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!

Stake Relief Society & Young Women's Conference

 

 

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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Untold Stories of Mormon Women

Be heard!

Two LDS Church historians are on a quest to tell the world about the inspirational lives of Mormon women.


Richard E. Turley Jr., an assistant church historian and recorder, and Brittany A. Chapman, a historian in the Church History Library, are serving as the editors for a new series of books titled "Women of Faith in the Latter Days." Because half of the people in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been women, the purpose of the project is to bring to light their untold accounts of faith and dedication, both past and present.

"Most of history we've created focuses on men. We've recognized a huge gap there that needs to be filled," Turley said.

For now the two editors are preparing seven volumes. Each volume in the series will contain 50 chapters of 10 pages each on women throughout history and from around the world. The target audience is the general membership of the LDS Church. The source of each story, however, is what makes the project unique.

"We are asking for submissions from public," Chapman said. "A lot of times the same women have been talked about in church history, whereas other women may be famous only in their families. Finally their story gets to be told, and that's exciting."

Article in Mormon Times
www.ldswomenoffaith.org

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Climb Your Family Tree!

Link sent from Brother Hope:

Free Online Classes Help People Climb Their Family Tree
LDS Newsroom

Genealogy is one of the most popular hobbies in the world, and new online classes from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints make it easier than ever to search for your ancestors from the comfort of your own home.

Through the nonprofit FamilySearch organization, the Church provides records and resources to help people with their family history. This effort stems from the Latter-day Saint belief that families can be together after this life, but the Church provides access to genealogical information to everyone, regardless of religious affiliation. These offerings now include a growing collection of free online classes that anyone can access on the Internet at their convenience. These classes help people get started in genealogy, learn how to use different types of records or research in a specific area.

FamilySearch instructional designer Candace Turpin says there are currently about 140 classes available on the familysearch.org website, and that number is growing every month. The variety of classes offers something for everyone, from experienced family historians to curious novices.

“The goal of the initiative is to educate more people worldwide about how to find their ancestors,” Turpin said. “We do it by filming the experts teaching a particular class of interest and then offering free access to that presentation online — complete with the PowerPoint used and any electronic handouts that the user can download or print for future reference.”

From the LDS Newsroom - Thanks Brother Hope!

Image Credit: Jana McCarthy, Heartsong

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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Lesson Recap: Rejoice in the Blessings of the Temple

 

We are women
of faith, virtue, vision, and charity who:
Rejoice in the blessings of the temple.

We rejoice in...

• The House of the Lord, where he comes, to speak to us 
• A place to take your cares, troubles, important decisions and receive personal guidance
• Continuation of the pattern of temples (tabernacle of Moses, temple of Nephi)
• A fulfillment of scripture and prophecy
• A place of clean-ness
• Knowing we are clean and worthy
• Receiving the ordinances necessary for exaltation
• Learning, knowledge, wisdom
• 3 pillars of eternity: creation, fall, atonement
• The Endowment: instruction on how we should live
• Making covenants to greater commitment
• Being sealed in Celestial marriage
• Future generations born in the covenant as part of an eternal family
• Providing salvation for those who have passed on
• The opportunity to serve God so uniquely
• A reason to overcome difficulty, to maintain strong and vital marriages
• A common goal, being one in purpose
• Strengthened resolve to endure to the end
• Lessening of Satan's power on the earth
• Motivation for our children to live good clean lives
• The gift of perspective on life and eternity, knowing what's important
• Protection from danger
• Enabling power
• Increased meaning when death takes a loved one
• Feeling the Spirit, the joy and happiness, the peace
• Personal sanctification, “peeling away the shell of selfishness”

How to gain more benefit from temple attendance

• Understand the doctrine related to temple ordinances, especially the significance of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
• While participating in temple ordinances, consider your relationship to Jesus Christ and His relationship to our Heavenly Father. This simple act will lead to greater understanding of the supernal nature of the temple ordinances.
• Always prayerfully express gratitude for the incomparable blessings that flow from temple ordinances. Live each day so as to give evidence to Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son of how very much those blessings mean to you.
• Schedule regular visits to the temple.
• Leave sufficient time to be unhurried within the temple walls.
• Rotate activities so that you can participate in all of the ordinances of the temple.
• Remove your watch when you enter a house of the Lord.
• Listen carefully to the presentation of each element of the ordinance with an open mind and heart.
• Be mindful of the individual for whom you are performing the vicarious ordinance. At times pray that he or she will recognize the vital importance of the ordinances and be worthy or prepare to be worthy to benefit from them.
• Recognize that much of the majesty of the sealing ordinance cannot be understood and remembered with one live experience. Substantial subsequent vicarious work permits one to understand much more of what is communicated in the live ordinances.
• Realize that a sealing ordinance is not enduring until after it is sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise. Both individuals must be worthy and want the sealing to be eternal.

Sisters, please take the time to reflect on the blessings of the temple in your lives and express your gratitude to Heavenly Father for being born in a time with such wonderful buildings and knowledge are on the earth.

Further study:
Blessings of the Temple, Robert D. Hales, Oct 2009 Ensign
Personal Preparation for Temple Blessings, Russell M Nelson, July 2001 Liahona
Temple Worship: The Source of Strength and Power in Times of Need, Richard G Scott, May 2009 Ensign
Temple topic on LDS.org


Ellen

Lesson Recap: Praise to the Man

Joseph Smith, Lesson 47
Latter-day Prophets Bear Witness of Joseph Smith

Since the time of Brigham Young, each of the prophets who has presided over the Church has testified of the remarkable mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith.

The testimonies of ancient and modern prophets join together to proclaim that Joseph Smith was the instrument through whom God restored the fulness of the gospel for the blessing of “the whole human family, from eternity to eternity.

Foreordained to his prophetic calling
Brigham Young
Joseph Smith was foreordained in eternity to preside over this last dispensation.

Joseph Fielding Smith
No prophet since the days of Adam, save, of course, our Redeemer, has been given a greater mission.

Ezra Taft Benson
The Prophet Joseph Smith was not only ‘one of the noble and great ones,’ but he gave and continues to give attention to important matters here on the earth even today from the realms above.

You
How does your understanding of Joseph Smith's earthly mission change when you view it in the light of eternity?

First Vision Fundamental to Our Testimonies
Joseph F. Smith
The greatest event that has ever occurred in the world since the resurrection of the Son of God...was the coming of the Father and of the Son to that boy Joseph Smith, to prepare the way for the laying of the foundation of God’s kingdom.

Heber J. Grant
Either Joseph Smith did see God and did converse with Him, and God Himself did introduce Jesus Christ to the boy ...or Mormonism is a myth. And Mormonism is not a myth!

Howard W. Hunter
My testimony...hinges upon the simple story of the lad under the trees kneeling and receiving heavenly visitors...it is one of the greatest single events in all history.

David O. McKay
The appearing of the Father and the Son to Joseph Smith is the foundation of this Church...What God is, is answered.

Ezra Taft Benson
If we do not accept this truth…if we have not received a witness about this great revelation, we cannot inspire faith in those whom we lead.

George Albert Smith
When the boy prophet, in the woods of Palmyra, saw the Father and the Son...there was a connection between the heavens and the earth.

You
What has helped you gain a testimony of the First Vision?

Taught by God and Angels
John Taylor
He was ignorant of letters as the world has it, but the most profoundly learned and intelligent man that I ever met in my life.

Wilford Woodruff
The Prophet of God was administered to by the angels of heaven. They were his teachers, they were his instructors, and all that he did...was by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Lorenzo Snow
Joseph Smith, whom God chose to establish this work, was poor and uneducated...but God had called him to deliver the poor and honest-hearted of all nations from their spiritual and temporal bondage.

Harold B. Lee
Joseph, the man, could not have done this, but Joseph, actuated by the power of Almighty God, could and did perform the miraculous service of bringing forth the kingdom out of obscurity in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

David O. McKay
Joseph Smith’s greatness consists in divine inspiration.

Howard W. Hunter
We praise Joseph Smith for his capacity to commune not only with Jehovah but also with other personages of heaven. So many visited, gave keys, and tutored that ‘choice seer’...Through him, it has been estimated, more marvelous pages of scripture passed than through any other human in history.

You
As you seek spiritual knowledge, how can you follow Joseph Smith's example?

Called of God to Restore the Gospel
Spencer W. Kimball
The foreverness of this kingdom and the revelations which it brought into existence are absolute realities. Never again will the sun go down; never again will all men prove totally unworthy of communication with their Maker. Never again will God be hidden from his children on the earth. Revelation is here to remain.

Gordon B. Hinckley
There are those doubters who have strained to explain this remarkable organization as the product of the times in which he lived. That organization, I submit, was as peculiar, as unique, and as remarkable then as it is today. It was not the product of the times. It came as a revelation from God.

Joseph F. Smith
...he was called of God to introduce the Gospel to the world, to restore the holy priesthood to the children of men, to organize the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the world, and to restore all the ordinances of the Gospel, for the salvation not only of the living, but also of the dead, and he was called to this mission by God Himself.

You
Think about how your life would be different if you did not know of the restored gospel. Why are you thankful for Joseph Smith and his mission?

His work blesses all

Joseph F. Smith
The work in which Joseph Smith was engaged...is not something which relates to man only while he tabernacles in the flesh, but to the whole human family from eternity to eternity.

Joseph Fielding Smith
In the same way that I know Jesus is the Christ–and that is by revelation from the Holy Spirit—I know that Joseph Smith is and was and everlastingly shall be a prophet of God.

Gordon B. Hinckley
The glorious work, begun by him who was killed at Carthage, has grown in a miraculous and wonderful way…The testimonies which were sealed [there]... now nurture the faith of people around the world.

You
How have you and your family who has gone before and your family yet to be been blessed by the work of Joseph Smith?

A seer shall the Lord my God raise up, who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins. … And his name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father. And he shall be like unto me; for the thing, which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation. 2 Nephi 3:6, 15;

 Ellen

Enrichment Activities Now Called Relief Society Meetings

The Purpose of Relief Society Meetings

Julie B. Beck on the purpose of Relief Society meetings:

“In counsel with the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, it was determined that rather than give these additional Relief Society meetings a new title, all such meetings and activities will now be referred to simply as Relief Society meetings.

“These meetings are meant to be instrumental in teaching the skills and responsibilities of womanhood and motherhood in the Lord’s plan.”

Hear her clarify our new meetings.

Why do we hold Relief Society meetings on days other than Sunday?

To learn and practice skills that will help us to:

• Increase faith and personal righteousness.
• Strengthen families and homes.
• Provide service to those in need
• Progress toward eternal life.

Hear President Eyring's words

What types of meetings should we have?

We should be planning service, classes, projects, conferences and workshops, that give highest priority to:

Homemaking Marriage and family Provident Living and Self-Reliance

Temples and family history Sharing the gospel Compassionate service

What do you think?
While this gives us in the Valley Forge First Ward a general direction for our meetings, we'd really love to hear from you. What needs do you have? Where do you have gaps in your knowledge or experience? What interests you?

Read more about these important Relief Society meetings.

Ellen

Endorsements

Hi Everyone,
Just an extra pitch for the Family Indexing program—it's easy to get started and fun, and it stretches your brains!

You might get information from the 1850 census of the Canada territories—or 17th century names from the special rolls of Protestants kept in France - or baptisms from Krakow.

Figuring out information from crazy handwriting seems a bit daunting at times, but it's fascinating stuff, and there is nothing more selfless.

Who knows, you might find a relative—I found one in the French Protestant Rolls!

Give it a try, involve the kids—have them point out places on a map. With the many immigrants in the US, kids might enjoy seeing how far someone from Norway traveled to end up in Minnesota. It might make a good family home evening activity.

Marie Tiller

I can only endorse what Marie wrote—this is a very interesting and fulfilling way to serve our ancestors.

My non-LDS friends in the world of genealogy are always amazed at how our Church can marshall forces for projects like this and the wonderful quality of the work that is done.

There is usually a variety of records that you can choose from—U.S. or international records—and many of them can be completed in a half hour or so and your work is always double-checked by someone else so you don't have to lose sleep over whether your transciption might be in error and be perpetuated for years to come!

And, as Marie said, it could be a fascinating project for your family too—so please consider giving it a try!

Mary Louise

A Bit of Encouragement from Our Stake Relief Society President

Please consider sharing this recent letter with your sisters - including those who serve in Young Women and Primary.

Love you,
Sister Lona Engle
Stake Relief Society President



December 7, 2009
Sign up for FamilySearch Indexing

Have you ever said or thought any of these things?

· I don’t have time to do family history.

· My grandmother did all of my family history.

· I work at the family history center, but I run out of things to do when there are no patrons.

· I’ll wait and do my family history when there are more original records available on the Internet.

· I don’t know how to get started with my family history. What’s a census?

The response to all of these statements could be—“Sign up for FamilySearch indexing!”

FamilySearch indexing allows an army of volunteer indexers from around the world to help preserve and make the records of our ancestors available online for research. Using our online system, these volunteers are easily able to extract data from valuable records and provide free searchable indexes—all from the convenience of their homes.

Anyone can help at any time.

Volunteers do not need to be members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They simply need to register, sign in, and follow a simple process:

1. Select “batches” of records to download to their computers.

2. Enter the requested information (names, dates, events, etc.) in the corresponding spaces.

3. Submit the completed batches to the online system.

Here are some of the benefits of being a volunteer indexer:

· You don’t have to be an expert genealogist. New indexers and genealogists can become familiar with the types of information available on a census record or other vital documents by doing indexing.

· There are no fixed time commitments. Volunteers can index any time and for any amount of time that they want. Some indexers volunteer an hour a day; others volunteer five minutes a week. All are welcome and appreciated.

· Help FamilySearch publish more records online. The more volunteers that help index, the faster records will be made available online to researchers.

· If you’ve hit a roadblock or you feel that all your family history is complete, become part of the indexing community. Help make records available for others to do their family history.

· Index while you are at the family history center. Family history has many facets, including indexing, and many family history centers already have the indexing system installed on their computers. If there are no patrons at the center to assist, use your free time to index.

We are currently indexing over 70 different collections of records from 28 different countries and 10 languages.

The FamilySearch indexing Web site and computer program are available in the following languages: English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.

To sign up for FamilySearch indexing or to learn more about the program, go to http://indexing.familysearch.org.

We greatly appreciate those who donate their time and talents through the FamilySearch indexing program to help make these collections of records freely available online to researchers.

Sincerely,
FamilySearch
support@familysearch.org
U.S. and Canada: 1-866-406-1830

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.