What is the taproot that will
anchor a child in the wind? When faced with that
question, I thought of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies
in the Book of Mormon. They talked about being
taught truth that caused them to turn their hearts to Christ. They said, God has made
these things known unto us because he loveth our souls as
well as he loveth our children. He doth visit us with
the plan of salvation that it might be
made known unto us as well as unto
future generations. I believe that the
taproot for our children that will anchor
them in the wind is helping them
to see themselves in the great plan of salvation. When children know who they
are, where they came from, why they're here, and
where they're going, their lives take on
a sense of purpose, enabling them to grasp
tightly to truth. This beautiful painting
by Annie Henrie Nader is entitled Turning the Hearts. Annie said, "The tree is
symbolic in several ways. It represents the tree of life
and the fruits of the gospel. It also represents
a family tree. The fruit embodies those
precious pieces of information we pass down through
generations." To me, it also represents
passing the fruit to those who have gone before
us through temple ordinances. I want to stand right there
under that beautiful tree and pick those precious
pieces of fruit from its branches to
pass down to my children and grandchildren. I want them to turn their
hearts to their roots. I want them to know
their progenitors. When my grandchildren see
the names of their ancestors, I want them to see
real people who dealt with many of the same
challenges we experience today. Too much courage, faith,
and real-life challenges have gone into
their lives for us to let their examples dissolve
like faded ink on paper. I began to think,
what more can I do? What if I take a simple notebook
and entitle it "Precious Pieces of Information?" I could record information
whenever it comes to my mind, and I can share my information
on the FamilySearch Memories app. As I submit these precious
pieces of information online, others may connect the
past to the present. We can anchor all
generations to the taproot as we share precious
pieces of information about those wonderful
men and women, perform their sacred
temple ordinances, and seal our families together.