“Area Leadership,” To Turn the Hearts: Leader’s Guide to Temple and Family History Work (2011), 22–23
“Area Leadership,” To Turn the Hearts, 22–23
Area Leadership
“Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. … Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free.”
Area Temple and Family History Leadership
The Presidency of the Seventy or Area Presidency oversee temple and family history work in the area. They teach the doctrines of the work. They also teach leaders their temple and family history responsibilities.
The Area Presidency or Area Seventies call a sufficient number of area family history advisers to assist stakes with family history work.
Area Family History Advisers
Area family history advisers work closely with the Area Seventies and coordinating councils. Generally, priesthood holders or couples are called to serve as area family history advisers. The Church’s Family History Department provides orientation and training for the new advisers. The department will contact new area advisers after being notified of their callings.
Area family history advisers do the following:
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Consult with Area Seventies, stake presidencies, and high councilors on how family history can serve as a resource to help achieve overall goals for those whom they serve.
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Provide training in temple and family history to stake leaders and others within stakes and wards.
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Provide information to area leaders on the Church’s direction and plans for family history work.
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Inform the Family History Department about family history needs and activities within the area and its stakes. Area family history advisers partner with the department to meet those needs.
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Work with the Family History Department to provide family history mission opportunities to members within the area.
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Help with public affairs efforts that include temple and family history work.
Area family history advisers play an important role in helping an area succeed with its temple and family history goals. The following experience was related by a stake president who witnessed the effect of a dedicated area adviser in helping his stake learn to use FamilySearch tools.
The area adviser visited stake priesthood and family history leaders to help them understand that family history is a resource to bless lives and further the work of salvation. He inspired the leaders by speaking about how FamilySearch tools could help them with their leadership responsibilities, as well as with their individual family history work. He explained the registration process for FamilySearch and encouraged the leaders to begin learning about the new software. He then spent considerable time answering individual questions.
The help provided by the area adviser generated excitement among the leaders. This excitement was passed on to the stake members. Later, the area adviser was the main speaker at a stake family history seminar attended by about 300 members. He encouraged and inspired the members to continue their family history efforts.
Area family history advisers are called to assist and train leaders and others in their family history efforts. They work with the Family History Department to meet the area’s family history needs.
Area family history advisers are a valuable resource to priesthood and family history leaders and can help them accomplish their goals.