FamilySearch: Plan to Put World's Historical Records Online in One Generation!

The 2014 RootsTech family history conference, the largest of its kind in the U.S. begins this week in Salt Lake City, Utah. And if you’re anything like me, lagging in the area of getting on top of your own genealogy, you might want to join me in rethinking the need to step up and make a show on behalf of the tremendous work, about to embark, what it intends to accomplish, and get involved! 




The Mormon Newsroom reports that FamilySearch.org, cosponsors of the genealogy conference, will present to attendees the exciting details about how bringing together the combined efforts of Ancestry.com, findmypast and MyHeritage they intend to accomplish the unprecedented and previously impossible goal of one lifetime: "to make available 5.3 billion historical records from around the world, such as birth, death and census records" in approximately 20-30 years. This is HUGE!

FamilySearch has created an infographic (below) to share the statistics driving this collaborative effort. In my own ward, on Sunday, family history was emphasized in tandem with the work of salvation. As I sat there, listening intently to my bishop, I was struck with the impression of why, perhaps, this emphasis is critical, now!

Today, as social science is presented by liberal progressive to legitimize the deconstruction of marriage, only between man and woman, thus the breakdown of the natural family, we find ourselves in a public debate of eternal significance: the importance of biology and the necessity, or not, of a child being raised by both biological parents; the mother and the father. On the other hand, as members of the LDS Church, we uphold the doctrine of the family, taught in The Family: A Proclamation to the World, in which it states:

THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.

The increasing, global interest in identifying one's family roots, is evidence of the deep importance that individuals have to know who they are. And they do that, by searching to find out who they are biologically related to and where those biological connections lead them. From the LDS perspective, we see this as a fulfillment of, the hearts of the children being turned to their fathers, evidence of the Spirit of Elijah, as prophesied in holy scripture.

For many successful in finding previously, unknown ancestors, blood-related, the discovery, of even one, is often an emotional, and spiritual, experience. If you've had the opportunity to follow along the journey of someone who was adopted, now an adult, in search of finding out who their biological mother and/or father is, you have likely observed a deeply significant journey to discover their "real" identity. And in fact, it can often become an obsessive desire, which must be satisfied, in order to find personal peace, even if the discovery involves emotional pain.

In my own life, one of my grandfathers' was adopted, and after several attempts, I've found no information to lead me to his blood line, leaving an entire branch of who I am missing.  My mother was also adopted, and although I know who her biological mother is, there is no information that I'm aware of, as to the identity of the man who fathered her, my natural grandfather. Again, I have absolutely nothing to go on, not even a name - making two branches of my family tree anonymous, for now.

 In my mother's life, I have been aware since I was a child, that although she had the most wonderful adoptive parents', nevertheless, my mother has suffered the very real affects of being abandoned her entire life; leaving her broken in ways I will never fully understand. Except, for my own disconnect to really knowing who I am, in relation to who my own, unidentified ancestors are to me, and my children, and now my grandchildren. It doesn't take long, when these ties are treated lightly, for families to become broken, in more ways than one.

Such disconnects, biologically, are not part of our Father in Heaven's plan. Sadly, the main reason children are put up for adoption/abandoned is due to the sad reality that sin, in one way or another, is most always involved. We know that during the millennium the bulk of the work to reconnect individuals to their biological origins, will finally be accomplished during that period. The work to reconnect the family of God, and heal untold numbers of broken hearts, cleanse sin, and seal families back to Christ will entail the power of the Atonement to reconcile and properly organize, according to God's will.

Discussing and highlighting the strong interest that people have, globally, for family history, and why, could potentially help to keep relevant the importance of mothers and fathers, to their biological children - and be applied as reasonable and legitimate discussion points as society determines what model of a family is optimal for children -  potentially relatable to many, thus reasonable to place in consideration as a legitimate concern and reason for supporting the traditional family model, which is supported, naturally, in the union of only a man and woman: marriage.  


Infographic: 
Let's put the world's historical records online 
in one generation!




tDMg,

Kathryn Skaggs

Photo Source: LDS.org


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Comments

  1. I LOVE genealogy and have been working on my husband's side (a convert) for more than 7 years! I just would like to say something about your mention of adoption. God's WHOLE plan revolves around being "adopted" into the tribes of Israel! It's pretty much a sure thing that most of us "gentiles" do not literally have the blood of Israel in our veins. Most members will have to be adopted into the tribe of Ephraim or Manasseh or whatever tribe their "lineage" will be. And as an adopted child myself, I know that the prophets have said that when a child is adopted and sealed to their new family, it is as if the bloodlines are changed! Not physiologically, but in God's eyes I belong to my parents and THAT is my genealogy, not my biological family (although I know them and love them dearly!!). Genealogy isn't about bloodlines, it's about families--whatever family you belong to. Isn't it wonderful that Heavenly Father has a plan for his children and knows exactly what will happen to them and which family they will be born to, and which family they will be sealed to? I'm grateful for a mother who told me from a very young age that I was adopted and that I never felt abandoned. I am loved by two separate families and both have blessed my life immensely! I know that is not always the case in adoptions, but I'm sure it is in many. Good luck with your search, I hope you find what you are looking for!

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  2. "And so, as these patriarchal blessings are given, there is given a declaration of lineage, or an assignment; for a pure Gentile who joins the Church becomes by adoption of the seed of Abraham and of Israel." (Gen. 12:3; Abr. 2:11.)
    - Eldred G. Smith
    Conference Report, April 1952, Pg.39
    Most members of the church are "gentiles" by birth and we must be adopted into the tribes of Israel to receive the blessings promised to Abraham seed. Obviously, this means that adoption is part of Heavenly Father's plan. Genealogy and biology are not always synonymous. If a child is legally adopted, that family becomes their ancestry in the eyes of the church. Check with your local temple presidency.

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  3. Closing the comment section on your post about Frozen really shows how much courage you have in your convictions, Kathryn. I won't even start with that steaming pile of nonsense, but if the advancement and indoctrination of children by the "gay agenda" is so important to you, then you should welcome discourse on the subject. Not shut it down because you're being bombarded by well-informed opinions that run contrary to yours. You say you don't have the time to moderate and respond -- as a self-defined "well behaved Mormon woman," what else do you really have to do with your time?

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  4. Hullo. I don't know if you'll read this, but I actually wanted to apologise for any hateful commented you received to your Frozen blog. I don't agree with your opinions, but sadly I realize we live in a society where the "open minded, accepting" side is just as cruel with their words and judgements as some people on the other side. You're not cruel or judgemental, you have your opinion and faith and both deserve to be respected. I hope you go on to write many more blogs I either agree or don't agree with, but will enjoy reading either way for the well reasoned points, logic, and wit you put into them. And on behalf of those who don't agree with you, but aren't hateful about it, I'm sorry.

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  5. You are seriously out of your mind. Seriously lady, get real.

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  6. http://sethadamsmith.com/2014/02/18/hidden-messages-in-frozen/

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  7. I understand your traditional marriage idea, but the fact is the government took over the word and meaning of marriage years ago when it started taxing, and giving benefits to "married" persons.

    Faith does not own the word "marriage" anymore the government does and therefore your idea of "traditional marriage" is no longer relevant, unless of coarse you are going to fight the government for the word back.

    Then you can take away all the marriage licenses for all the people who do not even practice a faith but are in a male and female marriage.

    Allowing same sex marriage has nothing to do with you, or your religion. It has to do with Government.

    On another note, Who cares if Frozen has Gay themes. Don't watch it then, don't let your children, grandchildren watch it. Or do? They might grow up gay? For all the same reasons you wouldn't allow them to watch other movies with adult themes, that may go against what you believe in. Maybe some people enjoy having it themed that way, maybe they are for same sex marriage and could help their children understand by using the move.

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  8. Since you wont allow comments anymore on your post about the movie Frozen I am leaving one on this post. I am a Mormon and I think you have read way too much into the movie. It doesn't bother me if that is what you got out of it but what does bother me is that by you posting that as a Mormon there are so many people who are not LDS or have left the church who are now associating your post with the church and it makes us look crazy to them. All I am saying is this kind of thing is what turns so many people away from the church. Some things are just better kept to yourself.

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  9. Because you have disabled commenting on your 'Frozen' post I have decided to reach here on this post.I am a mormon woman and I come from a long line of Utah mormon women. We are all offended that the title of this blog is A well-behaved mormon woman for multiple reasons. 1- it implies that in order to be a well behaved mormon woman that we must agree with you ideals. 2- it implies that you speak on behalf of all well behaved mormon women (I dont recall electing you). 3- it implies that well behaved mormon women feel as you do. By what standard are you a well behaved mormon woman? and do you choose who gets to be a well behaved mormon woman? This is in likeness calling yourself the most 'normal' person... who gets to decide what normal is? I personally find you to be quite ignorant and I am ashamed to have you publicly associated with me and the LDS religion. Movies are in fact a work of art and for one person who has no association with the production of the film to come out and tell people that there is a single and sure interpretation of the film is indeed ignorance at its finest. Art is meant to have multiple hidden meanings and thats why "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". Everyone gets to choose for themselves how to interpret the film. Frozen is applicable to straights, gays, those struggling with anxiety and depression, children who are bullied by peers, those who live or have lived in abusive homes, those who have over come disability and disease, and many more. I personally found hope and strength to be strong themes in the film. I hope that when my two boys are old enough to understand the film that they to will learn things such as how to be a good friend, how to stand up for themselves and do what they feel right for them, and how to love everyone as they love themselves. I am sorry that you have chosen to live your life in such a judgmental and condescending way that you cannot see the beauty, innocence, and good in things anymore.

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  10. You make the LDS Community look bad

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  11. You make the LDS Community look bad

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  12. You my friend...are an ignoramus. Or ignoranus as the case may be. Your book is mythology. Your "god" does not exist. A careful and logical reading of your bible...is the best evidence against it. "It is full of interest. It has noble poetry in it; and some clever fables; and some blood-drenched history; and some good morals; and a wealth of obscenity; and upwards of a thousand lies." - Mark Twain

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  13. That's the biggest load of garbage I have read all day!

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  14. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  15. Bloody god retards. Wake up to yourselves and have a look at some science. Spastics...

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  16. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  17. As a christian and a faithful mormon, I worry that the main message in Frozen, the one of redemption, love, sacrifice and grace was overlooked, and had great power to influence your interpretation. I don't disagree with your interpretation. I see it plain as day. But I also see the story showing a sister (christ) who would seek out the "one" and go to death in order to save her sister from her self inflicted misery, and bring her back into the fold to find healing and love. I see mercy, grace, hope and redemption. Shouldn't that be a stronger theme that we as a Mormon community should be preaching louder than the political and moral views that drive society apart? I loved this movie, and wept at the incredible values it supported. The song "let it go" was the ultimate demise of the character, when she fell into her human nature, and the movie clearly points out that it was wrong to "let it go."

    If we live in a world where these issues are going to be in our face every day, and we can't hide from it any more (locked up in a castle even), isn't it wonderful that a movie such as "Frozen" would address it in a way that actually supports the idea of christian love and even gives metaphorical reference to a Christ figure who goes below all things to save us all? I think that message and theme is one we could share with others to bring them to Christ, versus the other.

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