Young Single Adults and Family History in India

By Elder E. Jack and Sister Pamela Kellerstrass, India Bangalore Mission

Hyderabad, India

In the October 2011 General Conference Elder David A. Bednar spoke about young people and family history work.

“The Lord has made available in our day remarkable resources that enable you to learn about and love this work that is sparked by the Spirit of Elijah

. …It is no coincidence that FamilySearch and other tools have come forth at a time when young people are so familiar with a wide range of …technologies. Your fingers have been trained to text and tweet to accelerate and advance the work of the Lord—not just to communicate quickly with your friends. The skills and aptitude evident among many young people today are a preparation to contribute to the work of salvation.”

“I invite the young people of the Church to learn about and experience the Spirit of Elijah. I encourage you to study, to search out your ancestors, and to prepare yourselves to perform proxy baptisms in the house of the Lord for your kindred dead. …As you respond in faith to this invitation, your hearts shall turn to the fathers.”

A major focus of the All-India YSA Conference with 600 participants was the opportunity to learn about and start doing family history work.  A family history room with 50 computers was set up.  In group workshops, young single adults had the opportunity to register, receive instruction, enter family history data, and prepare family ordinance requests.  During free time the family history room was staffed with volunteers ready to help those who were touched by the Spirit of Elijah.

Family history instructors came from all over the world.  Steve Rockwood, Nate Barrett, and Ben Bennett from Salt Lake City; Hashick Hong, Korea; and Elder David and Sister Sara Gibb, the Asia Area Family History Advisors from Hong Kong, were experts at inspiring and helping young adults with this great work.

Many came prepared to take advantage of the computer instruction in the family history computer room.  One young woman entered the names of her grandparents and prepared a family ordinance request to send their names to the temple.  She was overcome with emotion as she knew they would accept the gospel on the other side of the veil and she would no longer be the only member of the Church in her family.  Sister Gibb said, “There were many tears shed and we felt the Spirit of Elijah present in all sessions.  We really loved these bright, beautiful young people.  It was like being in the presence of royalty.”