Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally. (Ether 3:10-14) Ether 3: 10-14

And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; (Hebrews 5:9) He authored The Plan of Salvation: The Plan of Happiness Hebrews 5:9

The Plan provided that the full benefits of the Atonement wrought by our beloved Savior might be available to all the sons and daughters of God of all generations of time. God knew that not all of His children would have the opportunity to avail themselves of the Savior’s atonement through their life’s journey on earth. There are uncounted ones who have walked the earth and who have never had the opportunity to hear and accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Plan provided a Savior to pay for our sins and to teach us how to return to our Heavenly Father. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. (1 Peter 4:6)

On a beautiful spring morning in 1820, Joseph Smith went into the woods near his home to pray. He did not know which church to join and decided to ask Heavenly Father. … When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him! Joseph asked Heavenly Father and Jesus which church was right and which he should join. Jesus told Joseph that he should not join any of the churches, because they were all wrong. (See Joseph Smith—History 1:18) He said, "They draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.” (Joseph Smith—History 1:19)

Following the First Vision in 1820 Joseph Smith continued to pursue his common vocation in life until the 21st of September That night he supplicated God for forgiveness of his sins and follies and for a manifestation. He was visited by the angel Moroni who said God had a work for him to do; that his name should be had for good and evil; that Joseph was to translate the Book of Mormon; and then he was taught the first principle of this dispensation – If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming.” (JS history 27-39) “Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah … And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers.

On September 22, 1827 Joseph received the plates and then went through a period of persecution requiring him to move. Next he learned to translate and finally on April 5, 1829 a scribe named Oliver Cowdery was provided to Joseph. They started their work of translating the Book of Mormon on April 7, First Ordination In May 1829, we on a certain day went into the woods to pray and inquire of the Lord respecting baptism for the remission of sins. While we were thus employed, praying and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light, and having laid his hands upon us, he ordained us, saying: “Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth until the sons of g Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.” (D&C 13:1) g D&C 84:31 Therefore, as I said concerning the sons of Moses – for the sons of Moses and also the sons of Aaron shall offer an acceptable b offering and sacrifice in the house of the Lord, which house shall be built unto the Lord in this generation… b D&C128:24 … and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Let us, therefore, as a church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness; and let us present in his holy temple, when it is finished, a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worthy of all acceptation.

D&C107: 1,6 There are, in the church, two priesthoods, namely, the Melchizedek and Aaronic, including the Levitical Priesthood. D&C132:29-50, Abraham 2: Abraham first received the gospel by baptism. Then he had conferred upon him the higher priesthood, and he entered into celestial marriage (the covenant of Exaltation), gaining assurance thereby that he would have eternal increase. Finally he received a promise that all of these blessings would be offered to all of his mortal posterity. This Abrahamic covenant was renewed with Isaac and Jacob. Being heirs to the Abrahamic covenant signifies that we have been chosen and given responsibility to provide the covenants to the children of Israel.

At the dedication of the Kirtland Temple on April 3, 1836 after distributing the Lord’s Supper to the Church, Joseph Smith retired to the pulpit, the veils being dropped, and bowed himself, with Oliver Cowdery, in solemn and silent Prayer. On this day, an Easter Sunday, the resurrected Savior appeared to the Prophet and Oliver in the Kirtland Temple and announced, "I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father. Behold, your sins are forgiven you; you are clean before me; therefore, lift up your heads and rejoice." D&C 110:4-5 "After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened" and at the Lord's direction the ancient prophets Moses, Elias, and Elijah appeared, one by one, to the Prophet Joseph and to Oliver Cowdery and committed the "keys of this dispensation" to carry forward "ordinances instituted in the heavens before the foundation of the world." D&C 110:11-13

In 1836 Elijah Returned Elijah the Prophet fulfilled prophecy by restoring the keys of the sealing power to the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple. (Doctrine & Covenants 110:16) “This fulfilled Malachi’s prophecy that Elijah would be sent ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse.’” James E. Faust “Elijah came to enable families to be eternally linked beyond the bounds of mortality. Indeed, the opportunity for families to be sealed forever is the real reason for our research.” Russell M. Nelson

Elder Dallin H. Oaks in his article entitled, “Family History: In Wisdom and Order” (Ensign, Jun. 1989, 6–8) says, “The first principle is that our efforts to promote temple and family history work should be such as to accomplish the work of the Lord, not to impose guilt on his children. The second principle is that we should understand that in the work of redeeming the dead there are many tasks to be performed, and that all members should participate by prayerfully selecting those ways that fit their personal circumstances at a particular time. Members of this church have many individual circumstances—age, health, education, place of residence, family responsibilities, financial circumstances, accessibility to sources for individual or library research, and many others. If we encourage members in this work without taking these individual circumstances into account, we may do more to impose guilt than to further the work. of the Lord and with the guidance of priesthood leaders who issue calls and direct the Church-administered portions of this work. Our effort is not to compel everyone to do everything, but to encourage everyone to do something. There are many different things our members can do to help in the redeeming of the dead, in temple and family history work. Some involve callings. Others are the result of personal choice. All are expressions of devotion and discipleship. All present opportunities for sacrifice and service.” This should [be] done under the influence of the Spirit

Family History work is not about guilt. We don't do this because we will feel guilty if we don't, nor should we feel guilty for not having it done yet at this time or moving as fast as someone else. This is a life long process. A most important Promise: When we act in faith and we choose to turn our hearts to our ancestors - “Whoever seeks to help those on the other side receives help in return in all the affairs of life…. Help comes to us from the other side as we give help to those who have passed beyond. We need help. We need strength. There are more in that other world than there are here. There is more power and strength there than we have here upon this earth….” Elder John A. Widtsoe. The spirit will help you do as much and as fast as you can. You just provide the commitment and determination to do this work.

When you feel overwhelmed, then you need to stop for the hour or the day or the week (but determine to return to it). Then start again. We ALL feel overwhelmed at times, but like the pioneers – Press On. One step at a time. Make a “to do” list. Focus on small tasks that build a strong historical record instead of doing the task in a way that overwhelms. Develop the skills of time management, the attitude of humility and persist in being true to turning your heart to your fathers. Start with a covenant and follow that with acts that show determination. After you covenant with the Lord that you will turn your heart to your fathers and provide ordinances for them - Do Something:

2. In FamilySearch.org use Family Tree and focus attention on identifying the descendants of the first five generations of your family members. 3. Schedule time periods to work on your family history. Regulate your effort by working from a “To Do” task list. Prayerfully select items from the “To Do” list by asking, “What is the best use of my time for the next thirty minutes?” 4. Find – Take- Teach: Find names; take them to the temple; Teach others to do the same. 1. Go to the temple at least monthly. Do Something:

“We will not finish our work until… we shall have saved all depending upon us; for we are to become Saviors upon Mount Zion, as well as Christ.” President Boyd K. Packer, Conference Report, October “This service more nearly approaches the divine work of the Son of God, who gave His life for others, than does any other work of which I know.” President Gordon B. Hinckley. Conference Report, April He wants us to participate in HIS Plan that we might become like Him.