[TI] [Fwd: However I am Mormon.]

[Laura Johnson]

The message below is forwarded due to the HTML content. 

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	However I am Mormon.
Date: 	Wed, 7 May 2008 16:51:21 -0500
From: 	Y Simonson <ysimonson at jvlnet.com>
To: 	<TerminiImerese at comunesofitaly.org>



While I believe that this list is NOT for arguing or bashing religious
"viewpoints" I feel I need to clear up some misunderstandings and
untruths. As a "Mormon", I personally simply want information so that I can
complete my genealogy.I treasure each ancestor as I uncover their human
struggle and their joys and sorrows as I can ascertain through records 
kept.
I love genealogy.It is my passion. It is my unsolved mystery.:)

 Church members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints do have
the opportunity to "baptize" members of their family who have passed.
HOWEVER the doctrine of this church is that ANY individual LIVE or DEAD has
the right to choose whether or not to accept baptism  . We are NOT 
trying to
Baptize other faiths randomly or take them over so to speak. I think it 
would be arrogant AND false doctrine if our Church  assumed that we had 
the right to "override" choices people has already made in their lives. 
( Otherwise why even make choices on this mortal coil if one of my 
descendents could just barge in and make choices for me? seriously !:))
We believe families have the opportunity to be eternal units and that 
you must be
baptized in order to continue on in heaven. We do not want any members of
our families unable to be a part of our family forever. Many other 
religions
believe those who are not baptized on earth go to hell or a "purgatory" 
like
state.  However, we don't believe God would allow someone who didn't get 
the
opportunity on earth to hear the gospel &to never receive the 
opportunity to
be baptized; to  be punished  for that fact. God is a " just" god :).The
whole basis of our gospel is that Christ gave us the opportunity to CHOOSE
so we could grow spiritually. I would never in life or death push a member
to join my religion. My own husband is Lutheran!
I am saddened by the "spin" of much journalism and news reports and by 
so many false reports about my
religion. I am especially saddened by all this considering my own roots 
are Roman Catholic and I continue to this day to have a great love for 
many of the aspects of that church. I would never be party to a church 
who did not include free agency/ freedom of choice as part of their 
doctrine. Every parent out there knows , eventually your child will be 
free to make choices and hopefully if you teach them correctly, their 
choices will be good ones. (Otherwise, if they never get to make 
choices, WATCH out when they DO! Can you say rebellion?:)I feel the same 
way about religion.
 
I also  want to point out the generosity of the  LDS Church in 
continually making genealogical sources and records available for free 
or at little cost NO MATTER YOUR RELIGION.  I have  also heard allot
of bashing about FHC  on this list ( so and so was rude... etc. 
,etc.,)and I want to say like in EVERY other religion, churches are run 
by people, humans...  God isn't standing in the door ,welcoming us with 
Christ by his side.Each church has members that don't always make 
shining examples of their religion. I apologize for your experience. I 
am not perfect.  God's love is.
Please do not think/ spread  another false thing about someone's 
religion without going to the source. Gossip and rumors are never a good 
thing. God bless all religions and all people ( those who live with or 
without  a religion.)