How do we justify ALL the many hours we spend doing this?
I'm trying to think of how to properly word my question. I know the prophet tells us to do this work (and I'm an offical addict), but sometimes I spend so many hours just adding sources for people whose work is already done, or cleaning up the tree. I have to wonder if it is time well spent. Also, one of the members I'm teaching also commented on how time consuming it can get. I told her what I always tell myself.
Years ago our area consultant referred to the "final sacrifice of Christ" as a book of our dead. He implicated that that "book" my be Family Search records. So, whenever we are working on the tree, we are working on the final sacrifice for Christ. Naturally, we want that as nice as possible. I use that as justification to spend many hours just cleaning up names. Has anybody else heard this before?
Another illustration. I was contacted by someone who has a better source and showed me a date was two years off. This person is very thoroughly researched and all the temple work is done, so am I really doing anything to change that date? Discussing it took time. Changing the date and sourcing it will take time and justifying it, if I have to, will take time. Does it really matter?
I'd like to hear other people's thoughts on this. Thank you
Catherine Lamb
Best Answer
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Catherine
I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...
[ And, I happen to be a Member o the Church ... ]
One word ...
Short Answer: 'Yes' ... it DOES really matter ...
Haven't you felt the "Sprit", when you have, addressed/fixed something, that was amiss (ie. done by/through a 'wayward "Change", by another User/Patron; even, oneself) for; or, found something NEW about, an Ancestor (or, Family)!?
It really DOES matter ...
PERFECTION is NOT expected ...
But ...
That Said ...
Doing one's BEST is another matter ...
Doing one's "Due Diligence", for one's Ancestors (or, Family), is important, no matter how time consuming ...
Just my thoughts.
Brett
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Answers
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I am not a Mormon (but I am a descendant of a Mormon couple), but I believe God gives us all talent, tasks and time over the course of our lives for the work He feels is important. And I believe it changes with our age. I am active in several Facebook pages where there is a constant complaint about how sloppy some people are with their family trees. My response is always the same. They probably discovered their God given gift is elsewhere and have abandoned genealogy. If you are truly "grumpy" - for lack of a better word - at working in FamilySearch, you must try to decipher what God wants you to be doing. Be open to change. It may be a change of outlook is necessary if you feel compelled to work in FamilySearch, or you may need to change the focus of your passion and talent.
Good luck and I hope you thrive!
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And, as an interesting add on to this, @Catherine Lamb , you might be in the PERFECT position to do something for me regarding my Mormon ancestors, gg grandparents Christian Mickelson, 1830-1880 (GSR3-FJ7) and his wife Marie Pedersdatter, 1825–1919, (KCBD-HC7). I know nothing about temple work, sealing, ordnances and other LDS functions, but I suspect all of this was very important to my gg grandparents. Now, none of their children who lived to adulthood continued in the Mormon faith, and consequently there are no Mormon descendants.
I have been bothered by who in the LDS Church is "taking care" of them. I created a post in the Temple category asking this question, and got what I thought was a very unsatisfactory answer, see the link below. I know Christian's brother Neils had quite a a big family, but I have no idea what religion his descendants embrace today. Would you be motivated to set my mind at ease? Thank you!
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Thank you Brett for reminding me that I do always feel the spirit when I do this work. I hope I didn't sound complaining because I LOVE DOING everything related to family history, but just the tiny nit picky stuff like changing a date from 1862 to 1861 gets time consuming and I worry that I'm wasting time. But you are right, as long as I feel the spirit. I'm should feel ok with my choice of activities.
I'm still curious if anyone has heard the teaching that the final sacrifice is a book of our dead. It is clearly in the scriptures - so I'm wondering what "the book of the our dead" would be. The next paragraph explains exactly what I was taught. Do you think this record of our Dead would be coming from Family Search? In which case working to build it up, and clean it up, would be a great use of our time!
D&C 13 where the Sons of Levi are mentioned and we are promised that the priesthood will never be taken again from the earth until they (Sons of Levi) offer an offering in righteousness. D&C 128:24 Joseph Smith tells us what that offering is..."when it is finished a book containing the records of our Dead".
Gail Watson - I will PM you about your concerns
Catherine
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Catherine
There are times when most feel like that ...
[ As, it DOES get overwhelming, to have to keep addressing/fixing, 'wayward" "Changes", no matter how minor ... ]
And, 'No', it does not sound like, you are complaining, about "Doing" the, "Family History"; &, "Temple" Work".
[ Having to constantly, be watchful for; and, addressing/fixing, 'wayward" "Changes", is VERY "Time Consuming" ... ]
And, 'Yes', they are some of the main Scriptures, that relate; and, are oft proffered ...
Plus ...
... which shall be worthy of all acceptation.
Short Answer: "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch': and, "Temple" Work, is certainly the way to go.
Nothing much else, that comes to mind ...
Just hang in there ...
Keep on, keeping on ...
Keep persevering ...
Downside: Really, a small burden/sacrifice ...
Upside: Can be so, enjoyable; and, emotionally/spiritually rewarding ...
Just my thoughts.
Brett
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