Many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Sydney suburb of Hebersham (and surrounding area) are learning about their ancestors due to an invitation from local Church leaders to create a four-generation family tree this year.
The invitation to get involved in family history research was extended during a recent stake conference of the Church, at which several congregations came together. A Latter-day Saint stake is a group of congregations in the same geographical area.
Hebersham Stake presidency and high council, four-generation family trees, June 2021
Hebersham Stake presidency and high council members display their four-generation family trees© 2021 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Kome Purcell, president of the stake, said, “We encourage all to seek out the temple and family history consultants in their wards (congregations) and to share in the joy of bringing our families together."
He also invited members to perform saving ordinances in temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on behalf of their ancestors.
Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints differ from meetinghouses or chapels where members meet for Sunday worship services. Each temple is considered a “house of the Lord,” where Jesus Christ’s teachings are reaffirmed through baptism and other ordinances that unite families for eternity.
Just prior to the stake conference, President Purcell was joined by his counselors and the members of the stake high council for a photo—each holding his own completed family tree.
President Purcell had invited the leaders of the stake to have them prepared before the conference.
The next stake conference is to be held on 23 October 2021. The primary purpose of stake conference is to strengthen members’ faith in Jesus Christ and is held twice each year.
The Hebersham Stake Presidency has for many years been actively supporting and encouraging members to gather their ancestors’ names and to take their families to the temple, strengthening family relationships.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides a free service, FamilySearch, which helps people connect with their families.