Why Mormons Do Family History

One of the many things that people in the world recognize that is different about Mormons is our desire to do Family History.  So what is it about Family History that drives our desire to know about our ancestors, those who have gone on before us?

Please watch this short video which will give a bit of an idea of why.

For me personally I feel a sense of closeness to these individuals whom I have never met.  To find out what sacrifices they made and what they went through gives me a greater sense of appreciation for them and for the fact that because of them I have a better life.  Certainly this scripture passage applies to how I feel: "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." Malachi 4:6

The picture above is one of significance to me.  It is the home that I was raised in.  The home was built by my Great-Grand Father.  He is in the center of this picture with his wife, their children and their spouses and grandchildren.  Each time I look at the this picture I have a desire to know more about him.  I have a feeling of a personal connection to him and have a desire to sit down and have an extended chat with the man.  I have been told some stories about him but I would love to hear them from his own lips.  There are many other ancestors who I have names and pictures and with each I want to know more.  

We live in a great time where technology enables us to learn things by clicking a few buttons on a keypad and a mouse.  I bet my Great-Grand Father would be saying right now "what, do you put clothes on a mouse so he has buttons?"  Seriously we can find out so many things about our ancestors through the many tools available to us on our computers.  

Do you have a desire to get started but do not have an idea of how or where to start?  Yuma has a Family History Center located at 4300 West 16th Street.  During the summer they are open on Tuesdays 9:00 am - 4:00 pm and and 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm.  On Thursdays they are open 9:00 am - 1:00 pm and 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm and on Saturdays 9:00 am - 1:00 pm.  The Yuma Family History Center has volunteers who will give you one on one help to get you started in tracing your roots.  There is no charge for this service and you do not have to be a Mormon to use this center.

If you do not live in the Yuma area and would like to know how to find the nearest Family History Center is to you click on this link:   Family History Center Locations

There is a lot more to Family History that what is written here.  In future blogs we will provide more information and insights into this topic.  Stay tuned.

Submitted by:  James Tanner