Week 25: Alma 8-12 "Jesus Christ Will Come to Redeem His People"
I can be an instrument in God's hands to bring salvation to His children.
Alma 17:6–12
From Come, Follow Me :
President Thomas S. Monson said, "I always want the Lord to know that if He needs an errand run, Tom Monson will run that errand for Him" (On the Lord's Errand: The Life of Thomas S. Monson, ChurchofJesusChrist.org). As you read Alma 17:6–12, look for what the sons of Mosiah did so they could be instruments in God's hands. How can you be an instrument in God's hands to bless others?
After the sons of Mosiah were converted, they felt a great desire to share what they had learned and felt with others. Their prayers to be "instruments in God's hands" were answered by the Lord: "I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls." (Alma 17:11) How can you be an instrument in God's hands to bless others? How can you be an instrument in His hands to bring about the salvation of many souls?
David A. Bednar stated, "...family history is not simply an interesting program or activity sponsored by the Church; rather, it is a vital part of the work of salvation and exaltation. You have been prepared for this day and to build up the kingdom of God. You are here upon the earth now to assist in this glorious work." (David A. Bednar, The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn, October 2011 General Conference)
Watch this video of Erika, who learned to do indexing in preparation for the San Salvador El Salvador Temple:
You can be an instrument in God's hands to bless millions of people in the work of salvation by your work in indexing. How? Indexing helps others who are searching for their ancestors by making records searchable online so that important saving ordinances may be performed on their behalf. Indexing is an easy way for anyone to be involved in family history. No experience in family history is necessary.
Throughout the years many tools have been used to help with family history research. In the past, individuals have spent countless hours going through microfilm, microfiche, printed books and writing letters via snail mail to move their work along. Sometimes finding records took many years and much travel and expense. Fortunately, progress has been made and you are blessed today to have millions, even billions, of records available online. These records have been digitized and indexed so they are searchable. Indexing is vital to temple and family history work.
During his address Hear Him at the April 2020 General Conference, President Russell M. Nelson invited you "to increase your participation in family history, including family history research and indexing. I promise that as you increase your time in temple and family history work, you will increase and improve your ability to hear Him [Jesus Christ]."
If you are unfamiliar with indexing, you may ask, "What exactly is indexing?" FamilySearch indexing creates free searchable digital transcriptions from images of scanned historical documents, which helps make the worlds' genealogical records searchable. Volunteers access images of photographed historical documents, such as census records, church registers, marriage records, and other vital records. From these images, names and other important details are transcribed and indexes are created making them searchable online, which are then made accessible through FamilySearch. Currently, FamilySearch has over 100 projects in over 20 countries from which you can choose to index. Their records include billions of names from hundreds of collections. Millions of new indexed records and images are added weekly (Note: Some records may be restricted to family history centers and affiliate libraries due to contractual obligations.) This FamilySearch blog also explains Why Indexing Is an Important Part of Family History.
You can see an overview of indexing and why it matters in the image below (click to enlarge).
Why Indexing Matters, an October 2014 New Era article, explains further how the indexing process works.
Indexing is simple and versatile. There is nothing to download or install. Indexing is something most everyone can do once they are old enough almost anywhere and anytime. Indexing is not hard to do. (You can select the level of difficulty.) No family history experience is required and you can start or stop whenever you want. If you're afraid you may get something wrong, no worries--your information is reviewed. "You can index anytime or anywhere--even in your pajamas," writes Margot Hoveley. "All you need is a computer or a tablet." (FamilySearch Indexing: Easier than Ever, December 2018 Ensign,) She also discusses several whats and whys of indexing, as well as how to find time in your busy schedule to index.
Index Records
Start or continue indexing as a family or individual. You will be helping others and yourself be able to find ancestors in the records you index. To learn how to begin, see Get Started at FamilySearch. If you prefer, find a specific project by looking at Indexing Overview on FamilySearch.
You can also review FamilySearch Project 5 in The Family History Guide to find out how to get started, manage batches, and set goals. Need some additional help? How to Get Started with Indexing Online gives you five simple steps to get started with indexing.
Indexing Scavenger Hunt
If possible, get together with your family and/or friends for an indexing activity. Select the type of record you will all index. Decide some unusual items you want to look for as you index. As you index, each of you keep track of the items you find. At a predetermined time, share and compare answers. You may want to give a small award to the individual with the most answers or the most unusual answer.
Sample items--Have fun making up your own depending on the records you are indexing.
Write a story about your life as you study each Come, Follow Me lesson. By the end of the year, you will have 50 stories! Save as a story (also consider audio-recording) and add it to your FamilySearch memories to preserve it. Use your own questions, those from (or inspired by) Come, Follow Me, or the #52 Stories Project. See below for ideas:
What gives you courage to do what the Lord needs you to do?
