- Family history increase 11
- Family history increase 9
- Family history increase 3
- Family history increase 4
- Family history increase 2
- Family history increase 5
- Family history increase 6
- Family history increase 7
- Family history 8
Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
This story appears here courtesy of TheChurchNews.com. It is not for use by other media.
By Rachel Sterzer Gibson, Church News
In April 2020, in the midst of shutdowns and upheavals to daily life due to the COVID-19 pandemic — including the closing of the Church’s 168 operating temples — President Russell M. Nelson issued an invitation to Church members.
“While worshipping in the temple is presently not possible, I invite you to increase your participation in family history, including family history research and indexing,” he said.
In June, President Nelson noted that COVID-19 has become the “largest-ever humanitarian project” of the Church due to the generous contributions of members. Fast offerings, voluntary donations and service projects have all increased during the pandemic.
His wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, noted that the pandemic “seems like it’s unleashing this great, compassionate heart that people have.”
Part of the “great, compassionate heart” she referenced also seems to include family history work.
The following statistical information has been provided by FamilySearch:

Family history 8
According to FamilySearch, indexing and family history work has increased dramatically following the prophet’s invitation in April 2020. Graphic courtesy of Church News. All rights reserved.Copyright 2020 Deseret News Publishing Company