Has the Church reduced the emphasis on local Family History Discovery Day events?
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I've never seen any direct guidance on it other than references to the fact that wards and stakes do them. The fact that they're publicized from time to time suggests that it's at least minimally encouraged, and I've seen nothing that suggests a move away from that. What's still primary is what ward T&FH consultants do - have one-on-one experiences with individuals and families to get them started, and use the Consultant Planner to assist them as needed (without doing it for them or getting them dependent). A nearby stake is doing a major Family History Discovery Day later this month that's been well publicized even through the area public affairs people, so I would expect that our Area Seventy would have asked them to "tone it down" if there was any move away from such activities. Personally, I think it can be an excellent way both to get our members more enthused, as well as engage the local (or even regional) community in family history (not just "genealogy"), and collaborate.
In our stake, we've had past great successes with single-day events with multiple classes from which to choose each hour, and presenters from both within the Church as well as the local community (even a couple that agreed to drive considerable distance to present for only gas mileage). We've had more than one such event that drew well over 200 people, at least half of them not members of the Church. We started those over 30 years ago, and some of the outside relationships are still strong today. Additionally, it's allowed us to partner with our local library system (multiple branches in several counties), and introduce them to the concept of becoming a FamilySearch Affiliate Library. That has been a significant boost in a number of ways. In turn, they've invited FHC staff and other T&FH leadership in our stake to present classes at multiple Library branches. So personally, I'm very much in favor of a periodic FHDD (probably no more than annually, perhaps every 2-3 years???). The benefits can be significant if local leadership is strongly supportive of T&FH activities. (I sure hope there's no guidance otherwise!!! ;-) )
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Yes, there is no longer direction to hold local family history events. The focus has shifted to helping individuals and families one-by-one.
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There used to be a part of the Church website dedicated to local Family Discovery Day events. This site has been gone for a few years. I just tried an old link I had to it and it defaults now to this: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/family-history?lang=eng
A few years ago another person asked a very similar question and I inquired with FamilySearch staff and they stated that the focus is on helping individuals and families. Stakes and others can host these larger events if they so chose, but that is no longer the focus from the Church.
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our stake asks each ward to hold events in their wards... i think they are helpful.
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