While attending church today there was a common theme throughout the sacrament meeting. This theme included the idea that there are blessings we can receive from doing family history. As the meeting began a young lady shared her personal testimony and thoughts on this subject. She shared the specific blessings that she has seen in her life. It was amazing to see someone so young, who sees the blessings that can come from participating in the discovery of our ancestors. With this example in mind, I started to ponder what are some of the blessings I have seen. Here is a list of the top 5 blessings I have seen while doing family history.

1. Spiritual Protection

“Do you young people want a sure way to eliminate the influence of the adversary in your life? Immerse yourself in searching for your ancestors” – Richard G. Scott

One amazing blessing that I often feel is spiritual protection, which can include warnings about temptations and dangers that could be in our path. I firmly believe that our ancestors care about us and want to help protect us while we go through the many hardships that we are burdened with in this life. Remember Me, the hit song from the Disney Movie Coco, is one example that shows this idea. I loved this movie and would recommend it to everyone. Listen to this song and look for the idea that our ancestors love us.

2. Greater Temple Experience

“When members of the Church find the names of their ancestors and take those names to the temple for ordinance work, the temple experience can be greatly enriched” – The First Presidency

Participating in family history has increased my experience in the temple. As I participate in various ordinances in the temple I can think of the ancestors I am doing the work for and then imagine them sitting with me and making the same covenants I have made. Doing work in the temple for my ancestors also has led to helping my own family understand who these individuals were and makes their experience more spiritual.

3. Unity in My Family

“The purpose of mortal families is to bring children into the world, to teach them what is right, and to prepare all family members for exaltation in eternal family relationships” – Dallin H. Oaks

As I have participated in family history, there has been a unity in my family and a drive formed that has spread like wildfire. We have all started to do family history together and when we go on vacations, we make an effort to go visit ancestors graves if they are around there. Even beyond this, there have been discussions on Facebook groups and distant cousins wanting to learn more and do their own family history.

4. Increased Love for Others

Usually desire comes when someone feels a connection to an ancestor through evidence of that person’s life. When people connect, they have tender, personal, often sacred experiences that fill them with love and empathy. – Diane Sagers

As you spend time involved in searching for others, naturally you gain a deeper love for your ancestors and also for those around you. You will start to have a perspective that everyone is your brother and sister in one way or another. Isn’t that a cool thought, we all are one branch on a large family lineage tree or even as the movie The Prince of Egypt’s songs states:

A single thread in a tapestry

though its color brightly shines

can never see its purpose

in the pattern of the grand design

We are all inner woven in one way or another. When we think in that way how can we not treat everyone with love and kindness.

5. Enhanced Spiritual Awareness

Remember that the names which will be so difficult to find are of real people to whom you owe your existence in this world and whom you will meet again in the spirit world. … Their hearts are bound to you. Their hope is in your hands. You will have more than your own strength as you choose to labor on to find them. – Henry B. Eyring

One major thing that both my sister and I have felt is an increased spiritual awareness of our ancestors around us. Their presence can be felt and we know that they are on the other side of the veil cheering us on, guiding us in life and in our search for our ancestors. They want us to seek them out, search for them and then do the temple work for them.

Many More Blessings

There are so many blessings associated with family history. Some very personal and others promised to anyone who does family history. Take a moment and watch this video that shares more about some of the blessings that Apostles have promised for participating in family history.

What blessings have you seen from participating in family history? Let us know in the comments below!

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