Week 13

A fun thing happened to me last week that I forgot to mention, so I will now. 😊 I was walking through the parking garage and saw two very important people walking toward me: Craig Jessop and Mack Wilberg! For those who may not know, they were and are directors of the Tabernacle Choir. It was so sweet to see them together, first of all, because Craig left the choir quite abruptly. Anyway, I just had to stop them, so I bravely approached them and re-introduced myself. They both remembered me, even though I had to take off my glasses before they actually recognized me. They were both so kind and interested in what I was doing. Brought back many sweet memories!

On Thursday, my FHE group went to the production "Savior of the World." It's a musical production on the life of Jesus Christ they do in the Conference Center every year for the last nearly 20 years. I can't believe this is the first time I've seen it, but I highly recommend it! It was beautifully done and so moving - a great start to the holiday season.

As you all know, mine is a mission of Church and Family History. This week we had a conference where the speaker was the new director of the Church's Family History Department, Elder Kevin S. Hamilton of the Seventy. He gave us some pretty amazing statistics and background of the department and slight glimpses of what is to come. He pointed out that the rapid growth in technology in the world began it's steepest rise with the year 1830 - the organization of the Church. Probably no surprise to us that the Lord provides many wonderful scientific and technological advances to further His purposes. Here's an interesting statistic that kind of blew my mind - every week there are 3,000 new signups on FamilySearch from members of the Church. In that same week, there are 53,000 signups from non-Latter-day Saints. The interest in knowing our families and their histories is not exclusive to us, but the Spirit of Elijah is spreading throughout the earth. He said that the purpose of the Family History Department is to discover, gather and connect all people - past, present and future. He kept stressing that ALL means ALL. All 10 billion on the earth today, and all 100+ billion people who will ever live on the earth. ALL means ALL. 

President Nelson said this to the youth of the Church last year, and I believe it extends to their parents: "You were sent to earth at this precise time, the most crucial time in the history of the world, to help gather Israel. There is nothing happening on this earth right now that is more important than that. There is nothing of greater consequence. Absolutely nothing. This gathering should mean everything to you. This is the mission for which you were sent to earth." He also said, "Anytime you do anything that helps anyone - on either side of the veil - take a step toward making covenants with God and receiving their essential baptismal and temple ordinances, you are helping to gather Israel. It is as simple as that." 

Thanks to Abby & Adam & Madeline for all you are doing to help gather Israel! Thanks to all of you for going to the temple and helping to gather our ancestors - for the baptisms for the dead, the endowments and sealings you are helping to do to connect our family. Thanks even to the young ones who cooperate and support your parents in going. It's such an important mission that we can all participate in! If you can't get to the temple, then open your computers and index a batch or attach a record hint. It's all important!! We can all help - ALL means ALL! 😘

Love you ALL! As Thanksgiving is this week, I'm ever more grateful for each of you and what you mean to me! Thanks for your love and support and for your prayers. I certainly feel them and want you to know that I'm praying for you too.