“And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers.” (D&C 2:2). It is fitting that the Spirit of Elijah shall “plant” the promises made to the fathers in the hearts of the children. After all, the single most common image of family history is a plant - the family tree. How are we honoring the promises made to our fathers that have been planted in our hearts? What does our family tree look like? Is it a shriveled and stunted thing, or is it a towering and mighty tree busting with many branches? So many of our ancestors were promised that although the fullness of the Gospel was not available to them while they were alive, nevertheless, their descendents would exercise all diligence to locate and remember and honor and save them by performing their saving ordinances for them vicariously in the temple. I hope that we can all strive a little more faithfully each day to tend to the family trees that have been planted in our hearts by the Spirit of Elijah.
