I feel guided in temple and family history work in both small and large ways.  One experience I had, was that as I was planning my retirement from my teaching career, I fasted and prayed to know if the time I had chosen to retire was right, when I did this, I had the distinct impression that I should wait, not only that I should wait, but that I should wait three years.  I rarely get such distinct and specific answers to prayer, but I knew this was the answer.

My prayers became more heartfelt as I sought the Spirit in guiding me to those specific things I needed to learn and do for my last three years of teaching.  It wasn’t long before I was guided to take a course being offered by my school district in using technology in teaching.  I applied for the program and was accepted and started my coursework.  The course was after school two times a week for three hours each night, then summer classes, and more coursework the following school year until January.  From the first day of classes I learned things that I could use in our classrooms to enhance the learning of my students. I started websites for each of the courses I taught, and had an blog so that I could interact with my students and answer their questions outside of school hours, (I taught High School Biology and AP Biology at the time). I loved what I was learning and how I was able to apply what I was learning to help my students.  Through this process I felt the Spirit whisper to me that I would use the skills long after I had retired from teaching, I felt strongly they would be used in doing family history work.

As I have worked with people over the years with temple and family history work, I have noticed that often members are afraid to get started in working on their family histories because they feel they lack basic computer skills.  This fear becomes a roadblock that they feel they can’t overcome.  While I understand this fear, I also know it can be overcome.  There are consultants available at the Granite Family History Center that can help you, at whatever level you are on, to use the computer and to begin to receive the blessings that come from  temple and family history work.  If you lack basic computer skills there are tutorials available at the Granite Family History website.  If you need help logging on ask one of the temple and family history consultants in your ward, or a youth, or your grandchildren for help.

The technology we have available to us for Temple and Family History is a great blessing.  As I have used technology to participate in Temple and Family History work, I have found the following things helpful:

• Remember you are on a Spiritual journey, pray for guidance and help as you participate in this work
• Go to the Granite Family History Center to get the one-on-one help you need
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions, get the help you need from your ward temple and family history consultants.
• Start small; learn how to index records and how to address “record hints” that appear on FamilySearch for your family
• Watch videos of recorded classes available at the granitefhc.com
• If you are a new Temple and Family History consultant, watch the training videos at granitefhc.com
• Complete the circle; once you start finding names, if they need their temple work done, Do It! It is great to gather family histories, to build connections with family members living and dead, but the most important reason for this work, technology, and research tools, is to take the names of our family to the temple and do their temple work so they may receive the ordinances of salvation necessary for their continued progression. 

I know as we work together to bring our Heavenly Father’s children to him through temple and family history work our lives will be blessed.  We can learn new things including the technology that will aid us in this work.  

–Elaine Hardman – GFHC communications