General Conference Talk re: Family History

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said that hastening family history and temple work is essential for the salvation and exaltation of families. "Our Father's plan is about families," said Elder Cook. "Several of our most poignant scriptures use the concept of the tree with its roots and branches as an analogy." See Deseret News, Elder Quentin L. Cook: 'Roots and branches' 5 April 2014. 

Elder Cook quoted Vilate Kimball, wife of Apostle Heber C. Kimball during his mission to England saying,

"We had the largest and most interesting conference that ever has been since the Church was organized. …President [Joseph] Smith has opened a new glorious subject….That is being baptized for the dead. …I want to be baptized for my mother. … Is not this a glorious doctrine?"

Quoting from the Deseret News article, Elder Cook further said,

...a person's doctrinal obligation is to ancestors. This is because the celestial organization of heaven is based on families.

During his talk, Elder Cook suggested that,

Families can hold a "FamilyTree Gathering," he said. Everyone brings existing family histories, stories, photos and cherished possessions of grandparents and parents together to learn more about their ancestors. Photos and stories can be preserved for all time by uploading them to FamilyTree. The main objective is to determine what ordinances still need to be done and make assignments for the essential temple work.

He further observed that because of the availability of the new technology, our homes have become family history centers.