Feeling My Ancestors

Temples are more than places of worship.  They are a place of love, reunion, and family connection.

I have always loved making family memories, learning family stories, and documenting personal/family history.  Ever since I was a child I found a special spirit being on temple grounds and in the temples.  Later, after I had children I wanted to discover more of my family history for myself, so I went on a research journey and started filling in my family tree.  As I learned more and more, I felt more and more family connections, and I loved it!  The connections weren't all written, either.  I found that there were spiritual connections happening.  I was feeling my ancestors.

That's quite a statement, but I make it boldly: I feel a strong reach from my ancestors!  There's a spirit that has caught hold of my soul and touches me deeply, quietly, personally.  

As I learn their stories, and see their handwriting, I live their fears, their joys, their boredom, their interests.  I relate to my relatives!  No need to debate the existence of life after death - and all the things we don't know about it - No. My conviction is enough. Their spirits do not die.  I feel them. 

I literally feel their feelings. I guess that's how they can communicate with me for now. Our spirits can commune. With that statement I can sense the question from whomever is reading this- "so you can speak to dead people?"  Not exactly.  It's not like I summon a spirit and start asking questions and getting answers.  That would be awesome or maybe even freaky if you're picturing a seance.  No.  It is through doing family history and temple work that I am introduced to my ancestors and get to know them through names, dates, places, and documents.  Sometimes during that immersive story-building experience, I feel a familiar spirit near me.  Sometimes not.  But when I do, I feel their presence mostly.  Every now and again I feel their feelings.  Not past feelings that have to do with their lives on this earth, but their current feelings. 

When I'm in the temple, my favorite is feeling the joy of my ancestors, but it's not always joy they are feeling.  Sometimes they feel grateful.  But guess what? Sometimes they feel unsure.  Sometimes they are reflective and content.  They are so real and varied personalities.  Some are boisterous, some are warm, some shy. And so, since I can feel them, I don't know, but I assume they can observe and feel me better than I can them. So I'll often say a prayer and ask for a message to be sent to that ancestor or allow them to hear me.  Then I share my testimony of Jesus Christ's love and rescuing power, and the work of being his disciple and committing to Him through covenants.  I want them to know I have lived it and I love it and I'm doing what I can to spread the good news and allow others the same goodness I have experienced. 

I value my family past, present and future... and our reunions.  Our connections are important to me.  Those connections are not dead at death.  They are eternal and are meant to be cherished.