Ward Plan for 2026, etc.

I am saddened by the passing of President Jeffrey R Holland. His talks have always touched my heart in a special way. I will miss that. But he has been freed from the burdens of a failing body, and he has moved forward to join his beloved wife Pat in his new field of labor.

Temple Service
During 2026, let's take a fresh look at what we can do to help redeem the dead. We have a house of the Lord close to most of us. Let's reflect on the Psalmist's words "I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." (Psalm 23)

And what can we do to help others do eternal work in the temple too?

Temple and Family History Plan for 2026 
Each Ward or Branch Council should have a simple plan, to guide your efforts during 2026.
Maybe revise the plan you used in 2025 or create a new one.  (Link to the General Handbook)
Try to focus on helping specific families and individuals to progress rather than just numbers.
And use it in the agenda of your regular Temple and Family History Coordinating Meetings.
Please submit a copy to your High Councillor.

Members Submitting This Year
We encourage each person to print their own cards for temple ordinances. Why not just use cards printed by the temple or by a friend or relative? (Actually this accomplishes the same work, but changes the statistics. The Family History Activity Report uses these statistics to report how many members of the ward or branch are doing temple work during the current year. So, if Grandma prints 100 baptismal cards and gives 10 to each grand child, the statistic shows one person as doing temple work, rather than 10. This does not change the actual number of people doing temple work, just a convenient statistic that leaders may be using.)

Please register for RootsTech if you have not already done this.
Rootstech 2026, March 5–7, 2026 is the Church's big annual Family History Conference, co-sponsored by commercial partners such as Ancestry, My Heritage and Findmypast. We can attend online or in person. 
There are tons of classes and activities, so there is something for everyone. Meet Elder and Sister Rasband: https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/topics/latter-day-saint-sessions?icid=FS-00055635