Roots Tech 2021
Saturday during the Family Discovery Days, Elder and Sister Holland were the keynote speakers. I went to Roots Tech a few years ago, Chris graciously paid for my ticket. This year because of COVID, all the sessions were broadcast free of charge.
Elder and Sister Holland drove to Enterprise, Utah and St. George with their three children, to revisit their roots. They drove around the area stopping at the childhood homes, schools, and meeting houses they attended. They reminisced and talked about their ancestor who help shape their lives. They talked about early experiences they had at church. Matthew, Alice, and David also shared memories. Elder and Sister Holland stressed the importance of remembering your roots, and visiting the areas where you grew up whenever possible. They also talked about how essential it is to continue to do family history work, and the blessing that come when we attend the temple.
It was a wonderful message that touched my heart. Elder Holland is someone I respect and love. It was a tender experience and I’m thankful I took time to listen.
One of my favorite moments came when Elder Holland’s daughter, Mary shared this memory. Mary remembered the family once planning a dinner for “really special people.” When her father took the children to pick them up yet returned home without any guests, the children were confused. Then he said: “You’re our ‘special people.’ In fact, you are the most important people we know.”
“I have never forgotten that,” she said. “That kind of love and identity builds a security, I think, in a child that can’t be matched. That’s something I know I’ve always tried to pass on to my own children and make sure they know that they’re my most important people.”
Tim, Christopher, Mark, Tiffani, Cash, Colby, Grey, and Grahm are my most important people. I hope they always feel that and that my actions show how very much I love them. Family is everything.
Matthew Holland also shared a time when he was feeling overwhelmed and unhappy. Sister Holland went and got her scriptures and read from Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. He said is was a turning point for him and put all things in perspective.
I know that true and lasting happiness comes when we put aside the things of world and seek first for the kingdom of God, and make living the gospel a top priority in our lives.
“When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson [2014], 40).
