Austin Texas Family History Center
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Family History and Temple Work 

The restoration of the sealing authority of Elijah in 1836 ...initiated a greatly increased interest in family history research."  Hearts of the Children," -Bednar) 
Why Latter-day Saints Build Temples (Watch video below.)
For members of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints www.lds.org, genealogy is an
important part of our faith.  We believe that everyone is entitled to the benefits and blessings that
come from ordinances like baptism and sealing.  But not everyone had a chance to learn about
those blessings while they lived on earth.  

Family History Research allows us to identify those ancestors who have not received these blessings, and
to provide them the opportunity to receive these blessings by the proxy work of a living relative.

Family Ties Are Made Eternal in the Temple.

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"The greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon
us is to seek after our dead.  ...For it is necessary that the sealing power should be in our hands to seal our children and our dead
for the fulness of the dispensation of times--a dispensation to
meet the promises made by Jesus Christ before the foundation
of the world ...."(Teachings: Joseph Smith p.475)

Without knowing our ancestors' names, vital dates. and family members , we cannot offer them the gift of enternal families, nor can we link ourselves to those who came before.


Family History Is the Key to Temple work 

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The temple is the only place where sacred ordinances like baptism and eternal marriage can be performed in behalf of those who have died. 

For these reasons we do family history research, build temples, and perform vicarious ordinances.  And for these reasons Elijah was sent to restore the sealing authority that binds on earth and in heaven.  We are the Lord's agents in the work of salvation ....  This is our duty and great blessing.  "The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn," Ensign, Nov  2011, p 25-26.

We Want to Share the Temples' Blessings with our Ancestors

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The Temple is the most sacred place on earth for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints.  
The temple is a source of spiritual strength ...a place apart
-- the House of the Lord.   It is a place of peace and love.

What greater gift could we give our ancestors, than to make
sacred ordinances available to them? 

What could be a greater manifestation of love and gratitude 
for our ancestors than sealing all members of our family together for eternity?

What Implications Do Family History and Temple Work Have for Those who Are not Mormons?

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Each person's family history research is precious to them--
for their own reasons.  We are happy to have everyone benefit 
from all of our research, records, premium websites, materials
and expertise.

In case you wonder if the tools and materials are only for 
members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
the answer is NO!  First of all, everyone is welcome at a Family History Center, regardless of his/her religion.  In fact, a number
of the staff who will help you, are themselves not LDS.  No one there will ask what you believe.  Our volunteers are only there
to help you answer your own family history questions.




Family History Can Bless Everyone - Whatever The Reason.


You may have many reasons for doing your family history.  Whatever your reason, you'll discover the
richness  of your family's past, and create stronger family ties for the present.  You'll also be providing
a gift to future generations as they add on to what you have discovered.

We welcome you to use our website, our library, and all our resources. 

Some of you might wonder what happens to the genealogy research non-members might do at our Family History Centers.  What about the ancestors you identify and even those you share through Family Search? That decision is entirely up to you.

Conditions for Use of New.FamilySearch.org

According to official policy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, any one who uses our
 genealogy site FamilySearch.org, or works on genealogy for the purpose of Temple submission  
"should not submit the names of nonrelated persons for vicarious temple ordinances, including names
of celebrities or famous people, or those gathered from unapproved extraction projects."

Members are asked to:  1) Work on their own family line, 2) Not submit names of celebrities, 3) Not submit names of unauthorized groups, such as Jewish Holocaust victims.  


Such actions could "lead not only to suspension of a Church member's access to the New.FamilySearch website, but local leaders might also take disciplinary action." (www.LDSChurchNews.com/articles/62066/Family-history )





(All temple pictures are property of Intellectual Reserve)

Our Library

  • Getting Started
  • FHC Location and Hours
  • Library Resources
  • Meet our Staff

LDS Church Websites

  • Family Search 
  • The Official LDS Church Website 




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Copyright 2012.  All Rights Reserved
The content and opinions expressed on this website do not necessarily reflect the view of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints