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SALT LAKE CITY -- Since the National Genealogical Society is in town, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will host a family history celebration Thursday night at 7 p.m. at the Conference Center.
Visitors can expect family history videos, musical numbers by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and guest speakers, including David McCullough.
McCullough is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and wrote the New York Times Bestseller "1776." He says we do not do enough to teach our children about our family histories -- and we should start at home.
"It begins at the dinner table, stories, with curiosity about our father and mothers, great uncles, where they grew up and where and what their stories were," he said.
Besides talks from McCullough and President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church, videos will be played, telling the stories of people who have traced their family history and what they have learned.
About 21,000 people are expected to attend Thursday night's celebration, many from the National Genealogical Society conference that is in town this week.
FamilySearch, the non-profit organization hosting this event, hopes people leave with a renewed interest in family history.
"They will leave with a renewed dedication and commitment to the work they have been doing," said Jay Verkler of FamilySearch.
This event is free. All the tickets have been handed out, but stand-by admission is still available. The stand-by line starts at the north gate of Temple Square, and it's very likely you will get in.
E-mail: abutterfield@ksl.com
