The Spirit of Elijah

[_Wisdom Seeker]

So Elijah was sent to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers. And LDS are to believe that it is in this time the LDS will flock to do their genealogy and get their deceased family members temple work done.

Why are the genealogy centers nearly empty? What very little genealogy work that is being done and names found are being reserved by those who find them to do the work in the temple. Those going to the temple either for a date night or to save some unknown soul are simply using recycled names, some of which have been recycled over 1400 times.

If the church was concerned about this, why wouldn't they back off on all of the to-do lists and make it a church wide effort? Or is this not that big of a concern? Wether we are doing genealogy, cleaning up the building, doing home teaching or attending meetings the church members are busy and being busy seems to be the true goal of the church.

The Beehive stands for what the LDS truly worship, they worship a business that produces busyness.

[_Lucinda]

Those going to the temple either for a date night or to save some unknown soul are simply using recycled names, some of which have been recycled over 1400 times.

Are you serious? How did you know that?
I still have an interest in doing genealogy work. (Someday...not my season now.) But not for temple work, of course, but because I love people and would love to learn more about my ancestors. I agree with you on the busy work. The busier they keep us, the more "the church" is ingrained in every aspect of our every day lives.

[_truth dancer]

My observation is that genealogy is not nearly as emphasized as it once was.

Going to the temple is not really about performing ceremonies and rituals for the dead so much as it is to keep the elite paying and involved in the higher callings; sort of like a club with a gold membership.

Finally, people can do their work online now so it doesn't seem like the genealogy centers are needed anymore.

While I am not involved in the LDS church anymore, unlike in the past, I do not know of anyone who has a calling involving geneaology work these days.

~td~

[_Lucinda]

While I am not involved in the LDS church anymore, unlike in the past, I do not know of anyone who has a calling involving geneaology work these days.

We still have family history specialists called in our ward. They always make themselves available in the family history room in our building during the 2nd hour of church, during Sunday school. I went in once and really enjoyed it. After figuring out what I don't believe, I'm now in the phase of figuring out what I do believe. I still think life goes on after we pass. I've never pictured my ancestors waiting anxiously for their names to be found so that they can have their Mormon ordinances done. But I have and still do picture them enjoying the acknowledgement from their posterity.

[_Redefined]

Until familysearch gets their entire microfilm/fiche collection online, we genealogists need genealogy centers! They are trying to do this with their pilot and beta sites, but I wonder how they prioritize the records to be indexed. . . I emailed and asked, but don't recall getting an answer to that one! I wish I could pick the ones I want to see indexed and they could then make it available for myself and others interested in that particular batch, to index. But, I understand that my podunk little Mexican village is probably last on their lists of priorities!

Anyway, what was the question again. . .

Oh yeah, Elijah. . . I think it was easy back in the beginnings of the church where you had men like Joseph Smith handing out "gold memberships" for the teeny wee price of say. . . your young daughter/sister/wife/etc., for people to be worried about their own place in the heavens, and that of their cherished family. So I'm sure it's just a different mindset today. . . especially with people realizing the impossibility of having "100% world population ever!" baptisms.

AND, curiosity. . . how do other religions outside of Mormonism translate that Elijah quote to mean? Is it the same?

[_Wisdom Seeker]

The numbers I mentioned were from a Family History missionary serving in both the downtown and Riverton centers. They are also building 6 more large family history centers around the world.

[_Redefined]

The numbers I mentioned were from a Family History missionary serving in both the downtown and Riverton centers. They are also building 6 more large family history centers around the world.

Riverton, huh. . . . hmmmm. . . probably my Dad! It could be a case of number-fluffing. . . as the church is known to do from time to time. . .

[_Joseph]

Do you have anything solid to reference on a few names that have been done more than 10 times?

[_madeleine]

AND, curiosity. . . how do other religions outside of Mormonism translate that Elijah quote to mean? Is it the same?

Malachi 3 is a messianic prophecy. Israel is told "To turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers"

It is referring to looking back, towards the hearts of the fathers who received the Law from Moses (verse 22), and forward towards the hearts of the children, who will see the great day of the Lord (verse 23).

(Jesus, in the New Testament, teaches the prophecy of Elijah was fulfilled by John the Baptist.)

[_basilII]

AND, curiosity. . . how do other religions outside of Mormonism translate that Elijah quote to mean? Is it the same?

Malachi 3 is a messianic prophecy. Israel is told "To turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers"

It is referring to looking back, towards the hearts of the fathers who received the Law from Moses (verse 22), and forward towards the hearts of the children, who will see the great day of the Lord (verse 23).

(Jesus, in the New Testament, teaches the prophecy of Elijah was fulfilled by John the Baptist.)

From Malachi chapter 3:

"Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; And suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek, And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.

But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner's fire, or like the fuller's lye."


From Matthew chapter 11:

"As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, "What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?

Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces.

Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

This is the one about whom it is written: 'Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.'

All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John.

And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, the one who is to come. Whoever has ears ought to hear. "