Issue 7.16
At RootsTech 2015, Elder Bradley D. Foster of the Seventy gave powerful testimony and counsel on why it is so important to involve our children in the saving work of family history. Elder Foster cited the Book of Mormon example of when Lehi asked his young sons to return to Jerusalem to receive the brass plates. He taught that, while Lehi could have done the task himself and maybe would have had more influence on Laban, it was important for those sons to learn from that task. It was important for them to have the experience of working to learn and preserve their heritage.
My favorite thing about RootsTech is the recordings! Even if you go you can’t attend all of the classes and they share them online for free. They also have the entire 2016 Class Syllabi available. On the Internet, go to https://www.rootstech.org/ and you can watch the sessions, view the video archives and read the syllabi. They will have it in categories such as the Innovator Summit, LDS interests, etc.
RootsTech is the largest family history event in the world and they offered over 200 engaging classes. You will find something to learn no matter what your age or skill level. RootsTech is hosted by FamilySearch and it is a global conference celebrating families across generations, where people of all ages are inspired to discover and share their memories and connections. It is held annually in February in Salt Lake City and attracts tens of thousands of participants worldwide.
David Isay was a Friday keynote speaker at RootsTech 2016 and he explained the essence of a StoryCorp interview by saying, “If I had 40 minutes left to live, what would I say to this person sitting across from me?”
David founded StoryCorps about a dozen years ago. He put a booth in Grand Central Terminal where you could bring a loved one—a parent, a grandparent, a child—or someone else you respect. The StoryCorps facilitator sits the two of you in the booth, opposite one another. For 40 minutes you pose questions to your loved one and listen to the answers. At the end of the 40 minutes, one copy of the recording goes home with you, and a second copy is preserved at the American Folk Life Center at the Library of Congress. Your great-great-great-great-grandchildren will be able to learn about your grandmother, hearing her own words and in her own voice.
For more information contact Shanna Jones shannasjones@msn.com http://ssj.myitworks.com/