Indexing

One of our stake's challenges this year is to index 1,000,000 names--each ward doing 125,000 names.  So we have jumped on board.  Each week at FHE, those who have indexed during the week get a treat.  We figure that if our ward had just 50 people doing 2-3 batches a week, that goal would be met.

I find the work interesting.  Take this card for example.

Who was this man, and what beliefs did his parent have giving him that name?  Did he live up to his parent's dreams for him?  As I type in these names I have similar questions for all of these people. On the penitentiary records I've done I've wondered how they ended up there and are they finding light now. Other questions I ask:  Is this the first time your name has been entered into digital files and thus able to be accessed?  Does your family living now have records of you?  What kind of life did you live?  Were you happy? Who were your parents?  Did you have children? Etc. Etc.  Sometimes when I can't figure out some of the info, I ask them.  "Where were you born, Charles?"  I don't know that I always (or ever?) get an answer, but somehow I figure out something to enter in.  But asking always makes me feel a little connected and that I'm doing something very important for this individual.

Just a few tidbits:

~There were sure a lot of Carl Carlsons that filled out draft registration forms in Massachusetts for WWII.  I probably did 3 batches all of Carl Carlsons.

~I have put signs around the house reminding us to index before doing other things on the computer.

~When you have a sick weekend, like I've had this past weekend, you can really add to your numbers! (I'm at over 1,000 names for the month--I started the weekend with only about 250 names.)

~Cache came home from his interview with the Stake President with a challenge:  to index 4,000-5,000 names before he enters the MTC.  Inwardly I cheered.  Then he told me that he already started last week on his own "Because families are important."  He had done around 300 names within the week. Then I cheered out loud! (and as a side note, he was also asked to read Daughters in My Kingdom.  More cheers from me!!  I love that book!)

~Chandler has caught fire.  He's done a couple of hundred names this weekend.

~  Elder Bednar said, "I promise you will be protected against the intensifying influence of the adversary. As you participate in and love this holy work, you will be safeguarded in your youth and throughout your lives. "


~President Packer said “No work is more of a protection to this Church than temple work and the family history research that supports it. No work is more spiritually refining. No work we do gives us more power. … Our labors in the temple cover us with a shield and a protection, both individually and as a people.”  


~Why wouldn't I want to index?  Too many protection promises to just shrug it off, in my opinion.