Temple and Family History

We have created a Burke Ward group on FamilySearch. Members of the group can add names that need temple work done and can pull names listed under the group. If you would like to join the group, please click here.

If you ask to join the group, an email will automatically be sent to Br. Baker so that he can approve it.

If you don’t have a FamilySearch account, you first need to establish an account. Once an account is established, Church members can log in to FamilySearch using their Church website name and password—by first clicking on the Christus logo. Once you have been added to the Burke Ward group and have logged in, you can click on “Temple” at the top of the webpage and then you will see “Burke Ward” under “Family Group.” Information on individuals whose work waiting to be done can be viewed there. You can click in the checkmark box next to a person’s name and print a temple ordinance work card. 

If you click on “Ordinances Ready,” you may find a name from the Burke Ward family group already waiting to be used. 

To share ordinances with the Burke Ward group, select them from your reservation list (under “My Reservations”).

Theme: Coming to Christ through temple covenants and service

Goals:

● Members draw closer to the Savior by participation in temple and family history work and receive greater peace and power in their lives (because of Christ and the Holy Ghost).

● Adults and youth are striving to obtain and retain temple recommends.

● Adults and youth log into Family Search on a regular basis and engage in family history activities.

● Members set personal goals related to temple and family history work, including goals on the frequency of temple attendance (for adult temple recommend holders).

Measurable ward goals:

● 110 members submit a name through FamilySearch to the temple for ordinance work. 

● 40 members add a name to a Family Tree OR add a memory to a Family Tree.

Plans to help members achieve their goals:

● Monthly ward or stake temple days.

● At least 2 youth temple trips.

● At least 6 Family History Hangouts for youth. Spend time doing indexing or indexing review during at least 2 hangouts.

● Elders Quorum and/or Relief Society meet with each “new member” (via adult baptism, reactivation, move-in) to discuss FamilySearch account, 4 generations, and personal temple goals. 

● For new youth, make sure each has a FamilySearch account and is given an introduction.

● Monthly discussions (at least 10) focused on temple and family history in Elders Quorum and Relief Society meetings.

● Every-other-month discussions in Young Women classes and Aaronic Priesthood quorum meetings regarding temple and family history work.

● Extend invitation to members to invite help of family history consultants once a quarter.

● Report regularly on progress toward measurable ward goals.

● Regularly discuss temple and family history work during ministering interviews.

● Continue Fast Sunday initiative – inviting ward members to accept the invitation to spend at least half an hour each Fast Sunday on an activity related to temples or family history.

● Teach the youth about all ordinances done in the temple. After youth perform baptisms for their ancestors, encourage parents and ward members to take those names to the temple to complete the subsequent ordinances and to share their progress with the youth. Throughout the year, as a ward, encourage youth and adults to share their experiences of working together to redeem their ancestors, as part of Family History Hangouts, in quorum and class meetings, and in the home.

Please join us in setting a personal goal to spend half an hour each Fast Sunday engaged in an activity related to temple and family history. Fasting is a way we demonstrate our faith and humility and our willingness to deny ourselves the things of the world and live the law of sacrifice. We can enhance our fasting experience and invite the Spirit into our hearts and homes by making a sacrifice of our time to engage in an activity such as (but not limited to) the following:

• Set personal and/or couple goals related to the temple and family history; make specific plans about temple attendance.

• Write your own personal history or make a journal entry.

• Organize family photos. 

• Explore the Family Search website; view your family tree; review posted information about ancestors; in particular, go to https://www.familysearch.org/gettingstarted.

• Upload photos or stories into Family Search—go to https://www.familysearch.org/memories.

• Interview a parent or grandparent; work on a life history for them.

• Explore the Church website for things related to temples and family history (for example, type "temple" or "family history" in the Search bar).

• Search for and read General Conference talks on temples or family history.

• Engage in indexing—go to https://www.familysearch.org/indexing/my-indexing.

• Have a family activity related to family history (go to https://www.familysearch.org/discovery); maybe find a Friend article related to family history.

• Do family history research.

• Have a phone call with a parent, grandparent, sibling, or other family member just to keep connected.

• Share a story from your family history with other family members.