Who Holds the Power to Bind and Seal Today?

Welcome to Day 26 of our 60-Day Challenge! But before we tackle today’s question, let’s take a moment to reflect on the question from Day 25 - a question that takes us deep into the global rise of genealogy and what it could mean in the bigger picture of God’s plan.

Here’s the question:

Why was there a sudden global interest in genealogical research? And why were genealogical societies formed immediately following Elijah’s appearance in the temple in 1836?

At first glance, genealogy might seem like just a fun way to learn about our roots, but when you look deeper, the timing of its rise—especially following Elijah’s return—suggests something much bigger is at play.

So, let’s break it down.

The Rise of Genealogy: A Random Trend or Something More?

The global interest in genealogy didn’t just appear out of nowhere. It started picking up momentum in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and then absolutely exploded in the digital age.

So, what caused this shift? Let’s take a look at the key factors:

1. The Role of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Restored Church has long emphasized family history and temple work as part of its mission. Members are encouraged to trace their ancestors, ensuring that they receive sacred ordinances through temple work—like baptism for the dead—so families can be sealed together for eternity.

With Elijah’s prophesied return in 1836, the doctrine of turning the hearts of the fathers to the children (Malachi 4:5-6) took on a whole new meaning. The Church established one of the largest genealogical databases in the world—FamilySearch, which remains a leading resource today.

Coincidence? Or divine timing?

2. The Genealogy Boom of the 20th Century

While family history research has existed for centuries, something shifted in the mid-1900s that made people everywhere start searching for their ancestors.

Here’s what happened:

📺 Pop Culture Influence – In 1977, the television miniseries "Roots" (based on Alex Haley’s book) sparked a massive wave of interest in genealogy, particularly among African Americans. It showed the power of knowing where we come from, and millions of people began tracing their own lineage.

📜 Genealogical Societies Formed – Many genealogical societies were established in the late 19th century, right after Elijah’s return was recorded in 1836. This surge of record-keeping and family research isn’t just a historical coincidence—it aligns with a greater spiritual movement.

💻 The Internet Revolution – The rise of personal computers and later the internet made genealogy research more accessible than ever. Platforms like Ancestry.com (founded in 1996) and FamilySearch (which expanded online in 1999) allowed anyone to discover their roots without ever leaving their home.

🧬 DNA Testing & Genetic Genealogy – The introduction of consumer DNA kits from companies like 23andMe and AncestryDNA added another layer. People could now connect with long-lost relatives and uncover their heritage in ways never before possible.

What Does This Have to Do with Elijah?

Malachi 4:5-6 prophesied:

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers.”

Elijah’s return in 1836 wasn’t just a symbolic event—it marked the beginning of something greater: the fulfillment of this prophecy.

Think about it—why did genealogy suddenly explode in importance after this event? Could it be because God is preparing the world for His Second Coming through the restoration of family connections?

The spirit of Elijah isn’t just about remembering our ancestors—it’s about making sure they are linked to us eternally.

For Latter-day Saints, temple work is a direct fulfillment of this prophecy. Genealogy isn’t just a hobby—it’s a divine mission.

Why This Matters Today

Genealogy is more than just names and dates on a chart. It’s about:
✅ Understanding who we are and where we come from.
✅ Strengthening the eternal connections between families.
✅ Fulfilling prophecy and preparing for Christ’s return.

The fact that genealogical societies formed shortly after 1836, and that technology later made it possible for genealogy to explode worldwide, isn’t random—it’s part of God’s plan.

Next Up: Question 26

Now that we’ve looked at genealogy’s rise and its connection to Elijah, here’s your next challenge:

The New Testament apostles had the ability to bind and seal on earth and in heaven. Who today claims the ability to bind and seal things on earth and in heaven?

If you Google this question, you’ll most likely get one specific answer. But why?

Transcription:

     Hi, my name is Joe Cirillo with Gospel First, and once again, thanks for your decision to follow me on the exciting journey to find Christ's restored church in our day. But before I give you question number 26, did you get the answer to question 25? Why was there a sudden global interest in genealogical research?

And why were these genealogical societies formed immediately following Elijah's appearance in the temple in 1836? Well, you know, the sudden global interest in genealogical research began to surge in the late 20th century, particularly in the 1970s and 80s. Now, several factors really contributed to this increased interest.

The rise of personal computers in the 1990s revolutionized genealogy. Before this, family history research was slow and labor intensive, requiring visits to libraries, archives, and government offices. As digital records became available, people could access vast amounts of genealogical data more easily.

The creation of online databases, such as Ancestry. com, launched in 1996. And FamilySearch, which expanded online in 1999, made it easier for individuals to research their family histories from home. Then, of course, the 1977 television miniseries, which I remember well, called Roots, which is based on Alex Haley's book of the same name, sparked significant public interest in genealogy, especially among African Americans.

The show, which traced Haley's ancestry back to Africa, inspired many to start exploring their own family histories. Other genealogy focused programs such as Who Do You Think You Are? further fueled this interest. The Restored Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, has played a major role in promoting genealogical research.

It has long emphasized family history and temple work, encouraging members to trace their ancestors to perform sacred ordinances on their behalf. The The church's genealogical database, FamilySearch, is one of the largest and most widely used resources for genealogy today. And now the introduction of consumer DNA testing kits in the 21st century from companies like 23andMe and AncestryDNA created a boom in interest.

These tests allow people to trace their ethnic backgrounds and connect with relatives they may not have known about, sparking a renewed wave of genealogical exploration. So to summarize The global interest in genealogy has grown due to technological advancements, cultural influences, and the desire to connect with one's roots.

The surge is often seen as a reflection of the spirit of Elijah, which has touched many hearts and continues to inspire people to seek out their ancestors. The phrase, turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, is viewed as a divine call to engage in genealogy. Allowing us to perform sacred ordinances for our deceased ancestors and be sealed together as eternal families.

So here's question number 26. The New Testament Apostles had the ability to bind and seal on earth and in heaven. Who today claims the ability to bind and seal things on earth and in heaven? And now if you Google this question, you will most likely get this answer. Now I'd love to hear your thoughts.