Ancestors

[Tyler90AZ]

I am looking for a talk that covers the idea of somebody being pulled into the fold, in order to perform ordinances for their dead ancestors. Any ideas?

[Just_A_Guy]

I'm not quite sure I follow you. You mean, they were converted primarily because they were attracted to the idea of doing proxy ordinances?

[Tyler90AZ]

I'm not quite sure I follow you. You mean, they were converted primarily because they were attracted to the idea of doing proxy ordinances?

No, a person pulled into the fold, because he needs to do proxy work for his ancestors. The ancestors have been waiting and are deserving enough they just need a proxy. The reason I ask is because I know my Great Grandpa was a very spiritual man. He was in a Christian religion that believed in tongues, his strongest desire was to speak in tongues. He was serving God the way he knew how, with all his heart. I feel that is why I have been pulled in and re pulled in.

[Just_A_Guy]

I can't think of anything off-hand; but I'll bet that if you looked for some articles or books dealing with the Church's growth in the far east (where ancestor reverence is a major part of the culture) you'd see a lot of stories like that.

[Jezebel2011]

I wish I could help you - that exact same situation happened to me.

Can't help on the talk, though

[jayanna]

Here is a lesson on the subject "Saviors on Mount Zion" that you might find helpful. I have lately experienced a 'lull' in my family's temple work this month, due to the busy-ness I subject myself to in the holiday season. I really appreciate the reminder you've given me today, it's time to get back to work :)

Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith Chapter 41: Becoming Saviors on Mount Zion

[jayanna]

Here also is a beautiful testimony I found in an article

“As we proceed [with our family history research],” said Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve at a 1977 regional representatives’ seminar, “we are joined at the crossroads by those who have been prepared to help us.

“They come with skills and abilities precisely suited to our needs. And, we find provisions: information, inventions, help of various kinds, set along the way waiting for us to take them up.

“It is as though someone knew we would be traveling that way. We see the invisible hand of the Almighty providing for us.” (See Ensign, May 1991, p. 26.)

Brother Rich considers his notebook of family history to be a workbook. He makes additions and corrections to it from his research, and he searches for the names of ancestors with missing ordinances. He and his wife, Lynda, enjoy attending the temple and performing the ordinances for their ancestors.

“From my own experience I know that Elder Packer’s words are true,” says Brother Rich. “My sister, my wife, and I have all felt the spirit of this work calling us, begging us to continue—to find our dear family members who paved the way for us. Who crossed the Atlantic in creaking ships. Who fought in the Revolutionary War for our independence. Who cut out a home on the frontier. Who heard the call of the Prophet Joseph Smith, joined the Church, and crossed the plains. Who have done so much that we could be here. Let us do their temple work. Let us find them in the records. There will be help from beyond the veil. We will know where to go.”

FamilySearch®?Stepping-Stone to the Temple - Ensign Aug. 1992 - ensign

[rameumptom]

Not sure what you need exactly, but here's an interesting story of my wife.

Years ago, we moved to Montgomery, AL from up north. She knew her grandmother was born in Mobile, but had lost track with her part of the family way back in the 1950s. So, she called the operator down there and asked for any phone numbers for the name Crist. She was given 4 numbers. The second person she talked with told my wife she needed to come down and meet someone. So she planned a trip to Mobile.

She was introduced to an elderly lade with bright red lipstick and fingernail polish. My wife recognized her from descriptions given by her grandmother of one of her cousins: Beulah Crist. Beulah was in her 80s when my wife met her. Beulah was not LDS, but for many years felt impressed to research her genealogy. Sad for her, none of her family was interested in her research. My wife was keenly interested, and went on several trips with Beulah, going over her research, visiting cemeteries, etc. At one point, Beulah expressed her joy that there was someone who would care for these names. My wife explained to her about temple work, and Beulah told her to make sure her ancestors were baptized and cared for in the temple work. She also expressed the desire to also receive the temple blessings after she was gone.

Five years after their first visit, Beulah was hit with Alzheimer's and forgot her research and my wife. We had retrieved it just in time, before she forgot everything. We still visited her, but would have to remind her in our visits just who we were. From her research, we spent 10 years taking about 400 ancestors to the temple, including aunt Beulah.