In a New Testament Sunday School class we were studying various scriptures that pertained to missionary work, and as I read and listened, I thought how those same scriptures pertain to family history work. In the Book of Matthew, the story is told how the Lord was moved with compassion as he taught the multitude because they were scattered as sheep having no shepherd. “Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few, Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:36–38) We, who serve in Family History Centers, recognize the tremendous work that must be done for our kindred dead, but the laborers are few and scattered. Approximately four to nine percent of the membership of the church are involved in family history research. We are and have prayed that the Lord of the harvest will send forth more laborers and it looks like our prayers are beginning to be answered, as more and more family history consultants are being called.
Many will be coming to their consultant assignment with mixed feelings, and unsure of their qualifications to serve in that capacity. In the Book of Luke the following story is told of Christ instructing Peter where to cast his net. “Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a drought. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing; nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.” (Luke 5:4–6) Then Christ told Peter to follow him and he would make him a ‘catcher of men.’ New consultants, like Peter, will hopefully be willing to cast their net where they have been called to serve and learn and grow and be successful in their call- ings. The work is picking up and with the FamilySearch program, now launched, hopefully the work will move forward by leaps and bounds.
Where the majority of members have served in the missions of Preaching the Gospel and Perfecting the Saints, more and more will now broaden their scope and include Redeeming the Dead. This work can add a whole new dimension to a person’s spiritual life.
To put the restoration in a chronological perspective, and possibly a priority perspective, after the first vision of the Father and the Son, the very second vision received by the Prophet Joseph was regarding family history work. The Angel Moroni came and quoted Malachi in reference to Elijah coming to plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers. Those promises were that all the families of the earth would be blessed with the gospel and an opportunity to enjoy eternal life. Malachi is the famous scriptural reference regarding work for the dead. The promise made to the fathers, of course, includes all of our kindred who have passed on without the blessings of the gospel in their lives while they were yet living. “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few, Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:36–38) The Lord of the Harvest is responding to those prayers and those who are called are responding as well.