We learned more during our second week. Our class taught by previous Family History missionaries was a party. Two women who loved family history and were good at provoking interest from people who shy away from the subject. Family History is for everyone. The slightest interest is a positive influence. The gathering we are all engaged in includes family history! There are more non-members than members actively engaged in Family Search. Helping people find their family members brings many positive things. Discover, Gather and Connect is a positive experience for everyone. A discovery can change hearts.
There is a lot of engaging and discovering in the activities available on the Family Tree app. I have gone through them before but had a new experience in this setting with Relatives Around Me. I learned that I had a second cousin, one time removed in our class - Mary Jane Neville! We had a little while to chat. She remembers as a teen, going to Nathan Hale Gardner’s home in Logan to type out the original journal of one of his ancestors. My grandfather printed copies of her typing and now we descendants have those little booklets. I need to follow up with her. She still lives in Logan for part of the year and thinks that his house is still there. She wasn't sure which ancestor she was transcribing but the experience is still strong in her mind. Our connecting ancestor is Celestial Snow, my great great Grandma, I noted that she was born in Lehi. She lived to 100 and I have a photo of her at my parents' wedding and with me as a baby. This is a photo of Mary Jane Neville and her husband:
Pedigree Pie is a fun tool. Google it. It is from BYU. After you sign into Family Search it shows you the countries your grandparents are from. The Memories app can provide an easy way to add stories, photos, or documents about you into Family Search.
We had a class on Welfare and Self-Reliance. Caring for the poor is a prime effort of the church. But poor is hard to define. There are many people far happier than our culture who have little money. Poor is relative. We need to see people as they can become. See them as the Lord sees them. The Life Skills class is highly recommended. Many classes are available and can make a big difference if people choose to learn and change. All of us can change if we choose to do so. We all need repentance as we move away from the natural man, improve, and become more like Jesus Christ.
If working with people who have difficult problems, perhaps some of these questions will help us see what would be useful for them. We are looking forward to getting to know you better. What are some of your interests? What do you look forward to? What are some things that bring you joy? What do you feel proud about? What makes you feel worried or frustrated? Help me understand more about the challenges you are facing. When I pray for you, what should I be praying for? What are some things that concern you right now? What are some things that you wish others understood about you? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? (or...What would you like to see in 6 months? and in 6 years?) Create a relationship of trust. Can we come again in a week with some more information and suggestions? Be positive. Complement all you can. What can you see? A well cared for yard? Get verbal permission to tell the story of the family with difficulties. With their permission, share with the Bishop and Ward Council (if invited) and the ward can begin to become involved and able to support and help.
Pathway began in 2009. 65% of Pathway students are older adults. English Connect 1 and 2 can be taught by missionaries in a spiritual-based manner.
Brainstorm on how to help - Ask to be a greeter. Attend activities and help with set up and clean up. Be a mentor. Teach members that they need to serve in the ward/branch. Support all the positive things in other cultures. Pray for the leaders. Ask for advice. Get "Tools" populated with all of your units. Learn names, write them down, and use them frequently. Be on time. Get involved. Be open to requests. Be supportive of others. Teach from the Handbook. Follow up and report back. Be a good listener. Volunteer. Compliments are always welcome. Don't judge. Don't gossip.
Tools have been used by prophets and members over the centuries. Some examples are a seer stone, the Urim and Thummin, the Liahona, and Social Media. Tech is God-given. It is up to us to us to use it well. We could have Family Home Evenings over Zoom and defeat the distances between our homes. We need to represent the truth and treat all people kindly. Sending messages of love and strengthening relationships is a good use of Social Media. Be prudent and never click on links that might be from those who would harm us. Sending a spiritual message is part of missionary work. How can you bring good to the world?
Senior missionaries can change plans if they are inspired to do so. Be open to the Spirit. President Monson often made his security men work hard because he changed his plans frequently. He wanted to go to a funeral or hospital with little notice. Try to do an act of service every day. Work together as a couple and gain the confidence of the people you work with. Choose to be a servant to others. Do not seek for glory. Be patient. Be prepared when it is time to preach. Participate and help to improve things. Ask questions.
What will ye that I should prepare for you? What will ye that I shall give unto you? Don't give advice. Ask an inspired question. What would you like to change? Be sensitive and always have a prayer in your heart. Ask leaders - What is your understanding of the role of a MLS couple? What are your branch's strengths? What are your challenges? Deeper questions: Can you help us understand...? What do you think the solution is? What needs to change? What should replace it? How can we support you in finding a solution?
In Gospel Library there are many things that can strengthen new members. Help people understand callings. Help to see that what is in the Handbook is happening. My Covenant Path has 19 steps for new or returning members. Young missionaries have this Covenant Path Progress Report. We can cheer the young missionaries on to follow through. Bishops and Presidents have access to this information. Missionaries have it on their phones. Pray for people. Listen to the Spirit. See in others what they cannot see. Pray for the gift of discernment.
Elder Packer: If all you know is what you see and hear with your natural eyes and ears - You don't know much.
Develop the skill of helping to lift others. Peter lifted up the lame man and then he could walk on his own. People are more important than the process. "Never let a job that needs to be done overcome a person who needs to be loved." President Monson
Missionaries are the catalyst, not the change. Support youth as well as adults. Don't be the hero. Build up others. Strengthen our relationship with Jesus Christ. What impact do you want to have? How can we leave a lasting impact? Avoid feeling regret at the end of your mission. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Angels bear you up.
A good way to strengthen relationships - Invite a couple or a family to do something together. Go out to dinner. Choose an outdoor activity. Or just go for a walk. Know Him and work to be like him. Take my yoke. We can come to know him by doing the work to improve ourselves. Covet the best gifts and seek for them. Teach one another. The words of Christ will tell you what ye should do. Ask and knock. By the power of the Holy Ghost, ye may know the truth of all things. Try to motivate every person to choose to move closer to Jesus Christ.
We were able to go to an endowment session at the Provo Temple We also had a couple of opportunities to spend time with the Murals in building T4. They are beautiful and very engaging. They are backlit and very large. They encourage our thoughts to go to scripture stories and people we read about in a deeper way. I wish we could have spent more time just looking and thinking. This is Esther:
This is Joseph Smith in the Liberty Jail. Each mural has an accompanying question to ponder.
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