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What can I do about unrelated people submitting my names to the temple?

Rebecca Wyson Scano
Rebecca Wyson Scano ✭
November 7, 2021 in Temple

I'm just flabbergasted that people are submitting names to the temple who aren't even related to those people. Are there written rules of conduct that can be quoted as I contact these people? This has to do with my deceased father in law and his ex-wife being submitted for sealing. There are many hard feelings in the family about this. I'm not sure what to do.

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Best Answer

  • Brett .
    Brett . ✭✭✭✭✭
    November 8, 2021 Answer ✓

    @Rebecca Wyson Scano

    Rebecca

    I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...

    [ And, I happen to be a Member of the Church ... ]

    Your are not alone ...

    Many of us understand your frustration ...

    Especially, if you are referring to IMMEDIATE Family members ...

    But, remember ...

    IF, those IMMDEIATE Family members, are LESS than x110 Years of Age; THEN, the User/Patron (who is a Member of the Church), MUST be "Related", to those individuals/persons; even, to just "Reserve", the "Temple" Work.

    These days ...

    The authority/approval, for "Permission Required", is ONLY granted, by 'FamilySearch', after they investigate the "Relationship", of the "Requester", to the individual/person whose "Temple" Work is being requested; and, also check, that there appears to be NO significant Closer "Living" Relative. Authority/Approval is NOT granted lightly. But, remember, there are different "Levels", of Close "Living" Relative; where, the 'Lines" somewhat "Overlap".

    Whereas ...

    IF, those Ancestors, are GREATER than x110 Years of Age; THEN, it quite IS possible (although, NOT preferred) for ANY User/Patron (who is a Member of the Church), to just "Reserve", the "Temple" Work.

    Now ...

    That Said ...

    Please be aware, that your "Ancestral" Lines (especially, for your Ancestors, rather than more IMMEDIATE Family members), MAY also be the SAME "Ancestral" Lines; as, Hundreds, possibly, Thousand, of other People, ALL around the World, some of which are "Registered" Users/Patrons (and, Members of the Church), of "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.

    As I said ... you are not alone ... but, in more respects, that many of us realise ...

    As such ...

    Further to what 'CJTobler' has already proffered ...

    Here are quite a number of "Knowledge Articles" in 'FamilySearch':

    [ There is quite a lot, the needs to be taken into consideration ... it is not all clear cut ... ]

    [ Quite a COMPLEX matter ... which sadly, is compounded, when the "Temple" Work, is for one's Ancestors ... ]

    Individuals for whom I can request temple ordinances

    https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/individuals-for-whom-i-can-request-temple-ordinances

    Can I do temple ordinances for my aunts, uncles, and cousins?

    https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/can-i-do-temple-ordinances-aunts-uncles-and-cousins

    When should I obtain permission before performing ordinances for the deceased?

    https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/when-should-i-obtain-permission-before-performing-ordinances-for-the-deceased

    How do I request help from FamilySearch Support about temple ordinances?

    https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/how-should-i-request-help-from-familysearch-support-about-temple-ordinances

    Someone did ordinances for my immediate family member

    https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/someone-did-ordinances-for-my-immediate-family-member

    Someone has reserved ordinances for my close relative

    https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/someone-has-reserved-ordinances-for-my-close-relative

    Someone has reserved an ordinance that I want to do

    https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/someone-has-reserved-an-ordinance-that-i-would-like-to-do

    Performing ordinances less than a year after death

    https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/performing-ordinances-less-than-a-year-after-death

    What is the 110-year policy, and why was it initiated?

    https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/what-is-the-110-year-policy-and-why-was-it-initiated

    Do I need permission from the closest living relative to do temple ordinances?

    https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/do-i-need-permission-from-the-closest-living-relative-to-do-temple-ordinances

    How do I request ordinances for an ancestor who was born in the last 110 years?

    https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/how-do-i-request-ordinances-for-an-ancestor-who-was-born-in-the-last-110-years

    I cannot find any close living relatives to grant permission for ordinances

    https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/i-cannot-find-any-close-living-relatives-to-grant-permission-for-ordinances

    Family Tree says I need permission to reserve ordinances. The 110-year policy does not apply.

    https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/family-tree-says-i-need-permission-to-reserve-ordinances-the-110-year-policy-does-not-apply

    Can I request proxy temple ordinances for a friend?

    https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/can-i-request-proxy-temple-ordinances-for-a-friend

    Doing temple work for people not related to me

    https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/doing-temple-work-for-people-not-related-to-me

    I know, that ALL of this, certainly DOES NOT, help/assist (nor, comfort); especially, when the individuals/persons concerned, are one's IMMEDIATE Family members; or, DIRECT "Ancestral" Lines; but, I hope that this gives just some, insight; and, perspective.

    Brett

    ps: Remember ... You are NEVER alone, when it comes to your "Ancestral" Lines (Genealogy/Family History).

    .

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Answers

  • Carla Tobler
    Carla Tobler mod
    November 7, 2021 edited November 7, 2021

    @Rebecca Wyson Scano

    There is an article in the Help Center titled, "Individuals for whom I can request Temple Ordinances." It should be helpful to you as you correspond about this subject.

    Among other things it says, "Temple ordinances are sacred and should be treated with respect. Please reserve ordinances for individuals only if you are related to them. A letter from the First Presidency dated February 29, 2012, states, "Our pre-eminent obligation is to seek out and identify our own ancestors. Those whose names are submitted for proxy temple ordinances should be related to the submitter."

    There is more information in the article that you will want to review.

    We hope this helps.

    1
  • Rebecca Wyson Scano
    Rebecca Wyson Scano ✭
    November 8, 2021

    Thank you so much. This has been very distressing for me.

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  • Rebecca Wyson Scano
    Rebecca Wyson Scano ✭
    November 8, 2021

    Thank you. I’ve had this happen many times where I am someone’s 10th cousin on my mom’s side and this person is reserving, and submitting to the temple, names on my husband’s side, who they have no relation to. I’m beyond frustrated. Thanks for the info.

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  • Brett .
    Brett . ✭✭✭✭✭
    November 9, 2021

    😀

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  • Gordon Collett
    Gordon Collett ✭✭✭✭✭
    November 9, 2021

    Unfortunately, members of the church have been ignoring the code of conduct for submitting ordinances for decades despite being told over and over and over again that they should not request ordinances for people who they do not share a common ancestor with.

    I would hope that a Moderator will direct message you, get details about your father-in-law, see how this person was able to reserve ordinances for him since I assume he would be less than 110 years old, and contact the person who inappropriately reserved them and get those reservations canceled. (Unless it turns out it was a child or sibling of this ex-wife who reserved them and who would be authorized to reserve those ordinances.)

    Regarding your second point, if someone is your 10th cousin on your mother's side, since most people marry someone in their own general vicinity, just statistically there is a huge likelihood that that person is also a 10th or so cousin to your husband in a different way than they are a 10th cousin to you. There are only so many people we can be descended from. Any two random people from the same general area of the world probably have a 100% likelihood of being 30th cousins. Have you ever messaged this 10th cousin to find out if they are related to your husband? If so and they really are not, then they need to be reminded of the policy and code of conduct they are ignoring by someone at FamilySearch.

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  • Rebecca Wyson Scano
    Rebecca Wyson Scano ✭
    November 10, 2021

    Thank you. No this person is not related to my husband’s line. My husband’s family are all Italian immigrants. My lines are from England and Poland. Since there is obviously no way to control the actions of others on familysearch, I have disconnected my father in law’s ex wife from him. It’s sad but I see no other choice.

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