March 14th, 2025, 7:30pm MDT
A few years ago, relatives took twins Joseph and Eden Reese to Roottec’s Family Discovery Day, where they were featured on the Family Search Family Tree app and other fun genealogy activities.
The twins got hooked. Attending the world’s largest family history gathering is now an annual tradition for the 13-year-old brother.
On Thursday, March 6th, Lease twins, a member of the Sharon District 3 in Orem, Utah, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spoke about how being engaged in temple and family history work blessed their lives.
Explore their family tree, record memories, and strive to baptize and confirm their ancestors at the temple every week, even if only one name per visit.
“When I’m there, I feel like I’m approaching God, and it’s full of that spiritual power, so it helps me have a better week,” Eden Reese said.
The Reese twins are just two of many Latter-day Saint youths who feel blessed and strengthened as they engaged in temple and family history work.
For the first time at Roottech, the church held a global youth activity for 11 and 12-year-olds new attendance at the temple and its leaders. The event, attended by more than 4,600 people, featured messages from President Susan H. Porter and brother Bradley R. Wilcox.
“I saw that night (March 5) in an age where the rising generation is characterized as being unachievable and unachievable, unachievable, mutilated. These are bright young children who are excited to be here. They are excited. They are vigilant and awake. For me, the future is very bright for these young people. They get it,” said Elder Kevin S. Hamilton, director general director general and executive director of the church’s family history department.
Family history is an opportunity to connect with the family, said Elder K. Brett Nutless, a general authority 70 person who serves as assistant executive director of the Family History department.
“We live in a world where our young people, especially those who seem to be isolated on the phone. They think they are connected. They are actually isolated,” he said. “Family history connects people. It helps you feel like, ‘Wow, I’m part of something much bigger.’ That connection helps strengthen young people, especially during extremely difficult times. ”
The Reese twins feel and understand the connection.
“It’s really fun because we’re connected to our cousins, aunts and uncles,” Joseph Reese said. “We share our connections with our families.”
To him, the term “family history” was used to remind him of the boring image of an elderly person sitting for hours on an old dusty paper table.
Joseph later learned that taking a photo of his surname in a temple is as easy as using the ordinance Ready feature on a phone or computer genealogy app. Taking a last name in the Lord’s house provides a more personal and meaningful experience.
“You’re doing salvation (ordinances) for all these people, but when it’s the person you’re involved – shared DNA – it’s just like you know this person, as you helped your cousin, so I think it’s making it more powerful and sacred, so it’s really about eternal family,” he said.
