Faith is a gift and a legacy that can move through family generations, taught Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, as he spoke along with his wife in a session of RootsTech 2026’s free Family Discovery Day.
“Our faith is not ours alone,” he said. “It is a gift passed from generation to generation.
“As we honor the sacrifices and devotion of those who came before us with testimonies often born through trial and unwavering trust in the Lord, their stories now become linked to and a part of our own.”
Elder Rasband’s wife, Sister Melanie Rasband, likewise taught in the Saturday session that “creating a heritage of faith is a sacred stewardship” enabling each generation to strengthen the next.
“When we link our lives to those that came before and to those who will follow,” she said, “we form a chain of faith that leads directly to Jesus Christ, giving us purpose and belonging.”
Throughout their remarks, both Elder and Sister Rasband shared a few stories of their pioneer ancestors.
Some stories were presented with pictures and video, while one from Sister Rasband was theatrically reenacted by performers, some of whom have performed the reenactment as part of the British Pageant of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nauvoo, Illinois.
“Stories like these help us build faith and have strength to endure the trials of our days,” Sister Rasband said.
Elder Rasband reminded listeners that choices made today “echo far beyond our own lives.”
“We not only live for ourselves, but in time we’ll be the ancestors to our own posterity,” Elder Rasband said.
“Every righteous choice strengthens not only our own lives, but the generations yet to come as we seek to leave a legacy of faith and devotion anchored to the beloved Son of God — our Savior, Jesus Christ.
“Our invitation to you is to be engaged in this spiritual latter-day work.”
Elder Rasband shares his own heritage of faith
One story Elder Rasband shared from his ancestral line was that of his fourth great-grandfather Asahel Perry.
Perry was not yet a member of the Church of Jesus Christ when he traveled from northern New York to Kirtland, Ohio, in May 1833, “yearning to meet the Prophet Joseph Smith,” Elder Rasband said.
When he arrived, many in the church’s first council were objecting to the building of the Kirtland Temple “because the church was too poor and the temple project seemed so grand.”
The budding faith of Elder Rasband’s ancestor, however, was not deterred, he said.
Perry and a few friends “quietly counted their funds,” and despite the cost of their journey home, Perry approached Joseph Smith to hand him a $5 gold coin, Elder Rasband said.
Speaking energetically, the Prophet Joseph Smith then told the council “the work had commenced, and the house of the Lord would be built according to the pattern presented by the Lord Jesus Christ.”
“To me, that act of humble sacrifice was more than a donation,” Elder Rasband said in reflection. “It was a beautiful expression of my ancestor’s budding yet profound faith.”
In time, Perry and his family joined the church, received their blessings in the Nauvoo Temple and later crossed the plains to Utah, Elder Rasband said.
Their story is “one of many stories in my family history that has echoed through the generations and has touched my soul deeply and united our family.”
Elder Rasband then shared another of his ancestors’ stories through a video that was recorded soon after his call to the apostleship in 2015.
He reflected in that video, saying: “As I look upon my own children and grandchildren, and at the host of God’s children across the globe, my fondest hope is that we will continue in this sacred heritage built upon the faith and teachings of Jesus Christ.
“Whether you have multiple generations of (Latter-day Saint) ancestry, or if you are the first modern pioneer in your family, build upon and continue the legacy of these great men and women who have come before us.”
‘This work is also about the present and the future’
“When we talk of family history, we tend to think only of the past, but as we have pointed out, this work is also about the present and the future,” Sister Rasband said, surrounded by a group of youth, including some of her and Elder Rasband’s grandchildren.
“Our hope for the future lies in the wonderful youth of today,” she said.
She and Elder Rasband then interviewed a few of their grandchildren in this portion of their remarks to learn what it means to them to be connected to their ancestors and their stories.
“(Our ancestors) went through trial after trial,” said one of their young granddaughters. “They had so much faith to endure all that so they could live the gospel with other Saints. I am so grateful that I have ancestors like these in my life.”
Another one of Elder and Sister Rasband’s granddaughters said she felt grateful for their ancestors’ examples of faith because they have inspired her to “live a life of faith” and build a relationship with the Savior.
“Our family means everything to us,” Elder Rasband said, poignantly. “We cherish each one of them.
“Because of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we testify that we can be together forever, which brings peace to our souls and added purpose to our lives.”
Elder and Sister Rasband also referenced church President Dallin H. Oaks’ teachings on the family at one point in their remarks.
What the prophet taught about the doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ centering on God’s plan for families “echoes Heavenly Father’s work and glory, to bring the pass the immortality and eternal life of man,” Elder Rasband said.
“Each temple stands as an earthly sentinel of God’s plan of salvation, and as temples are rising across the world, they serve as a witness that the Lord is eager to bless individuals and families of every nation, kindred, tongue and people, linking together the eternal family of God.”
