My Calling as a Ward Temple and Family History Leader

What Should I Focus On?

“Leaders encourage members to engage in God’s work by becoming ‘true followers of … Jesus Christ’ (Moroni 7:48)” (General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4.1).

As ward temple and family history leader, you help individuals and families come unto Christ as they participate in temple and family history work.

In President Russell M. Nelson’s first address as President of the Church, he counseled: “Your commitment to follow the Savior by making covenants with Him and then keeping those covenants will open the door to every spiritual blessing and privilege available to men, women, and children everywhere. … The end for which each of us strives is to be endowed with power in a house of the Lord, sealed as families, faithful to covenants made in a temple that qualify us for the greatest gift of God—that of eternal life” (“As We Go Forward Together,” Ensign, Apr. 2018, 7).

Lead in the Savior’s Way

You are a disciple of Jesus Christ. Discipleship includes loving, teaching, leading, and serving others. President Henry B. Eyring taught: “You are called to represent the Savior. Your voice to testify becomes the same as His voice, your hands to lift the same as His hands” (“Rise to Your Call,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2002, 76).

The following leadership principles will help you as you fulfill your calling:

• Pray to be led by the Holy Ghost.

• Minister to the one.

• Invite others to act.

Organize the Work

See General Handbook, 25.2.3.

• Coordinate temple and family history efforts in harmony with the ward plan. Work closely with ward organization leaders, including youth quorum and class presidencies.

• Work with the elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies to help the ward council develop and implement the ward temple and family history plan (see General Handbook, 25.2.6; see also 25.2.7).

• Lead family history coordination meetings under the direction of the elders quorum presidency member assigned to temple and family history work. Prepare an agenda for these frequent and informal meetings (see General Handbook, 25.2.7). Following the ward temple and family history plan, coordinate the efforts of ward temple and family history consultants to help others with temple and family history work.

• Instruct ward temple and family history consultants in their responsibilities. Help them learn about the resources they use to assist others with family history.

• Work with the ward mission leader and the full-time missionaries to help those learning the gospel, new members, and returning members engage in temple and family history work.

• Where applicable, assign ward temple and family history consultants to serve in a local family history center (see General Handbook, 25.3.6).

Conduct Ward Temple and Family History Coordination Meetings

Brief, informal ward temple and family history coordination meetings are held regularly. You prepare an agenda and conduct these meetings.

Those who are invited include:

• The member of the elders quorum presidency assigned to temple and family history work.

• The member of the Relief Society presidency assigned to temple and family history work.

• An assistant in the priests quorum.

• A presidency member of the oldest Young Women class.

• Temple and family history consultants.

The purpose of these meetings is to:

• Coordinate efforts to implement the ward temple and family history plan (see General Handbook, 25.2.6).

• Plan how to help specific ward members through personalized temple and family history activities.

These meetings may be held in person or remotely. Coordination can also occur through phone calls, video calls, texts, and emails.