Pastor UNCOVERS Latter-day Saint Ancestors

[@HelloSaints]

Have you made any major discoveries doing family research? If so, share!

[@rodneyjamesmcguire]

Huge ancient French connection was surprising to find out.

[@mcna220]

I've found my lineage back to Adam 3 times. So cool!

[@lennym.s5453]

When I was a missionary one of my companions show me his genealogy all of the way back to Adam and Eve , we are all connected, I’m sure you lds members on the other side are praying and working with you 😊

[@desert_dreamer11]

Found out my lineage comes from Honduras. Also, where is your church located in Utah?

[@shelleydawson4449]

My mom was adopted and we found her 1/2 sister on Ancestry. Now they have connected and are really close. We also now have 2 lineages for my mom. Her adoptive family and biological family which is cool to have. On my paternal side I have an ancestor that was on the Mayflower.

[@graceunverzagt9807]

LOVED this episode! I’m an evangelical believer obsessed with genealogy. While I don’t agree with the doctrines of the LDS church, their work to obtain and preserve records has been invaluable for genealogists!

[@hellurmoto3163]

The work happening on the other side is very much connected to the work happening here on earth ❤

[@georgebauerschmidt5289]

@@hellurmoto3163 there is no genealogy in heaven.

[@hellurmoto3163]

@@georgebauerschmidt5289 😂😂☠️ you must be the walking dead then ma’am.

[@georgebauerschmidt5289]

@@hellurmoto3163 that makes no sense, but you'll be the one roasting in the fires of eternal darkness forever and ever.

[@janjones4550]

​@@georgebauerschmidt5289True. Because it's done on earth.

[@Junzar56]

I started doing genealogy when I was 16 or 17 after finding a letter from a great uncle to my great grandmother from France during World War I. I was impressed that he, his brother and others would be forgotten because they died without having children. When I thought about how much they sacrificed for our freedom, the least I could do is make sure they wouldn’t be forgotten.

[@MeekloolkeeM]

A phrase used in connection with Latter-day temple and family history work is found in the Bible in Obadiah 1:21 which mentions, “saviors on mount Zion.” Joseph Smith said, “But how are they to become saviors on Mount Zion? By building their temples, erecting their baptismal fonts, and going forth and receiving all the ordinances, baptisms, confirmations, washings, anointings, ordinations and sealing powers upon their heads, in behalf of all their progenitors who are dead, and redeem them that they may come forth in the first resurrection and be exalted to thrones of glory with them; and herein is the chain that binds the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, which fulfills the mission of Elijah.” Jesus Christ is the center, the very focus, and power behind every ordinance done in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Every ordinance symbolizes the redeeming Savior and His Atonement. Great job on this video.

[@Elizabeth-rk3do]

God commanded that only one temple was to be built. It must be in Jerusalem.

[@calblue95482]

He also once said, no man on Earth knoweth the day of the End. However, surely He now knows that day, right? Dont try to Pen in our Savior from having more to say and more to add! @@Elizabeth-rk3do

[@Hol0gr4m]

@@Elizabeth-rk3do In Matthew 28:19-20, God also gave the command to the disciples to teach and baptize all nations after He gave the command for the Jerusalem temple to be built. Given that the disciples continued daily in the temple after the death of Jesus (Acts 2:46, Acts 3:1-10, Acts 5:20-42, Acts 21:26, etc.) out of necessity, if the church continued to grow to occupy all nations, there would need to be more than one temple. Would one lone temple be enough to facilitate all people in all nations of the world?

[@5226-p1e]

@@Hol0gr4m hmn, that's a good point.

[@mysterypro_music]

@@Elizabeth-rk3doGod emphasized Jerusalem anciently but he never actually said, nowhere else. The world is a big big place and it’s not practical for a lot of people to travel worldwide

[@jaredbennett7677]

I love you recognizing the role of proxy work in your own faith - in fact we teach that this is one way that Christ asks us to follow Him and be like Him, by doing this proxy work for others as He has done for us, and in so doing we can draw closer to Him. Just to be clear though, our own ability to stand as proxies in this way is only possible through His own sacrifice and work. He was the only one who did what He did solely on His own merits and as the actual link, whereas we are just a proxy in helping them to connect to Him and His work

[@genealogystepbystep5690]

Jeff and Joy, my name is Jack Later. I had the privilege of working with Lynn, Jason, Vicky and many others as a professional research specialist at the FamilySearch library over the last year and a half. I am sorry I missed seeing you. I love watching your videos. They are very professionally done. I love the work of Family History. I do it daily. I know that this work is devine.I believe that God is pleased when we connect our hearts to our ancestors. I hope you will continue this journey with us.

[@TashaYacktman]

Love this video! Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints twenty-three years ago and I love getting to discover more about my ancestors! It’s been awesome to learn of family members’ lives and experiences - they give me hope and courage to face the challenges of my day with greater faith! Thank you for inspiring me to keep learning!

[@joleenclaessens6027]

Okay SO as the Family History and Indexing Specialist in my ward, THIS was probably my MOST favorite video you've done. I am 68 and have been doing genealogy most of my life. I live and breathe it. I help everyone who asks, and there have been many (I have over 75 trees I work on). I was adopted, and have also found my bio parents, no they were not married to each other. Don't know the whole story, but whatever. While watching this, I looked up Emaline Lavina Northcott. She was married to my 6th cousin 5 times removed. We are related. What fun! I have been helping a high school friend with her family history. They were Russian Jews. Very fascinating. For several years I was trying to help my daughter-in-law with finding out about her grandfather. No luck. I had her do her DNA and found out that in the mid 30's he changed his name. Finally got all the pieces put together. On her dad's side I am relate to her through both his paternal and maternal sides, and on her mother's paternal side. SO many stories I could tell, but that is because I've been doing this for so long and for so many. Anyway, I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this!

[@joeblake3713]

Great video! When you mentioned that the general evangelical attitude towards the deceased who did not accept the gospel in their lifetimes is that ultimately, since God is perfectly just and merciful, He will take care of the salvation of all as He sees fit, I think most Latter-day Saints would agree. What is unique about our point of view is that even though He could do it all Himself without our help, He allows us to participate in that process by giving us the opportunity to perform the necessary proxy work for the dead. In other words, I believe that family history/temple work is more necessary for us than for the dead because of everything we learn by engaging in it and because of the connections we make to our families, past, present, and future.

[@kellharris2491]

Indeed. And I think our ancestors are able to help and watch over us as angels. By drawing close to them and helping them progress they have more power and connection to us to help us. There is a reason why so many cultures have ancestor worship. Because there is a connection to the dead. And we may need that connection even more during these troubled times.

[@ropearoni4]

Though, if he did it all, our agency would be taken from us, and that is the point of being here.

[@LuxuryPads90]

I'd like to suggest something else. Christ didn't NEED to get baptised because He was sinless. But He chose to to show just how important it is to be baptised. He taught, "that which ye see me do, do ye also". Christ got baptised, we get baptised. We all need to be physically baptised to enter heaven. If not so, He wouldn't have been. So, due to an all loving Father in Heaven, He's made it possible for EVERYONE to receive this saving ordinance through Priesthood and temples! 😍 God believes in order. Does this make sense? ❤

[@ropearoni4]

@LuxuryPads90 it is all symbolism. The physical act will not cleanse the soul without the power behind it. God designed a plan to have his spirits come to earth and show through various ways, that they are worthy to be in heaven with Him. By doing so, his plan has symbolism throughout, either to make it easy to understand, or there is power in doing it His way that we do not understand in our earth life. He gave us agency, and by our actions, we can choose His way. That said, maybe water has an actual power of clensing the soul, that is not seen with these eyes.

[@nightshadow73]

I think its telling that the number one hobby IN THE WORLD is geneology. To me, its a personal testimony of how much God wants his children connected eternally.

[@lipstillmond]

I do Elderly care and with them I have been doing their family search. The COOL thing is that online you can push a button and record a story in THEIR voice. A story that would have been lost to their family. Now they can hear the story in the voice of a loved one and it stays alive FOREVER 😃

[@nathanshaw6303]

This doctrine was taught to Joseph Smith even by the angel Moroni "After telling me these things, he commenced quoting the prophecies of the Old Testament. He first quoted part of the third chapter of Malachi; and he quoted also the fourth or last chapter of the same prophecy, though with a little variation from the way it reads in our Bibles. Instead of quoting the first verse as it reads in our books, he quoted it thus: 37 For behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly shall burn as stubble; for they that come shall burn them, saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. 38 And again, he quoted the fifth verse thus: Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. 39 He also quoted the next verse differently: And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming." Joseph Smith History

[@markwellsfry9843]

So we are to believe a scripture twisting angel ( demon)? I think Not.

[@nathanshaw6303]

​@markwellsfry9843 The time is far spent, what you believe is between you and God. We only invite you to come and see and prhaps use these resources to connect with your family.

[@joeshriver778]

@@markwellsfry9843you guys twist scripture all the time, we do not

[@kellharris2491]

@@markwellsfry9843 Is connecting to your family a good thing? Or a bad thing? Satan doesn't encourage you to do good things. So many cultures have ancestor worship for a reason. Because your family still watches over you after they die. This love and connection can sustain you and help you as the world turns more dark and is full of sin in these last days. This is why the Lord said it was important. Love is uplifting. Hate brings us down.

[@1artisticcreations6651]

I agree with you that God is an almighty, holy, with perfect justice and also perfectly gracious loving merciful. I agree with you, He is not looking to send people to hell, he is looking to redeem people to himself. Perfectly said Jeff! I love it. How do we not know that proxy work is exactly how he intends to do this? How can an 8 year old child who dies, living in North Korea, who has never heard the name of Jesus be saved? What you said about Jesus being a proxy who was tortured and crucified instead of us is very profound. You really hit the nail on the head! Perfectly said again! Jesus told us to be like him, to visit the sick, to love others as he loves us. I can’t think of anything the better exemplifies the love of Jesus Christ than to do something for someone else that they can’t do for themselves. I think it perfectly represents Paul’s message to the Ephesians in 2:8-10 that after we have faith in Christ and we are saved then in verse 10”For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” This is one of those works that God “ordained that we should walk in”. Obviously it doesn’t save us, only Jesus does that but to me the work for the dead is one of the most beautiful doctrines in the restoration, and it perfectly demonstrates God’s endless love for all people and that like you said so eloquently ‘God is looking to redeem people, and desires that no man should perish’.

[@blizzard2oo]

Your comments are so very precious. Now the icing and the cherry on top so to speak: Moroni Chapter 8 so clearly states that little children are alive in Christ!!They need no proxy baptism!

[@jaredwonnacott9732]

Im glad you asked the question about our end goal of literally everyone getting their work done. When people accuse the Latter-Day Saint faith of being a works based religion, its hard for me to see it that way, because I believe we will, one day, reach that goal. Just like Christ's aronement is universally available to all man, so are the ordinances of salvation, regardless of their works in this life. The only thing that really matters is that you accept the path God has for you, not whether you're baptized in person or in proxy or whatever. I'd imagine, if, at the final judgement, God asked any protestant to perform a ritual, rite, or ordinance as preparation to enter into His rest and glory, it would surprise no one, and there'd be no one that would be like, "This can't be right, I'm saved by grace, not works!" Yet, when we say, "Hey, God's revealed a little tiny bit of what we can do to prepare to return to him, so we're going to do it, but don't worry, if you miss it now, it'll be covered later," everyone seems to feel that's drastically different. I get that it feels really different from an outsider perspective, but, within the context of the other beliefs of the church (continuing revelation, priesthood authority, the Plan of Salvation, temple work, etc.) saving ordinances are not an expression of working to be saved, but a sign of Christ's boundless grace.

[@wayneorr6748]

Family history is remarkable. My husband and I served at the history centre and loved every moment of our service. We had so many remarkable experiences. Carol.

[@leslyvevedmc782]

I am about to embark on a 5 day trip on the road with my wife and son and part of that is going to see my only living grandma so I can learn more about her line of ancestors. Family History is food for the soul.

[@romettaison7003]

Did the director share with you that all those folks there helping were volunteers? In fact, they are not only volunteers. They are referred to as Missionaries and have committed full time ( usually 2 years). Meaning, they are doing this service with no pay everyday ( full time). Our efforts are on the behave of our Saviors love and sacrifice. Thank you for going to the center and exploring.

[@dukeblockington1179]

What an amazing video. That is so cool that you have connections to the church of Jesus christ of latter-day saints. I love how excited you get when you hear the names. My grandma used to work at the family history library in Salt Lake. I also love how involved your wife is and willing to learn.

[@professorshutt4335]

How fun that you found some great information on your ancestors. I love watching your journey and learning along the way.

[@l.chrisjones7775]

Even The New Testament begins with the genealogy of Jesus in the Book of Matthew. Also lists appear both in the Old Testament (especially in Genesis - see e.g. Genesis 4:17-22, 5:1-32, 10:1-32, 11:10-32, 25:12-28, 36:1-43, and 46:8-27 - as well as Exodus 6:14-27, Ruth 4:18-22, Ezra 8:1-14, Nehemiah 11-12) and in the New Testament (Matthew 1:1-18 and Luke 3:23-38).

[@l.chrisjones7775]

Malachi 4:5-6 also explains part of the importance of the sealing power of genealogy.

[@georgebauerschmidt5289]

@@l.chrisjones7775 I read that verse, didn't see anything about sealing or genealogy. Perhaps you provided the wrong verse or just have the wrong interpretation.

[@VaLynne1]

@@georgebauerschmidt5289 What does it mean to you turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hear of the children to the fathers. That is genealogy work, Elijah coming before the great and dreadful fay of the Lord bought the sealing power to Joseph in the Kirtland Temple.

[@robertberardy405]

We have a son who we named Coel. We wanted that unique spelling because we had never (at the time) seen anyone spell their name that way. So while doing our genealogy we found a vein of information (which sometimes occurs) where we could trace our ancestors to some Welsh kings who were named Coel. Surprised us and made us wonder just a little... Anyway, remember the nursery rhyme "Old King Cole was a merry olde soul..."? It is believed to be about our ancestor the Welsh King Coel Hen (whose son also was named Coel).

[@Kolten-h1y]

It’s not just sealing families together its sealing God’s family together.

[@shirlettebrown929]

After hearing and seeing this, I'm so much more in love with the gospel of Jesus Christ and his church and how he has organized it to bless all the families of the world! This video testifies that the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints is His Church on the earth today!

[@jc72outdoors]

How exactly does it testify to this conclusion you have? At the end pastor Jeff days it is Jesus who is our proxy. What are your thoughts on that?

[@janellehoward7873]

​@@jc72outdoors Of course Jesus is our proxy. He paid for our sins on the cross and suffered our infirmities and sorrows in Gethsemane. He bled from every pore in Gethsemane because the agony was so great. He broke the bands of sin and death for all with His Resurrection! All of us can be forgiven of our sins and resurrected because of Him!

[@dustinowens8926]

I have been watching your videos for the last year and a half and I must say that this was one of my absolute favorite that you have done. The whole video was filled with a spirit of love and respect that I really appreciated. I am looking forward to continuing this journey with you of learning and fighting criticism with curiosity.

[@gwengold8154]

I agree. My favorite video by far. This one had a different spirit about it 😊

[@janjones4550]

​@@gwengold8154The spirit you felt and that permiated this video is known as the Spirit of Elijah. It is powerful, profound, yet subtle.

[@georgebauerschmidt5289]

@@janjones4550 I don't think the spirit of dead people can be found in or around us. That seems like spiritism or sorcery. The only spirit we have with us is the Holy Spirit.

[@janjones4550]

​@@georgebauerschmidt5289hi George. The Spirit of Elijah is the influence of the Holy Ghost motivating us to connect with our families, the living and our ancestors as in genealogy and family history.

[@georgebauerschmidt5289]

@@janjones4550 I myself would never use the phrase 'Spirit of Elijah" to anyone to avoid them thinking that I believed in other spirits other than the Holy Spirit, as that is considered spiritism and sorcery which the Bible speaks against. I would just utter the Holy Spirit as my main focus.

[@The.Prepper.Princess]

Children with strong ties to grandparents tend to be more resilient. And having a strong family narrative helps even more.

[@HectorOrtiz0906]

The church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Days Saints is the kingdom of God on the earth, for that reason church spend time, resources to connect the all human being. You are not regret my brother if you ask God is the truth church.

[@jessea2871]

does gods kingdom on earth cover up sex abuse? does it misrepresent its funds to the SEC? does it intentionally hide and lie about its history in efforts to deceive its members? Would gods kingdom restrict people from blessings because of the color of their skin? think about that, Hector!

[@larryhollist3608]

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I too believe in a just God and a loving God. I loved that you shared this same belief that God wants to have as many people as possible to come and live with Him. Love you videos.

[@kevins4254]

Genealogy can be such a fascinating hobby. I love to discover where my ancestors came from and where they went. My paternal grandparents left me a treasure trove of documents that I'm still trying to read through. I'll definitely take advantage of the Family Search website at some point. Interestingly, I'm Catholic (former Protestant), yet I haven't found any ancestors who are Catholic. I'm mostly descended from Presbyterians and Methodists.

[@DesertPrimrose]

Family history is fun ❤ Did you know that children who grow up hearing family stories often fare better than those who don't? Maybe your video will turn more hearts of the children to their fathers and fathers to their posterity. Thank you for recognizing the church as stewarding this effort. A recommendation for a future video: a tour of Welfare Square.

[@jonathanbird5094]

Also, a tour of the central Bishop's storehouse closeby the airport.

[@wendyfoster5579]

Great episode, please realize that every document was scanned by senior missionaries and digitized by volunteers within the church giving of their time. There are family history libraries all over the work manned by members and non-members helping people connect with their ancestors fulfilling the scripture of families turning their hearts to their own.

[@johnkay8388]

Cool video. What I finding interesting (only as a side note) is that the Bible (Old and New Testament) is what,1-5% genealogy? So and so begat so and so etc... The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints without really professing it is creating scripture everyday when people do research. The act of doing genealogy and storing it and keeping it is scriptural and prophets kept a record of it. Now a prophet led church is continuing to do that work and keep a record of those upon the earth.

[@gwengold8154]

I never thought of it that way before. Thanks for the interesting insight 😊

[@nmckenzi7]

That was a great video! I think the disconnect and misunderstanding of evangelicals regarding LDS proxy work and temple ordinances is not having a full understanding of the why of ordinances and covenants: why are ordinances and covenants needed? Why does God require them? How do they bring us and bind us/yoke us to Christ? How do they symbolize Christ’s atonement and our relationship with Him? I would suggest you study ordinances and covenants more if you want to truly understand viewpoints regarding eternal families, eternal life, temples, and the atonement of Christ. And yes, our proxy work is symbolic of what you said - Christ’s proxy atonement for us :). All of the ordinances that God institutes are symbolic to teach and encourage our minds to ask questions and see how the symbolism teaches us more of Christ and His atonement.

[@Ataman_Krasno]

I am from Russia and this family search website help me to find my ancestors. So this work really goes beyond just United States. It reaches the entire world. My experience, of course, was different: None of those church record records were indexed, meaning that I had to manually go through sounds and thousands of pages and looking for my ancestors. Yet I found about 2000 names so far which goes as far as early 1600s. This is an amazing inspired work

[@VanReusen-Lambourne]

Great video. I love that you felt more connected to ancestors after hearing the stories. This is one of the reasons we love additional scripture, it is for the additional stories of the Savior. Just like stories of ancestors connect us to them. We believe additional stories of the Savior will connect us to Him.

[@sharenhansen7508]

I literally got chills when I saw that you had LDS Ancestors who were some of the Pioneers who came across the plains with the other Saints. I think your LDS Ancestors are trying to show you that this work and the LDS Church is true. And that they want you to recognize & pray to know for yourselves, so that you can get baptized, go to the Temple, be sealed as a family, and start doing the work for your Non-LDS Ancestors!!

[@kevins4254]

So does he ignore all his other ancestors who were not LDS??

[@kristinrichmond8185]

Listen, I’m sure you’re a sweet , well meaning lady but you probably don’t need to share All that with pastor Jeff. It seems a little preachy.

[@FOTOFOTA]

@@kevins4254 ['m he isn't going to. it's just their beginning. Billions of our deceased ancestors weren't LDS members and that is why we need to do research since the Bible isn't complete to tell us everything briefly like when Apostle Paul mentioned 'Baptism for the Dead" in 1 Corinthians 15:29 and so many things that are not cleared and that's one of the reasons why we have more that 45,000 re3ligions out of the same Bible. Sadly, only one religion preaches about 1 Peter 3:19-20 and 1 Corinthians 15:29

[@kathrinebeeder9892]

@@kevins4254No! They continue finding/locating/discovering more ancestors, even cousins. Sources are constantly being added, so no one individual is ever done. You keep adding the new sources. And great care should be taken to be accurate and complete. It’s for everyone. Living and dead to benefit from this resource. There are rules about doing ordinance work for the dead. You must have a family link/relationship. And you have to get permission to do work for anyone born less than 110 years old. If younger than that it has to be cleared by permission given by other close family members. If it’s an immediate family member, it still needs to be submitted and cleared by other close family members. You used to have to wait at least a year after their death, but I think it’s been more relaxed, but perhaps sealing to a deceased spouse still requires one year?? Not sure. I haven’t dealt with much of that. Just the older generations. It’s kind of an attraction to see what changes take place and how far you go back. And when someone you know neighbor/coworker/bowling buddy) also has an account, you often can find out that you are related. I found out one of my neighbors is a 3rd cousin. ❤️

[@whitneypay515]

@@kristinrichmond8185do you want someone to do temple work for your ancestors? You seem a little bitter. But I’m sure you’re being sweet. 😂

[@melissam.pledger6467]

I loved the suggestion in these comments for you to do a video at Welfare Square ❤ Also, selfishly, if you haven't been to the Church History Museum, you would love it - beautiful art & inspiring stories of faith. ♡/Melissa in the gift shop

[@shaneplummer37]

This was tastefully done and I appreciate it. Thank you. I like your reference to the Savior and His proxy Atonement which saves mankind. Proxy work is not only performed by the Savior, but prophesied other “saviors” lowercase as found in Obadiah 1:21 “And saviours shall come up on mount Zion”. More in Malachi 4:6, “turn … the heart of the children to their fathers” Paul’s writing, 1 Cor 15:29, “why are they then baptized for the dead” and Peter in 1 Peter 4:6, “gospel preached also to them that are dead”. There are more Bible references but those are some highlights. Proxy work is sacred to Christians as you pointed out Jeff, much respect. It is also sacred to Latter-day Saints as linking families for eternity through covenants pertaining to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the promises given to Israel.

[@zionmama150]

The work of Geneology and Family History helps the person doing it connect the idea that ALL humans are God’s children, image bearers made to look like Him, and that we ought to love our neighbor as ourselves and love God that we may have a happy eternal family- the whole human race. The sealing of families is less about our immediate family and more about connecting the Family of God. This work helps sanctify us and live after the manner of holiness and happiness, which is why God gave it to us to do.

[@Mounty621]

What a fantastic meeting of the minds and greater understanding. I'm glad you both had such a wonderful time learning more about your families.

[@AlanMorrell73]

Did they invite you to RootsTech in Salt Lake City the last week of February? As impressive as the FamilySearch Library is (and it is impressive), experiencing RootsTech will blow you away. It would make a great video, if you get permission to film there.

[@zionmama150]

23:20 I love that you understand that principle. Many evangelicals I have met don’t. I hope your light in showing the way for other evangelicals to be more Christlike. 💟🙏 and we latter-day Saint Christians agree with this

[@BrianTerrill]

Some of the best resources for us was through family Bibles our ancestors left. My grandpa gave my mom the family Bible but made her promise she'd pass it to his brother after he died. I took the time to record the births, deaths and marriages recorded it it. It turns out my great grat grandpa was a former Mennonite.

[@michellekruger3292]

A number of years ago the Reader's Digest published some research done about the effect of knowing one's extended family. Elementary school children who know grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins have a better sense of who they are and have better grades than those who do not know extended family. My own experience has been extended even more. After discussing my granddaughter's fourth grade study unit on the westward expansion I could give her names and pictures of her ancestors who were part of that expansion. In recent years we have uncovered John Howland as her 13th great grandfather. He came over on the Mayflower as a young man. Yes, there are doctrinal reasons for Family History. But everyone alive feels more connected to the family of man if they have searched out the names of those who came before.

[@adventuresinnanaland8123]

@michellekruger3292 Did you know there are scholarships for kids who have direct ancestry to Mayflower passengers? I've known for years that we had a straight line to those ancestors but I couldn't quite trace it. Thanks to Family Search, I have discovered that both my husband and I have those direct lines! That means I can give that to my grandchildren to possibly receive some scholarships. 😊

[@genelibutti4329]

1:00 Discovering the “joy of our redemption” through the gift of the temple endowment produces the sweet joy available to all of God’s children, including you and your Joy 😊. Thanks for all the good you are doing.

[@SullivanArt]

I’m so happy to hear how you’ve come to the Fam Hist Library! We go too, (hope to see you one day :) and you’re right-the help is always there. I’m helped by people anytime I’m stuck and it’s all free, for everyone. Enjoy!

[@Dian2u]

Even without any faith tradition at all, people inherently feel an attachment, a better understanding of who they are and what influenced their legacy through the generations. It enhances your identity and grounding to your family and heritage. It's a core identity of belonging! Very satisfying and empowering. One step closer to home in Heaven with our Father, Brother Jesus, and all the generations that connect us in between. Won't it be cool to reunite with them all when we get past this life?

[@dw5783]

Thank you for doing this video. It has answered so many of my questions even ones I did not know I had. I appreciate your unbiased approached in all of your videos.

[@anneasbell570]

How great it is to be connected to one's ancestors! Thank you for sharing!

[@paulahyatt5732]

Pastor Jeff! You are awesome, and your wife’s presence in your videos is really lovely 💖

[@no1TUAMANfan]

Love this video- it’s awesome that you guys have felt joy that comes from Family History work The hearts of the children turn to their fathers Malachi’s prophecy

[@janjones4550]

Jeff, I loved the video!!! Being a Temple and Family History Consultant, this topic is a favorite of mine. I have been blessed profoundly and consistently with the Spirit of Elijah and felt his presence as you shared your experience in the Family Search Library with us. It was a beautiful experience! Thank you for sharing!!!

[@rebeccalarson7995]

God has always worked with prophets through out history and when the prophets were killed he worked through those who were humble and teachable until he established again prophets and his church on the earth. While it is natural for us to want Jesus to do all the work, that is not how he set up his church in the beginning and in the end. We must all work out our own salvation. We are the ones who decide where we want to end up. If we are not willing to do the work then we have ultimately chosen where we will end up in the end. The decision we make is in how we want to live our lives and how we choose to follow Christ or not follow him. I am grateful for family history work. My parents joined the church and they spent countless hours searching and doing the work for my ancestors. It is a great way to feel connected to them. With the help of technology, I am able to do work for ancestors every week in the temple. It's amazing because many times I will feel their spirit there with me.

[@vopro72]

What a wonderful experience! Thank you so much for sharing with us. I absolutely love family history and have never taken the opportunity to go down to the Family Search Center when we have visited Utah. Because I am so incredibly curious about my connections to family, I decided to look up those that you had mentioned. My late husband was related to the McCulloughs through Jesse's line and I am related to the Proffers through Beulah's mother's line. However distant, I'm happy to call you cousin. 🥰

[@AddysDad]

I love this video! Regardless of someone's background, family, religious affiliation, or anything else, you matter, as does your background and family history. Learning your individual connection to your past of family, geography, and or travels up to marriage and children is fantastic to see and learn how or where you come from.

[@MGD07524]

I have been doing family history for last couple years with my grandma. It’s so fun to compare what she has on paper VS what I have on the app and sometimes she has more or I have more

[@tamoramuir2089]

Can I just say that I love how you've brought your wife in on these videos? That's so great. Clearly, the Spirit of Elijah has touched your hearts--even before you began making these videos. I'm sure they shared Malachi 4:5-6 with you at the Family History Center.

[@yodafansw]

I actually learned just a couple of days ago in the Come Follow Up podcast that Elijah comes from the Hebrew Eliyyahu, which translated means "Yahweh is my God". The correlation was made that the "Spirit of Elijah" is actually the Holy Ghost which gives us guidance in searching out our ancestors. (Come Follow Up, February 5-11, 2 Nephi -2) I liked what was discussed about the importance of connecting with our ancestors and about the potential dangers of individualism (starting at 18:29) and perhaps the more we strive to connect with those who have gone before is a large part of keeping us rooted in our Savior and in the right path and safe from spiritual destruction. I've actually had personal experience with this, with learning of an ancestor's legacy of faith brought me back from a time of spiritual complacency.

[@kriswiddison1698]

An additional concept to which you sort of alluded but clarify is that we expect to be reunited with those very ancestors and we need to know them and to be able to acknowledge and thank them for the amazing sacrifices they made to allow us to have the freedoms we enjoy.

[@hammettgirl]

Maybe my favorite vlog you have done!!

[@robastle7112]

Powerful! We also believe that Jesus is our “proxy” and mediator to the Father and it’s only through Him and His grace and laws and ordinances He provided to teach us and to help us grow closer to Him through faith and His spirit that we can be “born again” in His “living waters” and return to live in His presence. We believe He provided this plan and part of that plan is to make it possible for all to have the opportunity to accept Christ. This proxy work symbolic of the pattern and order that the Father and Son set and Christ followed as an example, through faith we can help fulfill the plan and prophecy set forth in the Bible of that: “he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers” Malachi 4:5-6 And by doing so this sets in motion the “Gathering of Israel” and the “Lost 10 Tribes” being restored before the Second Coming of the Savior. Thanks Jeff and Joy!

[@auntkaren9412]

I can attest to the power of drawing closer to our ancestors impacting our daily life and relationships. As I read my ancestors stories I felt like I was meeting myself. Never stop learning the history of you. Maybe God wanted to provide us opportunities to strengthen our sense of self and build emotional/mental resilience for the tough times in our lives by encouraging the study of our genealogy

[@zionmama150]

18:24 by accepting the ordinances, it teaches them how to unlock heaven in their hearts that they might rise in the 1st resurrection with the just and not be counted among the unjust.

[@jaredbennett7677]

I think your thoughts on how you respond to the question 'what about those who didnt have the chance to accept Jesus in this life' is exactly in line with my iwn feelings - God is Just and will judge accordingly, and when we see the full picture we will agree 100%. The only difference comes from the idea for us as members of the LDS Church that these ordinances are essential, and so as an outgrowth of His love and desire for all to be redeemed, He has given us the task of making sure all of these ordinances are performed, and all the recipient has to do is accept this proxy work done to connect then with the proxy work of Jesus.

[@PslientMajority]

It's important to understand what Christ meant when He said, "My yoke is easy; my burden is light." This yoke with Christ is a covenant with Christ. Entering into covenants with God is absolutely essential. We must be covenant-bound to Christ. Latter-day Saints believe that one of plain and precious truths of the Bible that were lost were these covenants. Baptism is entering into a covenant with God, His Son and the Holy Ghost to keep His commandments and always remember Christ.

[@rabinredulla8798]

For sure this is the best episode! I really like from Hello Saints. Good job👍

[@anthonyjselino9295]

The "promises" mentioned throughout the scriptures are the LORD desiring all his children to COVENANT with Him! The key to this progression - to move closer to God- to follow him- is a lifetime of sincere Repentance!

[@sampson1952]

This was so deeply moving to me. Thank you again!!!

[@gingermcgovern5682]

Very cool y'all went to discover your ancestors! Remember baptism for the dead was performed in ancient temples even during Christs ministry.

[@BellDavidE]

I find your comment interesting and have wondered if Latter-day Saints believe that baptisms were done in Herod's temple (the only temple in the New Testament). Does the Church officially teach this or is it more or less speculation? I'm curious about what part of Herod's temple these baptisms could possibly have taken place. The enclosed temple building itself, i.e. the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place, was off limits to all but the Levitical Priests.

[@PslientMajority]

@@BellDavidE Paul alludes to it in 1 Corinthians 15:29 : 29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?

[@BellDavidE]

@@PslientMajority Yes, *someone* was baptizing for the dead *somewhere* (likely, I suspect in or near Corinth) but that’s all we know. Interestingly, Paul uses the third person plural, not first or second person, which creates the suspicion that he was referencing those who were arguing against the resurrection of the dead. But we just don’t know. My point, however, was about the statement that “baptism for the dead was performed in ancient temples even during Christ’s ministry.” I just don’t see the evidence for it, nor do I understand how it would have even worked under the Law and specifically in the temple setting. In Herod’s temple, where would it have been done, and in whose name would they have done it? After His resurrection, Jesus told his disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Who, in Herod’s temple, would have baptized in Jesus’ name? I suspect that if this is Church teaching, there have been some answers proffered; I just can't think of what they could be.

[@gingermcgovern5682]

​@@BellDavidE also reference 1 corinthians 15:29. And Acts 2:46-47 do you think they only prayed in the temples? One day we will all know exactly what took place anciently, but many things were left out or removed from all the versions of the Bible up until now. Even the version from the early 1800's removed all the apocryphal books. So many plain and precious truths have been removed from our bibles as we know them today. Just because Gods word is perfect, does not mean it was recorded, translated and compiled perfectly because man is not perfect. That is why God needed to restore the gospel and priesthood and will continue to restore many things until and even after Christ returns!

[@BellDavidE]

@@gingermcgovern5682 I responded to @PslientMajority’s reference to 15:29. Is there something I missed? Do I think they only prayed in temples? Of course not, but I’m not sure what you’re getting at. Regarding Acts 2:46-47, are you suggesting that if the Apostles and new converts were meeting “in the Temple” each day, then why couldn’t Christians (believing Jews at that time) be baptized there? First, you have to realize that there is a huge difference between the _naos_ (Temple proper, the building containing the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place) and the Temple Mount Complex. In the New Testament, the entire Temple Complex was called the Temple. If you go look up “Second Temple” in Wikipedia and scroll down to “Herod’s Temple,” you’ll see a picture of a large model (I tried posting the link but my comment didn’t post). Click on it for enlargement. The building near the center is the _naos._ Only certain priests could go in there. In the outside area immediately around the _naos_ was the Priests’ Court where the sacrifices were made. My understanding is that only the priests and qualified Jewish men could go in there as they brought their sacrifices. The walled area in front of the _naos_ was the Court of Women, called such because that was as close as Jewish women could get. Around the Priest’s Court and Court of Women was a low fence called the _soreg._ The area outside of the _soreg_ was called the Court of the Gentiles. On the perimeter of the Court of the Gentiles are the covered areas with huge columns, which were called _porticos_ or _colonnades._ The NT doesn’t always tell where Jesus went in the Temple Complex, but surely He wasn’t allowed in the _naos._ The only locations I’m aware of that are mentioned are the Treasury (see the story of the widow’s mite), which was located in the Court of Women, and Solomon’s Portico (see John 10:23) on the east side, which is the portico that you can’t actually see because it’s not facing the camera. Solomon’s Portico is also mentioned in Acts 3:11 and 5:12, so that is likely where they met in Acts 2. I’m no expert in this. Much of this stuff about the Temple I’ve only learned in the past year and I find it very fascinating. My response to your original post wasn’t about the validity of baptizing for the dead (though I don’t think it’s valid) or whether it could happen somewhere else (I admitted it did happen somewhere by someone), but your statement that it was happening in the temples, even in during Christ’s ministry. So my question remains, where would baptisms for the dead have taken place? Who would have done them, and in whose name?

[@kylerobinson7572]

We are all one big family. It just depends on how far back you go to see where we all connect. Thank you for the video. Hope you had a great time :-)

[@TomorrowsChild86]

I just want to say .. your channel is one of my favorites.. I look forward to you putting out a new one every week.. when u don’t I’m dissapointed🤣 I just love watching both of you.. Joy.. you are so beautiful… not just on the outside but you can tell how beautiful you are on the inside!! Have grown to love u both!!♥️

[@janjones4550]

I agree!

[@janjones4550]

Jeff and Joy are very lovable. They belong!

[@seminolebranch]

Very enjoyable! I love love love when you include Joy in your presentations and share things from her experience as well. God bless you always :)

[@h.r.1523]

Mary Boren is my 5th Great Grandmother!!! 😊 And I also happen to have relations to both of your other cousins mentioned as well. Crazy! They say it is a "small world" lol. I'm glad you guys were able to go do this. I've been watching before you movec to UT. When you had just moved and asked for video ideas, I had suggested (along with some other people) to visit The FamilySearch Library. So cool you went! Our ancestors want to be found and remembered. 😊❤😊

[@michaelnelson1911]

Great video. You will have to ask some of your close friends to share how what the prophet Malachi said, in terms of turning the heart of the father to the children, the hearts of the children to their fathers, and how this relates to genealogy. One thing I was surprised that they didn’t talk about and maybe they did, and your video just didn’t cover. It was how it the Kirtland Temple, the prophet Moses, the prophet Elijah returned, and gave priest keys to the prophet, Joseph Smith, and how this ties into the gathering Israel, and the ceiling powers were restored through the prophet Elijah. This is a whole other topic that I think you could cover in another video.

[@jamesbroughton7870]

Really enjoy watching your videos especially when you include your wife. And this one was really cool it’s so cool to find out about ancestors that you didn’t know about I’m glad you guys were able to do this

[@alittlebitofmary]

Yay!! I caught a new video and am your second comment!! 🥳 Love your videos Jeff! Keep being curious and posting! We love it. 🥰

[@gwengold8154]

I really enjoyed this video. Thanks for showing us the family history library. I've never actually been able to go there before. I wanted to suggest that you and Joy watch episode 16 of Bryce Dunford's temple symbols video series. It is called the book filled with names on the altar. It ties in perfectly with this video. I know that you and Joy won't agree with what Bryce says, but it will absolutely help you to understand why everything hangs on family research and family sealings in our way of seeing things.

[@jbeththompson]

This was a great video! I always enjoy watching people learn about ancestors they didn’t know existed. You mentioned Christ being a Redeemer. Perhaps you have explained this before but I would love to get your take on how He redeems us. We often use the term Savior and Redeemer and they are significantly different. I wonder how you/evangelicals define those terms.

[@gwengold8154]

This is such a great suggestion! Savior and Redeemer are used interchangeably but they are very different. Just as immortality and eternal life are used interchangeably but are very different. I would love to hear pastor Jeff's thoughts on this. Redeemer seems to implicitly testify of a pre-mortal sphere.

[@kylebaggaley]

Amazing video! Thanks Pastor Jeff

[@michaelbennett7561]

If you believe that baptism is essential for salvation, then there must be a way to ensure that those who never had the opportunity to receive baptism in this life receive the opportunity for baptism after their deaths. Otherwise, God would not be just or fair.

[@katherinem.4414]

So true!!

[@Elizabeth-rk3do]

Baptism is not essential for salvation, eternal life or exaltation. Baptism is an important step of obedience. Water can not wash away sins.

[@hellurmoto3163]

110%!!

[@janjones4550]

​@@Elizabeth-rk3doIf baptism is not essential, then why was Christ baptized? He didn't need to repent. He had committed no sin. He was baptized to show us what we must do. He commissioned His apostles to go forth and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. He taught and showed us the way to return to the Father. Baptism is part of that process.

[@Lola-sz8zu]

@@Elizabeth-rk3do oh brother! Wrong girlfriend!

[@Tom_From_Alpharetta]

Fantastic video! I felt a powerful presence of the Holy Ghost throughout the entire video…. Both of you radiated a loving glow on the idea of CONNECTION. THAT is a very big part of reason we do this…. We are all brothers and sister connected together across time and will be in Eternity. Knowing that, oué love grows for everyone as we discover more and more how we are actually connected.. I have discovered cousins across the country, not LDS, who I’ve connected with in a family way of seeking out our common ancestors. Our love has been discovered and increased working together. Once again, you and your beautiful wife rock….. I love your videos.

[@Landonpfile]

That was an amazing video! Thank you for explaining your beliefs as an evangelical Christian and Proxy work. Something I liked that you said, is that the reason you don’t do proxy work is because we have a loving, heavenly father, and Christ was our Proxy. That is also something we believe. Christ doesn’t need our help when it comes to the salvation of others but Christ ALLOWS us to help - one of these ways is through proxy work in the temple:) Thanks again. You’re an inspiration!

[@tjashjian]

You should watch the movie 17 Miracles! Such a great movie about the pioneers and some of the miracles they witnessed!

[@BobSmith-lb9nc]

I always enjoy your various episodes. Thank you.

[@pzign]

Loved that video. Glad you had such a positive experience.

[@tarabates7088]

What a cool video topic! Thanks for this video!

[@BlueJayBirdSaint]

Family research is amazing! It helped me a lot to strengthen my testimony.

[@44julz44]

My spirit was so full this entire video. I just love you and your wife so much. Thank you for sharing this with us ❤

[@clairvernon3031]

Pastor Jeff, Matthew 16, verse 19 and Matthew 18, verse 18 talk about binding on earth or loosening on earth and what is bound on earth will be bound in heaven. Those are eternal sealing connections by the priesthood authority of God.

[@John-d9k5z]

Unfortunately he seems to like getting a Rimshot in whenever he can. Hes very nice, but he thinks were being Fooled.

[@Elizabeth-rk3do]

​@user-iz7dq6us4m In the New Testament, all believers, men, women, children, and even black people have been priests now for 2,000 years. (You have been 'fooled.') It is not a position in a church. It is who we are in Christ. I Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 1:6, 5:20 The true and living God is not racist. **** The Aaronic priesthood belongs exclusively to the descendants of Levi. No man from any other tribe ever had the Aaronic priesthood. Only those from the ages of 25-50 had the Aaronic priesthood. (Numbers 8) Twelve year olds were not slaughtering animals. Jesus Christ, the disciples, and the men in the Book of Mormon never had the Aaronic priesthood. They were not from the tribe of Levi. The Melchizedek priesthood belongs exclusively to Jesus Christ. Only Jesus Christ is without mother and father, King of righteousness, and King of Salem. Hebrews 7 No Latter-day Saint qualifies.

[@John-d9k5z]

@@Elizabeth-rk3do If he is without a Father then whom did he pray too? As for your discourse on Priesthood I wasnt raised a Latterday Saint. I was Evangelical. You are right though. All Priesthood is Melchizedek.

[@Elizabeth-rk3do]

@user-iz7dq6us4m Jesus Christ is both God and man. As a man, Jesus ate, slept, wept, prayed to his Father in heaven, did not know the hour of his return and died. As God, Jesus forgave sins, performed miracles, accepted worship from the people, raised the dead, and even raised himself from the dead. John 2:19

[@John-d9k5z]

@@Elizabeth-rk3do Maybe you ought to do more research about what Latterday Saints actually believe before coming to conclusions. Because Ive found myself in many circumstances where somebody does what your doing right now with a set of contrived Presuppositions about what I believe. Jesus is God. Well aware of it.

[@AlicesAdventuresTV]

My Greatx3 grandfather Levi Ward Hancock was Joseph Smith's friend and a body guard to him during a time. He joined the Mormon Battalion as well. Ancestry is a beautiful thing. Knowing who you are and where you came from can inspire wonderful things. I was surprised to see you both have LDS ancestors. What a blessing you found them.

[@VaLynne1]

Levi Ward Hancock's wife, Clarissa Reed is my third cousin 4 times removed. And Joseph Smith's youngest first cousin Jesse Nathaniel Smith is my 2nd great grandfather. Jesse was only 9 when the Prophet and Hyrum was martyred.

[@MarlettMcKinney]

I'm so glad you did some family research. I think it helps all of us to understand who we are and where we came from. We have a part of all our ancestors inside us. I believe it helps keep us grounded in life. 😊

[@oshawott4544]

I think it's really cool how different religious beliefs show themselves in actions, not just thoughts. The leaps and bounds the LDS church has made in genealogy, and the temples that are being built across the world, are specific instances of this. It makes me wonder what other churches have as an equivalent.

[@kellharris2491]

So many cultures have ancestor worship. I believe it's for a reason. I believe it's because our ancestors can watch over us as angels on God's behalf. Have you seen Disney's Coco? In Asian culture it's also very prevalent as well.

[@Lola-sz8zu]

Genealogy is important to us because we believe in eternal families. It’s that simple. I’m so grateful that our prophets received this revelation and people of all faith are able to see the wondrous things that come from it. I love doing temple work for my ancestors.

[@Smitty1307]

I love your views. It is so comforting to hear your perspective on God's judgement. He is the one who will decide. ❤ Thanks for all you do.

[@valeriep1071]

Thank you. You made me realize that family history and acting as a proxy helps me learn more about the attributes of Jesus Christ. Just as practicing honesty or kindness brings me closer and teaches me something of his nature, now I believe proxy work can also enlighten me. I think I may have some relatives with the same names...i will have to look up...I would be elated to have you or Joy as a distant cousin. These connections bring camaraderie and love.

[@stephtimms1776]

Another great video!

[@Cecient]

I love family search. It's incredible how we can connect with our ancestors and relatives from all over the world. I am recently amazed by my family tree because I discovered that from one family line, I already have connected to Adam.

[@DavidWilliamsaz]

There is a lot of joy in telling family stories. I am trying to get my neices and nephews know their grandparents my parents as well as I do All of my family members joined between 1830-1850 so any family history research is either very hard to do or already been done outside of descendancy research. So it is hard to get motivated to do it but I have added all of the centuries of research to family search I thought that i would be done but i keep on finding new stories.

[@thomasportlock9427]

Jeff, Have you thought about attending Roots Tech 2024 this week. This is the largest genealogical and family history conference in the world. Just 30 minutes from your home. I would love to see you in the expo. Saturday is family day and it is for FREE. Please bring the family.

[@nidiacorzo7635]

Amazing video. I loved my ancestors. Love genealogy, loved to be a member of the Church Of Jesus Christ of LDS. You and your wife Joy, have a beautiful spirit with you!!! Your videos make me so happy! Even when we don’t agree, we agree!!❤

[@anthonyjselino9295]

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and embraced them and confessed that they were strangers on the earth.