Comments on Family History in the Ward, Stake, or Area

https://www.lds.org/callings/temple-and-family-history/changes-to-family-history-callings?lang=eng

Quoting from the above Temple and Family History Calling webpage:

To this end it is expected that all temple and family history consultants, whether at the ward, stake, or area level, have as their primary responsibility the opportunity to assist members with a personalized one-on-one family history experience. They should prayerfully seek the Spirit as they prepare and deliver these experiences.

This one statement answers most of the questions Temple and Family History Consultants may have about their callings in the Ward, Stake, and Area. Granted, there are a few major obstacles to this goal. First of all, the Temple and Family History Consultants (Consultant or Consultants) must know how to help those in their Ward, Stake, or Area. My suggestion is that Consultants should be self-starters. Between the resources on the LDS.org website, the FamilySearch.org website, and The Family History Guide website, there is essentially a full beginner to upper division set of instructions about how to go about doing family history and teaching others.

If you are called as a Consultant, it is your own responsibility to learn what you need to do. Here is the basic charge:

• 99 Wherefore, now let every man [and woman] learn his [her] duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence. Doctrine and Covenants 107:99 [words in brackets added]

Do you need to wait for your leader to tell you what to do? I think the scripture answers that question. But having the cooperation and support of your leaders is helpful but not particularly necessary. It obviously helps if your leader takes the time to teach you what to do. Can you do more than work with people on a one-by-one basis? Obviously, but holding classes or organizing other activities should be done with the knowledge and consent of your leaders. Working with individuals may involve meeting with them in a Family History Center or Library or working with them in their home.

Once you get yourself trained, how do you start? You start by asking people in your Ward (etc.) if they need help. If you are in a Stake position, you start by contacting all of the Ward Consultants. What if you are the only consultant in your Ward? So, start fulfilling your calling and start talking to Ward members about family history. What if you need help? If you are a Ward Consultant, talk to your Stake Consultant. If you are a Stake Consultant talk to your Area Consultant. If you are an Area Consultant talk to your FamilySearch Advisor or your Area Authority Seventy.

From personal experience, I can say that you will have some wonderful experiences helping individuals with their family history.