Looking Back with Gratitude and Moving Ahead with Faith

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Ken and Marilyn Williams know a thing or two about history. They have seen and lived through quite a bit of it over their lives. They especially love Church history, about their faith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—because it speaks to their souls.

Sister Williams says that “the study and gathering of family history is and has always been vitally important to members of the Church, but we are becoming increasingly aware that Church history is just as important.”

“With family history," she adds, “we make deep connections with people to whom we have a familial tie, a genealogical grounding from which we can be inheritors of artefacts and information which can clarify and enrich our lives. With Church history we make deep connections with information and artefacts which link us to people. When we acquire, process, and study the people who created the information and artefacts, this can also clarify and enrich our lives.”

For her husband, Elder Williams, “Church history is important because it helps us to see and understand the Lord’s hand in other people’s lives, as well as our own. Much of Church history is founded upon the faithful lives of people who were just wanting to do the will of the Lord. Often there were challenges and hardships and sometimes even persecution, but they persevered. They also found joy and untold blessings.”

He continued: “Through their experiences we can learn how to be strong and resilient and to rely on the Lord. Church history is a great blessing, especially in these last days.”

The couple are excited that many people across the Pacific Area are getting involved in a Church history competition that is opening doors for people to remember, reflect and make a record.

According to the Church History Manager for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the South Pacific, Dr Melanie Riwai-Couch, “Family history and Church history often overlap. A simple family story is a beautiful thread helping create the tapestry of global Restoration history.”

Members of the Church can submit a piece of writing about themselves, their family, an ancestor, or another person or group. They can also share information and recollections about a congregation or the Church in their village, territory or country. Submissions can be oral, via an audio recording; or written; or a song or a poem. There are many ways to share an historical submission.

Learn more about the competition here. The due date for submissions is April 12.

Ken and Marilyn Williams are directors at the Matthew Cowley Pacific Church History Centre in Temple View, Hamilton, New Zealand.

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