The Power of One

Family has a great influence in on our lives. They help shape and mold us and have an influence on who we become. Of course, there are exceptions and sometimes that can be a good thing, especially when one chooses to break free from negative family influences.

As I created a three generation genogram this week, a great visual of my family emerged. Something that I already knew but didn’t always recognize became clear before my eyes. I come from a faithful, covenant keeping family. The choices of my grandparents have trickled down the line and the results are pleasing. There are a few exceptions, but overall, my parents, aunts, uncles, cousins and siblings are following in the footsteps of my grandparents.

To see so many of my family active and sealed in the temple is such a great blessing. To see these results in the genogram opened my eyes to the great blessing it is to have faithful ancestors. It doesn’t start with my grandparents, but they have continued the righteous traditions and have passed them on. There is a unity and strength because of it. I predict that the great results will continue if we continue to teach our children and to set the example.

I am hoping to do this with my children. I teach them about the temple and that it is important to me, to their dad and to Heavenly Father. I teach them that they can go there someday to make covenants if they choose to do what is right and if they are worthy. I teach them about Jesus Christ and the Atonement so that when they make mistakes, they will know the way back. I am trying to teach them about the Holy Spirit and how to recognize the Holy Spirit. I am doing my best to teach them to dance and hear the music. I hope that my efforts will influence them to do good and that they will do the same for their children.