REXBURG — Today’s BYU-Idaho devotional centered on the importance of helping living family members and those who have passed away through family history.
David Magleby, a BYU-Idaho faculty member in the History, Geography, and Political Science Department, and today’s BYU-Idaho devotional speaker, focused on the importance of doing one’s family history.
Magleby began his talk, “The Eyes of Our Understanding were Opened,” with the story of Lehi and his family from The Book of Mormon as they journeyed through the wilderness — specifically when Lehi read through the brass plates for the first time, learning about his lineage.
In his devotional, Magleby says he was filled with similar feelings when, at a family reunion in Albion, Idaho, he was able to learn more about his grandmother and discovered that she had a connection to Ricks College.
“We even uncovered a Rexburg connection: a hundred-year-old registration card for a summer session at Ricks College to extend her teaching certification,” Magleby said. “That she and I share learning and teaching experiences on this campus is one more reason I view this place as sacred ground.”
Through this experience and others, Magleby learned that the gathering of Israel should permeate all aspects of life.
In an interview with BYU-Idaho Radio, Magleby shared what he hopes students take away from his talk.
“The gathering of Israel is the greatest thing going on, on earth today,” Magleby said. “There are more people than we can count who are waiting for someone to find them and to care enough about them to provide saving ordinances. Jesus Christ is the savior of every one of those people, and you and I can partner with Christ to bring saving ordinances to those people who have gone before.”
Magleby acknowledges that some feel overwhelmed at the prospect of such a large and impactful work. He said that as people look back at our day, we will realize there are pockets of time throughout the day during which they can spend just a few minutes doing family history and temple work.
Throughout his talk, Magleby listed several options and opportunities that people have at their fingertips to further the work. These tools include indexing, downloading the “Get Involved” app, adding memories to the FamilySearch tree, and scheduling time to worship in the temple, among other suggestions.
During his devotional, Magleby reminded audience members of the words of President Russell M. Nelson, the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“’Anytime you do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—take a step toward making covenants with God and receiving their essential baptismal and temple ordinances, you are helping to gather Israel.’”
As Magleby concluded his address, he invited all to accept invitations from the Holy Ghost to get involved in the work of gathering Israel for themselves.