How can I fulfill the commandment to do genealogy when I am so busy?

Question

Dear Gramps,

I am a woman of middle age, have a very busy and demanding family and two jobs. I also teach in the Mormon Church. We have been commanded to do genealogy and temple work for our kindred dead. I love genealogy, I love the work but it seems that the older I get the less time I have to do what the Lord requires. With so much going on in this latter day and lack of finances and time, how can we, people in my situation, do what we are commanded to do. How do we deal with the guilt of not fulfilling our duties and keeping the covenants. I am told that it is my duty to do this work because I am a convert to the church, my ancestors are waiting so they can progress. Do I just take it on faith, not work and do what I am commanded to do? Please help me find some peace over this. Thank you and God Bless You.

Patty

Answer

Dear Patty,

There seems to be much guilt, especially among the sisters of the church, for not being able to comply with every recommendation and participate in every activity that is sponsored by the church. There are times in our lives when different aspects of church service should be emphasized, and it would seem well that priorities be established to fit the particular circumstances of each person. If one is overly busy it might be well to list all the demands on one’s time and then establish a priority to each. We may find that we are spending more effort in less important things and could then adjust our priorities. But not everything can be done all the time. To quote Virginia H. Pearce,

“My concern for you is that you are trying to cover all the bases at one time. You cannot be everything to everyone all the time.” (Virginia H. Pearce, Glimpses into the Life and Heart of Marjorie Pay Hinckley, pp. 247-48)

It is also important to remember the Lord’s injunction in D&C 10:4

“Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength and means provided…; but be diligent unto the end.”

So you may have to put some very worthy and important activities on the shelf for the time being in order to fulfil other very worthy and important activities. Then as conditions and circumstances change so will our priorities. A time will probably come when your involvement in family history will be at the top of the list.

Gramps