FHWasatchFair

Wasatch Stake (Utah) - Jan. 22, 2005 (Report by Kathleen Thacker, FHC Director:

We had a wonderful experience, lots and lots of help, and over 300 in attendance..

January was truly family history month in the Wasatch Stake! There were three great opportunities to help members of our stake feel the spirit of turning hearts to our ancestors and also have a desire to write personal histories. We are especially grateful for the active support of our priesthood leaders.

First, the Sunday before the family history fair, the Stake Presidency requested that each High Councilor speak about Family History. Most of the wards had the other speakers bear their testimonies and give personal experiences.

"A Fair To Remember" was held Saturday Jan. 22nd at the Wasatch Stake Center. Sister Heidi Swinton as keynote speaker gave an uplifting testimony of Joseph Smith, the restoration, and what we can do today in Family History, to a chapel filled and overflowing. Over 300 enjoyed the excellent classes, creative displays in the cultural hall and food from many countries.. The displays on Immigration, Pioneers, and Personal and Family Histories were put together by committees called throughout the stake, most of whom did not have family history callings but gave many hours of dedicated service. We were called to lunch by bagpipes and treated to great music and dancing.

Carl Broadhead, our Stake Computer Clerk, who also serves in the FHC, installed a wireless router in the hall that made the internet accessible to the all of the teachers in their excellent classes, and also to the computers in the cultural hall that provided hands-on learning and experience. Because of the equipment and borrowed items on display, there was also a great security crew.

Quoting from an email received; "...we would like to let you know how much we appreciated the Stake Family History Fair. The organization was superb, the displays were helpful and provided a wonderful atmosphere, the instructors were first-class, knowledgeable, and provided excellent resources. And on top of all this we were treated to great food....the only downside was the "torture" of having to select from among so many good choices each hour of instruction."

We prayed long and hard that the spirit of Elijah would touch the hearts of those who attended,and have been humbled by the response.