https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/rootstech-2023-uniting-kickoff-video
Rootstech 2023 was a very inspiring experience for me. I have not been focused on Family History for past year. I keep getting distracted with all that goes on in life. This video and wonderful sessions and speakers have helped re-ignite my desire to do Family History on a daily basis.
Yesterday I took my mother-in-law, Brenda Parkin, to the Riverton Family History library. I only recently learned it is open on Sunday afternoons from 2 to 6. We sat in the Family Story room for an hour and talked about her childhood stories. This was recorded as we talked. Brenda doesn’t like being on camera but she loves to talk about her life and so it was a good experience. She is willing to go back and keep talking.
Research is showing that doing Family History and making connections is good for one’s mental health. Here is a link to a class from 2021 RootsTech that goes into the science.
https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/the-science-of-family-connection
I know it has been good for my mental health the last few days and in the past, when I have been focused it has helped me in ways I don’t know exactly how to quantify.
Elder Renlund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints listed these blessings in an April 2018 talk: Increased understanding of the Savior and His atoning sacrifice; Increased influence of the Holy Ghost to feel strength and direction for our own lives; faith, so that conversion to the Savior becomes deep and abiding Increased ability and motivation to learn and repent because of an understanding of who we are, where we come from, and a clearer vision of where we are going; Increased refining, sanctifying, and moderating influences in our hearts; Increased joy through an increased ability to feel the love of the Lord; Increased family blessings, no matter our current, past, or future family situation or how imperfect our family tree may be; Increased love and appreciation for ancestors and living relatives, so we no longer feel alone; Increased power to discern that which needs healing and thus, with the Lord’s help, serve others; Increased protection from temptations and the intensifying influence of the adversary; Increased assistance to mend troubled, broken, or anxious hearts and make the wounded whole.
I am excited to start this journey again and grateful for the Lord’s patience with all my stops and starts.