Every family carries a sacred inheritance, not just in names and dates, but in the stories that reveal who we are and how God has guided us through time. These stories are the quiet threads that bind generations together, reminding us that faith, love, and endurance are part of a divine pattern. As you begin to gather your own family stories, think of it as holy work, as discovering the hand of the Lord in the details of your life and those who came before you. And don’t be afraid to use the tools of our day to help. Even AI can become a gentle companion in this process, helping you organize memories, shape your words, and bring your stories to life. What matters most is that you begin, that you let your heart remember and your faith speak.
“Every human being who comes to this earth is the product of generations of parents. We have a natural yearning to connect with our ancestors. This desire dwells in our hearts, regardless of age.” (Russell M. Nelson, “Generations Linked in Love,” General Conference, April 2010)
Capturing Our Stories is a Sacred Work
We all carry a history inside of us—moments we lived, lessons we learned, voices that shaped us, and faith that carried us through. The challenge has always been how to preserve it. Too often our stories remain scattered: a journal here, a photo album there, a memory passed down at the kitchen table. Unless we are intentional, much of what we carry quietly fades away.
For me, telling my story is not simply about recording events, but about capturing the thread of my spiritual journey—the ways God has been present in my life, the lessons I learned from my children and grandchildren, the times I stumbled, and the moments of light that lifted me. Thus, writing becomes less about keeping a record and more about noticing the hand of the Lord in the ordinary.
Our stories carry both pain and comfort, but woven through all of them is God’s sustaining presence. Writing these memories down preserves not only the history but also the faith that strengthens us.
Remembering is sacred work. In the Old Testament and 1st Nephi, people built altars of stone to mark where God delivered them or taught them something new. Writing our stories builds those same altars—not with rock, but with words. We leave markers for those who come after us, so they can see the faith and the struggle, the humor and the humanity that shaped us.
The Book of Mormon reminds us that record-keeping has always had a dedicated purpose. Nephi wrote, “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded” (1 Nephi 3:7). One of those commands was to obtain the plates, so that the knowledge of their people and the covenants of the Lord would not be lost. Those plates became a bridge between generations, carrying faith forward long after the voices themselves had quieted.
Yet, the pages of the Book of Mormon and the Old Testament were family stories, revealing the nature of those whose sojourn through time was interwoven. They became more than a list of names on a page.
More Than Names on a Chart – A Living Tapestry
Likewise, we inherit more than names on a chart. We inherit stories—the laughter that filled our grandparents’ homes, the faith that anchored a mother’s heart, the quiet courage of those who pressed forward when life was hard. Family history is not simply about tracing bloodlines; it’s about discovering the spiritual threads that connect us to God and to one another.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson posted, “I have marveled at the social and spiritual benefits we’ve all enjoyed from searching out our ancestors, not just from finding genealogical facts, but from discovering individuals’ stories. These stories will do much to establish in all of us a sense of place, purpose, and connectedness to those who have paved the way before us.”
When we gather stories, we are doing the same holy work. We preserve not just facts, but faith. We record how the Lord delivered us from our own wildernesses, how He answered quiet prayers, and how He turned ordinary days into sacred ground. Each story, however small, becomes a modern record of His goodness.
I often think of re-telling my family stories as a living tapestry. Each person adds a piece: a memory, a testimony, a child born, a hard-earned lesson, joyful moments, acts of love unfeigned. Together, those pieces form something larger than any one life. Remember, “By small and simple things are great things brought to pass” (Alma 37:6). A simple story shared at a family gathering, a short voice recording, or a written reflection can carry a spirit that blesses generations.
Building An Altar of Words – An Offering of Thanks (1Ne 2:7)
Remembering is more than looking back—it is reaching upward. When we write, we build altars of remembrance like those Nephi and the early Saints built—altars not of stone, but of words and witness. We mark where God met us, where He guided us, and where He taught us to trust Him.
Your family story is a testimony in progress. Whether you use a pen, a smartphone, or even AI to help you capture your words, what matters most is the spirit behind them. Begin where you are. Write what you remember. Let the Spirit bring to mind what you might have forgotten.
One day, someone you love will read your words and feel a spark of connection, not only to you but to the God who carried you. In that moment, your faith will become theirs, and the thread of your story will continue, woven into eternity.
Using AI to Help
AI has surprised me by becoming an ally in this work. At first, I thought technology might only distance me from the heart of what I wanted to share. Instead, it has acted like a thoughtful listener, helping me organize scattered notes, polish rough paragraphs, and even ask questions that bring deeper reflection. It does not replace my story; it helps me hear it more clearly.
When I write, AI becomes like a mirror. It reflects my words, nudges me to see connections, and strengthens the voice I already have. The story remains mine; the tool simply helps me draw it out. AI may be just a tool, but when paired with prayer, reflection, and honesty, it supports that sacred work. It can help us preserve what matters before the sands of time carry it away. More importantly, it helps us listen more deeply to our own hearts.
Conclusion
Your story is not small. It is a testimony, a thread in the greater tapestry. Whether you write a paragraph at a time, record your voice, or use AI to help polish and gather your words, the important thing is to begin.
Someday, someone you love or perhaps a stranger will lean on the strength of your story the way you leaned on those who came before. And when they do, they will not just hear your history, they will hear the echo of God’s hand in your life.
Notes and Quotes:
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- “‘Tell me a story’ is a frequent request from children. While fictional stories and fairytales can be fun to share, consider instead telling your children stories that show faith in Jesus Christ and stories that connect them to their noble ancestors. Years ago, Kristen and I decided to create our own family storybook, filled with accounts from our extended families and ancestry. We love reading from it with our family.“We invite you to create your own compilation of examples from your family history of those who acted on their faith in the Savior, in His leaders, and in the principles of His gospel. You might pull stories from talks or family histories, or even just stories you heard growing up. Document them, and share them. Doing so can help you and your family turn your hearts to your ancestors.” (President Dallin H. Oaks, Facebook, Jan. 14, 2021, facebook.com/dallin.h.oaks.)
- “Preserving ancestral stories is important, but it should never be at the expense of completing our ancestors’ ordinance work. We need to make time for our ancestors’ ordinance-qualifying information.” (Wendy L. Watson, Open the Heavens through Temple and Family History Work, October 2017)
- “Every human being who comes to this earth is the product of generations of parents. We have a natural yearning to connect with our ancestors. This desire dwells in our hearts, regardless of age.” (Russell M. Nelson, “Generations Linked in Love,” General Conference, April 2010)
- “We all have a responsibility to the generations that preceded us and to the generations that will follow us. I pray each of us will continue to find a way to connect with our own families.” (Elder Quentin L. Cook, Facebook, Feb. 19, 2021, facebook.com/quentin.lcook.)
- “What family stories do you draw strength from? What traditions do you keep alive? If nothing comes to mind, do not be discouraged. We encourage you to discover them; and remember, family history isn’t all about the distant past. It is a combination of the past and the present that makes you uniquely you.” (Elder Ulisses Soares, Facebook, March 2, 2022, facebook.com/soares.u.)
- “The Blessings and Importance of Family History-Recent Messages from Prophets and Apostles.” Homepage – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, February 1, 2023.
- Letting Your Family History Change You for the Better
- The Nerdy Novelist YouTube Channel – The Nerdy Novelist is a channel about using AI and other author-related software to take the load off your shoulders so you can focus more on the creative tasks that you love most.
