More Than a Hobby

Portland Oregon Temple - Photo from LDS Media Library

“Genealogy and temple work—you can’t have one without the other. They are two inseparable parts of one supernal decree the Lord has given us to aid in the redemption of the dead. The process of identifying one’s family should be much more than a hobby to a Latter-day Saint. From an eternal perspective, to consider the word genealogy and not its partner temple work—or to think of temple work and disregard its twin, genealogy—makes no more sense than to try to play a game with only half a ball.” 

– George D. Durrant, “Genealogy and Temple Work: 

‘You Can’t Have One without the Other’”, Ensign, August 1983.

Our Family Names Are All Done

“I have heard some members say, “But our family names are all done.” It is all right to say such a thing as long as you realize you are only kidding. 

"Of this, Elder W. Grant Bangerter has said: 

“Your genealogy has not all been done. My own grandparents performed ‘all’ the temple work for their deceased relatives fifty-five years ago. Since that time our family has discovered sixteen thousand others.” - “What Temples Are For,” Ensign, May 1982, p. 71. 

– George D. Durrant, “Genealogy and Temple Work: ‘You Can’t Have One without the Other’”, 

Ensign, August 1983.