Millions upon millions of records exist - on paper and with no way to quickly find the information. Indexing creates a way to search for a record by creating an index that links to the specific record, just like in a book. This powers Family History work in ways that have never been available before.

After a record is indexed, it is reviewed twice to make sure it is as correct as possible. Old records are hard to read, sometimes damaged, and we all make mistakes. Reviews help us keep the index accurate and useful.

Indexing and reviewing are well established activities, but as the Lord blesses us with increased capacity, we are looking at more ways to help further the work. Get Involved is a new way to help move the work along. Using your moble device, you can quickly review names indexed using computer vision to make sure it is correct. It is quick, easy, and right at your fingertips!

Our Stake President has set a goal of 500,000 records indexed, reviewed, and/or name reviewed. This is a large goal, but by small and simple means (indexing, reviewing, and Name Review) can great Family History miracles be brought to pass.

During our April Stake Conference, President Munson issued an Indexing Challenge - a friendly way to track how much work the youth and children were doing versus the work done by the adults. We know our youth do great work, and we want to show the world. But we also know our more mature members keep us moving forward - so we want to show each other all the good we do to help motivate us all.

Good news! Participating is super easy, and there is a lot of great support - including local leaders who would love to help. If you are already doing indexing, your work is being recorded for the Stake Goal automatically. If you are not and would like to, just sign up for a Family Search account (you can use your membership account) and take it from there.

For the Indexing challenge, we have create two groups for you to join in addition to the stake group. Click the button below for more information about how to join those groups.

Getting started in anything is hard, but we have local leaders ready to help. Your ward has Family History specialist that can answer questions and give you personal instruction. Online resources at Family Search are also available 24/7 with tips, tricks, and getting started guides. If you are stuck doing your Family Search, you can also reach out to others who are working on your family tree. And most importantly, as this is the Lord’s work, you can always ask for His help. He will show you miracles as you strive to serve His children.

While we have a number goal, the reason we are doing this is not about numbers, but about uniting us with those who have gone before us. Family History work binds the children to their fathers, and brings the work of Jesus Christ to all of God’s children, regardless of when they lived on earth. It is a labor of love and a Christ-like service, as we become Saviors on Mount Zion.

While we may think of Family History work as modern day revelation, the scriptures have spoken of it since the beginning as a vital component of the Plan of Salvation.

1 Nephi 5:14 And it came to pass that my father, Lehi, also found upon the plates of brass a genealogy of his fathers; wherefore he knew that he was a descendant of Joseph; yea, even that Joseph who was the son of Jacob, who was sold into Egypt, and who was preserved by the hand of the Lord, that he might preserve his father, Jacob, and all his household from perishing with famine.

Malachi 4:5-6 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

1 Corinthians 15:29 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?