Non member wants to submit names for Temple work
I am a Family Hx Consultant at our FHC in Kanab, UT. During the recent shutdowns, I have continued assisting folks with their research via the "Team Viewer" app.
I have an elderly black lady in Atlanta, GA that wanted to research her family, some of which she thought were slaves. I helped her open a "Non Member" account and after a period, we collected over 500 names. She is 'dyed in the wool Southern Baptist' and not interested in joining our church. HOWEVER.... she thinks it is is a "nice Christian thing" to perform the Temple Ordinances for "dead folks". She has consented to have the deceased persons names sent to the Temples.
So now, what do I do?? She doesn't have a member ID number so she can't change her account to a member one. If she was a member, she could at least submit her direct line, but she isn't. She gives her permission for the work to be done, but can't submit it. And neither can I. I see it the same as the older Extraction Program - and all those people had their work done. I am not being judgmental at all, but none of my black friends are particularly interested in their family history. So when I see a black sister with over 500 names ready for the Temple, I know there has been a lot of work done on the other side of the veil, and these people are waiting! And if we can't perform these ordinances because no one is a member, then why are we doing research and ordinances in the first place?? I know the reasons everyone should only do the work for their own families - so this is her own family. We just have to figure out how to help her.
Eventually, all people will need to be offered these ordinances. So eventually, non members will be submitting names to the Temples as well as members.
So, how do we make that happen? Thank you one and all!! 😀
Best Answer
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Dear JC Rhinehart,
It sounds like you have become very close to your elderly, black, southern Baptist friend and would like to help her complete temple ordinances even though she is not a member of our Church. We are eager to share this wonderful opportunity of ordinances for deceased ancestors. However, there is a lot about the timing of temple work and why it is to be completed in specific ways that we may not understand. At this time in our history, the brethren have made it clear that temple work needs to be done almost exclusively by relatives who have been baptized. Here is a link to an article from our Help Center entitled, "Individuals for whom I can request temple ordinances."
https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/individuals-for-whom-i-can-request-temple-ordinances If you right click on the blue URL, it will offer to open the article in another tab or window.
What a wonderful service your friend has offered and enjoyed in researching family history and entering it into FamilySearch! She has participated in the spirit of Elijah. In the future a baptized member of her family may create a tree in FamilySearch and they will be blessed to find hundreds of their family members' information researched, recorded and ready to bring to the temple. This work is for everyone and your friend's family will be included in time.
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Answers
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Dear JC Rhinehart,
Your person and the work that the two of you have been doing is awesome! And the records that are now in FamilySearch Family Tree are very likely to have relatives who are both members of the church and living. Those people will find each other - the deceased and the living. And they will connect up so that the ordinances will be performed, as is needed.
Please! Be sure your person has her contact information included such that other people using the Tree and contact her.
She is doing her share of the work; now ask her to let other people participate.
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Thanks to those that replied to my question. I understand the Brethren's directions and will most certainly follow them. I was just hoping for some idea that was "legal" and just not thought of yet. I hate leaving info or Ordinances just 'hanging'. But we don't have to agree or understand, we just have to be obedient. Thanks to you all and keep up the good 'trek' !
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This is just the information I've been looking for.A new member is going to the temple to do baptisms very soon and her nonmember friend wants her to get the work done for her deceased parents.I wasn't exactly sure about this but now I have all the information I need,thanks very much.
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@JC Rhinehart ( & @pwlynch )
FYI
[ Belatedly: In regards to 'JC Rhinehart' ... and, my apologies for missing this post of yours ... ]
I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...
[ And, I happen to be a Member of the Church ... ]
As far as I was aware ...
And, I stand corrected, if I am wrong ...
Such as you desire, CAN be accommodated ...
Here is the evidence, that I provide to support, for such ...
Here is a "Knowledge Article" in 'FamilySearch':
Can I request proxy temple ordinances for a friend?
That confirms the previously aforementioned:
The First Presidency stated in a letter on February 29, 2012: "Our preeminent 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."
But ...
That Said ...
Then takes things, a step further ...
Which states, among other things:
Quote
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You must submit signed permission from a close living relative of your friend. Then, you can request temple ordinances for a friend to whom you are unrelated.
A close living relative is an undivorced spouse (the spouse to whom the individual was married at the time of death), an adult child, a parent, a brother, or a sister.
Before you start
Make sure that you have signed, written permission from one of your friend's close living relatives. We cannot accept signed, written permission from yourself or your deceased friend, it must be from the closest living relative. Word the written permission this way:
I, (name of person giving permission), give (your name) permission to do temple work in a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple, for (name of deceased), who is my (relationship to person giving permission). (Signature of person giving permission)
If your deceased friend has no close living relatives that can provide written permission, then a request cannot be granted.
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So ...
That Said ...
As, in your case, your (or, the associated) "Friend", is NOT "Deceased"; and, provided that they are one of the Closest "Living" Relatives (according to "Policy"), of the individuals/persons concerned, that they want the "Temple" Work done for, then you MAY be able to help/assist (ie. accommodate) them; as, there is NO stipulation or impediment; as, to whether of not, they need to be Members of the Church.
Good Luck.
I hope this helps.
Brett
ps: Again ... 'JC Rhinehart' ... my apologies for missing this post of yours ...
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