Emergency Preparedness: Check out updated Identification information for November!
Interested in helping develop rcstake.com? learn more »

2016 Sprints

Further help is available on the Family Search site.

  1. After logging in to Family Search, click on 'Get Help' in upper-right of screen.
  2. You can call in and talk with an assistant; or
  3. You can select other options on the screen, such as 'Product Support' or 'Learning Center'.
  4. There are help screens, videos, phone assistants, language helps, help for specific worldwide locations, partnering with other genealogy sites, etc.

Also see our Frequently Asked Questions!

Click a month's title to expand/collapse its instructions.

January 2016 - Ready, Set, Grow

Objective

We begin the 2016 Sprints gratefully acknowledging that family relationships are eternal. You can do your part to strengthen your family by completing one of the Sprints listed below. When challenges face us we tend to do better when we know a lot about our families. How cool will it be when one of your descendants reads your story and has the courage to do hard things because of the example you left behind?

Activity Options (Do one of the following as a family or an individual)

  1. Evaluate your family relationships and identify one specific goal — or more if you are feeling ambitious — that you want to achieve to strengthen your family. Write your goals in your journal. If you do not have a journal, obtain one. Suggestions for goal setting
  2. Record a story from your life for future generations. This could be done by making a time capsule or writing a letter of advice to your posterity or making a journal entry directed to your posterity.

As you ponder how to best complete this sprint, if you feel impressed to alter or adjust this sprint to better meet your personal needs for you or your family, please feel free to do so as long as it still meets the objective.

Share your experience in your journal and with your family, possibly at a family home evening or dinner. Then report the completion of this sprint.

* Extra Mile *

Prepare to open your record (time capsule/letter), or evaluate your goals in the month of December to check your progress and see what has changed. (You will be reminded in December) When you open it, record any thoughts or impressions you've had in your journal.

Words from our Leaders

Quote
Your journal is your autobiography, so it should be kept carefully. You are unique, and there may be incidents in your experience that are more noble and praiseworthy in their way than those recorded in any other life… What could you do better for your children… than to record the story of your life, your triumphs over adversity, your recovery after a fall, your progress when all seemed black, your rejoicing when you had finally achieved? Some of what you write may be humdrum dates and places, but there will also be rich passages that will be quoted by your posterity.
Source
President Spencer W. Kimball: "The Angels May Quote from It" - New Era (Oct 1975)
SourceUrl
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/new-era/1975/10/the-angels-may-quote-from-it

If you are in need of additional help when completing this sprint, visit the help tools at familysearch.org or contact your ward's Family History Consultant for help starting or progressing with your Family History work.

February 2016 - Every member a missionary

Objective

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we are all missionaries. Some of us are better at this than others but one thing we all have in common is we can improve. There are many ways we can be missionaries. This month you will choose to do something new, something you may not have done before.

Activity Options (Do one of the following as a family or an individual)

  1. Create your own profile on mormon.org. Click on profile in the upper-right corner to get started. Follow the step-by-step instructions and answer the questions. Make a profile as an individual or as a family.
  2. Study Preach My Gospel in a family home evening lesson and create a family mission plan to further the work of salvation on this side of the veil.

As you ponder how to best complete this sprint, if you feel impressed to alter or adjust this sprint to better meet your personal needs for you or your family, please feel free to do so as long as it still meets the objective.

Share your experience in your journal and with your family, possibly at a family home evening or dinner. Then report the completion of this sprint.

* Extra Mile *

After you have created your profile on mormon.org or held your family home evening, share and encourage others to do the same using social media.

Words from our Leaders

Quote
From its beginnings The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has used the power of the printed word to spread the message of the restored gospel throughout the world. The Lord, over the centuries, has had a hand in inspiring people to invent tools that facilitate the spreading of the gospel. The Church has adopted and embraced these tools, including print, broadcast media and the Internet.
Source
Elder M. Russell Ballard: "Sharing the Gospel Using the Internet" - Ensign (Jul 2008)
SourceUrl
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/ensign/2008/07/sharing-the-gospel-using-the-internet

If you are in need of additional help when completing this sprint, visit the help tools at churchofjesuschrist.org or contact your ward mission leader.

March 2016 - Index Madness

Objective

Searching records online is a vital part of doing family history work. The church has collected millions of records from all areas of the world and in many languages. Indexing is the process of digitizing these records to find ancestors easier. This month we will work on either improving your indexing skills or help you get started in this wonderful service.

Activity Options (Do one of the following as a family or an individual)

  1. In the spirit of March Madness Basketball we are going to see who can index the most! Set a personal goal and reach it! (You may even want to index while you watch basketball!)
  2. Find someone who is less knowledgeable with indexing than you and teach him or her how to improve; or find someone more knowledgeable than you and learn from them.

As you ponder how to best complete this sprint, if you feel impressed to alter or adjust this sprint to better meet your personal needs for you or your family, please feel free to do so as long as it still meets the objective.

Share your experience in your journal and with your family, possibly at a family home evening or dinner. Then report the completion of this sprint.

* Extra Mile *

  1. Challenge another individual or family to a friendly indexing competition.
  2. If you speak a second language try indexing in that language. For every 100 names indexed in English there is only 1 indexed in a different language.

Words from our Leaders

Quote
As you respond in faith to this invitation, your hearts shall turn to the fathers. The promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will be implanted in your hearts. Your patriarchal blessing, with its declaration of lineage, will link you to these fathers and be more meaningful to you. Your love and gratitude for your ancestors will increase. Your testimony of and conversion to the Savior will become deep and abiding. And I promise you will be protected against the intensifying influence of the adversary. As you participate in and love this holy work, you will be safeguarded in your youth and throughout your lives.
Source
Elder David A. Bednar: "The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn" - General Conference (Oct 2011)
SourceUrl
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/general-conference/2011/10/the-hearts-of-the-children-shall-turn

If you are in need of additional help when completing this sprint, visit the help tools at churchofjesuschrist.org or contact your ward's Family History Consultant for help starting or progressing with your Family History work.

April 2016 - Story Trek (Finding the One)

Objective

We never know when our influence will help someone in need. Sometime we are prompted to visit, call, or drop by someone's house without knowing why. The Lord uses us as his "angels" on earth when we reach out to those that are feeling lost and alone. The purpose of this month's sprint is to prayerfully find someone and hear their story and brighten their day.

Activity Options (Do one of the following as a family or an individual)

  1. Ask someone to tell you "their story". Consider spending some time with them listening to the stories from their lives. Try to see life through their eyes.
  2. Family story night. Gather together multiple generations to hear stories from each other's lives. Try to find connections through the generations.

    Possible Youth Activity: Participate with your YW/YM groups and visit people in your area. Ask them to tell you stories of their lives. Come prepared with thoughtful questions that will allow them to reminisce about their lives. Reflect on how you may have similar experiences in your life and how you can learn from the experiences you have heard.

As you ponder how to best complete this sprint, if you feel impressed to alter or adjust this sprint to better meet your personal needs for you or your family, please feel free to do so as long as it still meets the objective.

Share your experience in your journal and with your family, possibly at a family home evening or dinner. Then report the completion of this sprint.

* Extra Mile *

Take the stories you have heard and write them down. Keep them in a family history journal, or give them to family members as a gift. Record stories on the Family Tree app or go to the Family Search Library so they will be stored on familysearch.org.

Words from our Leaders

Quote
Brothers and sisters, there may be many who, for some reason, are lost from our sight and who do not know that they are lost. If we delay, we could lose them forever. For many who have need of our help, it is not necessary to create new programs or take actions which are complicated or costly. They only need our determination to serve — to do the right thing at the right time, without delay.
Source
Elder Jose L. Alonso: "Doing the Right Thing at the Right Time Without Delay" - General Conference (Oct 2011)
SourceUrl
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/general-conference/2011/10/doing-the-right-thing-at-the-right-time-without-delay

If you are in need of additional help when completing this sprint, visit the help tools at churchofjesuschrist.org or contact your ward mission leader.

May 2016 - Digging Up the Past

Objective

We have been blessed with a significant amount of resources to further God's work in the latter days. One of these resources, familysearch.org, allows us to seek out our ancestors, and bless their lives beyond the veil by completing temple work in their name. The purpose of this sprint is to increase your familiarity with these Family History resources. By accomplishing one of the activities listed below, not only will your knowledge of these resources be nurtured, but also your testimony of aiding those beyond the veil will be strengthened.

Activity Options (Do one of the following as a family or an individual)

  1. Visit a Family History Library and learn of the resources available there. While there, work on your family tree.
  2. Discover your closest relative in the stake (besides your immediate family) on relativefinder.org and record your relationship to them.
    A group has been created on Relative Finder to make this easier.
    To join:

As you ponder how to best complete this sprint, if you feel impressed to alter or adjust this sprint to better meet your personal needs for you or your family, please feel free to do so as long as it still meets the objective.

Share your experience in your journal and with your family, possibly at a family home evening or dinner. Then report the completion of this sprint.

* Extra Mile *

Make yourself familiar with familysearch.org, such that you will be ready to engage in July's sprint: "Lost and Found"

Words from our Leaders

Quote
While temple and family history work has the power to bless those beyond the veil, it has an equal power to bless the living. It has a refining influence on those who are engaged in it. They are literally helping to exalt their families.
Source
Elder Russell M. Nelson: "Generations Linked in Love" - General Conference (Apr 2010)
SourceUrl
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/general-conference/2010/04/generations-linked-in-love

If you are in need of additional help when completing this sprint, visit the help tools at familysearch.org or contact your ward's Family History Consultant for help starting or progressing with your Family History work.

June 2016 - Gathering Thy Sheep

Objective

Build or improve relationships with others in order to invite our less active or non-member friends and family to an activity in which they have the opportunity to feel the Spirit in a good environment.

Activity Options (Do one of the following as a family or an individual)

  1. Invite a friend or family member to an activity in your home such as a Family Home Evening, movie night, game night, dessert night, etc. that they might experience an environment where the Spirit is present.
  2. Invite a friend or family member to a sporting event such as church sports, school sports or other games. Be a good example and build a strong relationship.

As you ponder how to best complete this sprint, if you feel impressed to alter or adjust this sprint to better meet your personal needs for you or your family, please feel free to do so as long as it still meets the objective.

Share your experience in your journal and with your family, possibly at a family home evening or dinner. Then report the completion of this sprint.

* Extra Mile *

Invite multiple people to multiple events. Follow up on your invitations even if the answer was "No". Continue to be a friend and to invite them to participate. Never give up!

Words from our Leaders

Quote
If you will respond to the invitation to share your beliefs and feelings about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, a spirit of love and a spirit of courage will be your constant companion, for perfect love casteth out fear.
Source
Elder L. Tom Perry: "Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear" - General Conference (Oct 2011)
SourceUrl
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/general-conference/2011/10/perfect-love-casteth-out-fear

If you are in need of additional help when completing this sprint, visit the help tools at churchofjesuschrist.org or contact your ward mission leader.

July 2016 - Lost and Found

Objective

The purpose of this sprint is for you to find ancestors whose temple ordinance work has not been completed or not started, and learn about them. If you find new ancestors, add them to familysearch.org and perform their temple work. This will help you develop a love for your ancestors as you learn about their life and their place in history.

Activity Options (Do one of the following as a family or an individual)

  1. Find a name to take to the temple (and do the work in the temple). If you can't find a name, help someone (preferably someone in your family) finish the work that they started and have them tell you what they learned about that person. Together you will share the joy of learning about your ancestors.
  2. Ask a family member to tell you a new story about your ancestors. Record it on familysearch.org or in your journal.

As you ponder how to best complete this sprint, if you feel impressed to alter or adjust this sprint to better meet your personal needs for you or your family, please feel free to do so as long as it still meets the objective.

Share your experience in your journal and with your family, possibly at a family home evening or dinner. Then report the completion of this sprint.

* Extra Mile *

Attend a family history class either in your ward (see family history consultant), at the Riverton Office Building or the Church Family History Library at Temple Square.

Words from our Leaders

Quote
Do you young people want a sure way to eliminate the influence of the adversary in your life? Immerse yourself in searching for your ancestors, prepare their names for the sacred vicarious ordinances available in the temple, and then go to the temple to stand as proxy for them to receive the ordinances of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost... I can think of no greater protection from the influence of the adversary in your life.
Source
Elder Richard G. Scott: "The Joy of Redeeming the Dead" - General Conference (Oct 2012)
SourceUrl
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/general-conference/2012/10/the-joy-of-redeeming-the-dead

If you are in need of additional help when completing this sprint, visit the help tools at familysearch.org or contact your ward's Family History Consultant for help starting or progressing with your Family History work.

August 2016 - Missionary Work - My Message

Objective

To Influence people around you for good and to share the Gospel, including your Testimony of Jesus Christ. Sharing is Caring - #mymessage

Activity Options (Do one of the following as a family or an individual)

  1. Find a Mormon Message, a General Conference Talk, or a Quote from a General Authority and put it on your Social Media Accounts along with your feelings about it or testimony.
  2. Write in your Journal your favorite Scripture and why it is your favorite and/or write your Testimony in your Journal and why it is Important to you. Then share your feelings or some of the things you wrote about with someone.

As you ponder how to best complete this sprint, if you feel impressed to alter or adjust this sprint to better meet your personal needs for you or your family, please feel free to do so as long as it still meets the objective.

Share your experience in your journal and with your family, possibly at a family home evening or dinner. Then report the completion of this sprint.

* Extra Mile *

Do both the writing in your journal and post on social media. One will help yourself and your descendants, and the other will help benefit the world around you now.

Words from our Leaders

Quote
Finally, you possess a testimony; share it. Never underestimate the far-reaching influence of your testimony. You can strengthen one another; you have the capacity to notice the unnoticed. When you have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to feel, you can reach out and rescue others of your age.
Source
President Thomas S. Monson: "Be Thou an Example" - General Conference (Apr 2005)
SourceUrl
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/general-conference/2005/04/be-thou-an-example

If you are in need of additional help when completing this sprint, visit the help tools at churchofjesuschrist.org or contact your ward mission leader.

September 2016 - A Recipe of Love - Family Recipe

Objective

Meal time has been determined to be a time to unite the family; not only by our Church Leaders, but by scholars and social scientists of the world. In this sprint we want to unite earthly families to families from our past. This will help you experience what your ancestors did and bring you closer to them by preparing a recipe from one of your ancestor's native countries.

Activity Options (Do one of the following as a family or an individual)

  1. Prepare a recipe from an ancestor's native country and share it with your family.
  2. Find a family saying or quote from an ancestor. Find the story behind the quote or saying. Spend time with your family and reminisce together over dinner.

As you ponder how to best complete this sprint, if you feel impressed to alter or adjust this sprint to better meet your personal needs for you or your family, please feel free to do so as long as it still meets the objective.

Share your experience in your journal and with your family, possibly at a family home evening or dinner. Then report the completion of this sprint.

* Extra Mile *

Prepare several traditional recipes and have a family meal together OR print or write the saying or quote and display it in your home.

Words from our Leaders

Quote
As a young mother I did not fully understand my power as a nurturer. Though we were a busy family, I considered everyone's presence at dinnertime non-negotiable. It was our most consistent gathering time, and everyone planned to eat together before going on to other activities. I learned of the influence of my nurturing when our youngest daughter wrote in a college paper: "Dinner in our home was not just an eating ritual, but a special time for the family to communicate and to share our thoughts and stories of the day." ... We often sat together for over an hour as we savored the conversation as much as the food.
Source
Sister Julie B. Beck: "" - Ensign (Dec 2005)
SourceUrl
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/ensign/2005/12/powerful-nurturing

If you are in need of additional help when completing this sprint, visit the help tools at familysearch.org or contact your ward's Family History Consultant for help starting or progressing with your Family History work.

October 2016 - Love One Another

Objective

To inspire others to follow Jesus' example by loving and serving others. Service blesses both the individual who is serving and the individual being served. Pray that you will be prompted who to serve and how to best serve "The One".

Activity Options (Do one of the following as a family or an individual)

  1. Complete an act of service, each week during the month.
  2. Participate in a Service Activity in your ward or stake.

As you ponder how to best complete this sprint, if you feel impressed to alter or adjust this sprint to better meet your personal needs for you or your family, please feel free to do so as long as it still meets the objective.

Share your experience in your journal and with your family, possibly at a family home evening or dinner. Then report the completion of this sprint.

* Extra Mile *

Consider serving someone you don't know very well or at all. Share your personal testimony about service, how it relates to missionary work to at least one person. Serve someone every day.

Words from our Leaders

Quote
It is only when we love God and Christ with all of our hearts, souls, and minds that we are able to share this love with our neighbors through acts of kindness and service - the way that the Savior would love and serve all of us if He were among us today.
Source
Elder M. Russell Ballard: "Finding Joy through Loving Service" - General Conference (Apr 2011)
SourceUrl
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/general-conference/2011/04/finding-joy-through-loving-service

If you are in need of additional help when completing this sprint, visit the help tools at churchofjesuschrist.org or contact your ward mission leader.

November 2016 - Exploring Your Roots

Objective

This month's family sprint is focused on exploring your family's roots. Families are full of heritage, so this sprint is going to help you discover your family roots.

Activity Options (Do one of the following as a family or an individual)

  1. Discover a family crest. If you are unable to locate a family crest then create one! Talk with other family members about what they think would represent your families' heritage.
  2. Find a family heirloom and learn the story behind it. Examples would be recipes, jewelry, art work, furniture etc. A family heirloom is an item that is passed down from one generation to the next.

As you ponder how to best complete this sprint, if you feel impressed to alter or adjust this sprint to better meet your personal needs for you or your family, please feel free to do so as long as it still meets the objective.

Share your experience in your journal and with your family, possibly at a family home evening or dinner. Then report the completion of this sprint.

* Extra Mile *

Share a picture of the family crest or heirloom on social media and encourage others to do a similar activity.

Words from our Leaders

Quote
Families go back before the earth was, and they will go forward into eternity.
Source
Elder L. Tom Perry: "Why Marriage and Family Matter -- Everywhere in the World" - General Conference (Apr 2015)
SourceUrl
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/general-conference/2015/04/why-marriage-and-family-matter-everywhere-in-the-world

If you are in need of additional help when completing this sprint, visit the help tools at familysearch.org or contact your ward's Family History Consultant for help starting or progressing with your Family History work.

December 2016 - Called to Serve

Objective

"You cannot truly love the Lord until you serve his people" (President Thomas S. Monson). This month's sprint is to help focus on our goal as a stake to complete as many sprints as possible.

Activity Options (Do one of the following as a family or an individual)

  1. Go back and complete any sprints you may have missed or not completed.
  2. Help someone complete a sprint from any month this year.

As you ponder how to best complete this sprint, if you feel impressed to alter or adjust this sprint to better meet your personal needs for you or your family, please feel free to do so as long as it still meets the objective.

Share your experience in your journal and with your family, possibly at a family home evening or dinner. Then report the completion of this sprint.

* Extra Mile *

  1. Encourage and help as many people as you can to complete the sprints they may have missed.
  2. In January you made goals or a time capsule. Go back and go over your goals or time capsule.

Words from our Leaders

Quote
Another way we can serve Heavenly Father's children is through missionary service — not only as full-time missionaries but also as friends and neighbors. The future growth of the Church will not happen through just knocking on strangers' doors. It will happen when the members, along with our missionaries, filled with the love of God and Christ discern needs and respond to those needs in the spirit of charitable service. When we do this, brothers and sisters, the honest in heart will feel our sincerity and our love. Many will want to know more about us. Then and only then will the Church expand to fill all of the earth. This cannot be accomplished by missionaries alone but requires the interest and service of every member.
Source
Elder M. Russell Ballard: "Finding Joy through Loving Service" - General Conference (Apr 2011)
SourceUrl
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/general-conference/2011/04/finding-joy-through-loving-service

If you are in need of additional help when completing this sprint, visit the help tools at churchofjesuschrist.org or contact your ward mission leader.