They Are One Work

Manti Utah Temple - Photo From LDS Media Library

“Family history and temple work are one work. The words family history should probably never be said without attaching the word temple to them. Family history research should be the primary source of names for temple ordinances, and temple ordinances are the primary reason for family history research.” 

- Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander, “Bridges and Eternal Keepsakes”, Ensign, May 1999, p. 84.

Eternal Keepsakes Bind Generations

“Families collect furniture, books, porcelain, and other valuable things, then pass them on to their posterity. Such beautiful keepsakes remind us of loved ones now gone and turn our minds to loved ones unborn. They form a bridge between family past and family future. Every family has other, more valuable, keepsakes. These include genealogies, family stories, historical accounts, and traditions. These eternal keepsakes also form a bridge between past and future and bind generations together in ways that no other keepsake can.”

- Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander, “Bridges and Eternal Keepsakes”, Ensign, May 1999, p. 84.

Family History and Temple Ordinances are Bridges

Salt Lake City Utah Temple - Photo from LDS Media Library

“Family history research provides the emotional bridge between the generations.  Temple ordinances provide the priesthood bridge.  Temple ordinances are the priesthood ratification of the connection that we have already established in our hearts.” 

– Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander, “Bridges and Eternal Keepsakes”, Ensign, May 1999, p. 85.

We Need To Know Where We Came From

“A ‘family’ which does not remember what it was yesterday, does not know what it is today, nor what it is trying to do. We are trying to do a futile thing if we do not know where we came from or what we have been about.” 

– Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander, “Bridges and Eternal Keepsakes”, Ensign, May 1999, p. 84 

– quoting Woodrow Wilson regarding the nation.

Eternal Architect

“Bridges between generations are not built by accident.  Each member of this Church has the personal responsibility to be an eternal architect of this bridge for his or her own family.”  

- Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander, "Bridges and Eternal Keepsakes”, Ensign, May 1999, p. 83

Linking Generations

“I alone am the link to the generations that stand on either side of me.  It is my responsibility to knit their hearts together through love and respect, even though they may never have known each other personally.  My grandchildren will have no knowledge of their family’s history if I do nothing to preserve it for them.  That which I do not in some way record will be lost at my death, and that which I do not pass on to my posterity, they will never have.  The work of gathering and sharing eternal family keepsakes is a personal responsibility.  It cannot be passed off or given to another.” 

- Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander, "Bridges and Eternal Keepsakes”, Ensign, May 1999, pp. 83-84