THE WORD: ‘Look to the Rock’

Published 9:22 am Thursday, January 3, 2019

Riding Amtrak last week, I read the latest Jack Reacher novel, Past Tense by Lee Child.

In this installment, intrepid problem- solver Jack Reacher finds himself deep in family history research, seeking information about his father’s birthplace. In the process, he visits archives, searches computer databases and interviews local experts. After running up against a brick wall, one individual encouraged Reacher: “Don’t give up. Family is important. There will be other ways to find out.”

Family truly is important! And there will always be other ways to find out. In my experience, after we have exhausted our efforts to shine the light on our family history, just when I am about to give up, heaven intervenes and opens doors.

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Isaiah exhorted: “Look unto the rock whence ye are hewn … Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you” (51:1-2). The prophet Isaiah called on the children of Israel to repent and return to God.

The call to look to our family roots applies equally to each of us. Exploring family history, we can identify family members with similar physical characteristics, health challenges or abilities. More importantly, we become links in the chain of our generations, unbroken through all time. There are many ways to “look unto the rock” and explore family history. First, we can gather information ourselves. Valuable family history data can be contained in obituaries, birth certificates and family Bibles. We can also interview family members to capture memories.

Years ago, I recorded my grandmother telling stories of her early life, the challenges she faced, and how she overcame them. The transcripts of these interviews are among my cherished possessions. They make me feel that my grandmother is near, though she is gone now. Next, we can use online sources, such as Ancestry, Fold3 and FamilySearch.org. All these are available to the public at Longwood University’s amazing Greenwood Library. (Visit library. longwood.edu for more information.) Finally, we can keep a journal of our own experiences. This is a tremendous way to share our lives with children and others who come after.

Wilford Woodruff taught: “How pleasing it would be to you, and to your children, 30, 50 or 80 years hence, to sit down and read what took place around you in your childhood and youth! Would you not like to read what took place with our fathers, and mothers and grandparents, while they were young and during their lives?”

I have kept a personal journal since I was about nine years old. Many times over the years it has strengthened and inspired me to look back and see how the Lord has blessed my life. Ultimately, the true rock to which we look is our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the only sure foundation. If we have followed His perfect teachings and example, we will readily recognize Him, for “we shall be like him” (1 John 3:2).

BRENT ROBERTS is the Branch Presidency First Counselor in the Sandy River Branch, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and also Dean of Greenwood Library at Longwood University. He can be reached at brentsroberts@ hotmail.com.