| secretsoverwhelmed.pdf |
Simple Secrets to Keep from
Getting Overwhelmed by Family History
For Everyone: Study the Promised Blessings of Family History from President Nelson, President Eyring and some of the Apostles: https://www.preservingtime.org/consultants.html AND: Learn about your ancestors lives. Remember they are real people to whom you owe your existence.
DETOUR (not part of class):
SOLUTION IF YOU FALL INTO THE DETOUR CATAGORY: Learn about your ancestors lives. Go to FamilySearch>Memories. Look at photos of them. Read stories about their lives. Imagine what life was like for them. Remember that they are real people and that you are here because of them.
Malachi 4: 5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
Secret #2: Identify what family history work actually is and any family history you have already done.
Many Facets of Family History: https://www.preservingtime.org/consultants.html OR https://www.preservingtime.org/uploads/7/5/3/4/7534482/findingplace2work-individual__2_.pdf
DETOUR (not part of class):
- I’m not really overwhelmed, I just don’t want to do it, but I feel guilty and/or have a bad attitude
- Now, if any of these questions lead you to squirm or feel a tinge of guilt, remember that Elder David A. Bednar has taught that “guilt is to our spirit what pain is to our body—a warning of danger and a protection from additional damage.” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2015/04/well-ascend-together?lang=eng
- I don’t want to do family history because it is___________ (Boring/not fun) (Hobby for old people with no life) (Not important) (Fill in with your perception)
SOLUTION IF YOU FALL INTO THE DETOUR CATAGORY: Learn about your ancestors lives. Go to FamilySearch>Memories. Look at photos of them. Read stories about their lives. Imagine what life was like for them. Remember that they are real people and that you are here because of them.
Malachi 4: 5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
Secret #2: Identify what family history work actually is and any family history you have already done.
Many Facets of Family History: https://www.preservingtime.org/consultants.html OR https://www.preservingtime.org/uploads/7/5/3/4/7534482/findingplace2work-individual__2_.pdf
Secret #3: Identify any family history knowledge you have OR family history documents in your possession that have not been preserved for the future.
Remember family history includes preserving the history of your living family. For help see: https://www.preservingtime.org/save-the-box.html
“If you can start with what you have and with what you know, it’s a little hard to find an excuse to delay. And it may be spiritually dangerous to delay it too long.” From “The Holy Temple” by President Boyd K. Packer
Secret #4: Identify possible family history projects for YOU.
Clue words: “I PROBABLY should…” or “I NEED to…”
Most important key: Pray to ask the Holy Ghost to help you know what you personally should be doing.
Secret #5: Pick only ONE SMALL, SPECIFIC Project.
Secret #6: Identify an end goal for the project. What will “contain” the project when it is completed? What does finished “look like”?
What is the simplest possible solution that still meets the need?
Family history is never “done”, but each project needs a finish line.
Remember family history includes preserving the history of your living family. For help see: https://www.preservingtime.org/save-the-box.html
“If you can start with what you have and with what you know, it’s a little hard to find an excuse to delay. And it may be spiritually dangerous to delay it too long.” From “The Holy Temple” by President Boyd K. Packer
Secret #4: Identify possible family history projects for YOU.
Clue words: “I PROBABLY should…” or “I NEED to…”
Most important key: Pray to ask the Holy Ghost to help you know what you personally should be doing.
Secret #5: Pick only ONE SMALL, SPECIFIC Project.
Secret #6: Identify an end goal for the project. What will “contain” the project when it is completed? What does finished “look like”?
What is the simplest possible solution that still meets the need?
Family history is never “done”, but each project needs a finish line.
Secret #10: Tell your brain to leave you alone when it tries to remind you of things you aren’t doing. Remind yourself of the task you ARE DOING.
“We gathered together everything we had, and in the course of a few weeks we were amazed at what we were able to accomplish. The thing that was most impressive, however, was the fact that we began to have experiences that told us somehow that we were being guided, that there were those beyond the veil who were interested in what we were doing…We began to learn by personal experience that this research into our families is an inspired work. We came to know that an inspiration will follow those who move into it. It is just a matter of getting started.
“Once we started, we found the time. Somehow we were able to carry on all of the other responsibilities. There seemed to be an increased inspiration in our lives because of this work.
“But the decision, the action, must begin with the individual. The Lord will not tamper with our agency. If we want a testimony of family history and temple work, we must do something about that work.” From “The Holy Temple” by President Boyd K. Packer
“We gathered together everything we had, and in the course of a few weeks we were amazed at what we were able to accomplish. The thing that was most impressive, however, was the fact that we began to have experiences that told us somehow that we were being guided, that there were those beyond the veil who were interested in what we were doing…We began to learn by personal experience that this research into our families is an inspired work. We came to know that an inspiration will follow those who move into it. It is just a matter of getting started.
“Once we started, we found the time. Somehow we were able to carry on all of the other responsibilities. There seemed to be an increased inspiration in our lives because of this work.
“But the decision, the action, must begin with the individual. The Lord will not tamper with our agency. If we want a testimony of family history and temple work, we must do something about that work.” From “The Holy Temple” by President Boyd K. Packer
