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How Ghanaian History Contributed to My Appreciation for Family History Work
As a first-generation member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have embraced the responsibility of inviting my family members to join the restored Church, an act exemplified by Father Lehi in the Book of Mormon. However, this seemingly straightforward task proved challenging until a pivotal experience during my missionary service in the Ghana Accra Mission from 1991 to 1993.
During this period, I had the opportunity to visit the residence of a Ghanaian chief with Elder Earl C. Tingey of the Seventy. The details of the discussion between Elder Tingey and the chief are now hazy in my mind, but the impact of that encounter remains vivid in my memory. The chief articulated the importance of families and family history in a manner that was both simple and profound. He offered a definition of family in a traditional sense that resonated deeply with me, providing clarity on the significance of family history within the Ghanaian, Akan, and broader African cultural contexts. He said in the African context, a family is comprised of our ancestors, those who are gone to the other side, those of us who are living, and the unborn.
This encounter was a turning point in my understanding. I began to see family from a different perspective in a more spiritual and holistic way as taught by the Church and as an integral part of African identity and spirituality. I observed how, in our traditions, ancestors are called upon during gatherings symbolically washing the feet of our ancestors who have journeyed from distant villages to participate in family gatherings, as seen in Genesis 18:4. This practice aligns closely with the biblical and Church teachings emphasizing the importance of turning the heart of our ancestors to ourselves and our family lineage (see Genesis 5:4–32; Malachi 4:5–6).
Over time, I realized that understanding my cultural heritage is essential in initiating meaningful family history work. The Akan naming system, for example, provided crucial insights into my identity, the meaning of a person’s name, and its origins. Akan family history is deeply intertwined with their social structure, kinship systems, and cultural traditions. It emphasizes respect for elders, reverence for ancestors, and the importance of maintaining family and clan integrity across generations.
I was greatly impressed by this saying, which illuminated my comprehension of the significance of families and family history.
“Ɔkɔtɔ nkyene na ɛkɔtɔ yɛn”:
The crab’s shell is what it carries; similarly, family history is what we carry.
This saying stresses the importance of family heritage and learning from elders.
“Oman no yɛ dɛn na ɛkyerɛ yɛn”:
A country’s character reflects its people.
This highlights that family and community shape individual identity.
I was overjoyed when in that same period I read a talk by Elder Tingey titled “Redemption of the Dead” in the April 1991 conference and found the following quote from Elder Boyd K. Packer that also impacted me:
“When the servants of the Lord determine to do as He commands, we move ahead. As we proceed, we are joined at the crossroads by those who have been prepared to help us.
“They come with skills and abilities precisely suited to our needs. And, we find provisions; information, inventions, help of various kinds, set along the way waiting for us to take them up.
“It is as though someone knew we would be traveling that way. We see the invisible hand of the Almighty providing for us.”
We are certain that we will always find assistance, from both our nuclear and extended families, who possess diverse skills, knowledge, and abilities to help us fulfill this crucial obligation imposed upon us by our posterity.
For example, I started by adding my mom and sister and then added family that I knew to my family tree. When I visited extended family, I would show them my tree and ask for pictures of family that I could see. I would use my phone and take a picture of the family photos they shared so they didn’t feel like I wanted to keep the pictures that were precious to them. I went to a funeral and shared my tree and asked for pictures that I could photograph.
Soon they were pointing out people I missed on my tree who needed to be added or telling me they were out of order or the wrong relationship. One said, “I lived with your parents and have a picture of you when you were little,” and another had pictures of me from when they lived with grandparents. Sometimes I would give them a small token of appreciation for finding and bringing the pictures for me to make copies of.
Over time, more and more extended family have reached out, both with information and with photographs. This truly became a blessing in helping me build my tree for many generations and preserve my heritage for many of my ancestors I otherwise would never have known. This process can be used by anyone to help build their tree beyond what they know personally.
From a young age, my interest in family history was profoundly influenced by the late Brother Clement Osekere, one of the earliest members of the Church in Ghana, and my late father, the wise and family-oriented chief and Church leader who guided me as a new convert. Through their mentorship and the stories shared by relatives and community members, I developed a deep appreciation for my Ghanaian roots, cultural traditions, and the importance of family. These experiences have enriched my understanding of the interconnectedness of history, culture, and faith, shaping my worldview and fostering a lifelong reverence for my heritage.