Among the timeless truths often discovered at the end of a hero’s quest is the value of home, family and tilling one’s own soil.
That’s why one of the short speeches actor Sean Astin delivers as Samwise Gamgee in the film based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic tale, “The Lord of the Rings,” truly resonates with him.
“There’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it’s worth fighting for,” Astin said as Samwise in “The Two Towers,” the second film in the trilogy. “It’s like in the great tales, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. And sometimes you don’t want to know the end because how can the end be happy? How can the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass and a new day will come. And when the sun shines, it will shine out the clearer. Those are the stories that meant something.”
The Samwise speech, quoted by Astin during his keynote address at RootsTech, was well received by both Tolkien fans and family history enthusiasts in the Salt Palace Convention Center on Saturday, March 4.
Astin was one of several keynote speakers during the three-day global family history gathering. Each keynote, along with all other RootsTech content, will continue to be available free and on demand at RootsTech.org.
Here is one thought from each of the main keynote messages at RootsTech 2023.
Elder and Sister Gong
Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Susan Gong, filmed their visits to several locations in Hawaii, where his family lived, as well as places in Ireland, where Sister Gong’s ancestors lived, as part of Family Discovery Day.
“We talk about uniting with families,” Elder Gong said. “There are so many different ways to be united with the family, but one of them is to know something about them, to know where they were and what they are like, and to see a picture, and to have a feeling for what their life would have been. It is really what makes our hearts connect in a way because you are not strangers, you are not distant. You are close. You are family.”
“Our time in Hawaii and Ireland has been deeply meaningful for us, making new friends and meeting family, tracing our history, creating memories in the places where our ancestors lived,” Sister Gong said. “This has brought us closer to those who made possible our lives. There’s a special spirit in this endeavor.”
Jordin Sparks
Jordin Sparks, a multiplatinum recording artist, actress and former winner of “American Idol,” performed four musical numbers and expressed appreciation for the support and strength of her family.
“My family, they definitely have helped me keep my feet on the ground,” Sparks said. “They are the most amazing people, and they have always believed in me. That has helped propel me. ... In the industry, it’s lots of peaks and valleys. You never know when the next gig is going to come, so you are kind of in limbo. You can feel out of control at times. But I feel like with my family, they are the thing that brings me back to center.”
Steve Rockwood
Steve Rockwood, CEO of FamilySearch, talked about this year’s theme of “Uniting.”
“What we really need is to turn our hearts to each other by connecting frequently and doing good, fun constructive things together,” Rockwood said before inviting everyone to turn on their cellphone flashlights.
“Everyone matters and everyone can contribute,” he said. “Each contribution comes together to create one light, and we can light the whole world and unite families past, present and future.”
Me Ra Koh
Me Ra Koh, a prominent portrait photographer, shared her story about overcoming adversity to find hope and how to be a living portrait of resilience.
“There comes a point in every single one of our lives the need for healing,” Koh said. “The need for freedom finally outweighs the voices of disqualification, the voices of fear and doubt.”
Koh bought a camera and taught herself how to take photos.
“Photography relieved me, showing me that the shadows embrace the light. I don’t need to hide from the shadows, I don’t need to pack them away — the parts of those things in my life that I can feel ashamed about,” Koh said. “That’s actually what defines the light. Shadows define the light.”
Sean Astin
Before going on stage at RootsTech, the award-winning actor, director and producer said he sent a text message to his daughter asking her why she loves genealogy. He read her response during his keynote remarks: “It’s a way to learn about the ancestors that live on through me. We are the key to our ancestors’ eternal life, and through my children, in a way, I will live forever.”
The message helped Astin to realize that history is alive in each person and the actions of one’s ancestors can influence a person’s life.
“I think we all repeat certain generational patterns, and learning from my ancestry is the biggest cheat sheet to solving life’s greatest problems,” Astin said.
