Relationships matter—especially those with ancestors says Adjunct English Professor Lori Steadman.
Do you have a favorite story of an ancestor? If you don’t, Adjunct Faculty Lori Steadman (Rhetoric and Composition) suggests finding one or writing your own. In her lecture “How Does Knowing and Teaching Family Stories Promote Resiliency,” she said that family stories have the ability to positively impact current and future families—and step one is writing these histories down.
Steadman realized the importance of recording family stories when she learned of a study done on child resiliency. When children learn more about their families, Steadman explained that they “proved to be more resilient and able to moderate stress. They had a strong sense of control. They had higher self-esteem.” Referencing the research, Steadman said, “As we learn more about our ancestors and feel connected to them, it reflects on how we feel about ourselves because they are part of us.”
And this isn’t a new phenomenon. Steadman said Joseph Smith’s paternal grandfather, Asael Smith, “was a man of faith; he taught his family to search religion carefully and to study the nature of religion.” Elements of this trait appear in Joseph’s account of the First Vision, especially when he studied James 1:5 and decided to take his questions to God.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Steadman also shared the story of her 10th great-grandmother, Mary Chilton, who sailed to the New World on the Mayflower when she was just 13 years old. Her parents died on the way, but when Chilton arrived, she made sure she was one of the first to step foot on the land.
When Steadman’s granddaughter heard this story, she gained the confidence to face her own challenges because her ancestor had conquered even harder ones. Steadman’s granddaughter said, “I guess if Mary can go to the New World, I can go to junior high.”
So, how do individuals create a story that will help their future children? One way is to make the characters in ancestral stories feel real: “The more you identify with the character in the story, the more likely you are to be persuaded by their choices and their thoughts and actions,” Steadman said.
Steadman also suggested that rich descriptions, like those given in Joseph Smith’s account of seeing Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, draw readers into the story. “He gives us this incredible description so that we can be part of the First Vision,” she said.
Stories like Joseph Smith’s and Mary Chilton’s help shape identities and help those who relate to them work through challenges, but these stories don’t have to be long to do so. According to Steadman, Jesus Christ, the Master Storyteller, only spoke 500 words or less in His parables.
Keeping the characteristics of a good story in mind, Steadman invited all in attendance to write down a story that showed a moment of growth in their own lives. She said, “You are the most important ancestor for your children and grandchildren.”
Learn more about Education Week here.