Why do Mormons do family history?  I believe that the answer to this questions is founded upon our belief that we will all live again after this life.  I believe that because of the Savior, Jesus Christ, I can return to him and bring my brothers, sisters, parents, children and all my kindred dead to life forever with my Heavenly parents.  When Jesus Christ atoned for our sins in the Garden of Gethsemane and hung on the cross, he broke the bands of the death for all of our Heavenly Father's children.  

I know that the temples built by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are Houses of the Lord where we go to feel a connection to our divine parents.  In the New Testament it says, "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?" (1 Corinthians 15:29).  The apostle, Paul, taught us this very important doctrine of Christ over 2000 years ago and temples were on the earth in Old Testament times as well.  

Today, in holy temples we continue to perform baptisms for our ancestors.  In this way, we give our ancestor an opportunity to accept, if they so choose, the ordinance of baptism.  Thus, we can become a family for eternity.  I know that this is part of our Heavenly Father's plan for his children.  He wants to bless all of his beloved children.  We can take part in helping in this great work as we search out our ancestors and then go to a holy temple to act in behalf of our kindred dead.

Today, I had the blessing of going to the dedication of the Phoenix Temple.  When a temple is built, there is an Open House where the public is invited to walk through the temple and feel of the beautiful feelings that are there.  Once the Open House is finished, the temple is then dedicated to the Lord as His house.  Only members that have a temple recommend are then able to enter the temple to make sacred covenants for themselves and provide the opportunity for their ancestors to receive the great blessings that the Lord has in store for them.

I was brought to tears as the dedication of the temple came to an end and we sang together "The Spirit of God."  I know that God lives and that he loves all of us.  I know that if I can be faithful, endure to the end and try to live like the Savior taught, I too can gather with my family and live together forever.

Today's daily challenge is to write down your feelings about the temple and family history work.  Leave your thoughts for your children and future posterity to feel closer to you and to Jesus Christ.

To learn more about why Mormons build temples, visit this site.

Here's a video I put together from when the Gilbert Temple Open House happened at the beginning of this year.