Text from President Dallin H. Oaks, RootsTech 2018

President & Sister Oaks - RootsTech Family Discovery Day 2018

When individuals and families search out their ancestors’ inspiring actions and words, they will receive strength and direction for their own lives.

25:45 As we observed youth doing family history, we saw them:

·         experience almost instantaneous joy and

·         increased confidence.

·         They become more connected to their families.

·         They no longer feel so alone.

·         They begin to feel a celestial kinship.

·         They learn what it means to feel the Spirit.

·         Family history offers a healing influence and an assurance that each person is precious in the eyes of our Heavenly Father.

An important part of learning about our ancestors should occur in the home. That is where the hearts of the children can most effectively turn to their fathers.

14:00 Emphasize their abilities to bounce back and thrive. Family stories count.

16:58 When individuals and families search out their ancestors' inspiring actions and words, they will receive strength and direction for their own lives.

26:40 To help in our reading to children, we created a compilation of family experiences, spiritual promptings, and miracles called “Tell Me a Story.” Sister Oaks: We recommend that everyone create their own family history book.

34:35 The youth came to understand who they are and came to feel a closeness to their Savior. Share these ideas with your families.

41:34 Brothers and sisters, we live in the last days, wonderful days in which the Lord has promised that knowledge will flow down from Heaven until nothing shall be withheld from those who have endured valiantly for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Technological resources unthinkable only a short time ago have been revealed and are being eagerly used by the rising generation. We must teach that generation to use it for holy purposes like FamilySearch, not for the evil or even the trivial.

Family history also connects us to heaven. It gives us an eternal perspective. As President Russell M. Nelson has said:

While temple and family history work has the power to bless those beyond the veil, it has an equal power to bless the living. It has a refining influence on those who are engaged in it.

Blog post: The Blessings of FamilyHistory Work and Temple Work