My Family Tree

As an Army Brat, I have always been far away from my extended family. This caused my knowledge about my ancestors to be quite sparse. I knew that there were ways to discover more, but I never felt the need to seek that information out for myself. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I know that genealogy is extremely important. But I had always assumed that someone else in my family had already taken care of doing the research and that my help was unnecessary. But, as I began to undertake this Family Tree project, I realized just how many gaps had been left unfilled. For the first time in my life, I became excited to be the one doing just that.

My family on my father’s side originated in Norway. They then immigrated to the United States of America in the late 1800s, moving throughout the western states before settling in rural Idaho as farmers. Likewise, my mother’s family immigrated from Scotland and England in the early 1800s, settling in Utah with the Mormon pioneers. In fact, my great-great-great-great-great grandfather, Jonathan Holmes, was a bodyguard for the prophet, Joseph Smith. Jonathan’s daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Holmes, called the prophet “Uncle Joseph” and was raised in his household so that her father could protect him. Before Joseph Smith was martyred, he gave Sarah a small tin box that is now passed down to the first daughter in each generation. She also recorded the prophet’s final words to her, which were “God bless my little Sarah; you shall yet live to testify to my name.” In spite of the persecution that my family faced during this time, they did live on to testify of the gospel and its truths.

Having learned so much more about my family through this project, I feel a closeness to my ancestors that I previously had not possessed. Sometimes I get caught up in the struggles and drama that I face in my own life, thinking that I am alone in my endeavors. But these men and women, who survived the world of their times, have already been through the trials that I face. I can look to their examples, borrow their wisdom and experience, and keep learning and growing. I will continue to fill the gaps in my family history, and I will not be afraid of the future when I have so much strength in my past.