This month’s column features a message by my husband, Gary Petranek. As a Co-Director of the Washington DC Family History Center, he actively encourages priesthood leaders in the Church and in the home to step forward and set the example of engaging in the work of salvation. He is pleased to share these thoughts with Meridian readers.
We all have different perspectives, based on our own childhoods and observations of others. If you mix these together and throw yourself in, what do you get? A large pizza with many toppings: some you like and some you don’t. Knowing that you will share this pizza with others, you may leave on some toppings that are not your favorites but that others will enjoy.
So how are you doing as the priesthood holder or head of household in your home? Is life the way you would like it to be? If not, then you might not be in tune with others in the home. You might find that if your family members ordered a pizza, it would not be the same yours.
As priesthood holders, we offer comfort and protection in the home. As we give blessings, we utilize the power of the priesthood which brings reassurance. When we pray as a family, it brings unity and understanding. As we are more involved in understanding others and in seeing their point of view, the love and respect in our home increases. We may even enjoy the same type of pizza.
There is, however, one important item that may be lacking: your involvement in the salvation of your ancestors. Ponder how your family would respond (other than being shocked!) if they saw you engaged in family history work for your ancestors. What message would you send if you say that this is important to me, and that the Lord has asked me and every member to help Him in this work. How would your family feel if you say, “I can’t do all of this myself and I need your help.” They may ignore your request because they are preoccupied or simply not interested the same way you may have responded to the Lord when He asked you to do this work for your ancestors.
Malachi prophesied that Elijah will [first] turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and [then] the heart of the children to their fathers…. As a father and a Child of God, consider following this pattern by first beginning to do this work yourself. Then, turn to your children and invite them to work together with you to bring salvation to your ancestors.
Every member of the Church will soon have free access to FamilySearch, Ancestry, My Heritage and Find My Past. You will have many more resources available to find your ancestors: photos, tombstones, vital records, personal histories, relatives and the list goes on.
Looking at your family, you may see that everyone is going in different directions that take them away from each other. Family history brings the family together. You will find that instead of division or competition, there will be bonding as everyone in the home can contribute. Everyone will find blessings and enjoyment in doing the Lord’s work of salvation for their ancestors.
By setting the example, your family will see that you, as the father in the home, listened to our Father in Heaven when He asked you for assistance in this work. Your family will know that they, along with you, provided the means for their ancestors to become an eternal family.
As your children grow, they will continue this work in the temple. They will remember it was their father who showed them the way.
Gary Petranek
Carol Kostakos Petranek is a Co-Director of the Washington DC Family History Center, a FamilySearch Volunteer Coordinator, and a Citizen Archivist at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
kchapmanAugust 15, 2014
Excellent perspective! Although addressed to the brethren, I cannot help but to feel the need to share the blessings of the call. Thank you for the message.