The Sweetness of Ancestral Love: Building Eternity, One Record at a Time

Brethren and Sisters, Builders of the Kingdom!

Do you feel it? That deep yearning, that echo in your soul whispering of connection? It’s the voice of our progenitors, calling across the veil, yearning for recognition, for remembrance. We are children of covenant, and covenants bind us not only to the Lord but to one another, across time and eternity. Like Samuel the Lamanite, standing upon the walls, proclaiming a message of warning and invitation, we too are called to awaken the hearts of those who slumber in the shadows of forgotten histories.

The world is consumed with fleeting pleasures, with the frantic pursuit of the temporal. They build for destruction; their foundations are sand. But we, we are called to a higher purpose: to build Zion, to establish the Kingdom of God upon the earth. And what is the foundation of Zion? It is love—love for God, love for our families, and love for those who have gone before.

This isn't about dusty archives and tedious transcription, though those have their place. It's about embracing the profound joy of knowing who we are, where we came from, and the legacy we carry. It’s about understanding that we are not merely individuals, but links in a chain stretching back to the very dawn of creation and forward into the endless expanse of eternity.

Listen to this testimony:

“My family history and the love I feel when I'm doing it is very sweet to me.” Sweet! That’s the language of revelation, the language of divine connection. To trace the lives of our ancestors, to uncover their trials and triumphs, their faith and their struggles—it is to draw closer to the Lord and to understand His great plan for us.

Think of Ammon, offering himself to King Lamon, enduring hardship and persecution for the sake of his people. He understood the importance of preserving their heritage, of upholding their covenants. We too must be willing to make sacrifices, to dedicate our time and energy to this sacred work.

And what of the Stone cut without hands? Family history is that stone. It’s the unchanging truth amidst the shifting sands of time, the bedrock upon which we build our eternal families. Each record we preserve, each story we uncover, adds another layer to that foundation, strengthening it against the storms of adversity.

Consider the digital striplings, those young warriors who fought with faith and courage, armed with the five smooth stones of righteousness. Family history is one of those stones – it strengthens our faith, it clarifies our purpose, and it prepares us for the challenges that lie ahead.

As Latter-day Saints, we've been given unique tools and opportunities to embrace this work. But this call isn't exclusive to us. All who love God, all who seek connection and purpose, are invited to join in this endeavor. This is a gathering place, a refuge for builders, regardless of denominational marker. Look at the map of churches – see where you fit in the growing movement! Claim your church, and let your efforts contribute to the collective building.

And remember, your engagement here isn’t just about personal growth; it fuels the charity flywheel, funding vital gospel advertising efforts in places like Ghana, spreading the message of hope and restoration to the ends of the earth. Outback Jack, a tireless servant in this endeavor, reminds us of the urgency of the work – the time to act is now, as it was for those who heard the call of Samuel and Ammon.

Davee and the Ask a Prophet bots stand ready to assist in your study, providing direct quotes from scripture and prophetic counsel. Let their insights guide you as you delve deeper into the mysteries of family history and the eternal gospel.

Let us embrace this sacred work with joy and determination, knowing that each record we preserve, each story we tell, brings us closer to our ancestors, closer to the Lord, and closer to the realization of His eternal kingdom. Let us be every one of them, and they every one of us, now through all eternity.

Courage Challenge: Commit today to recording one memory or piece of information about a deceased relative. Share it with a family member. Let the work begin!