Temple and Family History Training 2009 Assisting Ward Members in Temple and Family History Work

1. Temple and Family History Training 2009 Assisting Ward Members in Temple and Family History Work

2. “The work of seeking out our dead and insuring that the ordinances of exaltation are performed in their behalf is a mandate from our Heavenly Father and his Beloved Son. They do not leave us to struggle alone but rather, in ways which are sometimes dramatic, prepare the way and answer our prayers” President Thomas S. Monson Ensign, Mar. 1995, p. 58

3. Family History Consultants – The “angels” of the Work • One of the “dramatic” ways the Lord answers the prayers of those doing family history is by having trained and willing family history consultants assist members in their work: • Help members identify ancestors, both beginning or continuing their family history, and ensure temple ordinances are performed • Where possible, meet with members in their homes • Meet with new members to explain the doctrines of redemption of the dead. They help new members identify deceased ancestors and go to the temple to receive baptisms and confirmations for them • Help members who do not have access to computers or are uncomfortable using computers prepare and submit family information for temple ordinances • When assigned they teach the family history classes

4. Resources “new” FamilySearch new.familysearch.org Help Center in new FamilySearch

5. Resources Family History Consultant & Priesthood Leader Registration consultant.familysearch.org World Wide Support Number 1-866-406-1830 (April 6, 1830)

6. Family History Consultants • Helps: – www.lds.org • (Serving in the Church – Family History) • new - A Family History Consultant’s Guide to Temple and Family History Work • new - A Member’s Guide, Instructors Guide and DVD

7. Family History Consultants (cont.) • Helps: • Courses:

8. Resources FamilySearch Internet FamilySearch Labs – New Ideas www.familysearch.org labs.familysearch.org Personal Ancestral File 5.2 other “records manager” programs http://www.familysearch.org/eng/affiliates/index.html Record Search Pilot - NEW FamilySearch Indexing Research Wiki - NEW pilot.familysearch.org wiki.familysearch.org www.familysearchindexing.org

9. High Priests Group Leader • “Under the direction of the bishopric, the high priests group leader is the priesthood leader with direct responsibility for coordinating temple and family history work in the ward”* • He supervises the family history consultants in the ward and helps them fulfill their responsibilities as outlined • Ensures that enough family history consultants are called to meet the needs of the ward and the requested assignment to support a family history center in the stake • This is done by working with the high council adviser and FHC director, as well as the Bishopric when suggesting them. • Reports on temple and family history work in Priesthood Executive Committee and Ward Council meetings • Jointly, he and the councils work to identify those in the ward that family history consultants could work with individually • *Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, Section 9 -2006, p. 265.

10. Elders Quorum Presidency • Oversees Temple and Family History work in the quorum • Coordinates Temple and Family History work with High Priest Group Leader • Determines who in the quorum’s families desire help in family history with the PEC • Coordinate temple activitie & assignments, planned ward trips, etc. • Share experiences – FamilySearch Indexing, research successes, temple experiences, etc. • Coordinate attendance to Family History training opportunities • Etc. • Sets an example by doing

11. Priesthood Leaders • Helps: • Courses: • Section 9, General Handbook of Instructions, 2006, Temple and Family History Work and Administrative Guide for Family History

12. Ward Councils and Priesthood Executive Committees • Ward Councils and Priesthood Executive Committees are now charged with working with the High Priests Group Leader to identify individuals and families in the ward the Family History Consultants could work with individually* • This recommendation is given to the High Priests Group Leader and he makes assignments to the family history consultants and reports progress and completion back to these councils • They should discuss how temple and family history work can be used to attract investigators, retain converts, and activate the less active • *Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, Section 9 -2006, p. 265.

13. Family History Center Directors • Family History Center Directors are recommended by the high council adviser and called and set apart by the stake presidency • The Family History Center Director’s role is expanded to include the former responsibilities of the Stake Family History Consultant. • The high council adviser oversees the family history center director(s) and works with them to ensure compliance with policy and financial controls • All family history centers are stake family history centers. • Centers are effective IF: • All patrons are made to feel welcome to use the resources of the center • Members are providing temple ordinances for their ancestors • Nonmember patrons have opportunities to learn why members do family history work • Both members and nonmembers are contributing their family-linked records to the church

14. Family History Center Directors (cont.) • Helps: • Courses: • Family History Center Operations Guide • https://fch.ldschurch.org/WWSupport/Documents/OperationsGuide/34051_000_Guide.pdf http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhcdirector/

15. High Council Adviser • Becomes knowledgeable about temple and family history work • Receives counsel for direction by the Stake Presidency • Assists in instructing other leaders and members • Reports on work in the stake • Oversees the Stake Extraction Director and the Family History Center Director • Coordinates with the bishops and high priests group leaders the assignment to provide family history consultants to staff the family history center • Instructs elders quorum and high priests group leaders in their temple and family history responsibilities • Ensures that the stake, wards and quorums are organized to do temple and family history work • Sets an example in doing temple and family history work

16. Area Family History Adviser(s) Family History Consultant Family Record Extraction Worker Priesthood Organization for Temple and Family History Work Stake Presidency High Council Adviser(s) Elder’s Quorum Presidency Bishopric Stake Family History Center Director High Priest Group Leader Stake Family Record Extraction Director

17. Home or Family History Center 4. Temple recorder prints cards while you wait. 1. Add ancestor information into FamilySearch.org. 2. Select individuals to do temple work for. 3. Print Family Ordinance Request and take to Temple. What Will “new” FamilySearch Do for Members? • For those who will do temple work, it will provide a simple, easy way to prepare names for the temple, in their own home Temple 5. Perform temple ordinances, FamilySearch.org updated the same day. 5 Steps

18. Family Ordinance Request (FOR)

19. What Will “new” FamilySearch Do for Members? (cont) • For those who have not been able to do much family history work, it will open up a new world, where they will see themselves and their family that the Church has records for, without them having to enter the data themselves

20. What Will “new” FamilySearch Do for Members? (cont) • For those who have been doing family history work, it will shift their focus from building their own file of family history, to contributing to the building of the file of the common pedigree of mankind. Continually refining it with their family members until it becomes worthy to present to the Lord • For all, it will reduce the duplication of genealogical research. It will reduce the duplication of temple ordinance • It will result in more members taking the names of their own family to the temple and freeing them from spirit prison

21. What Will “new” FamilySearch Do for Members? (cont) It can result in a more empowered and sanctified people who are prepared for the coming of their Master

22. Next Steps • If you’re not registered, do so – both Family History Consultants and Priesthood Leaders. Go to consultant.familysearch.org • Read and understand your calling • FH Consultants, get and study the FH Consultants Guide • Priesthood Leaders, get and study Section 9, Book 2 of the General Handbook of Instructions • Both, get and study the Instructor’s Guide and the Members Guide • Get trained • Register and go online on new.familysearch.org • Go through the Overview as you log on • Go to the Help Center and go through the classes under Training and Resources for new FamilySearch (6 lessons) • Spend time to use and understand new FamilySearch.org • Share with members • As of October 19th, all members in all stakes in the Mount Timpanogos Temple District will have access to new FamilySearch • Get the word out • Make yourselves available to introduce and train members on how to use new FamilySearch

23. Three-fold Mission of the Church 19 – 21 yrs Proclaim the Gospel WRONG!! 65+ 22– 65 yrs Redeem the Dead Perfect the Saints

24. Three-fold Mission of the Church

25. “If temple ordinances are an essential part of the restored gospel, and I testify that they are, then we must provide the means by which they can be accomplished. All of our vast family history endeavor is directed to temple work. There is no other purpose for it. The temple ordinances become the crowning blessings the Church has to offer.” President Gordon B. Hinckley Ensign, May 1998, p. 88