Different persons will give a different answer as to what is the greatest achievement in a person’s life. If I were a long distance runner winning a marathon might be my answer.
Many would say to marry a good person whom you love and raise several children who grow to be good citizens who contribute to their society. There are many who would say, to get a good education, work hard and make a lot of money, to have a nice home and several cars etc. In our society all of those answers and many more might be put forth as great achievements. Most of our answers would be short sighted, answers that are related to this earth only. If we were to have the perspective of an Apostle of God than we might be answering the same question with a little more depth. Howard W. Hunter, for example, stated: “The supreme achievement of life is to find God and to know that He lives.” I personally agree with President Hunter, as I agree that thinking broadly with an eternal perspective, finding God and knowing who He is and to understand our relationship with Him helps with every other kind of achievement we may attempt. Why, because that knowledge should be basic to all other achievements. There can be no real peace, internal peace, until who we are has been discovered. After that knowledge has been decided and we are comfortable with our relationship with God, then there is a peace that comes over one that is comforting and relaxing, allowing us to pursue our life and achievements in whatever direction it may take us. That direction that we choose, however, will include a spiritual component.
There has to be purpose in what we do, a person who is successful and has everything they could want from a material point of view will still and always know in their heart that something is missing. Something that they cannot buy with money, nor gain from work, nor trade, for it is not a physical object nor substance. It is the knowledge of who they are, who they really are. There are several relatively new TV programs now that have to do with finding our ancestors, doing the research with the help of professionals. These are people who may not have ever known their grandparents for example and discovering for the first time who they are, where they lived, and what they did in their lives. It is a fascinating show and the stories are tear jerkers. That program helps people know where they came from in respect to their earthly ancestors. Their relationships to only those people who have lived and died on earth and even though that knowledge is often overwhelming with emotion for them. To take that information another layer or two is even more significant. But when we learn of our deeper past, it takes us to an understanding of our pre-existent, pre-earth state at a time when we were in our Father’s presence and when we knew our elder brother, the Savior. That knowledge is really exciting, when we begin to understand our true nature, our eternal nature, than our earthly achievements become a little more meaningful. The fact that we had qualified for earth and to experience this second estate is a reality that we have already achieved and an important accomplishment. Knowing that, also helps us to know what else we need to learn based on the instruction we were to follow while here. It also causes us to realize that we have an obligation to help others find out who they are. Direction/purpose in this life is all in place once we know that; “The supreme achievement of life is to find God and to know that He lives.” I would add, and to know our relationship to Him and what our purpose is while we sojourn here on this beautiful earth which He created for us.
When we know where we came from, the spirit world where we knew our Heavenly father, many people are turned off. To many their true nature is hard to believe. Likewise, to turn to our ancestors and to perform our obligation to them has always been a difficult thing for most people.
I have often wondered why so many people can accept dead prophets and reject living ones. Modern-day prophets and apostles have continually taught the need for Church members to enable the salvation of the dead by performing temple and family history work for them. See “Family History Work Vital, Prophets and Apostles Say.” If family history work is vital, (which it is), why is there not a greater acceptance of it generally, especially in the church? I don’t have an answer to that question, but I do know that there is a great deal of joy in the search and in the find.
I enjoyed reading this article titled, “Life among the Mormons” by Virginia Kammeyer:
Rising from bed at dawn, mother got the breakfast on, Laid out all the Sunday clothes, tied a shoelace, wiped a nose, Got the children to their chairs, so they could kneel for morning prayers: Reminded father time was fleeting—he must leave for priesthood meeting. Combed and braided tangled hair, dressed herself with Sabbath care, Prepared a roast for their return, and fondly prayed it would not burn; Then nearly late, as was the rule, she took her young to Sunday School; Returned from service with her brood, fixed a meal and gave them food, Reminded Dad while he was eating that he had another meeting; Even then could not retire—- had to practice with the choir; Made a Sabbath call and then back she went to church again, Opened her book and sang with zest, “Beautiful day of peace and rest”.
The above story is possibly why so many of my fellow saints cannot find time for Family history work.