Family History

Dear Saratoga Springs Stake members,

As we look forward to our upcoming Stake TREK this next summer, we are excited to launch our Stake TREK Family History Plan. Our plan is aligned with the Church’s plan, to DISCOVER, GATHER, and CONNECT to our ancestors.

As a stake we will be building a 3D stick temple as we complete family ordinances in the temple. This temple will be moved around to each building so that everyone will be able to see the progress of our temple. With our own temple coming to Saratoga Springs we feel this family history plan will help us prepare for this great blessing!

Stake Family History Plan:

1. Discover at least 1 ancestor who needs temple work done.
2. Gather/Learn something about that ancestor.
3. Connect; go to the temple and perform the ordinance and share your experience with someone.
4. Get a stick from your ward’s clerk’s office/bishopric and write the name of your ancestor on it and the ordinance performed. Turn the stick into your bishopric or clerk’s office.

Stick Temple Guidelines:

1. Ordinances only count for ancestors who were found by a youth.
2. Once the youth has finished the Baptism/Confirmation, parents and other adults in the ward can finish the other ordinances.
3. Each ordinance completed will get a stick to help build our temple. A total of 4 sticks per ancestor.

Baptism/Confirmation=1

Initiatory=1

Endowment=1

Sealing=1

1. Sticks will be available on Sundays in your ward’s clerk office or from a bishopric member. There will be sharpies available to write your ancestors name with. Write your ancestors name and which ordinance you completed on the stick (example, John Smith B/C or I-E-S). Turn the completed stick in to a member of your bishopric.
2. The sticks will be collected by the Ward TREK Directors each Sunday and dropped off at Dave and Tricia Robert’s house (722 W. Primrose Path) or the Endsley’s house (1882 S. Links Dr). They will have a container on their porch you can drop the sticks in.
3. As our stick temple grows it will be moved from building to building so everyone in the stake can see the progress we are making and the ordinances that are being completed.
4. We suggest using your ward council, BYC meeting, and ministering brothers and sisters to share this stake family history plan with your youth, families and ward members.

We as a church have been promised choice blessings as we engage in family history work. Elder Renlund shared some of the blessings in a recent talk when he quoted:

“When we gather our family histories and go to the temple on behalf of our ancestors, God fulfills promised blessings simultaneously on both sides of the veil such as:

• Increased understanding of the Savior and His atoning sacrifice;
• Increased influence of the Holy Ghost to feel strength and direction for our own lives;
• Increased faith, so that conversion to the Savior becomes deep and abiding;
• Increased ability and motivation to learn and repent because of an understanding of who we are, where we come from, and a clearer vision of where we are going;
• Increased refining, sanctifying, and moderating influences in our hearts;
• Increased joy through an increased ability to feel the love of the Lord;
• Increased family blessings, no matter our current, past, or future family situation or how imperfect our family tree may be;
• Increased love and appreciation for ancestors and living relatives, so we no longer feel alone;
• Increased power to discern that which needs healing and thus, with the Lord’s help, serve others;
• Increased protection from temptations and the intensifying influence of the adversary;
• Increased assistance to mend troubled, broken, or anxious hearts and make the wounded whole.

If you have prayed for any of these blessings, participate in family history and temple work. As you do so, your prayers will be answered.”

We are confident that as we undertake this goal as families, wards, and as a stake, we will be richly blessed and truly find “Joy in the Rescue”.

Sincerely,

Saratoga Springs State Presidency

President Wilkinson

President Beecher

President Matson