PARK CITY, Utah — It isn't hard to see the impact of the 2002 Olympics Winter Games here in Park City and its surrounding area, home to three Olympic venues.
Thousands of tourists — some estimate as many as 40,000 a day — flood historic Main Street, now closed to everything but pedestrian traffic. Fireworks and ski jumpers fill the sky each night for crowds from the world's nations. Parking is next to impossible; shuttle buses move people from miles outside of town inside. And military helicopters hover overhead constantly.
In the heart of the city, amid all the excitement, stands the Church's Family Tree Center, where visitors find a warm, quiet resting place and an opportunity to learn about family history research.
Most are greeted by sister or Park City Utah Stake missionaries, such as Sister Heather Gebs.
She tells them about John Howland who sailed to the United States on the Mayflower in 1673; he fell overboard on the journey but was rescued. Numbered among his descendents are Joseph Smith Jr., Franklin Delano Roosevelt and U.S. President George W. Bush.
"One good thing about family history is that you never know who you are related to," says Sister Gebs.
Then she directs visitors toward a tree in the center of the lobby. Its branches represent the future, its roots the past, she says. "They are linked together through us."
The week before the Games began, about 50 people entered the family history center daily; by Feb. 15 more than 600 a day were visiting. Missionaries have seen FBI agents and members of the Japanese press. They met a man who didn't know anything about his grandfather and a couple from another country who couldn't believe they could return over and over again for more information.
"They come from all over the world," said Sister Gebs. "Once they find a name they say 'This is my family. . . .' I always warn that that they are going to get the bug. Once you find one name, you want to know more."
Settled 134 years ago by gold and silver miners, Park City is a ski community located about 25 miles east of Salt Lake City. The city and its surrounding area house three Olympic venues: Utah Olympic Park, Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley Resort.
The Family Tree Center was built two years ago, the first Church visitors center to focus on the genealogy theme. Its role is to help Park City visitors learn about family history. For many sports enthusiasts walking Park City's Main Street this month the facility may be the only opportunity they have to learn about their ancestry.
During the Olympics, center mission president Richard Williams, serving with his wife, Shelly, said the Church expanded the number of computer work stations and missionaries to help visitors. They plan to accommodate as many people as have interest, he said.
"The motto of the Olympics is "Light the Fire Within. Here, we light the spirit within — the spirit of Elijah," President Williams explained in reference to Elijah's restoring the keys of the sealing power of the priesthood.
E-mail: sarah@desnews.com