Family History

Talks

Quotes

“Our effort is not to compel everyone to do everything, but to encourage everyone to do something.” (Dallin H. Oakes, “Family History; In Wisdom and Order,” Ensign, Jun 1989, 6)

Spencer W. Kimball, then the prophet of the church, gave us a promise that I think is significant.  He said, “I promise you that if you will keep your journals and records, they will indeed be a source of great inspiration to your families, to your children, your grandchildren, and others, on through the generations.”

One obstacle to journal writing is “I don’t have enough time.”  I know that I have felt that way on many occasions.  However, years ago I read The Fire of the Covenant, a book about the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies.  It was based largely on the journals kept by those in the company. I said to myself, “If these women who were marching across the plains, carrying the scriptures in the hem of their skirts, giving birth in the back of a wagon while Indians were shooting at them in a snowstorm could find the time to write, certainly I could do the same.”

I’ve also thought about Nephi, Moroni and other men who kept a careful record of their lives.  When you think about it, the scriptures are nothing more than people writing down their personal experiences for posterity. When you compare the modern conveniences we have today – smart phones, computers, etc. – to the chisel and metal plates used by these early prophets, I think will have a difficult time on judgment day justifying why we did not keep a record of our proceedings.– Shannon Williams

As mothers, we often wonder how we can help our children and grandchildren stay close to the gospel.  President Kimball once said, “What could you do better for your children and your children’s children than to record the story of your life, your triumphs over adversity, your recovery after a fall, your progress when all seemed black, your rejoicing when you had finally achieved? Some of what you write may be humdrum dates and places, but there will also be rich passages that will be quoted by your posterity.”  If we fail to keep a record of our lives, we will only be able to influence our children and grandchildren until we die.  But if we have recorded these sacred experiences, we will continue to bless their lives for years to come. – Shannon Williams

Michael Lemonick once said, “For many of us, the concept of family is a lot narrower than it used to be.  Today children go away to college, and take up careers wherever opportunity seems greatest.  So instead of growing up in an extended family, with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins involved in our day-to-day lives, many of us are truly connected only to our parents and siblings.  Many kids today know little of the lives of relatives outside the nuclear family, and don’t care deeply about them.” He went on to say, “People have an inherent need to feel connected and they’ll do it in whatever ways a are easiest for them.”

I have often wondered why people join gangs.  There doesn’t seem to be any rational explanation or obvious benefit to such a life style.  But the bottom line is that everyone needs to feel connected somehow, to be part of something bigger than themselves.  And if our families and extended families do not provide that, our children may need to look elsewhere.  – Shannon Williams

The shortest pencil is better than the longest memory.