2. Family History vs. Genealogy

Family History and genealogy. What's the difference? Genealogy is just the simple tree that everyone knows. Its the ancestors that are all connected by the same spot. That spot is you. But family history is much deeper than that. It's the stories behind each name on that branch. Family history is the literal history of your ancestors. In terms of a chemical engineers standpoint, family history is as a P&ID of a chemical process whereas genealogy is just a block diagram or maybe even a PFD, the tree is well detailed. My guess is that most people reading this have no idea what that even means. Generally speaking, family history is very detailed and is much more beneficial than genealogy, but it requires much more work to complete.

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Once again, in my Writing 150 class, we were asked to read a story and some research about children who knew more about their family history than other children who knew very little about theirs. As interesting as it was, it was interesting to see that those kids who knew more tending to deal with stress much better than those who knew less. They had higher self-esteems and they were in general more successful at life. Although correlation is not causation, there is definitely some correlation here.

I know much about my family history and I have seen it benefit my life from it. It has made me more social with other people because I have been able to share stories about my ancestors, such as one who was a pioneer. Jane Johnson Black was a midwife and received a blessing from the President and prophet if the church at the time, Brigham Young. She was blessed that she would never loose a baby or a mother while helping to deliver babies. This blessing was seen to come true as she delivered over 1000 babies without loosing a single life. Especially in this time, this was a true miracle. I mean, how many times do you see over 1000 babies be born and not a single one loosing their life. The average rate for a stillborn child is 1 in every 200 babies. That's today's time too, not to mention the rate around 100 years ago.

I love my family history. It is so fun to get engaged in stories about ancestors, people who share the very same blood as yourself. It's crazy to think that I am related to someone blessed by the prophet to bless so many others. I hope that I can add up enough to be worthy of my name, worthy of my lineage. The research that we were able to read and learn about is evidence of the Spirit of Elijah taking role in our day and age. The research shows it, and my life shows it. It's my family, so it's my story.

1. Things As They Really Are

My Writing 150 professor requested that we read a spiritually enriching talk entitled "Things As They Really Are" given by David A. Bednar. My very first thoughts were of annoyance, seeing that I still had to do homework for other classes, go to work for several hours each day, and also drive around 50 minutes to go to the Apple Store to fix my laptop which had just broken a couple days previously. I just had absolutely no time to waste reading about things that I have all ready heard before. So naturally, I put it off. I waited until the night before the next class until I began to read it. I was laying in my bed reading some material that I needed to get done for another class before I decided I should probably do what was assigned. 

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As I read, I began to be spiritually fed. I missed that feeling that I would feel so often at home, but for some reason here at BYU, that spiritual uplift is rather rare and hard to find. It was nice to get a little taste of home again. Elder Bednar spoke on Father's holy plan for understanding the truth, the attack methods that the adversary uses, and the responsibilities that we as the rising generation have. I remember having read this several years ago at a church camp. Obviously this talk was meant for myself along with many other youth with me. His message for hope is just that. It may be straightforward about all the temptations and trials we will have because of cyberspace and social media, but he also adds the good these things can bring. 

Elder Bednar explains that there are many different ways that we can use technology, such as simulations for doctors or pilots, a virtual reality, or even social media. I love how Bednar told of several stories of how some people got caught up in the virtual realities in the internet. It consumed their whole lives. We must use caution in our day so that we do not follow the bd examples given to us. Elder Bednar posed the question, "Does the time you spend using various technologies and media enlarge or restrict your capacity to live, to love, and to serve in meaningful ways?" I looked at my Facebook profile to see what I normally posted and found that 18 of my last 20 posts were all shared images of quotes from different General Authorities given at various times. That is one way that I like to serve in a meaningful way through the internet. My hopes are that these images can help bring others closer unto Christ. I'm excited for missionary work in the future so I am always trying to find ways to share the gospel, especially on the internet. 

There are many things that we can do to use the internet in a wholesome, clean, and meaningful way and still have it be fun. When you get caught up in the work of the odd, an excitement continually grows and you begin to roll will the gospel progression as mentioned in Daniel 2. I add my testimony to Elder Bednar's and declare that the work is moving forward. The work is true and strong, so I invite all to join in and get caught up in the work, but always remember things as they really are.