Leaders from the Laie Record Operation Center have been teaching indexing classes at BYU–Hawaii during March and April in preparation for the centennial celebration of the Laie Hawaii Temple in November. Members of the class are only indexing Hawaiian records, said the leaders, striving to find records of those with Hawaiian heritage or whom spent their lives in Hawaii.
Elder and Sister Mcfarland, the Record Operation Center leads, teach the classes and assist attendees with their questions. Sister McFarland said, “Most of the people attending this class are members or leaders of local stakes who hold callings related to indexing and family history. They come here to learn and practice then take back the things they have learned to their ward and stake members.”
“One of our main goals for this class,” said Sister Mcfarland, “is to fulfill the scripture in Doctrine and Covenants 128:24.” The scripture reads, “Let us present... a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worthy of all acceptation.”
Mcfarland said this experience is both intellectually and spiritually uplifting for those participating. “Sometimes indexing can be hard and frustrating. There are times I’ve had staff tell me they get something smudged, really unreadable, then they say a short prayer saying, ‘We need you. Do you want your names to be recorded?’ They take a deep breath, look again, and it’s clear as day.”
The temple and family history consultant indexing lead in the Laie Hawaii North Stake, Luana Kotobalavu, said she is also there to assist, learn and take back knowledge to the members of her stake. Kotobalavu exclaimed, “We need you. Indexing can be fun.”
She said she is striving to encourage all, no matter the age or circumstance, to give indexing a try. “I really want to involve all age groups but especially the older people. They have so much to offer with their great knowledge of the Hawaiian language and names.” Many of the records being indexed are only available in the Hawaiian language. The five categories being indexed are death, birth, land grantor and grantees, passports and naturalization, said Kotobalavu.
Knowing that many people, especially those of the older generations, are uncertain about using the indexing technology, Kotobalavu said she is dedicating herself to helping invite others to join. “[I am doing] my part to build their confidence and show them just how simple and rewarding it really is.”
One student attending the class, Atalina Moala, a member of Kahuku 3rd Ward, said she has learned a lot after one class of indexing. “This class has been a great help to me as I have had no prior experience with indexing. It really breaks it down and simplifies it for me. Elder and Sister McFarland are such a great help. They teach us all the rules and answer my questions.”
Her commitment to take the indexing class, said Moala, has really helped her to have a greater desire to do indexing. “At first I was so lost, but now that I understand what I’m doing I just want to keep indexing. It’s such a good feeling to accomplish.”
Sister Mcfarland said, “When President Nelson says, ‘We need to help those both beyond the veil and here;’ We know it is true because we’re doing this work. We hope those who do indexing are feeling that spirit rather than just doing it to accomplish a certain number of names. We prefer accuracy and quality work rather than quantity and numbers.”
Writer: Alyssa Odom