“Marco’s New Calling,” Friend, February 2023, 40–41
Marco’s New Calling
“What does a family history consultant do?” Marco asked.
Marco sat with his parents in the bishop’s office. He had just moved to Young Men, and now the bishop wanted to talk to him. He felt nervous.
“We’d like to give you a calling, Marco,” Bishop Díaz said. “Would you be willing to serve as a family history consultant?”
Marco raised his eyebrows. “What does a family history consultant do?” he asked.
“Great question,” the bishop said. “They set an example by doing family history and temple work. And they help others do their family history too.”
“OK.” Marco nodded. He still felt a bit nervous. But he was also kind of excited. “I haven’t been to the temple yet. But I’ve done a little indexing.”
“No problem,” said the bishop. “Sister Sánchez has a family history calling too. She can help you learn more.”
A few weeks later, Marco had a video call with Sister Sánchez. She was really nice. She helped Marco set up an account on FamilySearch.org. Then she taught him how to find his family tree.
Marco liked learning about his family. He liked seeing his grandparents and great-grandparents on his family tree. Sister Sánchez taught him how to add photos of family members. He also learned how to add people that weren’t on FamilySearch yet.
One person Marco added to FamilySearch was his aunt, Tía Mirna. She had died last year from cancer. Marco missed her a lot. He missed her cheerful smile. His tía had always made him feel loved.
With Mamá’s help, Marco typed in the date Tía Mirna was born and the date she passed away. He added photos of her. He even typed in some memories about her.
Tía Mirna hadn’t been baptized. But at the temple, Marco’s sister, Lizerya, could be baptized for her. So Marco and his family planned a time to go to the temple. Marco found other family members on FamilySearch who had died years ago. He could be baptized for them too.
Now that Marco knew more about family history, he was excited to help others. He shared his testimony of family history at a Church activity. And he invited other youth in their ward to come with his family on their temple trip.
Finally it was time for Marco’s first temple trip. Marco was excited! It was special to be there with his family and the other youth. But most of all, Marco was excited that Lizerya could be baptized for Tía Mirna.
After they changed into white clothes, Marco watched Papi and Lizerya step into the baptism font. Marco felt warm inside as he watched Papi baptize his sister for Tía Mirna. Mamá wiped away happy tears.
Then it was Marco’s turn. He stepped into the water to be baptized for other family members.
Marco smiled. He was glad he had tried something new by doing family history. The family history calling had turned out to be great after all!
Illustration by Simini Blocker