October 2006 Ensign - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

PHOTOGRAPHS BY RUTH SCHÖNWALD, EXCEPT AS NOTED; PHOTOGRAPHS POSED BY MODELS; PHOTOGRAPH OF STAIRS BY ERIC P. JOHNSEN
One of your most important goals should be to be sealed to your family in the temple.
bishop or branch president and your stake or
mission president. If you are worthy and prepared,
they will sign a recommend for you to
enter the temple.
What is family history? It’s a record of
your ancestry and of your own life. Members
of the Church are asked to keep and research
family records, including genealogy, journals,
and personal histories. Such records are helpful
in providing the blessings of the temple to
those who have died. Family history will also
help you and your children appreciate the
eternal nature of family relationships and help
you record your spiritual experiences. For
example, take a moment to remember your
baptism and confirmation. Then write down
your thoughts and feelings. As you write of
such events, you and your children will come
to treasure your own spiritual record.
Family history specialists in your ward or
branch are eager to help you. You may also
wish to visit the Church’s family history Web
site, www.familysearch.org.
Where can I find friends in the Church?
You are already surrounded by friends. When
you join the Church, you join a great circle of
fellowship and love. Your bishop or branch
president, his counselors, and other leaders
and members are eager for you to find joy
in the gospel. Two men who hold the priesthood
will serve as your home teachers. At
least once a month, they will visit you and
Your Bishop, Your Friend
Be sure to get to know
your bishop or branch
president. He is the presiding
priesthood leader
of the ward or branch and
has particular responsibility
for the youth. He conducts
interviews with
members and can help
you know how to prepare
for the temple or for a
patriarchal blessing. He
will also help you find
ways to serve, and he or
another leader can provide
you with gospel
study materials.
General Conference
Every April and October,
the Church holds general
conference: two days of
meetings during which
general Church leaders
speak. The conference is
broadcast on some TV
and radio stations, via
satellite to local meetinghouses
around the world,
and on the Internet at
www.lds.org. Talks are
published in the May and
November Ensign.
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