Temple and Family History “These, Thy Sheep Are Loved

Temple and Family History “These, thy sheep are loved. They are safe, and they are home.”

Overview of Organization and Responsibilities*

•Let’s start with what we know. •Who do we help? How do we help? •Wards/branches and stake working together •What resources are there to help us?

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18 Feb. 2021 Kent Washington Stake Training * General Handbook Sec. 25 Let’s start with what we know - Y/N

I think I My unit My unit has an My ward/ My unit My unit has My unit has a Aaronic I know I know already has a elders quorum branch has a at least one functioning priesthood and which where to go know how temple counselor and a council temple temple and temple and young women members of online to temple and and Relief Society discusses and family family history presidency my ward/ learn what family family counselor temple family history coordination leaders are branch/ resources history work history assigned to and family history consultant meeting invited to the stake to are available is supposed plan help lead history. leader temple and help prepare to help me in I’m here. Unit to function temple and family history to receive my calling. in wards/ family history coordination temple branches meeting ordinances and stake and we have and what to a temple do in my preparation calling. class. Lake Meridian Lake Sawyer Kent Branch I’d like to I’d like you to consider these on your own. know your Clark Lake answer Park Orchard tonight on this one. how much training do I need for Crestwood Scenic Hill my calling in temple and family South Puget Sound YSA history? Kent Stake Temple and Family History - What is it?

Temple and Family History work is part of gathering Israel. It includes…

• discovering our family ancestors. • gathering information about them. • preserving the information about them. discovering • preparing ourselves and others to attend the gathering temple. preserving information • receiving saving ordinances for ourselves receiving temple ordinances and performing saving ordinances for our providing temple ordinances ancestors in temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Temple and Family History - How can we help?

We help in these ways • … to encourageencourage members to learn the doctrine and blessings of temple and family history work. help them learn the doctrine • … to ensure that the doctrine and blessings of the help them receive temple blessings temple are taught. help them fnd their family • … to help members prepare to receive temple ordinances for themselves and to make temple help them connect covenants. • …to encourage members to learn about their ancestors and to perform temple ordinances on their behalf. Temple and Family History Work in the Ward and Stake* Callings that play a role skip

Temple Preparation Ward Course Stake Bishopric

Ward Temple Stake Presidency and Family History Plan

Ward Council Stake Relief Society Presidency member Priest Quorum from oldest Young Presidency Assistant Women class Stake Adult Leadership Committee High Councilors

Relief Society Elders Quorum Presidency Presidency

Ward Temple and Family History Leader

Ward Temple and Family History Coordination Meeting Stake Temple and Family History Ward Temple and Family History Consultant Consultants Family History Center

*General Handbook Section 25 Ward Bishoprics

• Encourage members to learn the doctrine and blessings of temple and family history work • Ensure that the doctrine and blessings of temple are taught at church. • Ensure that temple and family history work is coordinated in ward encourage ensure and oversee councils. review and approve plan • Review and approve the ward temple and family history plan. issue recommends • Oversee the organization of temple preparation courses. • Issue temple recommends. • The bishop determines whether to call a ward temple and family history leader. Otherwise, a member of the elders quorum presidency fulflls this role. Ward Elders Quorum and Relief Society Presidencies

• Encourage members to learn the doctrine and blessings of temple and family history work • Ensure that the doctrine and blessings of temple are taught at church. • Help members prepare to receive temple ordinances and make temple covenants. • Encourage members to learn about their ancestors and perform temple ordinances on their behalf. • Help the ward council develop and implement the ward temple and family history plan. provide direction • Ensure that temple and family history work is planned and reported in ward council help develop plan meetings and in ward temple and family history coordination meetings. encourage • Direct the work of the ward temple and family history leader. If this leader is not called, a instruct member of the elders quorum presidency flls this role. help implement plan • The elders quorum president and Relief Society president each assign a presidency member to help lead temple and family history work in the ward. These two presidency members work together. They attend ward temple and family history coordination meetings*.

* see Ward Temple and Family History Coordination Meeting Ward Temple and Family History Leader

• Works under the direction of the elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies • Leads and coordinates temple and family history eforts with ward organization leaders, including youth quorums and classes.* leads ward efort coordinates • Attends ward council when invited. helps develop plan • Helps ward council develop and implement the ward instructs temple and family history plan. helps members • Instructs ward temple and family history consultants. • Helps members with temple and family history work.

* see Ward Temple and Family History Coordination Meeting Ward Temple and Family History Coordination Meeting • Brief, informal meeting held regularly. • Ward temple and family history leader conducts the meeting (or member of the elders quorum presidency who fulflls the role). • Invitees include: brief • The member of the Relief Society informal presidency assigned to temple and family regular history work. ward fhl conducts • An assistant in the priests quorum remember youth • A presidency member of the oldest Young Women class. • Temple and family history consultants Ward Temple and Family History Plan

• Simple plan to help ward members, including children and youth, to participate in family history work and prepare to worship in the temple as circumstances allow. • The elders quorum and Relief Society presidents help the ward council develop the plan. • The ward temple and family history leader helps the ward council develop the plan. participate in temple worship involve youth and returning members • In developing the plan, the ward council considers: • available needs and resources discover ancestors • actions to take during the year receive temple blessings • how to implement provide temple blessings • The plan might include: • how to help members build their family trees using FamilySearch.org or the FamilySearch Tree app • ways to involve new and returning members, youth, and children in family history work. • how to help specifc members prepare to receive temple ordinances. • The bishop approves the plan. • Members of the ward council take the lead in implementing the plan and report on progress in ward council meetings. Ward Temple and Family History Consultant

• Serves under the direction of the ward temple and family history leader. • Helps members experience the blessings of discovering their help members: ancestors and performing temple ordinances on their behalf. receive temple blessings These experiences are especially important for those learning discover ancestors the gospel, new and returning members, and those preparing provide ordinances to receive a limited-use temple recommend. connect with roots • Helps members prepare to receive temple ordinances and make temple covenants. • Participates in temple and family history coordination meetings. • Serves in a local family history center when assigned. Temple and Family History Work in the Ward and Stake* Ward Callings Summary

Temple Preparation Ward oversees Course Bishopric reviews/approves

develops/implements Ward Temple and Family History Plan

Presidency Ward Council Priest member from Quorum oldest Young

Assistant Women class plans/reports plans/repports attends attends Relief Society Elders Quorum attends Presidency Presidency

attends Ward Temple and Family History leads Leader attends Ward Temple and Family History Coordination Meeting Ward Temple and Family History Consultant may be asked to serve by

consultantsstake

Family History Q&A Center

*General Handbook Section 25 Stake Presidency

• Ensure that the doctrine and blessings of temple and family history are taught regularly in stake meetings. • Help members prepare to make sacred covenants as they receive temple ordinances. • Encourage members to learn about their ancestors and teach perform temple ordinances on their behalf. prepare • Encourage members to worship in the temple as often as encourage their circumstances allow. interview • Conduct temple recommend interviews. • In his regular meeting with each elders quorum president, a member of the stake presidency discusses temple and family history work in the ward. The counselors in the elders quorum presidency and the high councilor assigned to the quorum may attend. Stake Relief Society Presidency

• Under the direction of the stake president, the stake Relief Society presidency instructs and supports ward Relief Society presidencies in their responsibilities for instruct temple and family history work. support Stake High Councilors

• The stake presidency may assign high councilors to instruct and support the following people in their responsibilities for temple and family history work: support • Elders quorum presidencies instruct • Ward temple and family history leaders coordinate • Stake temple and family history consultants oversee FHC • One or more high councilors may be assigned to lead these eforts. • All high councilors have these responsibilities for the wards and quorums to which they are assigned. • High councilors may help the ward temple and family history leaders instruct ward temple and family history consultants. • High councilors may be assisted by stake temple and family history consultants. • The stake presidency may assign a high councilor to coordinate the stake’s eforts in indexing. He or another high councilor may be assigned to oversee the work in family history centers. Stake Temple and Family History Consultant

• Support temple and family history work throughout the stake. • Serve under the direction of the the stake presidency and one or more high councilors assigned to temple and family history work. • Support high councilors and the stake Relief Society presidency support stake in their eforts to instruct others in temple and family history instruct work. They may also: coordinate indexing • Help teach and support members in ward temple and serve in FHC family history callings. • Help coordinate stake indexing eforts • Serve in family history centers Temple and Family History Work in the Ward and Stake* How the callings work together

Temple Preparation Ward oversees Course Stake Bishopric reviews/approves

Stake Presidency develops/implements Ward Temple and Family History Plan Stake Relief Society Presidency Ward Council Priest member from Presidency Quorum oldest Young discusses progress Stake Adult Assistant Women class Leadership High Councilors Committee

instructs and supports plans/reports plans/repports attends attends Relief Society Elders Quorum instructs and supports attends Presidency Presidency instructs and supports attends Ward Temple and Family History leads instructs and supports all e Leader fort in stake attends Ward Temple and Stake Temple and Family History Family History Coordination forts in the stake Meeting supports indexing e Consultants Ward Temple and Family History Consultant may be asked

to serve oversee/serve

Family History Center Q&A

*General Handbook Section 25 Temple and Family History Resources

Family History Center

Video Collections RootsTech

Online Training

Temple Preparation FamilySearch Course Temple Preparation Course

• Occurs under the bishop’s direction. • Held outside of regular Sunday meetings at a time convenient for members. • May be held at a meetinghouse or in a home. • Ward council members prayerfully select members to invite. • May be especially helpful for: • New members • Members preparing to receive their own endowments or to be sealed. • Members returning to Church activity • Endowed members who have not renewed their temple recommends for an extended time. • The bishopric calls one or more temple preparation instructors. • A husband and wife may be called. • Lessons and instructions for organizing the course are located in: • “Endowed from on High: Temple Preparation Seminar Teacher’s Manual” • Participants are given copies of “Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple.” • Personal study and lesson resources are found at temples.ChurchofJesusChrist.org Stake Family History Center* FHC

Brother Gary Hanby, Director

Family History Center

* Located in Kent Stake Center West Hallway Temple and Family History On-line Resources (via Gospel Library)

Ward/Branch Callings

Getting Started What Should I Focus on? Who do I Work With? Resources

Stake Callings Temple and Family History On-line Videos (via Gospel Media)

Short videos to inspire you Temple and Family History Work in the Ward and Stake* How the callings work together

Temple Preparation Ward oversees Course Stake Bishopric reviews/approves

to serve oversee/serve

Family History Center Q&A

*General Handbook Section 25 Temple and Family History Work in the Ward and Stake* - Quick Reference (Roles and Responsibilities)

Ward Stake

Bishopric • Encourage members to learn the doctrine and blessings of temple and family history work Stake Presidency • Ensure that the doctrine and blessings of temple and family history are taught regularly in stake meetings. • Ensure that the doctrine and blessings of temple are taught at church. • Help members prepare to make sacred covenants as they receive temple ordinances. • Ensure that temple and family history work is coordinated in ward councils. • Encourage members to learn about their ancestors and perform temple ordinances on their behalf. • Review and approve the ward temple and family history plan • Encourage members to worship in the temple as often as their circumstances allow. • Oversee the organization of temple preparation courses • Conduct temple recommend interviews. • Issue temple recommends • In his regular meeting with each elders quorum president, a member of the stake presidency discusses • The bishop determines whether to call a ward temple and family history leader. Otherwise, a member of the elders temple and family history work in the ward. The counselors in the elders quorum presidency and the high quorum presidency fulflls this role. councilor assigned to the quorum may attend. • •

Ward Council • Members of the ward council prayerfully develop and implement a ward temple and family history plan. The ward • Instruct and support elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies in their responsibilities for temple and temple and family history leader may be invited to attend ward council meetings as needed. Stake Adult family history. • Leadership • Members of this committee include: • The stake presidency Committee The stake Relief Society presidency Elders Quorum • Encourage members to learn the doctrine and blessings of temple and family history work • • Ensure that the doctrine and blessings of temple are taught at church. • High councilors assigned to work with elders quorums and Relief • Help members prepare to receive temple ordinances and make temple covenants. • These leaders give elders quorum and ward Relief Society presidencies ongoing instructions as needed, • Encourage members to learn about their ancestors and perform temple ordinances on their behalf. either in a group setting or individually. Ward temple and family history leaders may be invited. See also Society • Help the ward council develop and implement the ward temple and family history plan. section 29.3.10. Presidencies • Ensure that temple and family history work is planned and reported in ward council meetings and in ward temple and • family history coordination meetings. • Direct the work of the ward temple and family history leader. If this leader is not called, a member of the elders quorum presidency flls this role. High Councilors • The stake presidency may assign high councilors to instruct and support the following people in their • The elders quorum president and Relief Society president each assign a presidency member to help lead temple and responsibilities for temple and family history work: family history work in the ward. These two presidency members work together. They attend ward temple and family • Elders quorum presidencies history coordination meetings. • Ward temple and family history leaders • • Stake temple and family history consultants • One or more high councilors may be assigned to lead these eforts. • All high councilors have these responsibilities for the wards and quorums to which they are assigned. Ward temple and family history leaders hold the Melchizedek Priesthood. The ward temple and family history leader • High councilors may help the ward temple and family history leaders instruct ward temple and family Ward Temple works under the direction of the elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies. history consultants. and Family • Coordinate temple and family history eforts with ward organization leaders, including youth quorum and class • High councilors may be assisted by stake temple and family history consultants. presidencies. • The stake presidency may assign a high councilor to coordinate the stake’s eforts in indexing (see History Leader • Lead ward temple and family history coordination meetings 25.4.3). He or another high councilor may be assigned to oversee the work in family history centers. • Attend ward council meetings when invited. • • Help the ward council develop and implement the ward temple and family history plan. • Instruct ward temple and family history consultants. Coordinate their eforts to help members with temple and family history work. • Under the direction of the stake president, the stake Relief Society presidency instructs and supports • Work with the ward mission leader and the missionaries to help those learning the gospel, new members, and Stake Relief Society ward Relief Society presidencies in their responsibilities for temple and family history work. returning members engage in temple and family history work. • • Where applicable, assign ward temple and family history consultants to serve in the family history center (In Kent Presidency Stake, the Kent Stake Family History Center Director may make requests of the Ward Temple and Family History Leaders to provide consultants to help in the Family History Center) Support temple and family history work throughout the stake. • • Stake Temple and • Serve under the direction of the the stake presidency and one or more high councilors assigned to temple Ward temple and family history consultants serve under the direction of the ward temple and family history leader. The Family History and family history work. Ward Temple elders quorum and Relief Society presidents may suggest members who could serve. • Support high councilors and the stake Relief Society presidency in their eforts to instruct others in temple and Family • Help members experience the blessings of discovering their ancestors and performing temple ordinances on their Consultants and family history work. They may also: behalf. These experiences are especially important for those learning the gospel, new and returning members, and • Help teach and support members in ward temple and family history callings. History those preparing to receive a limited-use temple recommend. • Help coordinate stake indexing eforts Consultants • Help members prepare to receive temple ordinances and make temple covenants. • Serve in family history centers • Participate in temple and family history coordination meetings. • • Serve in a local family history center when assigned.

*General Handbook Section 25 Temple and Family History Work in the Ward and Stake* - Quick Reference (Descriptions)

• Brief, informal meeting held regularly. • Ward temple and family history leader conducts the meeting (or member of the elders quorum presidency who fulflls the role). • Invitees include: • The member of the Relief Society presidency assigned to temple and family history work. An assistant in the priests quorum Ward Temple and Family • • A presidency member of the oldest Young Women class. History Coordination Meeting • Temple and family history consultants • Purpose of the meeting is: • Coordinate eforts to implement the ward temple and family history plan. • Plan how to help specifc ward members with their temple and family history work as requested. • The meeting may be held in person or remotely. Coordination can also occur through phone calls, video calls, texts, and emails. • Simple plan to help ward members, including children and youth, to participate in family history work and prepare to worship in the temple as circumstances allow. • The elders quorum and Relief Society presidents help the ward council develop the plan. • The ward temple and family history leader helps the ward council develop the plan. • In developing the plan, the ward council considers: • available needs and resources actions to take during the year Ward Temple and Family • • how to implement History Plan • The plan might include: • how to help members build their family trees using FamilySearch.org or FamilySearch Tree app • ways to involve new and returning members, youth, and children in family history work. • how to help specifc members prepare to receive temple ordinances. • The bishop approves the plan. • Members of the ward council take the lead in implementing the plan and report on progress in ward council meetings.

• Occurs under the bishop’s direction. • Held outside of regular Sunday meetings at a time convenient for members. • May be held at a meetinghouse or in a home. • Ward council members prayerfully select members to invite. • May be especially helpful for: • New members • Members preparing to receive their own endowments or to be sealed. Temple Preparation Course • Members returning to Church activity • Endowed members who have not renewed their temple recommends for an extended time. • The bishopric calls one or more temple preparation instructors. • A husband and wife may be called. • Lessons and instructions for organizing the course are located in: “Endowed from on High: Temple Preparation Seminar Teacher’s Manual” • Participants are given copies of “Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple.” • Personal study and lesson resources are found at temples.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

• Help visitors discover, gather information about, and unite both living and deceased family members. • Anyone is welcome to use. • Stake president assigns one stake temple and family history consultant to oversee eforts in the family history center. Family History Center • The center is stafed by ward temple and family history consultants. • The center should be open at convenient times. • Note: large regional family history libraries are overseen by the Area Presidency. *General Handbook Section 25 Temple and Family History “These, thy sheep are loved. They are safe, and they are home.”

start with small steps don’t wait…do something now learn the resources ask “how can I help?” help the members

18 Feb. 2021 Kent Washington Stake Training * General Handbook Sec. 25