Genealogy is... Necessary

It is a pretty common dialogue among members of the Church when discussing family history. A member will say, “Our family history has all been done,” or speak of a shrewd great aunt who is the family record keeper.
By “all done” I can only imagine the person means the minimal four generation temple work has been completed, because I highly doubt they have traced their ancestral line back to Adam and Eve and can explain to me with confidence how we are related.
Regarding Aunt So-And-So, the keeper of the records, there are two stories to this common narrative. The first is that the Aunt will not share the records. I have met people like this and I am flabbergasted, they have a different idea of what ‘preservation’ means, I suppose. The second story is that the member is apathetic, Aunt So-And-So has it done, so why should I bother?
I’ll tell you why you should bother, brother.


An infamous story from the Book of Mormon illustrates my point perfectly. It’s a story we sing about in Primary, a story that we study in Sunday school, and in our homes. It is the retrieval of the brass plates. The value of scriptures is often discussed with this story, but a less-discussed theme is the value of genealogy, for the genealogy of Lehi’s fathers was upon the plates as well. To sum up my thoughts on this story in relation to genealogy, it is important to know where you are coming from to get where you are going- wherever that may be. That’s the simple summary. To read more about this story, here are the references: 1 Nephi 3:3-10, 19-21 and 1 Nephi 5:10-22


It is our duty to seek out our genealogy, no matter the price, despite the completion of temple work. If we seek out our progenitors for only the act of proxy ordinances, we are falling incredibly short of this most glorious practice, and the spiritual lesson it teaches.

I know that genealogy is necessary, not just the ordinances that are completed within the temple. And, that through this work, I have learned far more about the nature of God and the nature of the Atonement than studying any other subject. I know that God knows and remembers each one of His children. Through prayer, I have never fallen short in my searches and I have seen miracles, and I have become a miracle.

Through genealogical research I have developed Christ-like attributes, and have become more perfect. And I thank my ancestors for that.

Until next Thursday…

Please tell Aunt So-And-So

I’m sorry about comparing her to Laban!