Embedded Files
Elder Holland's passing has prompted a lot of fond memories of favorite stories about him and favorite talks he has given. In addition to those you no doubt have, I would like to add this quote from a perhaps less polished address than his many wonderful general conference talks, given to a select group of academics:
Beloved colleagues, if we do our work well today, we can make things better for those who will come in troubled times ahead, those prophesied times before that day when Christ Himself will rule and reign, that eschatological moment against which I increasingly measure both my own personal worthiness and that of the Church generally. In that regard we all need to do what we can in the hour we have been given, acknowledging as the later Nephi did that ‘these are days’ (Helaman 7:9).
—Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 2018 Maxwell Institute Lecture
The full text of this inspiring (and courageous) lecture is containted in this pdf file from the Maxwell Institute. I was impressed that it is relevant to the work that we do, this "onework" of gathering, especially in the face of misunderstandings in the communities in which we operate as disciples of Jesus Christ. A few key points:
Find Inspiration to Defend the Faith: speak out in defense of the Church [even on social media platforms.]
"No More Slam Dunks": move beyond "slam dunks" in discussing the faith - don't allow a "mic-drop" moment by a critic of the church to go unanswered, but always take a more thoughtful and courageous approach to sharing beliefs in public.
Courage and Conviction: "live the gospel faithfully even if others around you don't live it at all...defend your beliefs with courtesy and with compassion, but defend them".
More videos from the Church
More videos from the Church
Last month we included some terrific videos from the Church about including temple and family hisotry in the work of salvation. Have you had any promptings about how you can use them in your efforts to train members of your stake leadership councils? How about ward councils - any ideas there? Please let us know! We would love to share your experiences with others in our coordination council.
I thought the video "Finding with Family History," especially the comments from the mission president, was really interesting, even exciting when considering what's possible when everyone gets involved in this work of gathering.
Here is the link to December's newsletter so that you can review them. The church is seriously involved in getting these "onework" messages out to all of the local leaders. I am happy for the guidance! I am in awe of the capabilities of the men and women who work under the guidance of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve, and by extension, the Holy Ghost. That said, I am convinced that it necessarily follows that the programs and policies that they try so hard to get us to understand can work miracles. We have seen miracles happen around us - I see them frequently when I work at the temple.
What would our stakes be like if all of our units could see such miracles? Have you stake high councilors been able to share any of the videos in your stake leadership council? What's your impression of their effectiveness in changing hearts?
This month, we want to feature two videos recommended by Elder Teixeira. These videos emphasize the value of celebrating the Savior for the whole year, but most especially in this time between Christmas and Easter.
The Trail Center across the street from the temple will host the Easter Art Show in April. Are there things that you have in mind that might dovetail with that?
Those dates are March 27 - April 5. The theme of the show this year is "Light of Life." One of our friends is doing a woodcarving of a hand symbolic of the Savior reaching down to "lift up the hands that hang down and strengthen the feeble knees." It's really good! And, a great way to Remember Him.
Let us know what you are doing in your stake - any entries from your stake for the Easter Art Show?
Remember Him
Remember Him
Personal vignettes
Remember Him - Training
Remember Him - Training
Panel discussion
25th Anniversary
25th Anniversary
The Winter Quarters temple was dedicated on April 22, 2001.
Of course, what an opportunity to Remember Him! We are looking at what the Church has available for videos that will help people who aren't members of the church to understand about temples, what they are, what we do with them, and what value they have in a community. Many of you have been to temple open houses and you have seen some of these videos that the church produces about the temples, so when you are in your leadership councils you might think about those things in mind when the topic tof the anniversary comes up. We will keep you in the loop about what's available as helps, including videos, printed materials, banners, etc.
Many of you are involved in plans to commemmorate the anniversary. What ideas do you have? Please let us know - we are on a committe at the coordinating council and have some things going there, but would love to hear from each of you about things that you have in mind. We know many of you have hours of distance to travel before you get from your house to the temple, but think that it's probably as special as it is to those of us who live closer - likely moreso because of the sacrifice it takes to get here. We appreciate your dedication and perseverance!
As far as dates for the Omaha commemoration, we don't have any yet. As it turns out, the temple will be closed for maintenance and construction for about 10 weeks, beginning that week of April 20, so the current plan is to have the majority of the commemmorative events the weekend before. Again we will keep you in the loop as far as planned events at the coordinating council level, but we want to emphasize that the stakes should be working toward staging individual events that are approved by the stake president as he exercises his keys for the welfare of the stake and surrounding communities.
Temple Schedule
Temple Schedule
This is also on the home page, along with a list of dates that the temple will be closed - be sure to notice that there are 2 sealing schedules, one for Januaray and the second for the rest of the year.
temple_schedule - Google Sheets.pdf
FamilySearch Helps
FamilySearch Helps
FamilySearch Center Connect
Starting January 2026, the current Tech Talk and Center Chatter meetings will merge into one unified monthly meeting called FamilySearch Center Connect.
If you did not receive an email from Katie with this information, please let me know!
Meeting Reoccurring Time/Link?
US Central--2nd Thursday 7:00 PM MST
Teams Meeting Link:
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 279 496 665 845
Passcode: GG2tb2zU
RootsTech Watch Party
As we continue to support members’ understanding and participation in RootsTech (March 5-7) —whether as leaders, families, or individuals—I wanted to share a resource that could benefit both members of The Church and those outside of it.
RootsTech, the world’s largest family history conference, offers a Watch Party experience that allows groups to gather, learn, and celebrate together. This is a wonderful way for communities to engage with inspiring content, deepen their understanding of family connections, and explore new tools and resources in genealogy. Plus the contnet is available all year long so the watch party can happen anytime!
If you work with or know individuals or organizations actively involved in genealogy—such as:
• Local FamilySearch Centers
• Genealogical societies
• Libraries with genealogy collections/programs
• Community groups with cultural or ancestral interests
• Educators or youth groups exploring family history
…they may find great value in hosting or attending a RootsTech Watch Party.
How to host a RootsTech Watch Party
RootsTech Registration
RootsTech 2026 Registration Is Open! Let’s spread the word!
See attached assets in different file formats making digital/social media sharing easier (something to share with your Coordinating Council Directors when you meet). Let me know if an alternative format or language would be helpful.
Be a part of the world’s largest family history gathering:
Online participation is FREE
In-person early bird pricing:
$99 for a 3-day pass
$69 for a 1-day pass
https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/
Highlights for Members:
Family Discovery Day (Saturday) – Hear a special message and insights from a General Authority.
Latter-day Saint specific sessions offered throughout the conference.
Temple and Family History Leadership Instruction-intended especially for any who have callings specifically influencing Temple and Family History but any can participate.
For All Attendees:
Inspiring Main Stage guests (past speakers include Sean Astin, Ndaba Mandela, LaVar Burton, Kristin Chenoweth, and more!)
Discover new technologies enhancing family history research from FamilySearch and partners like MyHeritage, Ancestry, and Find My Past.
Our Responsibilities Towards the Dead
Our Responsibilities Towards the Dead
“The Lord went into the spirit world, himself, turned the key for the salvation of the dead and our elders when they pass to the next world, go into that world to continue their labors of preaching the gospel, bringing to repentance all who are willing to repent and receive the truth, that they might come into the kingdom of God (D&C 138:30-35), or as Paul calls it, ‘the family of God in heaven and on earth’ (Eph. 3:15). For it is the family of God. The kingdom of God will be one great family. We call ourselves brothers and sisters. In very deed we become joint heirs with Jesus Christ through the gospel of Jesus Christ, sons and daughters of God, and entitled to the fullness of the blessings of his kingdom if we will repent and keep these commandments.
In conclusion I want to read to you one or two statements dealing with our responsibilities towards the dead. First from the Prophet Joseph Smith:
‘The greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us, is to seek after our dead’ (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 356).
‘This doctrine was the burden of the scriptures. Those Saints who neglect it, in behalf of their deceased relatives, do it at the peril of their own salvation’ (Ibid., p. 193).
‘It is one of the greatest and most important subjects that God has revealed. He should send Elijah to seal the children to the fathers, and the fathers to the children . . . without us, they could not be made perfect, nor we without them; the fathers without the children, nor the children without the fathers . . . I wish you to understand this subject, for it is important’ (Ibid., p. 337).
‘We have a work to do just as important in its sphere as the Savior's work was in its sphere. Our fathers cannot be made perfect without us; we cannot be made perfect without them (D&C 128:15). They have done their work and now sleep. We are now called upon to do ours; which is to be the greatest work man ever performed on the earth’ (Brigham Young, Discourses, p. 406).”
Joseph Fielding Smith, “Temple Work,” April 1959 General Conference
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