Where/Why did it all begin?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Unknown Ancestor on September 28, 2009 at 6:31pm

Yes, a small fortune is spent every year. If they would just charge $1 for each visit to the FHL or a FHC, imagine what they could do in acquisitions, preservation, digitizing, publishing and such.

All of the basic efforts come from faith in eternal families, in the fact we are all related as children of God, and in the Savior.

Your answers are all in this 1995 book by BYU:
Hearts Turned to the Fathers: A History of the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1894-1994

What we can do to give back is to share documented families with the free Pedigree resource File, to help with FamilySearch Indexing, and to turn the hearts of our children to their heritage.

Permalink Reply by Michael Helmantoler on September 28, 2009 at 7:59pm

There are many reasons for their investments. The one I like to think about is the creation of the global common pedigree chart. It helps bring about peace on earth and good will toward men as we realize that we are "brothers and sisters" and all literally a part of the same family. The family is the foundation of civilization and as we join together we become more civilized.

Michael Helmantoler

Permalink Reply by Karl-Michael SALA on September 29, 2009 at 1:17am

Dear Brother Sean Kisby & Others Interested!

Your question is crucial also for many others. Thank you for your inquisitiveness.

Yes, there are many good reasons for the "spirit of Elijah." These People are lovingly & willingly sacrificing their time, talents & resources in your behalf. Either consciously or sub-consciously, they wish to help you keep your promises made to your ancestral family members.

Your ancestral family members are probably more interested in you, than you are in them! If what I say is true, this is just one root explanation as to why The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, its leadership & lay members spend millions of $ & hours on this just one of several marvelous works & wonders. Please give it a seed of faith, for if it is true, then there are more inherent messages for you & others...

Doctrine & Covenants 110: 13-14
13 After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us; for Elijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said:
14 Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi [last book of the Old Testament] —testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come—
D&C 133: 55
55 And from Moses to Elijah, and from Elijah to John, who were with Christ in his resurrection, and the holy apostles, with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, shall be in the presence of the Lamb.
D&C 138: 46-47
46 And Malachi, the prophet who testified of the coming of Elijah—of whom also Moroni spake to the Prophet Joseph Smith, declaring that he should come before the ushering in of the great and dreadful day of the Lord—were also there.
47 The Prophet Elijah was to plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to their fathers, [bolding added]
D&C 128: 22
22 Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free.

So, now then, how might we help you further down the path? Many can & will assist you. I believe I am on Elijah's team. Will you join me?

My initial USA, immigration or European research consultation is without cost. All may email me directly.

karlmsala@msn.com http://www.GermanGenealogist.com

Permalink Reply by Sean K on October 1, 2009 at 5:19pm

So, if I understand it correctly, the LDS Church believe everyone is part of one big family of humankind and their genealogical resources are provided to help us make these links with one another. Would I be correct to suggest the LDS Church want to prove everyone is part of the LDS Church, by finding links through baptism and marriage?

To be brutally honest, I still have no idea what promises the children have made to their fathers (or the relevance of the above religious text to my question), but thanks for your replies!