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There's too much to say about Family History and how awesome it is, so I'll just share an awesome experience for me that strengthened my faith. :)

A young woman in my ward really wanted to do Family History, but she had a bunch of problems with her family tree and didn't even have her parents' names on it. I got together with her to try to figure out how to fix it, but after exhausting every idea we had, we still hadn't fixed it. Then an idea came to me that we should say a prayer (I'm sure it was inspired), and after that everything fell into place. We called the Family Search headquarters and were able to fix it, and after that she was able to get all of her lines filled and she found some names! I could feel the Spirit so strongly after we said the prayer, and it strengthened my testimony about Family History so much! It's a wonderful work, and I know it's true!

-Meghan :)

Another great experience at the temple. Eliza lots

of family names, it's feels great doing the work!

Blessings, Blessings, Blessings.

"Well, I just wanna start out by saying that I am so blessed to get to work on my family history and help others learn about it. I am grateful for the blessings that come from family history. They help buoy me up when trials come my way. It also gives me a feeling of love from my heavenly father and my elder brother.  I am grateful that I can learn about my forever family no matter how many generations away from me they are. And I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

-Natasha

It's Uplifting!

I was amazed to find out how easy and uplifting family history is.  It's kind of crazy how much the spirit of Elijah can touch your heart.  After learning how to use some genealogy tools,  I found 81 temple names. (That was very encouraging because it was so much easier than I thought it would be.)  Taking those names --names I had found myself-- to the temple for the first time was an amazing experience.  I was walking alone on the temple grounds, yet I knew 81 of my brothers and sisters on the other side of the veil were walking with me.  It was a remarkable experience.  I know that those on the other side of the veil are anxiously waiting for their work to be done.  The field is white, all ready to harvest.  I know that as we do this work and serve them, they are excited to do what they can to serve us in return.  This is a work that is resting on our shoulders. I know that as I have served by doing family history, I have been blessed greatly. 

"And we ask thee, Holy Father, that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them;

 And from this place they may bear exceedingly great and glorious tidings, in truth, unto the ends of the earth, that they may know that this is thy work, and that thou hast put forth thy hand, to fulfill that which thou hast spoken by the mouths of the prophets, concerning the last days."

--Doctrine and Covenants 109: 22-23

-Eliza

Roots

In Family History, when someone mentions the word Roots every one knows what that person is referring to, your ancestry. Much of the time that I have been on the committee I have noticed that our thoughts have been directed towards serving others, in some cases that may include a ward member or a friend at school. This is following one of the commandments, To love they neighbor. This is amazing! This is another leap towards becoming Christ-like,but what I have noticed is that we are often focusing more on others spiritual welfare more than ours. It is common for us as human beings to assume that we are in the clear, and this is why I bring up Roots. I am going to use this term in a personal perspective now. I am going to refer Roots to Desire. The things that you desire are the things that you will become, " before ye seek riches seek the kingdom of god" My Testimony is this brothers and sisters, we are living in a time that really pushes our spiritual strength, a time that makes me worry constantly for my younger brothers, and requires me to ask for a portion of the lords divine grace on their behalf. Now is the time to be firmly Rooted to the gospel of Jesus Christ and to NEVER WAVER ( Helaman 5:12) " We cannot help others until we help ourselves" ( Dieter F. Uchtdorf)  I pray that we might begin now by becoming spiritually strong and start gaining our own spiritual strength. If we begin with this, the devils fiery darts will have no affect over us. Let us begin now so that  we can take that extra step of serving others truly, these words I say in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

-Derek Childs

I haven't been doing family history work for very long, and I am still learning a lot about it, but my testimony has grown so much in the short time that I have been researching my ancestors. First off, I have felt such a difference in my life when I make family history a priority. I feel like I have the spirit with me more, I am happier, and I even focus more on my school work. I have also felt the spirit so strong when I am at the temple. I can only imagine how happy and grateful my ancestors are for being given the opportunity to be baptized and follow christ. I am excited to continue hastening the work on both sides of the veil, to find more people that are ready for their temple work to be done, and for my testimony to grow. I know that family history is a very important part of this church and that we will be blessed as we learn more about our ancestors.

-Lewis L.

Why I Love Family History

I LOVE doing family history. Yes, I know you are probably thinking I am crazy right now. But it is true!  There is something about finding a name to take to the temple that gives me this incredible feeling (aka the Holy Ghost). Probably has something to do with the fact that doing some good in the world makes me happy. Crazy, right? ;) Not only do I get tremendous satisfaction out of finding names to take to the temple, I love hearing stories about my ancestors. Of where I came from. Of the sacrifices that were made for me, so that I could enjoy all that I do. Hearing their sacrifices can get me through the hardest days and helps me put perspective on my trials. It's also fun to discover some cool things that your ancestors have done. Fun Fact: one of my ancestors (picture below) was at the surrender of the Civil War and was given a horse as part of the surrender treaty (pretty cool if you ask me).

John Abraham Kitchen
Be jealous of the beard.

I have a testimony of family history work and know 130% that family history is important and it does bring blessings. Elder Scott said, "I can think of no greater protection from the influence of the adversary in your life..." I challenge all of you to put family history to the test. Go find a name to take to the temple and discover some stories about your ancestors. And don't stop at just one. Keep going! Sometimes it's hard. I get it. You may not find any names. That was me, until I better understood how to do family history.  If you have any questions feel free to contact your ward representative on the Stake Youth Family History Committee or email us at afwestfamilyhistory@gmail.com. We WANT your questions so please, pretty please contact us!

Love, Maddie Smith (Sunset Hills 1st)

If you would like to read more of Elder Scott's talk "The Joy of Redeeming the Dead" click here.

Is it just me, or have there been tons of messages about family history this whole month? Or even year?
At Regional Conference and at the Ogden Temple Dedication some of the speakers mentioned family history work and the New Era of this month is pratically dedicated to family history!
Is it important? Definitely.

Family history has blessed my life in so many ways. I know that it is an important work, and I know that I have been called in these latter days to do the work. Because of this I have had the opportunity to do names for my family members and the feelings that I get...

Astounding. Powerful. Beautiful. Spiritual.

The Lord has helped me find my family names and I know he will help you if you take the time to search and pray. Don't give up. Endure to the end. The Lord will bless you. He loves all of us and wants only the best for his children.

And remember:

~Shanalee Walker

Eliza and Terlynn at the Timp. Temple!

Catch a ride up with us any Tuesday after school if you're a caveman(:

We LOVE Family History Work!

We are a youth committee in the American Fork West Stake. Our hope is that people can use this blog as a resource for help with Family History work! You're welcome to use us as a resource too -Especially if you belong to the American Fork West Stake :)

Family History has been such a blessing to my life. Getting started was difficult but as I studied talks given by general authorities and prayed for help, I realized that my efforts in doing Family History work would be recognized by our Heavenly Father.

"As you respond in faith to this invitation, your hearts shall turn to the fathers. The promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will be implanted in your hearts. Your patriarchal blessing, with its declaration of lineage, will link you to these fathers and be more meaningful to you. Your love and gratitude for your ancestors will increase. Your testimony of and conversion to the Savior will become deep and abiding. And I promise you will be protected against the intensifying influence of the adversary. As you participate in and love this holy work, you will be safeguarded in your youth and throughout your lives." The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn, Elder Bednar

 So I put their words to the test and got to work doing my Family History to the best of my abilities. Soon after, I magically became happier and more at peace with my life! I know that Heavenly Father is happy with me and blesses me when I put time into doing His work. It's amazing what I have been able to learn with him on my side.

I want this for everyone! If you need help don't hesitate to contact a member of the Youth Committee in the AF West Stake. (It is likely that someone in your ward is a representative.)

The Committee:
Terlynn Westphal
Talon Garrick
Natasha Taylor
Kallee Pierce
Lauryn Birkeland
Spencer Thomas
Spencer Meyers
Lewis Larson
Shalyse Pulley
Shanalee Walker
Quinn Hayward
Meghan Witchurch
Maddie Smith
Eliza Adams
Derek Childs

Members are added or leave for the adventures of singles ward so it changes sometimes but this is us for now!

Much Love, Terlynn