Don't Miss Ward Conference 2014! January 26 from 1:00-4:00pm

What better way to begin the new year than to be taught and uplifted by our Stake leaders!

Our Ward Conference will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2014, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.  

Both V1 and V2 will be holding Ward Conferences that day, and the Stake Presidency has 

asked us to delay the start of our meetings in order to accommodate the V2 

Ward Conference meeting space requirements which will also improve our experience.

Join us as we learn more about the importance of Family History and Temple Work!

Family History Consultant

Good news! We have a family history consultant in our ward.

Need Help with New Family Search?

Want to do your Genealogy, but don’t know where to start?

Need ideas on where to look for names and dates?

Need access to a computer to enter your data?

Contact:  Martha Fogg, Family History Consultant, 610-584-8158

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Lesson: Temple Work and Family History

Gospel Principles, chpt 40,
Temple Work and Family History
taught by Debbie Horton

This chain represents the steps necessary for each of us to obtain Eternal Life...faith, repentance, baptism, confirmation, priesthood, endowment, eternal marriage, endure to the end.

This chain that represents the steps necessary for our ancestors who have passed on is the same but with links missing. While in the Spirit World, they obtain their own faith and repent. And, because they must follow the same steps we do, they must somehow endure to the end, but there are some links missing and we must help.

We must help fill in the missing links of the chain
David A. Bednar, General Conference, Oct 2011:

The introductory events of the Restoration revealed a correct understanding of the Godhead, emphasized the importance of the Book of Mormon, and anticipated the work of salvation and exaltation for both the living and the dead.  This inspiring sequence is instructive about the spiritual matters of highest priority to Deity.” 

A. Theodore Tuttle, April 1980:

The Prophet Joseph taught that you and I are to become saviors on Mount Zion.  We are to gather, build temples, seek after our dead, and perform all the vital ordinances.  This work welds eternal links that bind us to each other and to our fathers.  We are exalted as family units.

Teachings of  Joseph Smith, 472-73:

But how are they to become saviors on Mount Zion?  By building their temples … and going forth and receiving all the ordinances … in behalf of all their progenitors who are dead; ... and herein is the chain that binds the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, which fulfills the mission of Elijah.

The Prophet Joseph Smith declared:

The greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us it to seek after our dead… For it is necessary that the sealing power should be in our hands to seal our children and our dead.

D&C 128: 15, 18:

And now, my dearly beloved brethren and sisters, let me assure you that these are principles in relation to the dead and the living that cannot be lightly passed over, as pertaining to our salvation.  For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation… neither can we without our dead be made perfect … unless there is a welding link … between the fathers and the children.

Resources to help us

Fortunately, there are many resources that can help us in our quest to do the work for our ancestors.  The first two you should know about are the Ward Family History Consultant and Familysearch.org.  They can help you go through the following steps:
    •    Find Them
    •    Determine if the Temple Work has been done.
    •    If not, do it.  Then find more.
    •    If so, find more.

Jenny Boyer told of learning of the first Boyers to settle in this area. Through a series of connections she is now helping to restore and ancestors headstone, protect the historical church and correspond with a man who is helping her fill in her line. Her testimony is that if we are willing the Lord will help us do our family history work even when our lives are busy.

Additional opportunities

In addition to providing temple ordinances for the ancestors we know about, we can help those in the spirit world in many other ways. We should seek the guidance of the Spirit as we prayerfully consider what we might do. Depending on our circumstances, we can do the following things:

1. Attend the temple as often as possible. After we have gone to the temple for ourselves, we can perform the saving ordinances for others waiting in the spirit world.
2. Do research to identify ancestors who are more difficult to find. Family history consultants can guide us to helpful resources.
3. Help with the Church’s indexing program. Through this program, members prepare genealogical information for use in the Church’s family history computer programs. These programs make it easier for us to identify our ancestors.
4. Contribute family history information to the Church’s current computer programs for family history. These programs contain genealogies contributed by people all over the world. They allow people to share their family information. Family history consultants can provide more information about the Church’s computer programs.
5. Participate in family organizations. We can accomplish much more for our ancestors as we work together with other family members.

Those of our ancestors who have accepted the gospel are waiting for the temple ordinances to be performed for them. As we perform these ordinances in the temple for our ancestors, we can share their joy.

Debbie's challenge: Choose one thing, something, anything from related to family history and do it...today!

You'll be glad you did. You'll feel the Spirit of Elijah and you'll find the time in your busy lives.

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US Census 1790-1830 Now Free Online

Hi All,

The US Census 1790 - 1930 is available for free at the following website:

http://www.archive.org/details/us_census

I haven't examined the entire site, so I'm not sure if the records for every state/territory have been completely converted to a digital format, but my understanding is that the project is expected to be completed within the next 6 months, so if you don't find your records now, you should be able to by March, at the latest.

This is a fabulous blessing—up until this point everyone either had to go blind examining microfilm/fiche at the library, or pay to access this via a subscription service (like Ancestry). Now you can do your searching at home! The census is a fantastic place to get very valuable information about your family—birth places and years, immigration dates, occupation, children that you didn't know existed because they died young . . .

So get started!

Marie

The Generations Project

 

I've been fascinated with The Generations Project on BYUTV. On Sunday afternoons I watch several episodes. And I think about what question I would want to know about my ancestors.

Here's a few of my favorite episodes:
Emily  •  Vicki  •  Xander and Carrie

Here's how to do your own Generations Project. It's a new way to look at family history. A way to have your ancestors help you NOW in your life.


1. Find your "why".
2. Find the names and dates of ancestors, close to home and in records.
3. Mix it with social history.
4. Walk in their shoes.  Find ways to relive their stories.
5. Share it and watch it ripple. The meaning finally emerges.

Watch here for more announcements about a Mad Skilz class on family history. Watch for sign-ups.

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Have you seen The Generations Project episodes?

What secrets run in your blood? This new reality series answers this question as it follows real people traveling the country in search of clues about their family past. As they investigate their ancestors, they begin to understand that the best way to know who you are is to know who you came from.

I've been hooked on watching these The Generations Project episodes created by BYU TV, lately.

They are very much like the Who Do You Think You Are programs on NBC.

Only they are not movie stars who are looking to discover who they are, but ordinary people like you and me who have questions about ancestors and desire to know more about where they came from.

At  The Generations Project there's more about genealogy and family history that could make a good family home evening.

AND, you can apply to be on the show and feature your story.

I've seen the Andrea, John, Maile, Danielle and Vicki episodes. Zander and Carrie were especially touching. But MUST watch the Emily episode.

Great for a Sunday afternoon "movie".

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Strengthening Families, Open House

The Bishopric has asked each family in the ward to invite one family to this event. What a great opportunity to share all the good things we have in our church that support the family!

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Tips for Using New FamilySearch.org

Did you know there are TWO FamilySearch websites? Do you know the difference?

1. New FamilySearch (found at new.familysearch.org) is the more recently developed site where users can view their family tree and prepare names for temple ordinances. It replaces the old TempleReady program used in family history centers to process names for temple work. The names in New FamilySearch have already been submitted to the church in some form, though the work isn't always complete.

2. The original FamilySearch site (found at familysearch.org) hosts records and research tools. It's where users can find information from birth, marriage, death, census, church and other indexes.

The two sites are distinct in purpose and should be used in conjunction with each other.

Here are some of the user suggestions for NewFamilySearch:

1. Don't forget the research. It's important to use original research and sources to verify that information found in and submitted to New FamilySearch is accurate. Don't assume that everything is correct. ...Sometimes, information is submitted carelessly, or rushed in for an upcoming ward temple activity.
   
   
2. Make the connections. Be prepared to go in with a mind-set that this is a HUGE cleanup effort and collaboration effort. ..."Just because an individual has a green arrow (icon) does not necessarily mean that person is 'ready' for ordinances. Very often, after combining duplicates, the individual is shown with completed temple ordinances."
   
   
3. Work together. Collaboration is essential for the site to function correctly. ...some New FamilySearch users "own" their data and refuse to change it. Respond to e-mails, cite sources, help clean up the database.
   
   
4. Use the tools. Know how to use the site before using it. Take the time to go through the 5-minute overview, Help Me Get Started With Family History.

View the entire article at Mormon Times.

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Reminder: RS Broadcast

Join with the all the sisters of the Stake for the General Relief Society Broadcast.

Saturday, September 26, 2009 (Tomorrow!)
Stake Center in Broomall (directions)

7:00 - To increase our family history efforts - how to do indexing, getting registered for the new familysearch etc. And to enjoy refreshments together.

8:00 - Broadcast from SLC. Speakers will include a member of the First Presidency, as well as the members of the Relief Society general presidency.

Don't miss it!

Words of Direction and Counsel

Sister Lona Engle is our Stake Relief Society President. She joined us for Relief Society on Sunday to bear her testimony and to counsel us.

Sister Engle spoke of her love for us and the inspiration she received on how to help the sisters of the Stake.

She says we need to be a temple-loving people and go more often.

She also encouraged us to do a little better. For example, if we are not reading the scriptures, then start; if we are reading, then add journaling about what we read, etc. She said we need to step it up a bit.

Also, she wants us to join with all the sisters in the Stake at 7:00 pm on September 26th before the RS Broadcast, to increase our family history efforts (how to do indexing, getting registered for the new familysearch etc.) and enjoy refreshments together.

"We need each other."

Yes, we do Sister Engle. Thank you for the words of encouragement, direction and love.

Lesson Recap: Receiving the Ordinances and Blessings of the Temple

Joseph Smith Lesson 36

Taught by Marie Tiller

...on conditions of our obedience He has promised us great things: yea, even a visit from the heavens to honor us with His own presence.

The Saints are commanded by God to build temples

In September 1840 Joseph Smith said,

...it behooves the Saints to weigh the importance of these things, in their minds, in all their bearings, and then take such steps as are necessary to carry them into operation; and arming themselves with courage, resolve to do all they can, and feel themselves as much interested as though the whole labor depended on themselves alone. By so doing they will emulate the glorious deeds of the fathers, and secure the blessings of heaven upon themselves and their posterity to the latest generation.

In April 1842 he said,

The Church is not fully organized, in its proper order, and cannot be, until the Temple is completed, where places will be provided for the administration of the ordinances of the Priesthood.

In March 1844,

We need the temple more than anything else.

We are a temple building people and do so by commandment. In the temple we learn the things of eternity and receive ordinances of salvation for ourselves and our ancestors. We go to prepare to be with God again. We set ourselves apart from the world, remind ourselves to be more righteous and seek personal strength and revelation.

The temple is where we receive the greatest blessings God has for his children.

With effort on our part and blessings from God we can go more faithfully to the temple and do our family history work. Here are a few of our sisters' ideas...

Chell Leighton: We on the public affairs committee are preparing a special FHE lesson for families to teach us how to talk to others about the new temple coming to Philadelphia.

Eileen Almeida: Where there are temples there is opposition and we need to be prepared for that too. We need to take advantage of the attention brought by this and turn it to the positive.

Owenna Nagy: The Lord is blessing us with a temple and where there is a temple great growth can be expected, brought about by the special spirit of the temple and through our examples.

Marie Tiller: The "house of order" could mean our own homes, meaning that we need to manage our time and homes so that we are able to go to the temple more often.

Trudy Cook: I plan my calendar at the first of the year. I schedule temple days for the whole year, then when someone wants to schedule something, I say I'm away that day. It's a matter of priority and commitment.

Amanda Hall: Heavenly Father opens doors. I can't do family history research right now, but I have a cousin in South Africa who has sent me lists of names of ancestors. I just need to type them in.

Jen Low: Going to the temple is an active choice I make that testifies to my Father that I am coming to visit Him and dedicate myself to Him.

Marie Tiller: Being a part of the Relief Society organization helps prepare us to be worthy to serve in the temple. Then we take our temple experiences and influence those around us. It can help increase our love for those around us.

We ask thee, Holy Father, to establish the people that shall worship, and honorably hold a name and standing in this thy house, to all generations and for eternity; that no weapon formed against them shall prosper; that he who diggeth a pit for them shall fall into the same himself; that no combination of wickedness shall have power to rise up and prevail over thy people upon whom thy name shall be put in this house. ~D&C 109: 24-26

Mad Skilz - New.FamilySearch.org

We are meeting at Jill Fairchild's house,
120 Harvard Drive, Collegeville, PA 19426,
(turn right directly across from Trappe Tavern)
At 7:00 pm, this Wednesday, June 24th

1. Plan to register. If you signed up we'll have your membership number and confirmation dates and will help you get started.
2. If you already have registered or have an LDS account, you'll be able to log in.
3. Bring several names and dates of grandparents, or great grandparents, so you can find your family line.
4. Bring your laptop, if you have one. Jill has wireless and several people can work at the same time.
5. Watch a 10-Minuit overview.
6. Learn how to add information, make corrections, transfer information, resolve duplicates, and get names ready for the temple.

The Gospel in Action: Be An Indexing Volunteer

Guest blogger: Edie Gavin

The Church has an interesting volunteer opportunity that takes only small amounts of time and is perfect for stay-at-home moms. You can contribute to the Family History effort by indexing records using your computer with an internet connection.

The work is relatively easy and you can work at your own pace. You will get a digitized record to index and you just fill in the blanks on the form provided. There is no commitment required, so you can stop and start at any time. You have 8 days to finish an assignment that you have downloaded. If you don't finish it, the work you have done is passed on to someone else to finish. You don't have to worry about making mistakes, since two people are working on each assignment and discrepancies are resolved by a third person.

Go to www.familysearch.org and click on the Index Records tab at the top of the homepage. A general description of the work is found on the right side of the page. To volunteer, click on Volunteer. The site will ask some questions and place a small piece of software on your computer. After this, you can begin indexing.

I find the work interesting and stimulating. Please give it a try.
Edie Gavin

Lesson Recap: Temples and Family History Work

Taught by Ellen King

Surely we on this side of the veil
have a great work to do.
~President Hunter

Why we have temples

President Hunter in an article titled A Temple-Loving People, said:

In the ordinances of the temple, the foundations of the eternal family are sealed in place. The Church has the responsibility–and the authority–to preserve and protect the family as a the foundation of society...All the priesthood temple ordinances are essential for the salvation and exaltation of our Father in Heaven's children.

...Surely we on this side of the veil have a great work to do...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 this life.

Doing work for others is accomplished in two steps: first, by family history research to find our ancestors; and second, by performing the temple ordinances to give them the same opportunities afforded to the living.

Additional joy promised

Doing one or the other is a great work but President Hunter promises that in doing the family history research, and then perfoming the temple ordinance work we will "know the additional joy of receiving both halves of the blessing."

New.FamilySearch.org

[We then watched a 12 minute segment introducing the New.FamilyHistory.org. If you want to borrow this DVD talk to Ellen King.]

Family history work is easier than ever with the New.FamilySearch.org and the internet. Register today! You will need your membership number (on your temple recommend, or contact Bro. Hope) and your confirmation date.

You can begin entering information about your family, and then hook into work that has been done by others. It's all there in one place now.

• See what information the Church already has about you and your ancestors.
• Add new information and make corrections.
• Work with other relatives on shared family lines.
• Easily print out names to take to the temple.
• Do temple ordinances for your ancestors and see the completion online that same day.
• Add notes and sources.
• See duplicates and combine them.
• Upload work you have already done in Personal Ancestral File (PAF).

If you don't have a computer, and want to do this work, let us know. We can team you up with a partner.

Further research can be done on familysearch.org or at the Family History Library in Broomall.

Sisters, I promise you that if you put in a couple of hours a week on this, your lives will be blessed in ways you can't even imagine.

When did your ancestors immigrate?

Take a look at this cool interactive map. It could help with your genealogy research. It tells an interesting story and it's fun to use. There could be clues here about where to research next!