the mormons are into geneological stuff like way over the top.. with the compound in the mountain side. In recent years since DNA testing.. have they totally got into that?
Yes, it's accurate to say that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often referred to as the Mormon Church) has a very strong emphasis on genealogy and family history, rooted in their theological beliefs. This has been the case for a long time, predating the advent of widespread consumer DNA testing. The Granite Mountain Records Vault, a secure facility built into a mountainside near Salt Lake City, has housed a massive collection of genealogical records on microfilm for decades.
Regarding DNA testing, the Church has embraced it as another tool for members to discover and connect with their ancestors. Here's how DNA testing fits into their genealogical efforts:
Another Avenue for Discovery: The Church encourages its members to use DNA testing in conjunction with traditional genealogical research to help identify unknown branches of their family tree.
Integration with FamilySearch: FamilySearch, the Church's extensive and free online genealogy platform, allows users to link their DNA test results from various providers (like AncestryDNA, MyHeritage DNA, and 23andMe) to their family tree. This can help them find genetic relatives who may share common ancestors.
Church Resources: The Church's Family History Library and its network of family history centers often provide resources and guidance on how to use DNA testing for genealogical research.
Early Adoption: Interestingly, some of the early popular genetic testing companies were founded by members of the Church, highlighting an early interest in the potential of DNA for family history.
However, it's important to note a few points:
DNA as a Tool, Not a Replacement: While the Church embraces DNA testing, it's seen as a complementary tool to traditional record-based genealogy, not a replacement for it.
Focus on Temple Work: The ultimate goal of Mormon genealogy is to identify ancestors so that temple ordinances, such as baptism and sealing, can be performed for them by proxy. DNA testing can aid in this process by extending family lines.
Addressing Book of Mormon Claims: The intersection of DNA testing and the Book of Mormon's claims about the ancestry of Native Americans has been a complex and sometimes controversial topic, but this is a separate issue from the general use of DNA for genealogical research within the Church.
In summary, the Mormon Church has a long-standing and significant commitment to genealogy. The advent of DNA testing has been integrated into their practices as another way to help members connect with their ancestors and further their family history research, which is deeply tied to their religious beliefs and temple work.
why are they so concerned about this geneological stuff?
The deep concern for genealogical work within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stems from several core religious beliefs:
Belief in Eternal Families: A central tenet of Mormonism is the belief that families can be sealed together eternally, meaning that family relationships can continue beyond death. These eternal sealings are performed in temples.
Temple Ordinances for the Deceased: Mormons believe that certain essential religious ordinances, such as baptism and temple sealings, are necessary for salvation. They believe that those who died without the opportunity to receive these ordinances in life can have them performed by proxy in temples by living members.
The Responsibility to Ancestors: Church members feel a strong responsibility to their ancestors who did not have the chance to accept Mormonism or receive these ordinances. By researching their genealogy and performing temple work for them, they believe they are offering their ancestors the opportunity to progress in the afterlife. Individuals in the afterlife are believed to have the agency to accept or reject these ordinances performed on their behalf.
Fulfilling Prophecy: Mormons believe that the emphasis on family history and temple work fulfills biblical prophecies, such as those found in Malachi, regarding the turning of the hearts of the children to their fathers in the latter days.
Personal and Spiritual Growth: Engaging in family history research is also seen as a way for living members to connect with their roots, learn from their ancestors' experiences, and strengthen their own faith and sense of identity. It can foster a deeper appreciation for their heritage and the sacrifices of those who came before them.
In essence, genealogical work is not just a hobby for Mormons; it is a fundamental aspect of their faith and a labor of love with eternal implications for both the living and the deceased. The desire to unite families for eternity and provide opportunities for salvation to their ancestors drives this significant focus.
what's in the baptism jacuzzi.. just water?
In the baptismal font used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is typically just regular water.
Here are some key points about the water in a Mormon baptismal font:
Not "holy water": Unlike some other religions, the water itself is not considered sacred or holy before the baptism.
Ordinary tap water: Usually, the font is filled with clean tap water shortly before the baptismal service.
Temperature: The water is often warmed for comfort.
Full immersion: The font is deep enough to allow for complete immersion, as Mormon baptism is performed by fully submerging the person in the water.
Drained afterwards: After the baptismal service, the water is typically drained from the font.
So, to answer your question directly, it's generally just plain water in the "baptism jacuzzi." The sacredness comes from the ordinance itself, the priesthood authority of the person performing the baptism, and the covenants made.
the mormons are into geneological stuff like way over the top.. with the compound in the mountain side. In recent years since DNA testing.. have they totally got into that?
Yes, it's accurate to say that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often referred to as the Mormon Church) has a very strong emphasis on genealogy and family history, rooted in their theological beliefs. This has been the case for a long time, predating the advent of widespread consumer DNA testing. The Granite Mountain Records Vault, a secure facility built into a mountainside near Salt Lake City, has housed a massive collection of genealogical records on microfilm for decades.
Regarding DNA testing, the Church has embraced it as another tool for members to discover and connect with their ancestors. Here's how DNA testing fits into their genealogical efforts:
Another Avenue for Discovery: The Church encourages its members to use DNA testing in conjunction with traditional genealogical research to help identify unknown branches of their family tree. Integration with FamilySearch: FamilySearch, the Church's extensive and free online genealogy platform, allows users to link their DNA test results from various providers (like AncestryDNA, MyHeritage DNA, and 23andMe) to their family tree. This can help them find genetic relatives who may share common ancestors. Church Resources: The Church's Family History Library and its network of family history centers often provide resources and guidance on how to use DNA testing for genealogical research. Early Adoption: Interestingly, some of the early popular genetic testing companies were founded by members of the Church, highlighting an early interest in the potential of DNA for family history. However, it's important to note a few points:
DNA as a Tool, Not a Replacement: While the Church embraces DNA testing, it's seen as a complementary tool to traditional record-based genealogy, not a replacement for it. Focus on Temple Work: The ultimate goal of Mormon genealogy is to identify ancestors so that temple ordinances, such as baptism and sealing, can be performed for them by proxy. DNA testing can aid in this process by extending family lines. Addressing Book of Mormon Claims: The intersection of DNA testing and the Book of Mormon's claims about the ancestry of Native Americans has been a complex and sometimes controversial topic, but this is a separate issue from the general use of DNA for genealogical research within the Church. In summary, the Mormon Church has a long-standing and significant commitment to genealogy. The advent of DNA testing has been integrated into their practices as another way to help members connect with their ancestors and further their family history research, which is deeply tied to their religious beliefs and temple work.
why are they so concerned about this geneological stuff?
The deep concern for genealogical work within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stems from several core religious beliefs:
Belief in Eternal Families: A central tenet of Mormonism is the belief that families can be sealed together eternally, meaning that family relationships can continue beyond death. These eternal sealings are performed in temples. Temple Ordinances for the Deceased: Mormons believe that certain essential religious ordinances, such as baptism and temple sealings, are necessary for salvation. They believe that those who died without the opportunity to receive these ordinances in life can have them performed by proxy in temples by living members. The Responsibility to Ancestors: Church members feel a strong responsibility to their ancestors who did not have the chance to accept Mormonism or receive these ordinances. By researching their genealogy and performing temple work for them, they believe they are offering their ancestors the opportunity to progress in the afterlife. Individuals in the afterlife are believed to have the agency to accept or reject these ordinances performed on their behalf. Fulfilling Prophecy: Mormons believe that the emphasis on family history and temple work fulfills biblical prophecies, such as those found in Malachi, regarding the turning of the hearts of the children to their fathers in the latter days. Personal and Spiritual Growth: Engaging in family history research is also seen as a way for living members to connect with their roots, learn from their ancestors' experiences, and strengthen their own faith and sense of identity. It can foster a deeper appreciation for their heritage and the sacrifices of those who came before them. In essence, genealogical work is not just a hobby for Mormons; it is a fundamental aspect of their faith and a labor of love with eternal implications for both the living and the deceased. The desire to unite families for eternity and provide opportunities for salvation to their ancestors drives this significant focus.
what's in the baptism jacuzzi.. just water?
In the baptismal font used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is typically just regular water.
Here are some key points about the water in a Mormon baptismal font:
Not "holy water": Unlike some other religions, the water itself is not considered sacred or holy before the baptism. Ordinary tap water: Usually, the font is filled with clean tap water shortly before the baptismal service. Temperature: The water is often warmed for comfort. Full immersion: The font is deep enough to allow for complete immersion, as Mormon baptism is performed by fully submerging the person in the water. Drained afterwards: After the baptismal service, the water is typically drained from the font. So, to answer your question directly, it's generally just plain water in the "baptism jacuzzi." The sacredness comes from the ordinance itself, the priesthood authority of the person performing the baptism, and the covenants made.