Aids for using Family History in missionary work
Hi, my daughter is in an area where they're really struggling to connect with people. I suggested they talk to people about family history. She tried reaching out to their stake family history specialists, but they told her their focus is to get new members registered. Does anyone have ideas for quick, simple ways to have people walking by get a taste for family history? (and in Spanish) Thanks!
Answers
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Hi @BBeazer, family history is all about stories. Your missionary could show people the Family History Activities page https://www.familysearch.org/en/discovery/
and pick something they might be interested in. "Where Am I From?" or "Famous Relatives" are always a good place to start.
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I love showing people how they can quickly help in Family History Service projects. You can show them the "Get Involved" activities on FamilySearch.org.
On the FamilySearch homepage, see the top option called "Get Involved."
There are lots of quick, easy ways to help others get involved in Family History service!
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@BBeazer what a great opportunity. Does your daughter have access to a cell phone that she can share videos on?
here is one link to look for videos: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/search?lang=eng&type=video&query=family+history+videos&facet=all&page=1
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I know that the family history site has a lot of easy ways to get people engaged. Here is a page that may get you started.
Always taking an interest in who people are lets them know you care. Take time to listen to their story and share yours.
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Hi, @BBeazer!
A quick and easy way to interest folks in Family History could be to point out that so much research can be done in just 5 minutes a day. I like to show people hints on FamilySearch and point out that if you attached just one hint a day, by the end of the year, how many sources have you attached to your tree? (the obvious answer is 365 hints…or more because the records usually have more than one family member listed.) If you want some other ideas, there is a FamilySearch Blog post about this very topic: 20 Ways to Do Family History in 5 Minutes a Day. Hope this gives you and your daughter some ideas!
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Ask the question: "Many times people ask about our belief that families can be forever. Have you ever wondered about how your family can be together forever?"
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Building on @IrvS comment above: Most individuals are family oriented, and we can ask what they know about their own family history. We can then suggest that we can assist them in finding information about their grand parents, great grand parents. etc. Once we have created that concept and linkage, we can then ask them if they would like to have that family relationship eternally. That can then lead to discussion of gospel principles of the pre-existence, our mortal life and relationships, and the eternal nature of families. Missionary work and Temple/Family History work can—and should—work hand-in-hand as we bring individuals to Christ on both sides of the veil.
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@WilbergClarkN Thank you for expanding on my comment. I actually, gave that suggestion to my granddaughter who was on her mission in Washington State. She had asked the same question! I allowed her to develop her own presentation. I like your comment and may share it with our missionaries when they come for dinner, if you don't mind!
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@IrvS Please use/share as you deem appropriate. Those thoughts are not original to me—they came to me as I prayed and pondered how we could use FamilySearch as a reactivation tool and a finding tool. I'm convinced that is the way Heavenly Father would have us use it to hasten the work in gathering Israel.
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