General Conference... and family history

As an adult, I've been lucky that at almost every General Conference I am with family.

In college I generally spent conference weekend with Grandma and Grandpa Nelson (Fred and Leona). We would spend the hours in between conference labeling pictures, telling stories... and just enjoying the time together. Often it was just me (or me and Gene) with them... I remember one year when between sessions Gene and Grandpa were in the front rose bed trying to dig up the water line to find a leak... and Grandma and I sat on the porch and watched and talked. They're not here anymore. I sure do miss them.

When my older kids were little we went to Kanab most often to visit Grandpa and Grandma Gold for conference. We'd come and enjoy other cousins and their kids and have a great time.

Now in Texas we head up to my parents' place and almost all of my siblings and their families that are in Texas get together and we play and watch conference. It's a quick weekend, but it's relaxing and fun to be together.

During the Saturday afternoon session of conference Elder Bednar spoke about family history, and I thought I'd share... (I've added the bold for emphasis).


"Elder Russell M. Nelson has taught that the Spirit of Elijah is “a manifestation of the Holy Ghost bearing witness of the divine nature of the family”. This distinctive influence of the Holy Ghost draws people to identify, document, and cherish their ancestors and family members—both past and present.


The Spirit of Elijah affects people inside and outside of the Church. However, as members of Christ’s restored Church, we have the covenant responsibility to search out our ancestors and provide for them the saving ordinances of the gospel. “They without us should not be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:40; see also Teachings: Joseph Smith, 475). And “neither can we without our dead be made perfect” (D&C 128:15).


For these reasons we do family history research, build temples, and perform vicarious ordinances. For these reasons Elijah was sent to restore the sealing authority that binds on earth and in heaven. We are the Lord’s agents in the work of salvation and exaltation that will prevent “the whole earth [from being] smitten with a curse” (D&C 110:15) when He returns again. This is our duty and great blessing."

So little time, so much to do.