Posted by:
Jim Huston
(
)
Date: February 24, 2014 05:24PM
Elder Merrill Bateman agreed that many of the members on the “lost address file” list are less-active, especially those on the list for more than twelve months. Individuals in the address unknown file are counted as full members and included on statistical reports until the age of 110 or until proof of death can be located. With an average life expectancy of 77.5 years in the United States and significantly less
in many developing nations, the address unknown file may result in an overcount of LDS membership. Since lost address file members are not included on unit rolls, activity calculations based on congregational attendance rates may significantly overestimate LDS activity.
David G Stewart Jr. MD "Law of the Harvest: Practical Principles of Effective Missionary Work" p.49 Referencing Canham, Matt, “Church Won’t Give Up on ‘Lost Members,’” Salt Lake Tribune,October 17, 2005.
Persons who are presumed dead. You may have temple ordinances performed for a person who is presumed dead after 10 years have passed since the time of the presumed death. This policy applies to (1) persons who are missing in action or lost at sea or who have been declared legally dead and (2) persons who disappeared under circumstances where death is apparent but no body has been recovered. In all other cases of missing persons, temple ordinances may not be performed until 110 years have passed from the time of the person’s birth.
https://www.lds.org/manual/members-guide-to-temple-and-family-history-work/chapter-7-providing-temple-ordinances?lang=engEdited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/24/2014 05:32PM by Jim Huston.