A Story
by Jeanne Peugh, Director
Elder Gerrit W. Gong gave a wonderful discourse entitled “We Each Have a Story” during this April General Conference. He showed us how members of our family are blended, the past, present, and future generations, into one great whole. A family of the ages sealed together into an eternal family only to push us forward in our thinking of our families’ place in the great family of God. Is this not a point worth pondering?
We are all a significant part of a great and everlasting whole. He said, “Whatever the total number of individuals who have lived on the earth, it is finite, countable, one person at a time. You and I, we each matter.” Our lives matter, our experiences matter, our trials and tribulations of working through this life matter, and not just to us, but to those who came before and those who will follow us. “Whether you are your first or tenth known generation, connect yesterday for tomorrow.
Connect the roots and branches in your living family tree.”
Remember the teachings you have been taught.
Remember the promises fulfilled by the atonement of Jesus Christ. Elder Gong says, “We continue to live on the other side of the veil. Still very much alive, our ancestors deserve to be remembered.
We remember our heritage through oral histories, clan records, family stories, memorials or places of remembrance, and celebrations with photos, foods, or items which remind us of loved ones.
“We honor our ancestors by opening the heavens through temple and family history work and by becoming a welding link in the chain of our generations. In this age of ‘I choose me,’ societies benefit when generations connect in meaningful ways. We need roots to have wings – real relationships, meaningful service. Ties with ancestors increase family closeness, gratitude, and miracles. Such ties can bring help from the other side of the veil.”
As spring is now upon us and the trees begin to throw out new branches to the sky and new roots to anchor and supply the needs of the next generation, let us redouble our efforts to link the past to the future. May we commit that we, the present, will not be the weak link in the chain of our eternal family.
In the October 2013 General Conference, Elder Richard J. Maynes of the Presidency of the Seventy stated the following: “Great examples of spiritual stamina come from our family histories. Among the many stories from our ancestors, we will be able to find examples that demonstrate the positive characteristics of endurance.”
There is no sacrifice greater than helping others come unto Christ.
Akron Ohio Stake News 