Family History & Temple Work

My Book of Mormon project this semester is to go to the temple for at least an hour each week. I have recently brought family names to do baptisms for the dead. I personally did not do all the family history work to find these names, but my aunt has been working hard to find these names for me to take to the temple. I love bringing names to then have a record of those I've been baptized for.

Recently my aunt emailed me an experience she had, and permitted me to share the story:

"Well, it has been quite a day.  I have had a wonderful spiritual experience today with Josephine Smith.  I had a prompting to review a particular set of records but when I looked at them I couldn’t see why as their work appeared already complete.  But.. Josephine wasn’t going to let it go that easily.  She was one of the most persistent angels that I have had the fortune to experience.  SO… I listened and started looking and very quickly I found her marriage record I could truly feel Josephine's joy as I attached them together… but she wasn’t letting me go so quickly she promptly led me down another path and soon I had several children and even a few of her grandchildren.  I was feeling pretty good about this but she wouldn’t leave me yet. I kept having this uneasy feeling that I wasn’t done.  I moved on to work on her brother but Josephine by now is distraught and pestering me to keep looking.  So… I did and I found one more child.  He had died at a young age. Young children are often very hard to find   But she lead me to her last son.  The feeling then was one of PURE JOY that filled my home.  Her family could now be together forever.  I will keep researching her other brothers and sister but in a few day you will receive a bunch of Smith names and I know Josephine will be right there with you in the temple making sure it is all done right!  She is an amazing mother that just can’t wait for her family to be together forever.  I am sure you will feel her joy too."

In amazement and excitement I talked with my aunt further. Although Josephine's baptism was completed she sent me all the other girl baptisms in the family. Then my aunt concluded, "before she let me go I had found probably 60+ names of her family.  She is a lovely and persistent angel." I'm planning to go to the temple tomorrow to start working on more of these family names.

I'm extremely grateful to help be an instrument in God's hands to help others. I found a scripture in Doctrine and Covenants chapter 127, verse 7 that states, "that in all your recordings it may be recorded in heaven; whatsoever you bind on earth, may be bound in heaven; whatsoever you loose on earth, may be loosed in heaven;" I love these principles that are taught in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.



I love the temple and the opportunity given to us through the ordinances performed there. I know that families are eternal! Through family history and temple work we can help other families join the church and be sealed for time and all eternity.

Know that you're loved!
Love! Inspire! Smile!
Melissa Longhurst