Overview

Purpose of This Guide

This guide describes how leaders can organize, lead, and implement temple and family history work in wards and stakes. It describes how family history can be an integral part of the ward council’s efforts for the salvation of souls. It also describes how leaders can strengthen themselves and others through participation in the work.

This guide gives details not found in Handbook 2: Administering the Church, and it replaces the Administrative Guide for Family History referenced in section 5.4.7 of the handbook. It is designed for stake presidencies, bishoprics, high priests group leaders, high councilors who have been assigned to coordinate family history, and other members of stake and ward councils. Elders quorum presidents use this guide in wards or branches that do not have a high priests group leader. The guide also contains information about how family history consultants, stake indexing directors, family history center directors, and area family history advisers can help ward and stake leaders implement family history efforts.

To use this guide, study and ponder the relevant information to receive inspiration on how to make family history work part of your personal life and your ward or stake leadership responsibilities. Use the notes column on each page to record your impressions. Follow the guidelines outlined in this book, and put into action the unique impressions you receive.

To Turn the Hearts DVD

The To Turn the Hearts DVD (08885) provides a video presentation that demonstrates the principles taught in this guide. It includes real-life examples of how the leaders in one stake used temple and family history work to strengthen individuals and families. It also includes instructional videos that describe the temple and family history responsibilities of stake and ward leaders and those with family history callings.

The DVD can be viewed for individual study or in council meetings to initiate discussions and planning for temple and family history efforts. The videos on the DVD are also available in the Serving in the Church section of LDS.org.

FamilySearch

FamilySearch is the name used by the Church to describe its family history efforts, products, and services to the general public. FamilySearch.org is the name of the primary website where patrons can discover, preserve, and share their family histories.

Application in Branches, Districts, and Missions

For administrative purposes, the terms bishop and bishopric in this guide refer also to branch presidents and branch presidencies. The terms stake president and stake presidency refer also to district presidents and district presidencies. References to wards and stakes usually apply also to branches, districts, and missions.