leader and young woman

My Calling as a Ward Temple and Family History Leader

Who Do I Work With?

Members and People Learning the Gospel

Build sincere relationships with members and friends as you serve. As you do so, you will help them feel loved and feel a desire to come unto Christ. As you gently guide and introduce people to discovering their families’ stories and serving their ancestors in the temple, you help them find simple ways to become involved in the gathering of Israel. These efforts encourage people to seek personal guidance from the Spirit and avoid using criticism or guilt as a motivator. Point out simple ways that they might become involved in the work, and encourage them to seek the guidance of the Spirit.

Protecting Children and Youth training: All leaders and teachers of children or youth need to complete this training within one month of being called. The training is found at ProtectingChildren.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Elders Quorum and Relief Society Presidencies

The elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies lead the day-to-day temple and family history efforts in the ward. Their responsibilities include giving you support and direction in your calling and inspiring their quorum and class members to be involved in this part of the work of salvation and exaltation. See General Handbook, 25.2.2 for more information about their temple and family history responsibilities.

Temple and Family History Consultants

You are responsible for instructing ward temple and family history consultants in their responsibilities. Carefully read General Handbook, 25.2.4, so you have a clear understanding of their responsibilities and can instruct them effectively.

Often, a new ward consultant will need training on using FamilySearch.org and methods they can use to help members. Your stake temple and family history consultant is available to help with personal instruction.

You are also responsible for coordinating the efforts of temple and family history consultants to help others with temple and family history work. See that they have assignments to help members with personalized experiences in FamilySearch. Encourage temple and family history consultants to learn about the interests and goals of the people they serve and then guide the people in simple ways to participate in temple and family history work.

Ward Council

Members of the ward council take the lead in implementing the ward temple and family history plan. The ward temple and family history leader may be invited to attend ward council meetings as needed.

Stake Leaders

The high councilor assigned to temple and family history in the stake as well as the high councilor working with the elders quorum will be resources to you. These high councilors can offer instruction and support in your responsibilities. High councilors, assisted by stake temple and family history consultants, may help ward temple and family history leaders train ward temple and family history consultants. See General Handbook, 25.3.3.