If They Would Look They Might Live

In the 37th chapter of Alma in the Book of Mormon, Alma is transferring the records of the Nephites to his son Helaman. In his instructions to Helaman, Alma rehearses the history of the records and notes with particularity the "plates of brass." He says,

3 And these plates of brass, which contain these engravings, which have the records of the holy scriptures upon them, which have the genealogy of our forefathers, even from the beginning— 

4 Behold, it has been prophesied by our fathers, that they should be kept and handed down from one generation to another, and be kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord until they should go forth unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, that they shall know of the mysteries contained thereon. 

5 And now behold, if they are kept they must retain their brightness; yea, and they will retain their brightness; yea, and also shall all the plates which do contain that which is holy writ.

Alma goes on to say,

6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. 

7 And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.

Later on in the same chapter, Alma refers to the Liahona and says,

40 And it did work for them according to their faith in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day. 

41 Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works. They were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey;

We have similar "miracles" today to assist us in working on our family history. One of these miracles is the FamilySearch.org Family Tree. Working with several other large online genealogical database programs, the Family Tree almost miraculously provides us with specific information about our kindred dead. But Alma also notes the following:

43 And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow; for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual. 

44 For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land. 

45 And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise. 

46 O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever.

 I know that the Family Tree and the other marvelous tools given to us in our day to participate in the work of the salvation of our dead ancestors are temporal. But I also know that they are, in a true sense, spiritual. But I also see that many of us are "slothful because of the easiness of the way" that we now have to find our ancestors and if we would but look, we might live. How many of us now fail to even look at the FamilySearch.org Family Tree? I am almost constantly surrounded by members who have no interest in even looking. What does that say about us?

As Alma repeatedly says beginning in chapter 36, verse 1,

1 My son, give ear to my words; for I swear unto you, that inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land.

Let us keep the commandments to seek after our kindred dead and thereby prosper in the land.

What is the Essence of Genealogy?

When you are standing out on a vast plain the most obvious part of your view is the division between the sky and the earth. But as you reflect on this view for a while, as I have on many occasions, you begin to realize that if you travel towards that horizon, your view will ultimately change. As time passes and you get more and more experience in the world, then this view of a distant horizon becomes so altered in your perception that you no longer see the distance but the reality of the changes that come as a result of the journey. You know what you will see as you travel over the distant horizon and you discover that the journey is what is important, not the present view. This is the same experience you encounter with the discovery of your family history.

When you begin discovering your family, you see only the details of what is immediately around you and what you have experienced during your life. Ancestors are like a distant horizon with the unknown on the other side. But life is a journey of discovery and as you get older and travel forward in time, your perception of your family changes. You begin to realize that family history is a journey not a destination. Your own life and your own experiences will become the family history of your descendants. Quoting from Walt Whitman in the Leaves of Grass:

Not I, nor anyone else can travel that road for you.
You must travel it by yourself.
It is not far. It is within reach.
Perhaps you have been on it since you were born, and did not know.
Perhaps it is everywhere - on water and land.

 Aristotle is attributed as saying, "Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom" and knowing your past and the history of your family is a key component in knowing yourself and coming to that point of beginning to acquire wisdom. I feel sorry for those who view gaining knowledge of their family history as a pastime or a hobby when it is ultimately a serious journey of discovery. Here is another quote from Fyodor Dostoyevsky's book, The Idiot.

It's life that matters, nothing but life—the process of discovering, the everlasting and perpetual process, not the discovery itself, at all.

 Genealogy is the perpetual discovery of who we are. When we come to understand this, we move from interest to passion. We realize that ultimately, the only thing that really matters is the family and its relationships. All history, all science and the essence of religion is family.

Is Genealogy a hobby or pastime?

I know there are people who make a living from other people's hobbies. We were in a very large "hobby" and craft store the other day and there were lines of people at the checkout stands. Genealogy is often categorized as a "hobby" and there certainly are professional genealogists. But is genealogy really a hobby? From time to time you will hear a comment that says that genealogy is one of the fastest growing hobbies or that it is the second most popular hobby in the United States.

From the standpoint of a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, family history or genealogy should not be classified as a hobby any more than attending the Temple or paying tithing would fall in the "hobby" category. But for the rest of the world, is genealogy nothing more than a pastime or hobby?

If you do a Google search for the terms "top favorite hobby" you will get hundreds of websites listing hobbies, such as "The 50 Most Popular Hobbies" and "Top 10 Most Popular Hobbies of 2014." Over the past few years, I have written about this topic and every time I do such a search, I very seldom find genealogy included in any of the lists, unless the person compiling the list is a genealogist. I was interested in reading the comments on The 50 Most Popular Hobbies post to see a comment that said the following:

You forgot genealogy. A LOT of $$ is spend each year by ppl looking up their family history. Just a few years ago, the #1 hobby was gardening and the #2 was genealogy. I don’t consider watching movies a hobby. It what lot of ppl do that do not have hobbies. Walking isn’t so much a hobby as a form of exercise and keeping healthy.

This comment reflects the common statement about the #2 position of genealogy in the hobby universe. At various times, I have tried to trace down the origin of the statement about the #2 rank of genealogy as a hobby without success. See my post entitled, "Hobby Claims about Genealogy are Unfounded." But I am absolutely certain that sometime in the near future I will see the claim in print or hear someone repeat it in a conference somewhere. From time to time, the statement makes its way into print. Here is a quote from Reference.com, a question and answer website answering the question as to "What are the most popular hobbies in America?"

Second only to gardening, Americans are jumping on the genealogy bandwagon by storm. As baby boomers move into retirement age, some of them seek a connection to their ancestors. Popular websites like Ancestry.com and FamilyTree.com offer large databases of census and public record data for a monthly subscription fee.

There no authority cited for the conclusion. Given the vague definition of a hobby as a regular activity done for enjoyment during one's leisure time, it is obvious that the way some people do genealogical research would certainly qualify the activity as a hobby. But I have always had a difficulty in classifying what I do as a hobby. The breadth of human activities is always surprising to me, but genealogy is a fundamental social activity. But it seems to me, possibly because of my membership in the Church, that I cannot equate it with my other hobbies. I also think that classifying it as a hobby denigrates the religious importance of searching out our family history.

What is Religious Freedom in the United States? Part Four -- A Constitutional Right

The Constitution is the foundation of law in the United States. But there were certain important rights that were not contained in the document as it was originally passed. The passage of a "bill of rights" was hotly contested by many of the prominent supporters of the Constitution itself. Ratification of the Constitution by the states was only accomplished after an agreement among the constitutional delegates that the convention also add admendments. The Constitution was finally ratified in 1788 and ratification was certified on September 13, 1788. With the formation of the new government and during the first Congress, James Madison undertook the task of shifting through a large number of proposed amendments and in September, 1789 the House and Senate approved a report laying out the proposed amendments.

After considerable discussion and changes made by both the Senate and the House, On September 25, 1789 a joint resolution of Congress approved twelve amendments to the Constitution and these were forwarded to the states for ratification. After ratification by three-fourths of the states, President Washington informed the Congress that the ten of the amendments had been ratified on Decmber 30, 1791. The specific provision of the Bill of Rights pertaining to religion was adopted as the First Amendment which is quoted as follows:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

This wording is usually interpreted as setting for two basic religious rights: the establishment of religion and the free exercise of religion. Interestingly, there were few major issues concerning religious freedom in the United States until the Supreme Court considered the case of Reynolds v. United States, 98 U.S. 145 (1878).

I have decided to write on the subject of religious freedom due to my own personal family history. The Reynolds case involved the subject usually referred to as "polygamy" but more correctly described as plural marriage. I am descended from polygamus families on both my maternal and paternal lines. But the legal issues involving religious freedom have greatly expanded since 1878 with dozens of significant rulings by the Supreme Court. I intend to discuss very many of these cases and so this series will undoubtedly continue for some considerable time. In this context, I will also instersperse comments about my own opinions about the outcome of the cases.

Presently, given the current trend in the decisions made by the Supreme Court, it is entirely possible that the holding of the Reynolds case may be reversed. However, I do not intend to focus primarily on the issue of polygamy, but the more general issues of both the free exercise of religion and ultimately the establishment of religion. But I will start with the Reynolds case.

Stay tuned.

This is an ongoing series. I suggest you may wish to read previous posts.

http://rejoiceandbeexceedingglad.blogspot.com/2016/10/what-is-religious-freedom-in-united_7.html
http://rejoiceandbeexceedingglad.blogspot.com/2016/10/what-is-religious-freedom-in-united.html
http://rejoiceandbeexceedingglad.blogspot.com/2016/09/what-is-religious-freedom-in-united.html
http://rejoiceandbeexceedingglad.blogspot.com/2016/09/religious-freedom-and-genealogy.html

#RootsTech 2017 Events

RootsTech 2017 will have an impressive series of special events to accompany the main conference keynotes, classes and exhibit hall. RootsTech 2017 will be held on February 8th through the 11th at the Salt Palace in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. Registration is now open. If someone in your family is hesitant to come to RootsTech 2017 because of a lack of interest in genealogy or some other reason, perhaps the promise of world-class events can persuade them to accompany you to the Conference. Here is the present line-up of events from the RootsTech website. I must admit that this is the first time I am really interested in attending all of the "entertainment" events at RootsTech. I think they finally got all of them exactly right.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 6:00–8:00 P.M., MARRIOTT GRAND BALLROOM

Welcome Party: "We Don't Need Roads"

Kick off RootsTech 2017 by attending the 80s themed welcoming party in the Marriott Ballroom. Play 80s video games, listen to 80s music, enjoy appetizers and drinks, hear a special Innovator Showdown announcement, and of course, expand your network.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 8:00–9:00 P.M., THE CONFERENCE CENTER AT TEMPLE
SQUARE

RootsTech Opening Event: "Music, It Runs in the Family"

 This opening event will feature music and stories of the Rodgers and Hammerstein legacy. The performance will feature music by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and special guest soloist Dallyn Vail Bayles and memories by Rogers and Hammerstein, with narration by Oscar "Andy" Hammerstein III.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 5:30–7:00 P.M., ROOTSTECH EXPO HALL

Cultural Celebration: "Celebrate Your Heritage"

This special cultural performance held in the demo theater of the expo hall will include Latin music and dancing, African drummers, Irish dancing, and free giveaways by sponsors and exhibitors. Don't miss it!

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 10:30–11:30 A.M., SALT PALACE HALL D

Innovator Showdown

Come watch innovators present their best ideas on stage before renowned judges, key industry influencers, potential investors, peers, and a live audience for significant prizes and global exposure. The competition will be held in Hall D of the Salt Palace Convention Center.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 5:30 P.M., SALT PALACE HALL D

Closing Event: "Celebrating Life with Music—and Cake"

Wrap up your conference experience with a good laugh and quality music, featuring comedic entertainer Jason Hewlett; BYU's Men's a cappella chorus, Vocal Point; and a cappella women's chorus, Noteworthy.

New discoveries about finding digitized records on FamilySearch.org

In my last post, I wrote about using the Catalog to find digitized records on FamilySearch.org. Last night at the Brigham Young University Family History Library, we explored the Catalog and other digital records on the website and made some more discoveries. The above screenshot shows, the drop-down menu for the Search tab on the FamilySearch.org website. Here is a screenshot of the Records selection.

The first selection to note is the link that says "Browse all published collections." Here is the view after clicking on that link.

To find the digital images of records, you need to look at the little camera icons. Here is a close up of the icons.

These camera icons indicate the presence of digital images of the documents contained in their particular collection. The first one above has a background rectangle. This indicates that the images are not on the FamilySearch.org website, but are on some other website, usually, but not always, a Partner website. If I search in this collection, I get the following:

To the right, you can see another copy of the icon for each entry. Clicking on the Image icon shows the following:

So, the digital images of the records are on another website. In this case, The images are on Fold3.com.

This is not a Partner website where LDS Accounts have free access, so you can view the images from this search, but you must have a subscription or view this particular website on a Family History Center Portal to view other records or make additional searches.

Going back to the drop-down menu for the Search tab, next we explored the Catalog. I previously pointed out that you can now select an option in the "Search these family history centers" menu to view records that are "Online." Here is a screenshot showing the drop-down menu.

If you look carefully, you can see that the third item to select is "Online."

What we found is that this selection only seemed to work when you searched the national level of any country. For example, if I search for records in the "United States" then I got only digital records, but if I continued to search for places within the United States then I got the usual mixture of digital and microfilmed records or books that had yet to be digitized. So this is not a yet a perfect system.

But what will happen when all the records are digitized? Well, that is not likely to happen completely. For example, there may still be records under copyright where FamilySearch does not have permission to display the digital images. But apparently most of the available records will be digitized within a reasonably short time. At that point, it would probably be a good idea to view the records that were not online since we could assume that the rest of the records were online.

But from this we can see that the idea of online does not necessarily mean that FamilySearch has the digital copies of the records on its website.

Where are all the digitized records on FamilySearch.org?

For some time now I have been hearing that there are more digitized records in the FamilySearch.org Catalog than there are in the Historical Record Collections. I learned of a way to find all of these somewhat hidden digital records through an interchange on the Yammer program used by FamilySearch volunteers and missionaries.

Here is the key to finding these records.

You might not notice what I did to show only the online or digital records. Here is a screenshot of the pull-down menu to show all that needs to be done.

There is now a selection that will let you search for all the digitized records available in the catalog which may include records not searchable in the Historic Record Collections. Of course, not all of these digitized records are indexed so you may have to use the good old brute force method that required looking at each entry.