“As we contemplate what those before us have gone through that we might be here, as we sense their faith and courage and feel their love for us and our love for them, we realize what is really important. We begin to comprehend the eternity of the family.” John H. Groberg

When the Las Vegas Nevada Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints closed for over two months for some minor renovations, I missed my weekly time serving in the temple.  I missed the outpouring of the Spirit I had felt since becoming an ordinance worker several months earlier.  I pondered what I could do during that time each week, to help me continue to feel the Spirit of temple work.  I decided I would work on family history, since that relates to all we do in the temple to bring our families closer to God and to each other.

I’ve worked on family history off and on for many years.  I’ll have a burst of motivation where I really get into it and want to do the work, but the technological changes quickly overwhelm me, draining my momentum. This time, I decided I would get help from the family history consultant in my ward, a sweet friend I felt comfortable asking for help.  She said she’d never been down to the Family History Center, and I hadn’t either, so we decided to start there. It turns out, neither one of us was up-to-date on all the wonders of FamilySearch, so we were rather like the blind leading the blind. We were, however, immediately blessed for our small effort; she got expert private instruction for consultants, and I sat down at the computer and explored the latest changes in FamilySearch. When I had a question, one of the service missionaries enthusiastically helped me as I updated my immediate family info, where I’d decided to start. Baby steps. I felt the joy and Spirit of doing even this small thing.

The following week, I worked from home. I was drawn to my dad’s information, and spent hours adding to his “memories” section with tributes and loving words spoken at his memorial service, adding photos, and verifying his immediate family’s information, noting a couple of mistakes. I had loving, tender thoughts of Dad and felt thankful to serve him in this small way. When I’m working on family history, time seems unimportant. The current world, its cares and noise, fade away. It is sweetly similar to the joy and peace I experience in the temple, which strengthens me for another week in the trenches.

One week, as I made scans of documents from my files, I came across an envelope that held many small, yellowed, fragile pieces of paper.  I curiously examined British birth records, memorial service programs, a teeny wedding card, and an item I especially enjoyed—a single column cut out of a newspaper. At the top, was a beautiful photo of my maternal grandmother.  I knew Grandma well; she was a sweet and fun influence in my young life. The newspaper clipping was the announcement of her wedding to my Grandpa in 1940. I loved the details of the wedding, and one line especially touched my heart:

“Because,” “Look for the Silver Lining,” and “I Love You, Truly” were organ numbers played.

I sent it to my sister because we are big I Love Lucy fans, and in one episode, Lucy and Ricky are reenacting their wedding and an earnest little, old lady warbles the song, “I Love You, Truly.” Whenever I watch that episode in the future, I will fondly remember my Grandma and Grandpa. I’m always amazed and delighted at the unexpected tender and fun connections we have with our ancestors.

“Walking, I am listening to a deeper way.  Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. Be still, they say.  Watch and listen.  You are the result of the love of thousands.” Linda Hogan, Native American Writer

Each time I set aside my endless “to do” list and use that dedicated time to work on my family history, I’m blessed with special surprises. Not only do I enjoy an easing of my burdens, but I find hidden treasures and truths.  This week I found some pictures of my mom with me as a little girl.  I don’t have many memories of my childhood, and seeing my mom with me and my sisters, when we were very young, was a sweet reminder that she once took care of me the way I took care of my little ones. Then I read an interview she’d done, with one of my sons, which intensified those feelings.  She said,

“Grandpa was a good daddy, and was especially good at getting ‘his girls’ ready for bed.  Then later we bought our first house in Grenada Hills. This is where Jennifer was born.  We had cockroaches there (EW!) and I would curl up in bed with Jen to hide from them.  I would have to get up to get a bottle for her and would be so afraid of stepping on roaches.”  

Let me tell you, you feel loved when someone braves the roaches for you! I also came across a talk she had given in Sacrament Meeting 8 years ago, where she shared her testimony of the temple, lovingly spoke about her grandchildren, and expressed sweet feelings about me.  As I read her words and looked at the pictures, I felt such love and connection with her, along with a greater desire to keep our relationship close and loving while she’s still here with us. 

Besides family history, I’ve occasionally worked on my personal history.  I feel inspired, after reading my mom’s sentiments, to work more diligently on my life story to share my love and testimony with my children and additional posterity. Creating this blog came about partly from my desire to share my life and thoughts with them. I’m thankful for the eternal connection we have with our family members.  Knowing we’re loved and we matter to those who came before, and to those yet to come, gives us courage to fight the good fight and finish the work we were sent here to do.  Our Heavenly Father’s Plan of Happiness, made possible by the Atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ, is for us to live with Him again, along with our families, for eternity.  That’s the happiness I hope for with all my heart.

 “We can be inspired all day long about temple and family history experiences others have had. But we must do something to actually experience the joy ourselves. I invite you to prayerfully consider what kind of sacrifice—preferably a sacrifice of time—you can make to do more temple and family history work.” Russell M. Nelson