Utah South Area Utah Valley Stake Indexing Directors Training Forum Priesthood Leadership Training Focus 15 June 2013
Purpose FamilySearch indexing is a way for the Church to make its immense collection of genealogical records available to the public. To Turn the Hearts -Leader s Guide to Temple and Family History Work - pg. 8
Secondary Purposes One of the best ways to have a turning of the heart spiritual experience that opens the way to one s own family history and temple work An opportunity to serve
On October 8, 2012 the First Presidency sent a letter to all members of the church, to be read in sacrament meeting Our Direction
Our Direction In part it said; When member of the Church findnames of their ancestors and take those names to the temple for ordinance work, the temple experience can be greatly enriched We especially encourage youth and young single adults to use for temple work theirown family names or the names of ancestors of their ward and stake members. Priesthood leaders should assure that young people and their families learn the doctrine of turning their hearts to their fathers and the blessings of temple attendance. We pray that the spirit of this sacred work will increase in the hearts of all members of the Church.
Previously, on February 29, 2012, the First Presidency had also sent a letter to all members of the church, to be read in sacrament meeting, which in part read: Members are encouraged to participate in FamilySearch indexing which is vitalto family history and temple work (emphasis added) Further Direction
The Connection In the Russia Rostov-na-Donu Mission the youth were invited to each index 2,000 names and then qualify at least one name from their own families for temple ordinances. Those who accomplished this goal were invited to go on a long journey to the new Kyiv Ukraine Temple. One young man shared his experience: I was spending a lot of time playing computer games. When I started indexing, I didn t have time to play games. At first I thought, Oh no! How can that be! When this project was over, I even lost interest in gaming. Genealogical work is something that we can do here on earth, and it will remain in heaven. Elder Richard G. Scott - The Joy of Redeeming the Dead General Conference, October, 2012
The Connection Indexing has become an incredibly powerful launching point for members to then find the joy of doing temple work for their own
Priesthood Stake Organization for Temple and Family History Work Stake President Presides over the work of salvation Area Advisers Serve as resources to the stake High Councilor Instructs high priests group leaders and coordinates stake family history centers and indexing efforts, and assists the stake council Stake Council Temple and family history work can help stake councils in the many aspects of the work of salvation High Priests Group Leader Coordinate ward temple and family history efforts Stake Indexing Director Coordinates indexing efforts Family History Center Director Oversees family history center
Priesthood Ward Organization for Temple and Family History Work Bishop Directs the work of salvation in the ward High Councilor Provide assistance and training High Priests Group Leader (Elders Quorum President in Wards w/o HPs) Coordinates ward council efforts and directs the work of family history consultants Ward Council Uses temple and family history work to help accomplish the work of salvation Family History Consultants Help members find ancestors and prepare names for temple ordinances Temple & Family History Training @ Intellectual Reserve, Inc. 12 Feb 2013 Utah South Area Family History Training Center - Orem
Select Family History Temple & Family History Training @ Intellectual Reserve, Inc. 12 Feb 2013 Utah South Area Family History Training Center - Orem
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Select Leader Resources and Family History Calling Resources Temple & Family History Training @ Intellectual Reserve, Inc. 12 Feb 2013 Utah South Area Family History Training Center - Orem
scroll down Temple & Family History Training @ Intellectual Reserve, Inc. 12 Feb 2013 Utah South Area Family History Training Center - Orem
To Turn the Hearts online or download Temple & Family History Training @ Intellectual Reserve, Inc. 12 Feb 2013 Utah South Area Family History Training Center - Orem
Select Training for My Calling Temple & Family History Training @ Intellectual Reserve, Inc. 12 Feb 2013 Utah South Area Family History Training Center - Orem
Temple & Family History Training @ Intellectual Reserve, Inc. 12 Feb 2013 Utah South Area Family History Training Center - Orem
Stake Presidency Indexing work best in a stake when it is lead by inspiration and planning The Stake Presidency that determines what the members will benefit by doing indexing, rather than just pursue a goal of number of names to index, will find it much easier to develop goals by the Spirit Think of indexing as a spring board, not the end goal of temple work Recognize the value of an immediate fulfillment of the blessings of the Spirit of Elijah and then build upon it
Stake Presidency Omni project video 9 min
High Councilor The key value the High Council Adviser can add to Indexing is to meet regularly with the Stake Indexing Director and their Assistants The successful High Council Adviser maintains an active flow of communication between himself, the Stake Presidency and the Director Possible discussion topics Are the goals for the Stake understood? Achievable? What is the current status in each ward? What are the challenges you are having? How can I help you be successful? Who needs more help? Are the youth getting involved, per the Stake President s/bishop s plans? What are we doing about those not indexing anymore? Do the Bishops and High Priest Group Leaders know what their members are doing in Indexing?
High Councilor Suggestions for High Councilors assigned to preside over temple and family history work Personally meet with the Bishop and High Priests Group Leader in each ward. Help them understand what Indexing is and how it can be used to bring the Spirit in to the lives of members, especially the youth. Follow up throughout the year to maintain that connection Help them understand that even though the program is directed at the Stake level, that you will make sure the Stake Indexing Director and their assistants will work closely with the High Priests Group Leader and provide monthly reports of the activity level of each indexer/arbitrator in their wards Share the recent videos on lds.org about indexing and temple work Become and indexer yourself. Invite your family to participate as well Share with the Stake Council that the records in indexing are those commonly found when one is doing descendency research to find their ancestors names Work with the Stake Young Men s and Young Women s Presidencies in getting the youth involved Assist the Stake Presidency and Council in using indexing to bridge the gap from Indexing to taking one s own name to the temple by recommending goals
Temple & Family History Training @ Intellectual Reserve, Inc. 12 Feb 2013 Utah South Area Family History Training Center - Orem
Temple & Family History Training @ Intellectual Reserve, Inc. 12 Feb 2013 Utah South Area Family History Training Center - Orem
Stake Indexing Director and Assistants The primary value the Stake Indexing Director and their assistants can offer the priesthood leadership is keeping them informed as to the health of the indexing program in the stake Besides the written reports, it is communicating the feel of how the program is working in each ward Do you and your leadership know: What is indexing being use for? Are the youth involved? Is it stale or vibrant? Do the Bishops and HPGL s understand how indexing can be used as a bridge to temple work and greater spirituality? Do they need help in getting it working in the Ward? Help in setting goals? Are they informed regularly about who in their ward is indexing/arbitrating? When volunteers stop indexing and why?
Stake Indexing Director and Assistants Suggestions: this can apply to either the Director or the Assistants Encourage meeting regularly with the High Council Adviser. Keep him informed of the activity of the indexing program in the stake and explain the trends that you see happening, such as a fall off in the indexing work, a pickup in the youth involvement in a given ward, etc. Coordinate with the HPGL in each ward regularly and provide a monthly activity report and any observations you have made. Many stakes call assistants by ward that then report to both the HPGL and the Stake Indexing Director. Some HPGLs ask to be made Group Administrators and have access to the same reports as the stake does. This should not inhibit the same regular coordination, but rather enhance it. Offer to attend the Ward Council and explain, with the HPGL, how indexing can be used to get members excited and comfortable with family history work Encourage youth involvement
Stake Indexing Director and Assistants Campinas Brazil Temple video 10 min
Bishop and High Priests Group Leader Often the value the Bishop sees in the indexing program is what he sees happening in the lives of members when they participate. He sees the influence of the Spirit and the excitement in the lives of youth and adults when they feel they are really helping to build the kingdom In order for the High Priests Group Leader to feel engaged, it is necessary for him to be aware of what is happening in his ward with indexing. That means who, what they are doing, how do they feel about it and what should he report to the Bishop and Ward Council
Bishop and High Priests Group Leader Suggestions for Bishops: Engage the youth Set goals, but couple them to members taking their own names to the temple too. One such goal might be for families, both parents and their youth to identify and submit names themselves from their ancestors. Youth with experience in indexing quickly learn what historical records are and how they are used, making it much more exciting experience when they discover ancestors to take to the temple Then have parents take their youth that are old enough to the temple with them to do baptisms for their own ancestors. Encourage the involvement of members Encourage the High Priests Group Leader to get involved Become informed. Many Bishops are indexers and are Group Administrators
Bishop and High Priests Group Leader Suggestions for High Priest Group Leaders: Encourage meeting regularly with the Stake Indexing Director and/or their Assistant. Don t wait for them to initiate the contact Ask for and obtain the reports of activity. Summarize it for the Bishop Approach members engaged in indexing and be supportive and encouraging. Offer to get the assistance they need if they are having problems or concerns. You do that by engaging the Stake Indexing Director/Assistants In Ward Council, offer indexing as a good tool to help members get started in family history work, to help the youth have an immediate spiritual experience, and to help those that are home-bound, sick, aged, are combating addictive behavior or are on assistance. Help the Ward Council use indexing to help people to not be afraid or hesitant about doing family history work. Recommend goals to the Ward and the Ward Council Have Family History Consultants trained in indexing to be able help members. This will provide a good transition when they work with the same members to find their own ancestors.
Indexers and Arbitrators From a priesthood perspective, perhaps the most valuable thing individual indexers and arbitrators can do is provide active, positive and thoughtful feedback to their Stake Indexing Directors, Assistants, High Priests Group Leaders and their Bishops Why? We have automated the system so well that it is easy to just tolerate what should be improved. That can be as specific as the project you are working on presently, to how lonely you may feel because no one ever asks how things are going. It can also be suggestions about who else would be a good person to encourage to participate. Though members can volunteer, they can also be called It can be as honest as sharing the fact that you ve been hit with some life challenges and you can t participate for now
Indexers and Arbitrators Suggestions for Indexers and Arbitrators: Don t assume communication is one way speak up about your concerns Share your experiences. We are taught to not hide our light under a bushel. Where it is appropriate and would not offend the Spirit, share the experiences you feel as you do this work. Bear you testimony of what is means to you and has made you feel Invite others to participate. It is a voluntary program and others may enjoy what you feel This is a labor of love. Take time to pray each time you start to index, so that the Spirit can be with you more readily and you can feel His influence
Indexers and Arbitrators Indexing Overview video 3 min
Mike Judson 15-20 mins Indexing Blessings
The Connection Between Indexing and Taking Our Own Names to the Temple It is a launching pad for the ordinary person to participate in the loving work of the temple and feel the Spirit of Elijah It is an excellent way to get over the hesitation of doing family history work and not fear the unknown We need the indexes to the records to find our ancestors much more easily The blessings are life changing It is the enabler to the sacred, selfless labor of love of finding one s own ancestor and going to the temple for them
The Help We Will Get The work of seeking out our dead and insuring that the ordinances of exaltation are performed in their behalf is a mandate from our Heavenly Father and his Beloved Son. They do not leave us to struggle alone but rather, in ways which are sometimes dramatic, prepare the way and answer our prayers President Thomas S. Monson, Happy Birthday, Ensign, Mar. 1995, 58