“Church Introduces New Leader’s Guide to Temple and Family History Work,” Ensign, Mar. 2012, 76–77
Church Introduces New Leader’s Guide to Temple and Family History Work
In November 2010 the Springfield First Ward council in the Springfield Illinois (USA) Stake decided to invite a newly reactivated family, the Michael and Jessica Dauphinee family, to meet with ward family history consultants. With encouragement from priesthood leaders and the consultants, the Dauphinees, who hadn’t yet been to the temple, intently began searching out their ancestors to submit their names for sacred temple ordinances.
As the family prepared to do the work of their ancestors at the temple, they were also preparing themselves for the temple, demonstrating that family history and proxy temple work aren’t just about redeeming the dead. Work for the living and the dead are both part of the work of salvation.
This and three other stories from the Springfield Illinois Stake are highlighted in a new training guide titled To Turn the Hearts, a resource created for priesthood leaders and Church family history consultants. The training aims to assist leaders in identifying and helping families and individuals research their family history while concurrently preparing them to make and keep temple covenants.
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who speaks in an interview included in the guide’s accompanying DVD, said, “This is not a function of simply the leaders in Springfield. Although they are excellent and inspired, … these promises, these spiritual outcomes, are available to all who seek the appropriate inspiration. These results are replicable all over the world.”
The resources for To Turn the Hearts include a 25-page guidebook, a training DVD, and a website housing the two.
The new To Turn the Hearts training materials include a guidebook and accompanying DVD that teach leaders and family history consultants how to use family history initiatives to assist in achieving local priesthood objectives such as missionary work and member retention.
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