I guess my question is more along the lines of how our priesthood leaders are being trained in famil
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Family History leader – welcome to your calling https://www.familysearch.org/calling/?page=5
Copy and paste in to your browser URL Hope this helps. enesparks@yahoo.com
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I trained the ward council of my ward, then the stake president and executive secretary. I will be presenting the same to the Stake High Council. Hopefully each ward will allow me to come in with their consultants and do the same ( the Stake President will recommend the training to them)
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Sherry, what is your position, if I may ask? What exactly do you cover in your training with the stake president, executive secretary and Stake High Council? From whom do you get your training? Since the counselor in the Stake Presidency is the one over us, why is he not included in your training with the Stake President?
According to what we can gather (keeping in mind that we have no contact with an area TFH consultant), the ward TFH leader trains his ward consultants. We as Stake Consultant leads (though I have heard that isn't the correct term anymore either??) train the ward TFH leaders and Elder Quorum counselor designated over Family History. Is this not correct? Where do we find the information you have access to? I am beginning to believe that all the confusion is a result of lack of current information and direction in churchofjesuschrist.org as well as Handbook 2. We held a training this last week for Ward Leads to which the high counselor over us attended. He hadn't even been sent the April 4 update letter himself. Clear, concise and timely communication from lds.org and possibly familysearch, would be the best way to eliminate all the confusion.
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I am the Stake Temple and Family History Consultant. I first trained my ward (bishopric and those who meet in ward council). The stake high council representative was also there. The Stake President passed by the FHC while we were teaching and wondered what was being taught. Since I meet quarterly with the Stake high Council, and my time is this month, I asked the stake president if I could present the training after I showed him. He had invited his executive secretary who was around after a meeting, but his other members could not stay. Both were impressed with the training packet and the demonstration, he gladly said yes. In the stake high council meeting, each of the attendees will be getting a couple of packets- 1 for themselves, and a few to take back to their respective wards. In our ward, our EQP and his counselor are not knowledgeable about family history; and we recently had a leader called to help with the implementation of our plan. He was present during the ward council training. Since that ward council training, our Relief Society is making this their next activity class. Our consultants will be present then and have the same handouts for them.
The handouts are just simple training packets I created from FamilySearch. If you would like one I can send one to you through email as I have not learned how to send all the pages through this program.
Previously when I met with the Stake High Council, I discussed opportunities for growth through family history; what successes we experienced through each of the wards, and trainings being offered (we have a training class 2x a month on various topics of familysearch-open to the public but certainly for consultants and leaders);
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I would love a copy of your training handouts! cindy-durrant@hotmai.com
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Me too. FH is totally dead in my stake and ward
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The training of priesthood leaders is the responsibility of their up-line priesthood leader and how the training takes place is determined on a local level. So there is no longer a set pattern to follow, though the basic structure still remains:
Area Seventies are responsible for the training of Stake Presidencies. Area Seventies may choose to call area temple and family history consultants whose assignment is to support the temple and family history needs of the Area Seventy and the stake presidencies in the stakes which they are assigned.
The stake presidency may assign one or more high councilors to train the ward temple and family history leaders within the stake, as well as members of the elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies. They may be assisted by stake temple and family history consultants.
The ward temple and family history leaders are responsible for the training of ward temple and family history consultants and coordinating the temple and family history efforts of the ward.
So training can be done by priesthood leaders, or priesthood leaders could reach out to area, stake, or ward temple and family history consultants to assist. The main difference that I see from they way it was done in the past - the responsibility for training of priesthood leaders is on the shoulders of their up-line leadership, not an automatic assignment of a consultant. Though, the consultants can be a resource to assist if assigned.
Does that help?
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It very much helps!
But is a little confusing because it differs a little from what was said in this video https://www.facebook.com/107368599368775/videos/358411021472163/
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Peggy, can you help clarify what you feel is different in my presentation from what Tamra shared?
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As long as Priesthood Leaders do not do their own family history, they will not be effective teachers of family history. One cannot teach what they themselves don't know anything about, I would love, love, them to get with it regarding family history! Priesthood leaders can teach about and lead out on all other aspects of the Gospel because they keep 1. the commandments, 2. the Word of Wisdom, 3. Love their neighbor and minister, etc, But family history requires a bit, sometimes quite a bit, of technological skill with a computer program, and some research skill, and record keeping, including memories, skills, and so on. So it is going to take more than just outlining the organizational roles they have. Doing it is what it takes to be effective!
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As much as I would love to see all leaders actively involved in family history, I believe that they still can be good leaders without extensive knowledge about how to research, etc. The TFH consultants TEACH, the Leaders lead. A leader doesn't need to be able to use Family Search in order to meet with ward councils, find out who they feel could benefit from working with consultants, and then assign a consultant to do that. They can encourage temple attendance, connect inexperienced consultants with those with more training, set up temple preparation lessons with able teachers, coordinate with ward mission leaders to connect investigators with consultants, follow up with consultants about their progress, and a multitude of other useful things, all without feeling comfortable on actually using Family Search or other tools. I would definitely encourage Temple and Family History Leaders to work with consultants to become more familiar with family history work as they go, but that is not a prerequisite to start effectively fulfilling their calling.
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I could be wrong. I have listened to your presentation twice and plan to listen to it a third time.
Tamra said "The ward temple and family history leaders are responsible for the training of ward temple and family history consultants and coordinating the temple and family history efforts of the ward."
I thought you said that the Stake TFH Consultants were responsible for training the Ward TFH Consultants.
Personally, your scenario makes more sense to me. The Priesthood don't need to know how to do family history to implement a program but training people how to do family history takes a bit (lot) more knowledge.
Sorry, but I have been trying to figure out how people are suppose to learn how to use FamilySearch and really research family history. As easy as we want to make it sound it really isn't. Perhaps that is no longer the focus now that we have Ordinances Ready? I can see that Discovery experiences can change a little now that individuals with full trees can focus on memories without feeling guilty about "finding names". I think that is exciting. I have spent so many days poring over ward members full trees trying to find something easy and heart turning for them to do. I feel like my time can be used much more efficiently now.
Can you clarify for me where I am mistaken and how training is really suppose to happen?
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We just had a meeting with our area TFH consultants and discussed this. The ward Temple and Family History Leader is responsible for making sure that the Temple and Family History consultants are trained. He can train them himself if he has the skills to do so, or he can invite the Stake TFH consultants or more experienced Ward TFH consultants to assist with the training as needed.
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While I admire your positive belief (hope), I have yet to see it. If family history is so important that it is the last message from Malachi in the Bible, and repeated as one of the first messages from Moroni to Joseph Smith in the Restoration,, ... then why do we keep excusing priesthood leaders or anyone from the necessity of engaging in it for their own ancestors? I may be too harsh, but it seems a little hypocritical for a "Leader' to not know what his assignment in family history entails, It's like teaching about the Word of Wisdom, but failing to comply with it, or any other principle. The lord said he would "smite the earth with a curse," if we don't engage in family history. Seems to me that it might just be a little more important than other things that occupy our time,
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This is a great answer Joanne
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Stake temple and family history consultants are to be a support to the temple and family history needs of the ward's in their stake. So if a ward temple and family history leader needs help in training his ward consultants - he should know you and that you are there to help. But if he chooses not to reach out and chooses to train his consultants on his own, that is also okay. There is no one-size-fits-all mandate. The stakes support the wards as they have determined to implement temple and family history in their unit.
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Peggy, thank you for the additional explanation. I apologize if any of my presentation was confusing or conflicting.
I feel JoanneMacD provided a good answer. The priesthood leader is responsible to see that others are trained but doesn't necessarily need to be the one doing the training. For example, Handbook 2 indicates the high councilor is responsible to "train the ward temple and family history leader, if called", and "may be assisted by a stake temple and family history consultant". This provides options and flexibility.
I am currently serving as the high councilor for temple and family history in my stake. I help the ward temple and family history leaders understand their callings & responsibilities. We have a great couple serving as stake temple and family history consultants. They "assist" me by working with and training the ward temple and family history consultants.
I personally don't think it matters who provides the training as long as it is done, and done under the direction of the priesthood leader. Some high councilors and some ward temple and family history leaders will be able to provide training on the responsibilities of the callings as well as the "how to" but others will leverage the expertise and knowledge of the consultants to provide the "how to".
I hope that helps. Thanks for all you do.
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I would also love a copy, Sherry. It sounds like you are supported very well by your stake leaders. That is wonderful. kirstakay8@gmail.com. Thank you!
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check your email; just sent it.
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Please send to cathyanderegg@comcast.net . too , Thanks
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I appreciate your answers and I like the flexibility it gives. May I assume that a Stake TFH Consultant doesn't need to wait to be called upon to assist but may be proactive in asking how they may assist? Can Stake Consultants hold meetings with Ward TFH Consultants to coordinate efforts and assess needs or would this overstep the Ward TFH Leader? I know that for me as a Ward TFH Consultant I could really use help in areas that I don't specialize in. The Wiki is WONDERFUL but I just don't have time to be an expert in everything! If I knew who in the area specialized in what it would sure help!
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I highly recommend consultants being proactive and asking how they may assist their priesthood leaders. The model should be supporting priesthood leaders in any way we can. I recommend consultants ask, "How can I support you in your calling? What can I do to help achieve our ward/stake's goals & objectives?"
I wouldn't hold meetings with ward consultants without the knowledge and direction of the high councilor and/or ward temple and family history leader. One of the reasons for the many recent changes with callings is to re-enforce the role and responsibilities of the priesthood leaders. We need to give them the opportunity to lead, and involving them in meetings, etc helps do that. My suggestion from your example, would be to make your ward temple and family history leader aware of your needs as a consultant and suggest receiving help from the stake. Hopefully he would reach out the high councilor and stake consultants and ask them for helping in providing you with the needed training.
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Thank you very much for the help. To clarify, I really don't want training in a locality that my family does not come from. I already need to know about too may countries! I just need to know who the specialists are in our area that I can access for help and refer people to with greater expertise. It is just a more efficient use of resources and time! Does FamilySearch have a way of finding out this information?
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Not that I'm aware of. It would be hard to know about the skills & expertise of consultants in the field because there are so many. I would think these FS communities and the FS Wiki might be helpful as well.
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@Peggy Parker Ash As a stake temple and family history consultant, I have never waited to be asked to help. But I do keep my high council adviser aware of what I am doing. I think that being proactive is part of our responsibility. I meet with ward and branch consultants regularly and provide training for them. I do not meet with the ward and branch temple and family history leaders, unless I get a specific request to do so, as that is outside of my stewardship. As a ward consultant I think you should feel free to reach out and ask for help from your stake consultant. I know that I am delighted when a consultant in one of our units asks me for assistance.
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Helping out the wards is wonderful and definitely a role of stake temple and family history consultants. Working closely with ward temple and family history leaders will help us all work together and align with the ward's local temple and family history plan.
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Peggy a beta test is being done called Help From Others. You can access it through the planner https://www.familysearch.org/help/helper/planner?self=true&tab=helperConnectContent The intent is to identify based on the person you are helping, research resources. This is one way FS it attempting to gather the information you are asking about.
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That looks AWESOME! I am VERY EXCITED! We need EVERY consultant and experienced person doing genealogy in the FamilySearch tree to signup! How do we do that? We need a campaign!
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After exploring this WONDERFUL feature I was wondering if possibly SUBJECTS might be added. I know there are people in my stake who could help others with FAMILYSEARCH in general as a subject but others who could specifically help with the MEMORIES section with better skill. I know one member I have tried to help is Jewish and that is a struggle for me. A few topic suggestions might be: JEWISH GENEALOGY, UTAH PIONEERS, MILITARY RECORDS, DNA, ANCESTRY.COM, MY HERITAGE, FIND MY PAST, LAND RECORDS, WRITING HISTORIES, Using the FAMILYSEARCH APP, etc.
I also think that being able to BROWSE your contributing stake helper list to see what their specialties are would be very helpful. You may not be able to think about what you need help with until you see what other people are doing and become inspired. Then you could reach out locally for the specific help you may need.
Again, THANK YOU for this feature! I am THRILLED! I can see so much potential for it!
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And another thought! I may feel confident in an area to help my Stake but not the world so separating out those two classification would be helpful!
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