In December of 1966, fifty eight years ago, I was reading the Book of Mormon for the first time. For the first time in my life I was feeling the influence of the Holy Ghost. For the first time in a long time I was feeling happy and excited and had hope. I was discovering that repentance was possible, and that I could become clean, that I could become a new person. I was learning that I was a son of God, that I had worth, and that I had a glorious and happy future that could be filled with joy. All I wanted to do was to read that book and to maintain those feelings.

I wonder if my posterity and my progenitors were aware of me and of what I was doing and experiencing. I suspect that they were. I suspect that they were holding their collective breaths. I believe that they knew that their salvation hinged upon the repentance and actions of that confused young man who was seeking peace and direction.

The Book of Mormon was the key that wrought a mighty change in my heart. (Alma 5:12 and 13). My soul was expanding. (Alma 5:8). The Holy Ghost was forging a tool that would become an instrument in the hands of the Lord that would influence generations. What was happening in that cold December bedroom has now profoundly affected three succeeding generations. My children, grandchildren, and now great grandchildren are happy, good, righteous, comfortable, and productive because of what happened to me as I embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ. My branches are prospering, growing, glowing, and multiplying.

Not only are my branches being nourished, but so are my roots. I'm getting close to completing the temple ordinances for all of the descendants of all of my third great grandparents, thousands of people.

It is humbling to think what has happened because of my conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. I had no idea until perhaps just yesterday how far-reaching my actions, my decisions, my work, my teachings, and my influence would become.

It is humbling and gratifying to think about this thriving tree with its healthy roots and branches.

So very much depends upon each individual. If a person falters and falls, generations are affected. Neither their roots nor branches get nourished. Pity the posterity and progenitors of those promising men in the early days of the restoration of the gospel who began so gloriously and who fell so heavily. The Lord says of them that "As the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, their root shall be rottenness, and their blossoms shall go up as dust." (2 Nephi 15:24). The Lord says further that "It is contrary to the will and commandment of God that those ... should have their names enrolled with the people of God. Neither is their genealogy to be kept, or to be had where it may be found on any of the records or history of the church.: (D&C 85:3-4). How unspeakably sad!

"Behold the tree," Zenos said. (Jacob 5:23). Mine is green, growing, and vibrant. Theirs is dry, dead, and non-existent. Malachi said that "the day that cometh shall burn them up, ... that it shall leave them neither root nor branch." ((3 Nephi 26:1 and Malachi 4:1).

Such a horrible, unhappy, unnecessary thing to have happen.

The hinge of happiness for countless people rests with each individual.