Working with the Members

How are you doing working with the members in your ward on their family history? Are you getting frustrated? Are those you are working with getting frustrated? Do you sometimes feel like you want to quit? I ask these questions, because I can honestly say that I have answered YES and NO over the years. Sometimes it can be difficult because you want to be successful with the members but you are not making any progress. Ask yourself a few of these questions to see if any of these can help you determine where you can improve.

1. Are you using the consultant planner ahead of the appointment you have made with your student, so you can a bit of pre-research before you met with them?
2. Are you familiar enough with the basics of FamilySearch to help members?
3. Are you researching your own family members for temple work?
4. Are you teaching too much at one time?

A few weeks ago, I was working with a sister in our ward and helping with her family history on FamilySearch. Besides helping her fix the communication with her printer/scanner and her computer, we were able to just work on ONE thing on FamilySearch. Memories. All we worked on was submitting photos to her ancestors. One at a time. It was actually great for her. It really meant for me to concentrate on ONE thing. Do you ever sometimes feel you have to teach them all you know because you love it so much, you want to share. But then you realize you just scared them and they don't want to touch it anymore?

For about 2 hours, we worked together on her family photos. Scanning, showing where they go on her computer after it scans, showing how to crop her photos, re-naming her files and uploading to FamilySearch and then tagging the photo. I showed her once, then had her do it again and again until she felt comfortable working on it all by herself. And she did it. That is ALL we did that night. Worked on uploading photos for 2 hours. It was a success and mission accomplished. 

In the past, I would have tried to get as much in our time together because I wasn't sure when we would meet up again. Work on one thing at a time. Line upon line, right?

Elder Renlund:

"President Russell M. Nelson, however, cautioned: “We can be inspired all day long about temple and family history experiences others have had. But we must do something to actually experience the joy ourselves.” He continued, “I invite you to prayerfully consider what kind of sacrifice—preferably a sacrifice of time—you can make [to] do more temple and family history work.”17 As you accept President Nelson’s invitation, you will discover, gather, and connect your family. Additionally, blessings will flow to you and your family like the river spoken of by Ezekiel. You will find healing for that which needs healing."

To read more of his talk, CLICK here. This comes from last general conference.