Find your ancestors in September

Dear Members of the Columbia Maryland Stake,

The Washington DC Temple is closed now and will re-open on Tue, Oct 3 (The Philadelphia Temple will close 9/18 to 10/2).  The DC Temple will be open just five more months before closing for multiple years in early March 2018.

Temple and family history work is an important responsibility of our dispensation.  We have been encouraged by the Apostles to FIND names of ancestors, TAKE the names to the temple, and TEACH others to do the same.  President Nelson has also asked members to make a sacrifice of time this year (2017) to work on family history work.  With our temple closed this month, this is a perfect time to find an ancestor and print the card to take to the temple.  If you have recently done this, please help teach someone else how to do it.  You do not need to hold a temple recommend in order to participate in family history work.

Getting started in family history work can seem challenging, but there is help available. Please reach out to a ward/branch Temple and Family History consultants, visiting teachers, home teachers, or other members.  We will also open the Family History Center on Sunday 9/17 and Sunday 9/24 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., so please stop by to get started.

I realize that everyone is very busy, but the Lord has blessed us with the Sabbath to do His work.  In addition, we could use ward/branch temple nights, date nights, youth events, etc. to seek out our ancestors and prepare their names to take to the temple.

The Lord has prepared the way for this work.  Included below are links to helpful resources to help learn the doctrine, get started, find ancestors in a full family tree, and teach others.  May the Lord bless you as you seek your ancestors and provide ordinances for them.  Your ancestors are waiting.

Kind Regards,

James Mitchell

President Columbia Maryland Stake

RESOURCES: UNDERSTAND THE DOCTRINE

D&C 128:22-24

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/128.15,22-24

Promised Blessings of Family History (video)

https://www.lds.org/topics/family-history/fdd-cook/blessings-video

Families and Temples pamphlet (pdf)

https://www.lds.org/bc/content/ldsorg/manual/missionary/PD10054235_000-Families-and-Temples.pdf

President Russell M. and Sister Wendy Nelson, "A Sacrifice of Time" (video):

https://www.lds.org/topics/family-history/familydiscoveryday/nelson/a-sacrifice-of-time

President Henry B. Eyring, "Gathering the Family of God" (Apr 2017)

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/04/gathering-the-family-of-god

President Russell M. Nelson, "Generations Linked in Love" (Apr 2010)

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/generations-linked-in-love

Elder David A. Bednar, "The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn" (Oct 2011)

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/the-hearts-of-the-children-shall-turn

Elder Quentin L. Cook, "Roots and Branches" (Apr 2014)

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/roots-and-branches

Elder Richard G. Scott, "The Joy of Redeeming the Dead" (Oct 2012)

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/the-joy-of-redeeming-the-dead

RESOURCES: NEW TO FAMILY SEARCH

Getting Started with FamilySearch.org including contact info for temple and family history consultants:

https://www.familysearch.org/ask/gettingStarted

MyFamily Online Booklet:

https://www.familysearch.org/myfamily

Find Your Family Names, First-Time Guide (pdf):

https://www.lds.org/bc/content/ldsorg/topics/family-history/core-assets/PD60001004_FTT_Beginner_Card.pdf

RESOURCES: FULL FAMILY TREE

Full Family Tree, Using Descendancy Ressearch (video):

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2015-07-02-full-tree-strategy-using-descendancy-research

Discover Relatives on a Full Tree (pdf):

https://www.lds.org/bc/content/ldsorg/topics/family-history/core-assets/PD10053917_000_Intermediate_Card.pdf

RESOURCES: TEACH OTHERS

Principles of Helping Others:

https://www.lds.org/topics/family-history/my-calling/helping-others

FamilySearch Consultant Planner:

https://familysearch.org/ask/planner

Invite Diligent Learning

The final section of Teaching in the Savior's Way is entitled "Invite Diligent Learning".  It begins with this statement and quote from Elder David A. Bednar:

A true gospel teacher is not satisfied when learners simply listen to what he or she has to say. Learning the gospel is not meant to be a passive experience. It is an act of faith and diligent effort. When you prepare to teach, instead of thinking, “What will I do to teach?” ask yourself, “What will my class members do to learn? How will I help them discover the gospel for themselves? How will I inspire them to act?”

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared the familiar saying, “Giving a man a fish feeds him for one meal. Teaching a man to fish feeds him for a lifetime.” He then taught, “As parents and gospel instructors, you and I are not in the business of distributing fish; rather, our work is to help [those we teach] learn ‘to fish’ and to become spiritually steadfast.”

For many of us, our experience in Gospel classroom learning/lessons have been more teachers presenting and less class discussion and learning. This section covers concepts (listed below) that help to shift the focus off the teacher and what they say and onto the learner and what they are motivated to do.  It is a different and yet a more effective kind of teaching and learning - one that can be applied not only in the Church classrooms, but in our homes as well.  The home is the ideal place to teach and learn the Gospel and as we apply these principles, we invite the Spirit into the lives of all our family members.

• Encourage Learning outside of Class
• Put Responsibility on Learners
• Express Confidence through High Expectations
• Encourage Sharing
• Teach Learners to Find Answers in the Scriptures
• Invite Learners to Record Impressions

-Lorie Pierce

Save The Date - General Women's Session

We are looking forward to our next gathering as Columbia Maryland Stake Sisters.  We hope many of you will be able to join us for a meal followed by the General Women's Session Broadcast.

We are looking for sisters to help us with the meal.  Please use this SignUp Genius link if you would be able to help.  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f044ea8a722aaf49-general

If you have not used SignUp Genius before, you will need to create an account as part of the process.

The Tortoise NOT the Hare

I recently felt impressed to ask Sister Debra Burt to share her thoughts on family history work with us.  I love what she shared!

"I feel like the tortoise and definitely NOT like the hare in doing family history.  The slow work, bit by bit, is how I've been able to participate in family history.  I was feeling worried recently that I really haven't done anything of significance in the years I've been plodding along.  Then, I rooted through my research book and pulled together all the temple ordinance cards that I've been able to complete.  My cards actually made a small pile.  It made me smile to think I had played a role in bringing ordinances to all those family members.  It gave me a boost to keep plugging along.  I think eventually I will be able to pick up my pace and do more.  It's a joyful work."   - Debra Burt

We do sometimes wonder if we are making any progress as we wind our way through our family tree.  Research can be tedious and take time. Sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees.  We keep seeing branches and roots and leaves - all the bits and pieces.  But when we step back and look from a high perspective, we can see the whole landscape.  We can see the individuals and families that our work has brought the blessings of the Gospel and saving ordinances to.  We can see our family woven together and extending in all directions as a forest covering the landscape of our lives.  So while you may feel your work is moving slowly - remember that the speed is not what matters.  Just as with the tortoise - keep trying, keep moving and you will find your progress bears fruit.

- Lorie Pierce

Personal Moments with Gordon B. Hinckley

Janice Maughan - Columbia 2nd Ward

At the beginning of the year I prepared an overview lesson about President Hinckley using the information at the beginning of the Relief Society/Priesthood manual. What an amazing man!  His accomplishments, his service and dedication to the Church, and his energy are inspiring and a little overwhelming.  

I love his calm and loving but very logical, problem-solving attitude.  Whether it was helping provide better printed material for missionaries, or recommending that the temple instruction be put on film, or decentralizing authority by creating Area Presidencies, or bringing the Church out of obscurity through the use of media, or creating the Perpetual Education Fund to help underprivileged members, or introducing smaller temples so more could be built, he was an innovative problem solver.  President Hinckley cared about people so much and felt a keen responsibility for helping and lifting them.  I love that quality of leadership.  I'm grateful for his example.

Did You Know? Church Service Missions

About a year ago, I saw a "advertisement" on Facebook from the Church.  It was all about serving a Church Service Mission as a part-time missionary for FamilySearch.  I was immediately drawn to the idea.  I love family history and felt I could contribute in that way.  I followed the process of application and began my mission as a FamilySearch Support Missionary Oct 1.  The training process was time consuming and difficult at times.  I will fully admit that there were days when I thought, "This is NOT what I signed up for."  But when my training was complete and I began to actually help people, it felt good.  What do FamilySearch Support Missionaries do?  We answer the phone calls (chats or emails too) from people all around the world who contact FamilySearch through the website's help center.  I enjoy the interactions I have through those phone calls.  Each phone call is a chance to serve - a chance to leave the person on the other end of the line with a positive experience - it is a chance to strive to be like my Savior.

Through the months I have been serving, I have been given various responsibilities and assignments.  I have felt the Lord's hand in those assignments.  I have been stretched, pushed and tested.  I have learned a great deal about myself - my limitations and my strengths - and about working with others in a Christlike way.  Admittedly, there have been things I have not liked about serving this particular mission. But those things do not overshadow the feeling of gladness that I chose to serve.  I know that when my release arrives part of me will be relieved, because my assignment is time consuming and increasingly aggravating to my arthritis issues, but I also know that I will miss the people I serve with and the mental stimulation of my current assignment.  Would I be willing to serve another Church Service Mission? Yes.  I would be careful to know the expectations and ensure that I could meet those. But yes, I would be willing and would be grateful for the blessings that I know always accompany us as we serve.

I have had people ask me how I like my Church Service Mission and honestly depending on how bad my back was hurting at the time, my answer has varied.  But overall missionaries who serve Church Service Missions are happy.  There are so many, many opportunities to serve.  My FamilySearch Support mission is just one option.  Below is the link to the Church Service Missionaries page on lds.org.  If you have ever thought or wondered about serving a Church Service Mission this is the page to look at.  You can follow the links to see what kinds of opportunities exist and to learn about the application process.  There are also links to amazing and inspiring stories from others who have served as Church Service Missionaries all around the world.

https://www.lds.org/callings/missionary/church-service-missionary?lang=eng

-Lorie Pierce

Always Keep Pushing

“To you who think you are lost or without hope, or who think you have done too much that was too wrong for too long, to every one of you who worry that you are stranded somewhere on the wintry plains of life and have wrecked your handcart in the process, we call out Jehovah's unrelenting refrain, 'My hand is stretched out still'. His mercy endureth forever, and His hand is stretched out still. His is the pure love of Christ, the charity that never faileth, that compassion which endures even when all other strength disappears.”
by Jeffrey R. Holland

About two weeks ago the youth of the Columbia Maryland Stake embarked on a Pioneer Trek for 3 days and 2 nights, the amount of spiritual growth and power that this experience brought to our youth is overwhelming, I would like to share with you a bit about my experience.

My name is Jessica Haggerty, I am 17 and also one of the lucky few who had the opportunity to attend trek twice! Both experiences have proven to be hugely important to my spiritual growth and understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Thursday morning (July 13th) we arrived to camp Liahona at 8am sharp to have our bags checked for anything we shouldn't have (like pillows or watches) and to get sorted into our families for the trek. I had an amazing family (go clouds!). Then we set off into the wilderness. The first day we did about 12 or 13 miles of hiking, pulling a cart about 10 times my weight. (Keep in mind that the weather was about 99 degrees).

Friday we hiked about 5 or 6 more miles, then spend the rest of our day playing pioneer games and square dancing (there is nothing a little dancing can't solve).

Then Saturday we had our group devotional, alone time, and testimony meeting.  Finally we walked the remaining 3 miles back to camp, packed up our families things, and went home.

There are a lot of things that I could tell you about the trek, a lot of things I could tell you about the people that were there and the things that we did, but I want to focus on the things I learned about myself and my Heavenly Father. I want to focus on the way that I felt, and the spirit that had touched me.

 I began this post with a quote about struggling to find strength when you feel too weak. Often times on trek, especially during the women's pull (a time when all of the young men go away so the young women have to pull the cart on their own), I felt like I was on the edge. I felt like I could only pull for a few more steps, I could only push for a few more minutes before I would give up and allow the weight of the cart to stop me from continuing on the path. But somehow, I kept moving, I kept pulling, I kept pushing. Even when my energy seemed long gone, somehow I found the power to keep going. In many ways I think this is similar to the atonement of Jesus Christ. Sometimes the weight of the world and the weight of sin seems like too much to handle. It seems as if at any moment my strength will run out and I will have no choice but to stop moving along the straight and narrow path. But when I turn to Christ, because of the strengthening and enabling power of the atonement of Jesus Christ, I find the strength to keep going, to keep repenting, and to keep forsaking. He gives me the power to keep clinging to the iron rod. Christ's love and charity extend to all people, the strong and the weak, the tall and the small.

"Let us never forget the faith of our fathers and the selfless sacrifice of our mothers, those pioneering Saints who set such an inspiring example of obedience. Let us remember them as we strive to be valiant servants in our work to ‘invite all to come unto Christ’."
by Joseph B. Wirthlin

Ever since I had a testimony I've loved to share it. And for the past many years serving a mission has been set in my heart. Trek is an experience that helped me understand even further how much of a gift the gospel is in our lives, and gave me an overwhelming desire to sacrifice my time and energy for the gospel, as the pioneers did while crossing the plains.

The pioneer saints walked, were hungry, were thirsty, they gave up their homes, all of their belongings, their families, they even suffered death so that I can be where I am now, and so I can know about the gospel and so I can be happy. Sometimes it is so easy to forget about where we came from, but trek reminded me of the great sacrifices that my ancestors made.

Because of the pioneers, because of what they sacrificed and gave to their families and to their God, I've found a desire in my heart to serve they way they have served me. I've found a desire to do hard things, because I know that nothing is impossible when I'm on Christ's side. I’ve found a desire to give opportunity in the way that I have been given.

In conclusion, trek was an amazing experience. It was so much more than just a few kids hiking in the mountains of Pennsylvania. It was a spiritual journey that had a heavy impact in the hearts of all of our youth. It has taught me things that I will remember forever, as I do hard things in college, on my mission, and as I journey through the rest of my life. I will always remember the times when I felt as if I could no longer push, but because of Him, I always kept pushing.