my testimony of family history work.

If you don't know already, I'm a family history consultant for my ward. I had heard that by doing family history work it can make ties closer with your living family. Its wasn't really something I necessarily believed. My Mom and I are pretty close. My brother and I are relatively close. My Dad and I weren't close at all.

I became a consultant the earlier part of this year. I try to be active and fulfill my calling. We were teaching the family history class around the same time I was visiting my Dad. My brother and I saw him to celebrate my brother's birthday. I brought up wanting to visit the grave sites on Memorial Day, which was a day later. My Dad agreed to let me come along. But made it extremely clear that I was not allowed to really look at the sites. Not allowed to take pictures. Not allowed really any family information. I was berated for being a Mormon. As well as was told he didn't trust me because I'm a Mormon. When I went back to see my Dad and visit the graves for Memorial Day, he let me see a few of them. I followed along and did as I was told.

That was an extremely hard time for me. My Dad and I had never really been close. We had started to try, but then I felt like the door was slammed in my face and bolted shut. At the time, I had strongly considered giving it up. Leaving the church sounded like a viable option. That maybe, just maybe it would make things better with my Dad. I talked with my Bishop and he advised me against it. I realized what a ridiculous idea that was. I'm a Mormon now and forever. There was no guarantee that leaving would help anything at all. All I would be doing was hurting myself. I decided against it. I realized that it probably was an attack from the adversary and I had nearly let him win.

A few days before Father's Day, I was prompted to ask my Dad if he wanted us over. I had figured that he would at least want to see my brother. I was too nervous to ask my Dad, so I wrote to my step-mom and asked her instead. She said he would love it, and we were with him for that day. I realized I hadn't spent Father's Day with him since my parents were still together. That's over 16 years. We were having a good time. He invited us inside and we gave him the gifts. Then he and my brother got into a anti-religious discussion. I sat there and beared with it as much as I could. I felt two ways, I wanted to stand up for what I believe. But I also know that we aren't on even ground because they haven't read the Book of Mormon. I was prompted to keep still. My step-mom intervened and told them to stop, then asked me why I hadn't spoken up. My Dad answered for me and said that there wouldn't have been a point because they can be relentless and then apologized to me for what he said. I let it go. He got up and went into another room and brought out a few boxes. Inside were hundreds of family photos. I couldn't believe my eyes. He was actually letting me look at them. After telling me a few weeks before that I would never have access. I was so happy! We spent hours going through and looking at each and every single one.

We visited him again for the 4th of July. I asked him if I may be able to have the pictures he had of my Mom. He told me that it may be a part of my birthday. It was again a really enjoyable visit. He and my brother did not get on any religious discussions.

We visited him on my birthday. There he gave me a box full of family photos! I was and still am overjoyed that I have these. We spent a few hours going through them and he helped me label who they are and shared family stories. We didn't even get through them all.

Such a strong change happened in such a short amount of time. I believe it is because I am a family history consultant and that I do fulfill my calling. I've been so richly blessed and I am so exceedingly thankful to have in the short amount of time not only gained information so that I can do my own family history, but also gained a positive relationship with my Dad. He still doesn't approve of me being Mormon, but has accepted that I am still he and my Mom's daughter. He emailed me recently that he is proud of me and is favorably impressed with me. That is a really really big deal. He doesn't give praise lightly or loosely. As well as its two things I have longed to hear for a very very long time. I never thought I would, but I have, and its fantastic.

I testify that if you do family history work, you will strengthen the ties you have with your family.

I say this in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

Amen