In March nearly 7,000 people traveled to the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, to spend the weekend at RootsTech, a yearly technology-focused genealogy conference sponsored by FamilySearch and a few other big names in the family history industry. Genealogy — the search for and documentation of one’s ancestors — and “technology” haven’t always been kissing cousins, but this conference speaks to and encourages a growing relationship between the two. The hobby, traditionally picked up near retirement age and most often by women, is now a billion-dollar industry with a growing younger demographic. In the past few years, finding and charting one’s family history has become trendy because it’s also become a lot easier to get started. Companies like Ancestry.com and FamilySearch have spent the last decade or so making all of their tools, records, and data available on the internet, revolutionizing genealogical research — and significantly lowering the barrier to entry in the process. What was once a pastime for older people or professionals with disposable income is quickly becoming a more mainstream pursuit. Taking a peek into the past now requires nothing more than a decent internet connection and a laptop. DNA testing, which just a few years ago cost thousands of dollars and offered little information for genealogists, is now a growing consumer option, reaching back hundreds of years to provide undreamed of amounts of information about our ancestors.

An abridged version of this interview appeared in the January/February 2021 issue of LDS Living magazine.

According to statistical research conducted last year, the average family that tours Nauvoo visits only 13 sites while on vacation in the historic town. “There are two problems with that,” says resident Matthew Von Trapp. “First, there are easily 60 historic sites, landmarks, and points of interest worth visiting in the immediate area, each lending perspective to the LDS time period. Second, Nauvoo has multiple time periods worth exploring beyond the 7-year LDS period of 1839-1846.

With different opinions and needs in a marriage, it is important that we remember to think of our spouse as a person with feelings and needs. The following true story helps illustrate how a simple change in perspective and a desire to help each other can make all the difference in helping us break out of a pattern of unintentional self-sabotage.

Dear Dave, My husband and I are adopting my nephew. His mom is involved with drugs and alcohol, and his father isn’t in the picture. We’ve got $1,000 in the bank, and we’re in the process of paying off all our debt, except the house. Should we slow down or stop the Baby Steps temporarily, and spend more on family things since my nephew is a teenager?

Expand your family history research with a free Storied account.

Dear Dave,

For decades, we have been counseled to be prepared by having food storage for our families. But even with so many resources available to us, there are still a few pitfalls we might be falling into. Here are some common food storage mistakes to look out for and tips to avoid them.

I’m a little picky when it comes to worship music. Now, don’t get me wrong. I can appreciate the hymns and the Tabernacle Choir as much as the next person, but there’s something about a good beat and a catchy melody that I gravitate to. Let’s be honest, though—songs that fit that description and that have inspirational lyrics can sometimes be hard to come by.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have one year of Come, Follow Me under their belts but if you’re like us, you’re still looking for ways to enhance your study and to make this year of studying the Book of Mormon even better. This is where we would like to help. Drumroll please…Introducing the Sunday on Monday Study Group, a Bookshelf Plus Original podcast presented by LDS Living that is uniquely designed to allow listeners to experience the conversation all at once or in segments throughout the week. Host Tamara “Tammy” Uzelac Hall will bring a different group of friends together, each with unique life experiences, to dig into the scriptures. And the best part is that after you listen, you’ll be able to join in the discussion via the Sunday on Monday Instagram account and Facebook group.