Posted by:
elderolddog
(
)
Date: April 28, 2019 09:32PM
This is my perspective. I'm not saying another perspective is wrong, or not as good. It's just that in the real world, perspectives can vary.
Like a good mormon, my TBM daughter has done genealogy all her adult life. On the south-of-the-border side of the equation, she got back to my grandparents and hit a brick wall, because of the lack of documentation.
I once saw my dad's parents' bible, and on one of the fly leafs, someone had written in the names and DOBs of their 13 children, only five of whom made to adulthood: my dad and four younger brothers. The youngest uncle had possession of the bible. I have no idea where that bible is now. It is definitely not in the hands of a mormon.
It is likely that no other records exist regarding the births and deaths of my dad's eight siblings who died during childhood. That's just the way it was at the beginning of the 20th Century in old Mexico. But it's okay because during the millennium all will be made clear...
I took Jesus at his word: Let the dead bury the dead. Contrary to some opinions, I do not believe that anything any forebearer did reflects on me. Not the good, not the bad. I don't think that if there were a final judgment, that whose of Adam's descents we came through rates a flying Wallenda. If there were a ghawd, and he could be swayed by name-dropping, I would not have any respect for him.
There is a possibility that an atom or two that spent some time in one of my granddad's bodies are currently in my body. Could be an atom that was in Hitler's body, or Jeffrey Dahmer's body is currently in my body. Doesn't mean a thing.
Genealogy as a hobby? Go for it! I play golf, which is probably a way more stupid hobby than genealogy.
But here's the thing... I really like this board. And I like its purpose. And I believe that that purpose is frustrated when we spend time on things other than recovering and helping others recover from mormonism.
Sure, because bonds of friendship arise between compatible individuals, there is going to be irreverent horseplay on occasion (okay, a lot!), but I think that when "strangers" see this, it actually helps the ambiance. Seeing people like each other for no other reason but that they do is something not found in mormonism where you're supposed to like everyone...
I sincerely believe that repeated cycles of preaching for ghawd, detailing genealogical finds, accusing people not able to defend themselves of horrid behavior, dishing out details personal relationships gone bad, planning for retirement and the recitation of medical dramas completely out of the blue are not part of RfM's mission. And certainly vicious, vindicative name calling isn't either. To read "go to hell" directed here from one person here to another... I still don't get that.
Would a casual visitor to RfM be impressed with the usual juvenile, jokey attitude I present? Probably not. If I were told to cut it out, I might, but then I might not. But I know I don't have the right to inflict damage to the character and mission of RfM. But I sincerely believe that I am ready, willing and able to help people out. All without ladling out repeated tedious folderal about ... you know the list...
I'm getting to be a broken record. But I like this place!!