M E R I D I A N M A G A Z I N E
“One of a City, One of a Household”
By Carol Kostakos Petranek
“Pioneer: a person or group that originates or helps open up a new line of thought or activity.” 1
Just hearing the word “pioneer” generates vivid images of stalwart men and women pushing handcarts, riding in covered wagons, or leaning against a starboard railing – faces set in fierce determination, eyes fixed on the horizon, and hearts focused on the promise of a new land. Pioneers are anxious to go where the Spirit directs, and to sacrifice whatever is needed to fulfill their mortal mission. Through the faith and strength of early pioneers, the Lord's church was firmly restored and a “home base” for the gospel was securely established.
But what image is generated upon hearing the term, “today's pioneers?” Because they are converts to the Church from all countries and nationalities, no set image comes to mind. Although their skin tone and language and native dress differ, their title is alike – they are the first fruits of the gospel of Jesus Christ in their families. As their hearts are changed and their eternal perspectives are broadened, today's pioneers naturally seek to extend the saving ordinances of the gospel to those who brought them into mortality.
As in days of old, today's pioneers often stand alone in their families. Many stand as solitary Saviors on Mount Zion. Elder Melvin J. Ballard explained why:
“'Why is it that sometimes only one of a city or household received the Gospel? It was made known to me that it is because of the righteous dead who had received the Gospel in the spirit world exercising themselves, and in answer to their prayers, elders of the Church were sent to the homes of their posterity that the Gospel might be taught to them; and through their righteousness they might be privileged to have a descendant in the flesh do the work for their dead kindred. I want to say to you that it is with greater intensity that the hearts of the fathers and mothers in the spirit world are turned to their children than that our hearts are turned to them.” 2
As in days of old, today's pioneers sacrifice to bring the work of redemption to their families. They consecrate their time to do research and temple work for their ancestors. Some sacrifice their very livelihoods to bring salvation to their ancestors. A Meridian reader relates such an experience.
“My husband is native Italian and we were living in the States for almost 14 years, but gave up everything to move back to his home town. We had 3 months to decide whether to stay in Italy before his job would be given to someone else. Although he did not have a job, the Spirit gave me peace about our decision to remain and that we are here for my husband's genealogical work. I can only say that I'm trying to follow the Spirit's promptings to be a tool in the Lord's hands in gratitude for being able to be a member, to be sealed to my family, and therefore to be a part of God's family.”
Her husband subsequently shared the following:
“I have done some genealogy research during my 31 years of membership in the Church, and it is a blessing to be in my homeland again with the opportunity to do some more research. I was blessed to be able to do the temple work of almost 5 generations of my parents' direct line, and I keep working on finding more when I can. We don't have to feel discouraged if our efforts to find more of our family members sometimes stalls or at least it looks that way. As we read in the scriptures, "there is a time for everything under the heavens," so I believe that when our ancestors in the spirit world will be ready to accept the gospel, we will come to know it and will be able to find all the information to do their temple work.
Let me share an experience I had few years ago, before coming back to Italy. I always have been happy to go to my home town for a visit while residing in the States, but it was not possible to do that too often. This particular time I felt I needed to go back even though I had no reason to. I flew to Italy for about a week. Having some free time, I decided to try to do some genealogy research and I went to the state archives where military records are kept. I had never done that before because I was able to find all the information possible regarding my ancestors from the community town hall and Catholic records. In Italy, the official record keeping was introduced by Napoleon and there's nothing before 1871. The Catholic Church, of course, has lots of records where they still exist, even back to 1300.
I was specifically looking for one of my great grandfathers of whom I already had the temple work done, but had been unable to find any other information except that strictly necessary for the ordinances. At the military archives office, I found his name but no other information, and the name of his son (my grandfather) with a note saying that he had to delay his military service because his brother had to finish his duty first. I did not know that my grandfather had a brother, as it never showed up in any of all the records I was able to find.
Looking further, I found all of my granduncle's essential data, and that of his wife which is very unusual to be found in military records. I then knew why I had to fly to Italy that week -- to gather everything necessary to be able to bring the names of those two ancestors to the temple and perform the sacred ordinances for them, because they were ready for that .
I believe that if we do our part, we will be able to find the names of all those of our ancestors who are ready to accept the gospel and its ordinances. Perhaps, when we don't see any progress and are frustrated or discouraged in our genealogy work, we should remember that it might not be the time—yet.
It is an exciting time to be on earth, and to be able to witness the fulfillment of prophecies and take part of this great work of family history. I'm sure that on the other side of the veil, a frenetic work is in progress just the same as here. I'm certain that this will be one of the most important and busiest activities in the millennium. I hope this testimony may be of comfort and support in your and others' family history research.”
As this couple so poignantly testifies, we will be prompted where to look, when to find, and how to access the information needed for our ancestors' temple work. Some of us may physically relocate our homes; some of us may spiritually reallocate our priorities, but most of us will be somehow assisted by those who are ready to receive their ordinances.
The words of Elder Melvin J. Ballard resonate with all latter-day pioneers who are “one of a city, one of a household.” Can we follow in the footsteps of early pioneers by going where the Spirit directs and sacrificing whatever is needed to fulfill our mortal mission? Our membership in this Church has come, in some measure, because of the righteous desires of our ancestors. Their hearts are turned to us. Are ours turned to them?
Family history is a journey that takes us to places near and far, and connects us to individuals who share our genes and our dreams. How has your heart been turned? What words of encouragement or stories of inspiration can you share with our readers? Please consider sharing your comments and stories by submitting them to: meridianfamilyhistory@gmail.com .Merriam-Webster Online; www.merriam-webster.com.
Melvin J. Ballard, Crusader for Righteousness. Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, 1996, p. 219.
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