Role and Responsibilities
Area family history advisers work closely with the Area Seventies and coordinating councils. Generally, priesthood holders or couples are called to serve as area family history advisers.
The Church’s Family History Department provides orientation and training for the new advisers. The department will contact new advisers after being notified of their callings.
Core Training for Your Calling
- Overview Video: Area Family History Adviser: View an overview video to learn the roles and duties of an area family history adviser.
- Handbook 2: Section 5.4: Read the section from Handbook 2 that outlines the duties associated with temple and family history work.
- To Turn the Hearts Guide and Videos: Study a resource guide and watch a series of documentary-style videos designed to act as a supplement to Handbook 2.
- The Doctrine of Temple and Family History Work: Learn the doctrine of the turning of hearts and the blessings of temple attendance.
- Policies for Submitting Names for Temple Work: View a course on what names to submit for temple work.
Resources
The following materials are available to assist family history advisers.
Using Family History as a Resource

A tool for planning and conducting visits with priesthood leaders. It contains resources to help you address the most common needs and concerns of priesthood leaders. Currently this is only available in English.
Meeting with Leaders
A video that shows area family history advisers meeting with stake leaders to demonstrate how family history can be a resource in the work of salvation.