Mormon Microfilming Causes a Stir - AGAIN
Monday June 28, 2004
A Mormon microfilming project in Maine is stirring up protests from people concerned that individuals whose names are collected from these genealogical records will be baptized as Mormon through a church ordinance known as Baptism for the Dead. And this is just one of many recent examples of such concerns.
The important thing that many protestors (and the press) appear to be missing is that genealogical record preservation is a separate issue from the religious practices of the Mormons. Members of the LDS church do not microfilm records in order to collect names. Instead, they are preserving these precious records, many of which would otherwise be lost to age or neglect, for the use of everyone. By doing this, they are ensuring that future generations will be able to research their ancestry.
Sure, these microfilmed records are used by LDS church members to trace their own ancestors in pursuit of their religious beliefs, but that is a separate issue from the microfilming and preserving of the genealogical records. In my opinion, it really isn't relevant to this discussion whether or not I agree with their religious beliefs. As a genealogist, I can only applaud the millions of genealogical records which they have preserved and made freely available to all.
More: Why Do Mormons Research Their Ancestors?
The important thing that many protestors (and the press) appear to be missing is that genealogical record preservation is a separate issue from the religious practices of the Mormons. Members of the LDS church do not microfilm records in order to collect names. Instead, they are preserving these precious records, many of which would otherwise be lost to age or neglect, for the use of everyone. By doing this, they are ensuring that future generations will be able to research their ancestry.
Sure, these microfilmed records are used by LDS church members to trace their own ancestors in pursuit of their religious beliefs, but that is a separate issue from the microfilming and preserving of the genealogical records. In my opinion, it really isn't relevant to this discussion whether or not I agree with their religious beliefs. As a genealogist, I can only applaud the millions of genealogical records which they have preserved and made freely available to all.
More: Why Do Mormons Research Their Ancestors?
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