 1/8th of the cart. I was frustrated so I told him (nicely) that I need him to work as fast as possible. He told me he couldn't. I told him that I believe he can. He insisted that is not possible. I figure it is, because when I first started out at DI, I was slow. I didn't think I would ever be fast enough. My manager at the time set clear expectations for me and let me know she knew I could do it. At the time, I didn't care for it too much because I didn't believe in myself. Then I started meeting quota and gradually got faster and faster to then I was up to par and usually exceeded expectations. I appreciate that manager for not giving up on me or giving in.
It was brought to my attention from a girl that used to work with him in his previous area that he can work fast. Their manager told them that if they got a clothes rack done in half an hour, they would each receive $5 store credit. The young man was well able to complete that task. So I know he can move. There comes the question, does he just not want to? Or is he waiting to be rewarded for doing his job?
My friend had come back to my area the other day when he was working and was telling me excitedly about how her boss is going to strongly reward his team if the basic expectations are met. I don't agree with that idea, but its her boss. Currently, my area in the soft-lines section is the only one where there is not an extra reward for minimum work done. As it should be. We are not exceeding expectations, or even meeting them half the time, so there shouldn't be a reward. An idea was brought up that maybe if the people in my dept were bribed with food that they would try to meet the minimum. I vetoed that. I hope that my boss doesn't decide that is a good idea.
I like to observe people. Often, I observe parents in stores with unruly children, bribe them with treats or toys if they would just behave that one trip. When I would go to my home ward, I would observe parents give their kids food, toys, anything to just get them to stop screwing around, screaming, and misbehaving. I don't agree with parents who bribe their children into behaving. From what I've seen and can assume, it makes for a spoiled child. They get what they want. Whether it be to go home or just embarrass their parents. They learn a bad pattern. They learn that by being bad, they are rewarded. When they are good, they may also be rewarded. There is nothing to separate which is right and wrong if they get a treat either way. I don't know what changed in parenting styles that parents began to give into their children and let them run them ragged. I think it should go back to the children respect their parents, do what they are told, and behave simply out of obedience.
Growing up, our (my brother and I) were never bribed. We did what we were told or there would be consequences that followed. My mom said we were just naturally good kids. I think there was more to good child-rearing involved in that. I can remember that I wasn't the easiest to raise. One thing I remember most out of that was a reward system my parents set up. If I was good, I would earn a blue poker chip. If I was bad, I would earn a red poker chip. At the end of the week, depending on how many blue chips I had, I would get to choose a reward. If the red outdid the blue, then I didn't earn a reward that week. That was rare. I remember I would usually get to choose from getting a candy bar, donuts, or if I exceeded I would get to choose McDonald's. I remember I loved going to McDonald's, or as I called it back then "Mickey D's" so I strived to earn those blue chips. Something else I think I remember them doing (Mom correct me if I'm wrong!) is we would get to choose our own candy bar. My dad loved Hershey Bars. Often on Sunday's we would get to have a Hershey Bar after dinner. If we were good for I think I week, we'd get to choose the candy we got. I remember my brother and I choosing Sixlets.
We were never physically punished. If misbehaved, we'd get put in time outs and have privileges taken away. My parents are good parents and I agree with how they raised us. I remember they were pretty no-nonsense. It just didn't benefit us to go against the rules laid out for us. There was no fussing in the store to get what we wanted. If we fussed in the store, one parent would take us out to the car and sit with us while the shopping was finished. We didn't get extra food or toys in order to get us to behave. Getting to be in the store with them was a privilege and we liked being able to see things picked out and sometimes our opinion asked. Things were always made clear. Tv, games, toys were things we earned, not things we had a right to.
There also wasn't a continuous purchase of wants and toys. We never went without. We also weren't spoiled. Birthday and Christmas were extra special because we appreciated the gifts we got. I think that's because we didn't get it right when we asked for it.
How we were raised as kids, brought us up to be good adults. We don't take things for granted because we know things can be taken away. We strive to do the best we can at work. We get along with our managers. We get along with our parents. I'm thankful that they never bribed us.
I plan on raising my future children the same way I was. I want to be a good mom just like mine is.
To conclude, don't give into your kids or bribe them into things. They may fuss and pout for that time. But they'll respect you as the authority figure. Then when they grow up, they'll appreciate how you raised them. It'll all be worth it :-)
Sunday, March 17, 2013
March 17, 2013 - thoughts regarding stake conference and stuff
I was just really recognizing the Lord's hand in all we do.
Stake conference was about temple work, family history work, and indexing. I loved it. I was thinking about the talk I gave just the week before about the same things. It all came in line perfectly. I was pretty much amazed the whole time. When President Porterfield said something near the end of his talk about how if you don't feel you fit in, not mainstream, if you are having trouble finding your eternal companion.... The Lord loves you and knows what you are going through... There was some other things he said in the middle but I wasn't paying attention past that point. That part hit me really really hard, like I felt he was speaking directly to me. I started crying. I tried to blink it away because I was with the stake choir. Those are two things that I'm having a difficult time with. Especially the first part. Not fitting in. I don't, and I'm not meant to. I'm still learning to accept that. Not that there is anything particularly strange or standoffish about me that makes me not blend in to the social circle. I just don't. Never have and never will. Sometimes I'm glad for that. Sometimes I'm not. It reminds me of something a comedian Bill Engvall had a show about called "15 degrees off cool". Its really the best way I can describe it. Nothing major, just ever so slightly off. Hearing President Porterfield say those things really reminds me that He is watchful of us, He does know our trials, our everything. I think it was meant to remind me He's there. I mean, I already know it, but that extra reassurance. For all of us who deal with those difficulties in various ways.
I was inspired by one woman who spoke about going to the temple every week. She spoke during the Saturday night adult session. I was thinking that I want to be like that. Going to the temple every week is a goal of mine. I just need my permanent recommend first. Almost there! As well as I think it was President Bishop, or it might have been Sister Bishop over the Seattle Temple; that talked about a woman who came to the temple every single day for a time while she was getting settled. She had moved into the area and didn't have anything to do while her kids were at school. What a terrific way to spend your free time! Its just so amazing to me.
I'm thankful for being able to be a part of the stake choir. While I am nowhere near as talented as the people around me, I'm learning. I'm not so terrible that I got kicked out of it either :-) It was a blessing to be around and sing with such amazing talented people. 2 reasons; 1. If I screwed up, they are all so good my mistake doesn't stand out; 2. I've always liked to sing. I've never been very good... sometimes flat out sucky, but its a boost to be allowed to sing with them. It reminds me of when I was brand brand new and I went to my home ward (Mukilteo) back when President Porterfield was Bishop Porterfield and he told me he wanted me to be in the choir. He was an amazing Bishop and I'm thankful I had the chance to get to know him and his wife. Now he's an even more amazing Stake President. Its just all really cool.
I came home and started indexing for the day. Indexing is a lot of fun and it does so much good. It really really makes a difference when you pray first. The Spirit will be with you, helping you to get the names spelled correctly. All you have to do is ask in faith and He's there.
Family history work, temple work, and indexing will bless your life. Especially as it appears to be one of the stake focuses and with all the talks lining up with one another, it is very clear to see that those things are what He wants us working on. So, lets get to it! :-)
Stake conference was about temple work, family history work, and indexing. I loved it. I was thinking about the talk I gave just the week before about the same things. It all came in line perfectly. I was pretty much amazed the whole time. When President Porterfield said something near the end of his talk about how if you don't feel you fit in, not mainstream, if you are having trouble finding your eternal companion.... The Lord loves you and knows what you are going through... There was some other things he said in the middle but I wasn't paying attention past that point. That part hit me really really hard, like I felt he was speaking directly to me. I started crying. I tried to blink it away because I was with the stake choir. Those are two things that I'm having a difficult time with. Especially the first part. Not fitting in. I don't, and I'm not meant to. I'm still learning to accept that. Not that there is anything particularly strange or standoffish about me that makes me not blend in to the social circle. I just don't. Never have and never will. Sometimes I'm glad for that. Sometimes I'm not. It reminds me of something a comedian Bill Engvall had a show about called "15 degrees off cool". Its really the best way I can describe it. Nothing major, just ever so slightly off. Hearing President Porterfield say those things really reminds me that He is watchful of us, He does know our trials, our everything. I think it was meant to remind me He's there. I mean, I already know it, but that extra reassurance. For all of us who deal with those difficulties in various ways.
I was inspired by one woman who spoke about going to the temple every week. She spoke during the Saturday night adult session. I was thinking that I want to be like that. Going to the temple every week is a goal of mine. I just need my permanent recommend first. Almost there! As well as I think it was President Bishop, or it might have been Sister Bishop over the Seattle Temple; that talked about a woman who came to the temple every single day for a time while she was getting settled. She had moved into the area and didn't have anything to do while her kids were at school. What a terrific way to spend your free time! Its just so amazing to me.
I'm thankful for being able to be a part of the stake choir. While I am nowhere near as talented as the people around me, I'm learning. I'm not so terrible that I got kicked out of it either :-) It was a blessing to be around and sing with such amazing talented people. 2 reasons; 1. If I screwed up, they are all so good my mistake doesn't stand out; 2. I've always liked to sing. I've never been very good... sometimes flat out sucky, but its a boost to be allowed to sing with them. It reminds me of when I was brand brand new and I went to my home ward (Mukilteo) back when President Porterfield was Bishop Porterfield and he told me he wanted me to be in the choir. He was an amazing Bishop and I'm thankful I had the chance to get to know him and his wife. Now he's an even more amazing Stake President. Its just all really cool.
I came home and started indexing for the day. Indexing is a lot of fun and it does so much good. It really really makes a difference when you pray first. The Spirit will be with you, helping you to get the names spelled correctly. All you have to do is ask in faith and He's there.
Family history work, temple work, and indexing will bless your life. Especially as it appears to be one of the stake focuses and with all the talks lining up with one another, it is very clear to see that those things are what He wants us working on. So, lets get to it! :-)
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Sacrament talk - based on "The Joy of Redeeming the Dead" by Elder Richard G. Scott + reflections
This is the talk I gave during sacrament meeting on Sunday, March 10th 2013. At the end, there are some reflections I have after giving the talk.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
My talk is based on the talk, "The Joy of Redeeming the Dead" by Elder Richard G. Scott given during the November 2012 general conference. I was really excited when Bishop asked me to do this because this is my very first talk and doing baptisms for the dead is my favorite thing to do.
Elder Scott states, "The Lord's revelation that through proper priesthood authority, baptism could be performed vicariously for the dead preserved the justice of His statement: "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God". Vicarious baptism can mercifully provide this essential ordinance for all worthy deceased who did not receive it in mortality."
I love that He sets a rule for us and then gives us a way to fulfill it.
Then he quotes Joseph Smith from an epistle he wrote stating, "The Saints have the privilege of being baptized for... their relatives who are dead... who have received the Gospel in the spirit through... those who have been commissioned to preach to them." Adding later, "Those Saints who neglect it in behalf of their deceased relatives, do it at the peril of their own salvation."
Joseph Smith hit it right on the nose. It is a privilege. To be worthy of the temple and doing baptisms. We have the opportunity to take part in the necessary saving ordinances for those who have passed on.
It is a responsibility. We live close to a temple. There are many others in other countries who do not. They get their family history work done, but cannot get to the temple to do the baptisms. There are also the elderly, who can't do it for themselves and they may not have grandchildren to give the work to. As well as the disabled and many other groups who just cannot.
They are all counting on us. It is not just for the youth and those of us who don't have our endowments yet. Baptisms for the dead is something that almost all of us here can do.
It is also a great blessing. To know that the people who you have just done baptisms and confirmations for are then on their way to the next step. To know that you have just helped your family or other families become that much closer to being together in the eternities. To know that you are taking part in the Lord's work. To know that He is pleased with you.
It brings you such a tremendous amount of joy. I can't describe it. I can only suggest that you go out and feel it for yourselves.
Going to do baptisms is not hard. I know from when I would set up baptism trips. All that you have to do is call the temple and set up an appointment. If you arrive for the baptism time and don't have the required priesthood, they will put you with another group, or supply priesthood for you. I ran into that many times. The temple workers are just happy you are there. He is happy you are there.
Elder Scott quotes President Howard W. Hunter in the following statement: "We must accomplish the priesthood temple ordinance work necessary for our own exaltation; then we must do the necessary work for those who did not have the opportunity to accept the gospel in life. Doing work for others is accomplished in two steps: first, by family history research to ascertain our progenitors; and second, by performing the temple ordinances to give them the same opportunity afforded to the living. Yet there are many members of the Church who only have limited access to the temples. They do the best they can. They pursue family history research and have the temple ordinance work done by others. Conversely, there are some members who engage in temple work, but fail to do family history research on their own family lines. Although they perform a divine service in assisting others, they lose a blessing by not seeking their own kindred dead as divinely directed by latter-day prophets. I have learned that those who engage in family history research and then perform the temple ordinance work for those names they have found will know the additional joy of receiving both halves of the blessing."
Elder Scott goes on to say, "Any work you do in the temple is time well spent, but receiving ordinances vicariously for one of your own ancestors will make the time in the temple more sacred, and even greater blessings will be received. The First Presidency has declared, "Our preeminent obligation is to seek out and identify our own ancestors."
I know that is true. There is nothing like performing ordinances for your own ancestors. There is a great joy in helping others with their ordinances. There is a definite difference between someone else's and your own. I can't really describe it outside of acknowledging the difference. In June 2012, I completed the baptisms for the female names that I have found so far. Then I switched to needing to do temple names. It didn't feel the same. The amount of joy I felt was different.
Doing your own family names is the best. I remember the second time I went to the temple, I did my own names and I got to watch the baptisms of my male names. We were told to think about the people we were in proxy for. I recall with each name I was baptized for, I felt happier and happier. I could feel/hear them saying thank you as I left. I feel like I felt their joy at having the first part of their ordinances done. I remember feeling so full of their joy and my joy, I could not stop smiling the rest of the night. I would spontaneously burst into laughter. I had more happiness than I knew what to do with. It was the best.
Family history work is very important. While it isn't easy, we need to do it. I understand for those for whom their parents have all the family history work done and their family tree dates all the way back to Adam and Eve. Those are amazing and I would love to know how it was done. I think those are the exception. Most of us have family history work to do and names to submit to our ordinance list.
As a convert to the church, I have a lot to do. A lot of my mom's side has already been found and done by people I'd love to meet. On my dad's side, I have a lot of work to do. When I was unemployed, I pretty much consumed myself in family history work. I didn't have a job to go to, so I figured I would help with His work. Plus, I really want to do my family's work. Ever since I learned that I could almost 2 years ago, I've been gung ho about it. Its tapered off since I ran into a wall with finding ancestors. It is still just as important to me to partake of the ordinances.
Elder Scott stated the following, "There are currently 12 million names and millions of corresponding ordinances that are reserved. Many names have been reserved for years. Ancestors who have been found are no doubt anxious and thrilled when their names are cleared for ordinances. They, however may not be very happy when they have to continue to wait for their ordinances to be performed."
I know two sides of this. One, when I was plugging in names on new familysearch, I would see that some ordinances need to be done. I'd go to reserve it and find someone else already has. I don't know who they are that reserved the name, or how long it has been reserved for. I only know I want to do it, but I can't because of the other person. Two, I'm the only one to do baptisms in my family. When I was reserving them, I told myself I want to do them all. Then I learned I can't. I did as much as I could by getting my female names done. I still have lots of male names that need to be done and I need help.
Something else we can do to help with finding family names is index.
Elder Scott shared the following story, " In the Russia Rostov-na-Donu Mission, the youth were invited to each index 2,000 names and then qualify at least one name from their own families for temple ordinances. Those who accomplished this goal were invited to go on a long journey to the new Kyiv Ukraine Temple. One young man shared his experience: " I was spending a lot of time playing computer games. When I started indexing, I didn't have time to play games. At first I thought, 'Oh no! How can that be!' When this project was over, I even lost interest in gaming... Genealogical work is something that we can do here on earth, and it will remain in heaven."
I love this example because it is so true. Once he prioritized and made time to index, the computer games didn't matter. Honestly, indexing can be a lot of fun. I know sometimes I get wrapped up in it and forget about the time. With the simple act of indexing, you can help so many people. It may feel like you don't have time. Sometimes you have to make the time. Re-evaluate, re-prioritize how you would otherwise spend your time and give part of it to indexing. It is a wonderful Sunday activity. Before church, after church, sometimes it can be like, how am I going to keep the rest of the day holy? Keep minded on the Savior? Index, do some family history work. Help do His work. Its a terrific way to spend part of the Sabbath.
I give you my testimony that family history work is important. Indexing is important. Our ancestors are up there waiting for us to find them. Let's help them out. Doing this work and doing baptisms for the dead will greatly bless your life and others lives. In multiple ways and some we probably haven't figured out yet. Genealogical work has always been an interest of mine. When I started doing it, it was fun. With each name I found and when that would sprout off into other members of my family I didn't know about, it felt like I was making cracks into a gold mine. It became more and more exciting each time. One of the ways it blessed my life is I found living family members I didn't know about and have had the chance to get to know a few of them. That has been a lot of fun. It has increased my love for the temple. Family history work, baptisms for the dead, and indexing have become a passion of mine. I encourage you to try it out and that it may become a passion of yours.
I'm going to end with this quote from Elder Scott, "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. And it will make you feel wonderful." There truly is joy in redeeming the dead. I testify these things are true in the name of our beloved Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflections:
I could feel the Lord's hand in my life when I was assigned this talk. I felt like it was made for me. I am a family history consultant in my ward. Doing baptisms in the temple really truly is my favorite thing to do. Its something I feel strongly about. Its a privilege to be able to enter the house of the Lord and I am not about to let that go to waste. I really look forward to when I am able to take out my endowments. If it was up to me, I would go to the temple at least once a week. I really hope that one day I get to work in the temple. It is my favorite place to be.
When I used to work security in Issaquah, I would drive past the temple twice a day. That was the best part of the day. Especially driving past it at night, there is a magical quality about it when the building is all aglow. Sometimes I would leave early or in between shifts, I would go to the temple and sit outside. Sometimes read the scriptures, or just look at the building in awe. I couldn't go inside because I would be wearing a suit for work. I felt the Spirit just as strong just being on the grounds.
All of my life, thus far, family history work has been a part of what we did growing up. I always loved hearing stories from my parents about different ancestors and their legacy. I just wish I could remember what they were. Its something that I would love to have now. As I mentioned in my talk, when I was unemployed I consumed myself in family history research. I remember asking my parents for help. My mom was much more forth giving with information. There wasn't a whole lot to go on, but anything is better than nothing. When I went onto www.familysearch.org for the first time and found my grandma, it was so exciting! It was from then forward that I kept going. With each person found, it literally felt like I was chipping into a gold mine. One of the cool parts is I found some cousins on my dad's side. It was exciting when one of them actually wrote back to me. There was a number of people I found, and once I found their contact info, and I would write to them. More often than not, I heard nothing in return. I kept trying and eventually someone wrote back. One of my dad's cousins who has 3 sons who are my 2nd cousins. I wrote to each of them, but I only sort of have contact with one of them. I found out he is a dentist in my area. He now actually is my dentist :-)
I had been really wanting to give a talk. When I got the email from Bishop, I was ecstatic :-)
Before I wrote this talk, I prayed for the Spirit to be with me and for me to write what He wants written. I could feel His influence and the writing didn't take too long. Its about 9 pages written. 4 1/2 front to back. I wrote it the night before. I was really really nervous sitting up there waiting. I prayed for Him to use me as a mouthpiece to get what He wants across and for the Spirit to be with me. I feel like He did that. I was much better received than I thought it would be. After sacrament, I had the feeling that I wanted to do it again. I felt so full of the Spirit and so full of happiness and joy. That lasted me almost the whole day.
I'm just really thankful for everything. It was a great experience and I do hope to be able to do it again.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
My talk is based on the talk, "The Joy of Redeeming the Dead" by Elder Richard G. Scott given during the November 2012 general conference. I was really excited when Bishop asked me to do this because this is my very first talk and doing baptisms for the dead is my favorite thing to do.
Elder Scott states, "The Lord's revelation that through proper priesthood authority, baptism could be performed vicariously for the dead preserved the justice of His statement: "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God". Vicarious baptism can mercifully provide this essential ordinance for all worthy deceased who did not receive it in mortality."
I love that He sets a rule for us and then gives us a way to fulfill it.
Then he quotes Joseph Smith from an epistle he wrote stating, "The Saints have the privilege of being baptized for... their relatives who are dead... who have received the Gospel in the spirit through... those who have been commissioned to preach to them." Adding later, "Those Saints who neglect it in behalf of their deceased relatives, do it at the peril of their own salvation."
Joseph Smith hit it right on the nose. It is a privilege. To be worthy of the temple and doing baptisms. We have the opportunity to take part in the necessary saving ordinances for those who have passed on.
It is a responsibility. We live close to a temple. There are many others in other countries who do not. They get their family history work done, but cannot get to the temple to do the baptisms. There are also the elderly, who can't do it for themselves and they may not have grandchildren to give the work to. As well as the disabled and many other groups who just cannot.
They are all counting on us. It is not just for the youth and those of us who don't have our endowments yet. Baptisms for the dead is something that almost all of us here can do.
It is also a great blessing. To know that the people who you have just done baptisms and confirmations for are then on their way to the next step. To know that you have just helped your family or other families become that much closer to being together in the eternities. To know that you are taking part in the Lord's work. To know that He is pleased with you.
It brings you such a tremendous amount of joy. I can't describe it. I can only suggest that you go out and feel it for yourselves.
Going to do baptisms is not hard. I know from when I would set up baptism trips. All that you have to do is call the temple and set up an appointment. If you arrive for the baptism time and don't have the required priesthood, they will put you with another group, or supply priesthood for you. I ran into that many times. The temple workers are just happy you are there. He is happy you are there.
Elder Scott quotes President Howard W. Hunter in the following statement: "We must accomplish the priesthood temple ordinance work necessary for our own exaltation; then we must do the necessary work for those who did not have the opportunity to accept the gospel in life. Doing work for others is accomplished in two steps: first, by family history research to ascertain our progenitors; and second, by performing the temple ordinances to give them the same opportunity afforded to the living. Yet there are many members of the Church who only have limited access to the temples. They do the best they can. They pursue family history research and have the temple ordinance work done by others. Conversely, there are some members who engage in temple work, but fail to do family history research on their own family lines. Although they perform a divine service in assisting others, they lose a blessing by not seeking their own kindred dead as divinely directed by latter-day prophets. I have learned that those who engage in family history research and then perform the temple ordinance work for those names they have found will know the additional joy of receiving both halves of the blessing."
Elder Scott goes on to say, "Any work you do in the temple is time well spent, but receiving ordinances vicariously for one of your own ancestors will make the time in the temple more sacred, and even greater blessings will be received. The First Presidency has declared, "Our preeminent obligation is to seek out and identify our own ancestors."
I know that is true. There is nothing like performing ordinances for your own ancestors. There is a great joy in helping others with their ordinances. There is a definite difference between someone else's and your own. I can't really describe it outside of acknowledging the difference. In June 2012, I completed the baptisms for the female names that I have found so far. Then I switched to needing to do temple names. It didn't feel the same. The amount of joy I felt was different.
Doing your own family names is the best. I remember the second time I went to the temple, I did my own names and I got to watch the baptisms of my male names. We were told to think about the people we were in proxy for. I recall with each name I was baptized for, I felt happier and happier. I could feel/hear them saying thank you as I left. I feel like I felt their joy at having the first part of their ordinances done. I remember feeling so full of their joy and my joy, I could not stop smiling the rest of the night. I would spontaneously burst into laughter. I had more happiness than I knew what to do with. It was the best.
Family history work is very important. While it isn't easy, we need to do it. I understand for those for whom their parents have all the family history work done and their family tree dates all the way back to Adam and Eve. Those are amazing and I would love to know how it was done. I think those are the exception. Most of us have family history work to do and names to submit to our ordinance list.
As a convert to the church, I have a lot to do. A lot of my mom's side has already been found and done by people I'd love to meet. On my dad's side, I have a lot of work to do. When I was unemployed, I pretty much consumed myself in family history work. I didn't have a job to go to, so I figured I would help with His work. Plus, I really want to do my family's work. Ever since I learned that I could almost 2 years ago, I've been gung ho about it. Its tapered off since I ran into a wall with finding ancestors. It is still just as important to me to partake of the ordinances.
Elder Scott stated the following, "There are currently 12 million names and millions of corresponding ordinances that are reserved. Many names have been reserved for years. Ancestors who have been found are no doubt anxious and thrilled when their names are cleared for ordinances. They, however may not be very happy when they have to continue to wait for their ordinances to be performed."
I know two sides of this. One, when I was plugging in names on new familysearch, I would see that some ordinances need to be done. I'd go to reserve it and find someone else already has. I don't know who they are that reserved the name, or how long it has been reserved for. I only know I want to do it, but I can't because of the other person. Two, I'm the only one to do baptisms in my family. When I was reserving them, I told myself I want to do them all. Then I learned I can't. I did as much as I could by getting my female names done. I still have lots of male names that need to be done and I need help.
Something else we can do to help with finding family names is index.
Elder Scott shared the following story, " In the Russia Rostov-na-Donu Mission, the youth were invited to each index 2,000 names and then qualify at least one name from their own families for temple ordinances. Those who accomplished this goal were invited to go on a long journey to the new Kyiv Ukraine Temple. One young man shared his experience: " I was spending a lot of time playing computer games. When I started indexing, I didn't have time to play games. At first I thought, 'Oh no! How can that be!' When this project was over, I even lost interest in gaming... Genealogical work is something that we can do here on earth, and it will remain in heaven."
I love this example because it is so true. Once he prioritized and made time to index, the computer games didn't matter. Honestly, indexing can be a lot of fun. I know sometimes I get wrapped up in it and forget about the time. With the simple act of indexing, you can help so many people. It may feel like you don't have time. Sometimes you have to make the time. Re-evaluate, re-prioritize how you would otherwise spend your time and give part of it to indexing. It is a wonderful Sunday activity. Before church, after church, sometimes it can be like, how am I going to keep the rest of the day holy? Keep minded on the Savior? Index, do some family history work. Help do His work. Its a terrific way to spend part of the Sabbath.
I give you my testimony that family history work is important. Indexing is important. Our ancestors are up there waiting for us to find them. Let's help them out. Doing this work and doing baptisms for the dead will greatly bless your life and others lives. In multiple ways and some we probably haven't figured out yet. Genealogical work has always been an interest of mine. When I started doing it, it was fun. With each name I found and when that would sprout off into other members of my family I didn't know about, it felt like I was making cracks into a gold mine. It became more and more exciting each time. One of the ways it blessed my life is I found living family members I didn't know about and have had the chance to get to know a few of them. That has been a lot of fun. It has increased my love for the temple. Family history work, baptisms for the dead, and indexing have become a passion of mine. I encourage you to try it out and that it may become a passion of yours.
I'm going to end with this quote from Elder Scott, "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. And it will make you feel wonderful." There truly is joy in redeeming the dead. I testify these things are true in the name of our beloved Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflections:
I could feel the Lord's hand in my life when I was assigned this talk. I felt like it was made for me. I am a family history consultant in my ward. Doing baptisms in the temple really truly is my favorite thing to do. Its something I feel strongly about. Its a privilege to be able to enter the house of the Lord and I am not about to let that go to waste. I really look forward to when I am able to take out my endowments. If it was up to me, I would go to the temple at least once a week. I really hope that one day I get to work in the temple. It is my favorite place to be.
When I used to work security in Issaquah, I would drive past the temple twice a day. That was the best part of the day. Especially driving past it at night, there is a magical quality about it when the building is all aglow. Sometimes I would leave early or in between shifts, I would go to the temple and sit outside. Sometimes read the scriptures, or just look at the building in awe. I couldn't go inside because I would be wearing a suit for work. I felt the Spirit just as strong just being on the grounds.
All of my life, thus far, family history work has been a part of what we did growing up. I always loved hearing stories from my parents about different ancestors and their legacy. I just wish I could remember what they were. Its something that I would love to have now. As I mentioned in my talk, when I was unemployed I consumed myself in family history research. I remember asking my parents for help. My mom was much more forth giving with information. There wasn't a whole lot to go on, but anything is better than nothing. When I went onto www.familysearch.org for the first time and found my grandma, it was so exciting! It was from then forward that I kept going. With each person found, it literally felt like I was chipping into a gold mine. One of the cool parts is I found some cousins on my dad's side. It was exciting when one of them actually wrote back to me. There was a number of people I found, and once I found their contact info, and I would write to them. More often than not, I heard nothing in return. I kept trying and eventually someone wrote back. One of my dad's cousins who has 3 sons who are my 2nd cousins. I wrote to each of them, but I only sort of have contact with one of them. I found out he is a dentist in my area. He now actually is my dentist :-)
I had been really wanting to give a talk. When I got the email from Bishop, I was ecstatic :-)
Before I wrote this talk, I prayed for the Spirit to be with me and for me to write what He wants written. I could feel His influence and the writing didn't take too long. Its about 9 pages written. 4 1/2 front to back. I wrote it the night before. I was really really nervous sitting up there waiting. I prayed for Him to use me as a mouthpiece to get what He wants across and for the Spirit to be with me. I feel like He did that. I was much better received than I thought it would be. After sacrament, I had the feeling that I wanted to do it again. I felt so full of the Spirit and so full of happiness and joy. That lasted me almost the whole day.
I'm just really thankful for everything. It was a great experience and I do hope to be able to do it again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)