Family history and temple work are eternal family keepsakes that build bridges, said Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander of the Seventy. "They build bridges between the generations of our families, bridges to activity in the Church, and bridges to the temple."
Speaking Sunday afternoon, Elder Neuenschwander observed that furniture, books and porcelain are often passed on from one generation to the next, forming bridges between family past and family future."Each member of this Church has the personal responsibility to be an eternal architect of this [family history] bridge for his or her own family," he said. "If I want my children and grandchildren to know those who still live in my memory, then I must build a bridge between them. I alone am the link to the generations that stand on either side of me."
He said, "The work of gathering and sharing eternal family keepsakes is a personal responsibility. It cannot be passed off or given to another."
He said that when a life is not documented within a generation or two, it is lost to memory. This is tragic because knowledge of ancestors shapes and instills values that give meaning and direction to lives, he explained.
"If you are among the first to have embraced the gospel in your family, build bridges to your posterity by recording the events of your life and writing words of encouragement to them."
Elder Neuenschwander said in 1892 the Relief Society sisters of the Kolob Stake in Springville, Utah, wrote letters to their children and sealed them in a time capsule to be opened March 17, 1942, the centennial anniversary of the Relief Society. He quoted from the letter of Mariah Catherine Boyer: "Dear children, when you read this, parents and grandparents will be sleeping in the silent tomb. Those hands that toiled so hard in love for you will toil no more. . . ." She urged them to keep the commandments and make the world a better place.
"These tender and beautiful words have now bridged six generations of a faithful family," said Elder Neuenschwander.
Family history work also solidifies converts and strengthens all members of the Church, he said.
"Faith and confidence grow as family members are included in the saving ordinances of the gospel." He told of a newly baptized family that was eagerly doing family history work and planning to enter the temple soon to begin doing ordinance work.
"Early involvement in finding and preparing family names for the temple and, where possible, participating in vicarious baptisms for them are major factors in the retention of new members," he said.
"The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve have encouraged a much broader use of family history and Family History Centers in retention of new converts and the activation of those who have fallen out of regular Church activity."
He said that the words "family history" and "temple" should be used together. "Family history research should be the primary source of names for temple ordinances. Temple ordinances are the primary reason for doing family history work," he said.