Who doesn’t love to hear a story?  The more I interact with people the more I realize the value of Heavenly Father’s children, my friends, who ALL have stories to tell.

When we think of Family History work, we might think the same boring thing: research a bunch of faceless names and dates.  If you research deep enough, I guarantee you will find a story of a relative that will make you proud, a story that you’ll want to tell your children, a story that changes your life, and how you view things.

There is a show on TV, right now, called “Who do you think you are?”  The world is getting interested in the history of the human family.  The story isn’t just of the ancestor, it’s also the story of the journey to find the ancestor.  Both are critical to life change.

I just finished reading a book about the Storycorps Project (Listening is an act of love).  Dave Isay travels around the country inviting regular people, like you and me, to record their own story.  These stories are for those telling it, as well as the Library of Congress, so that our nation collects its voice.  This was an amazing book with a wide variety of stories and people, but with one thing in common: a need for love and acceptance.

Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, wrote, and won a Pulitzer Prize for, A Midwife’s Tale.  In the time period of this book, it was unusual to find a record of a woman.  Women were too busy cooking, working the farm, and raising children.  They didn’t have time to be noticed.  This story unfolds the life of a woman who thought to keep a record of herself.  And a fascinating record, it is.

Sis. Ulrich will be lecturing at the Church Museum in downtown SLC this Spring.  In fact, going on right now at the Church Museum is an exhibit on stories of Latin American testimony.  Stories are everywhere around us.  They are for us to collect and be nourished by.  All of our stories have importance; perhaps in the here and now, but certainly in the years ahead as a record to look back on.

Think of a Relief Society Meeting focused on recording one another’s histories.  You could set up video, or voice.  You wouldn’t need too many questions; allow them to share what’s on their mind; perhaps offer a direction or theme, but don’t limit them, whatever you do.  People will offer the most fascinating experiences, feelings, and stories about themselves and those who have touched their lives.

For another idea, you could research an ancestor, recording as you uncover, creating a life portrait of the person.  In many cases, it helps to travel to the area lived, but not always.  Reading between the lines is half the fun and satisfaction.

As we delve into this historic world, realize that indeed, everyone has a story.  More often than not, you will find a story of pain and sorrow.  But at the same time, you will find a story of bravery, honor, and perseverance.  After all, because of their survival, you have come along.

Life is worth celebrating.  Life is worth recording.  Life is worth discovering.  There are so many things worth recording.  Here are some suggestions:

• Childhood stories
• Random memories
• Testimonies
• Conversion stories
• Traditions
• How the family emigrated
• Engagement/Marriage stories
• Stories that build character
• Stories of love and caring

This idea may be new to Hollywood, but we have been publishing history for a long time.  We know how it’s done.  I challenge you to gather together stories of family and loved ones.  Share them with your children.  Share them with your ward family.  Preserve them for the next generation.