Know Family History

                Knowing our family history can strengthen families, communities, and nation.  As parents and grandparents we can strengthen our posterity by sharing family history with them.  When children know they have extended family on both sides of the veil, they feel a part of something much bigger than themselves and feel a greater sense of belonging. 

                As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have been aware of family history for as long as I can remember.  My parents, particularly my father, were very active in doing genealogy work and shared stories of their ancestors with us.  I always knew I was part of something much bigger.  I too have shared stories with my children, who are now sharing them with their children.

                Andrew Devey shared three ways that family history helped him to discover who he really is.  The three things that he learned about himself by knowing family history are as follow:  (1) Be proud of who you are, (2) Know your roots, and (3) Become a historian.

                Wise parents will share family history with their children and teach them how to learn more about their ancestry.  By learning about their ancestors, the children will grow in their understanding of their own identities and thus be stronger people.  When our families are strengthened through family history, our communities and nations are strengthened.