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Holocaust survivors halt talks with LDS

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David B. Carr | 9:06 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
As a member of the LDS Church, I confess to having partipated in baptisms and other ordinances for the dead. If anyone out there of any faith wants to pray for my redemption, feel free. I can use all the help I can get.
Let them break off talks | 9:13 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
I violently protest anyone who brings cookies to my door. It implies I am hungry and I can't tolerate that. Even worse, sometimes they do it again cause they don't remember which of my neighbors they've visited... So now I don't even answer the door when those pieces of well-meaning ish come knocking. The disrespect in unbearable! Imagine, me, hungry!!! Never! The implication is an assault on my dignity and heaven knows that's all I have left.
Always Right | 9:27 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
I wonder how members of the LDS faith would feel if the Jewish faith were baptizing departed members of their faith the same way? I`m sure they would be against it.
Comments continue below
This is stupid | 9:30 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
What gives them the right to speak for all Holocaust victims? (Nothing! and they don't have the right)

How can they speak for the dead? (They can't)

How does it hurt anyone to have a dead persons name in a database? (It doesn't hurt anyone)




tvb | 9:47 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
Wake up LDS members. You know as well as I do that if another church came knocking at your door, there is no way you would invite them in and listen to there 6 lessons. R.e.s.p.e.c.t other peoples requests and believes, Period!
Have a little understanding | 9:47 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
Many of you are asking why the Jewish people are so upset about this. You say, "If they don't believe it will have any validity in the next life then why do they care?" First of all, they DONT believe its a valid practice so thats obviously not why it bothers them so much. The spokesman specifically said that 100 years from now, they just dont want their ancestors to be known as MORMON victims of the holocaust. This is an entirely valid point, considering how proud Jews are of their heritage after their ancestors were literally slaughtered by Hitler.

Secondly, maybe they dont fully understand the practice of baptism for the dead. Sometimes Mormons forget that not everybody was raised in the church and that, as an outsider looking in, it is hard to understand. Especially if you dont have any experience with Mormon culture.
Re: Linda | 9:48 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
How do you explain that Christ's original Apostles taught baptism for the dead to the church members in the first century? At least six different Christian historians from the first few centuries documented the practice. It wasn't officially abolished until the members of the Nicene councils decided they didn't want to continue the practice. It was a practice the first Christians were doing with regularity until the late second century, when it started to wane, but it wasn't completely abandoned until after the Nicene Creed.
Anonymous | 9:54 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
And you all wonder why people hate the 'church'. Just read these posts.
just to clarify... | 10:02 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
I've noticed some posts comparing lighting a candle for (catholic) or praying for someone dead to baptizing the dead. As a point of clarification it's totally different. Praying for someone or lighting a candle for someone is a way of showing respect and/or asking god to bless them in the next life. Baptizing someone is very different. While it may have good intentions they are not the same difference and shouldn't be looked at as such. While there are some deceased that would maybe accept it there are many more that probably wouldnt. I say this in the sense that Christianity was available and more abundant in the time and area then Judaism. If the Jews wanted to be of the Christian faith that option was readily available. Chances are if they knew of Christianity and it's beliefs then and chose not to embrace it, they probably aren't going to now.
I'm CominToGet You Barbra | 10:09 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
This is totally silly and too dumb for words. I have heard everything now. Like the dead really care about someone who's is living being baptized for them, and their suffering because someone took a dunk in a pool of water, in their name....OH,GOOD GRIEF! Lets get real people! and someone needs to get a brain waves movin on here.

I have Jewish heritage too, and this is totally DUMB!
Anonymous | 10:13 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
And what if The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true?

The holocaust victims are denied once again something beautiful.

The first time - liberty and life.
Second time - ordinances necessary for salvation as prescribed by a Jew - Jesus Christ: one ordinance being baptism.
To: Abominous | 10:16 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
I live in Uintah county when will you be baptizing there? I'll thank you in advance for thinking of me. (however I don't believe it will do anything to my soul)
Stop in the name of love! | 10:19 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
RE JOHN PACK LAMBERT,
If you are so concerned about your family and pro-8, and baptizing Jewish people, why don't you spend a little more time with your family instead of writing all day long on these blogs. Have a nice day.
l_l | 10:19 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
While reading previous comments I was pondering the thought, what did Jesus have to say on the subject?


"The first shall be last, and the Last shall be first"


Once again God uses opposition against his plan to fulfill prophecy. He truly does know all things.
Get a Grip | 10:32 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
Baptism is such a silly practice. Baptism for the dead is even more so. Why don't you people realize that life exists to enjoy? it is not a dress rehersal for a non-existant "afterlife?"
Robin | 10:32 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
Whats the dif? Hatch has declared that his tribe has been pursecuted into the desert so they are equally favored.
They don't get it. | 10:34 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
"How does anyone know what the Jews who died in the Holocaust really want?"

There would have been no Holocaust if Christians hadn't marginalized Jews. By Baptizing dead Jews, the LDS Church has made a living statement that Jews were too stupid about god's plan to do the right thing. This amounts to rubbing salt in to an open wound.

Jews were there with Christ. There were people who lived around Christ that never bought the story. There were people who heard Joseph Smith and walked away laughing. Not everyone believed.

It's funny to me. I looked up my uncle's genealogical records. His place of birth was off by 1000 miles. With that glue, I knew the story.

Gene was Catholic who married by Mormon mother's sister. Shara, the LDS one, whipped the document to have Gene Baptized as a Mormon. She was afraid to ask Gene's wife. That would have turned in to a real cat fight.
Richard G. | 10:35 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
I'm sorry, but you Mormons are obnoxious. I resent you baptizing my dead relatives. I resent you persecuting gays. These are both hate crimes.

You will reap what you sow.

Nevada Mike | 10:39 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
Yet another example of the mormons imposing their narrow-minded and offensive will upon a minority. Can't the mormons just leave people alone???
FIercest | 10:50 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
I think most of the non-Mormons have the wrong idea...the practice does nothing to "beef up" numbers. Records of proxy baptism do not count toward membership population. It is simply a belief that mormon's hold, that everyone should have access to baptism. Missionaries make their efforts to offer it to the living. A proxy baptism is done so it can be offered to the dead. No one in the church really believes that those baptized for the dead are now Mormons...only that they have the opportunity in the next life to accept the invitation of the baptism if they so choose. I mean, it's not like a crusade where people are forced to convert or face death. Further, the agreement only extends to the church itself - that it, and its agents will not research holocaust victims for the purpose of submitting the names for temple ordinances. Members of the church can still do what ever they like, for their own kindred dead. If a member submits genealogy collected from holocaust records which is not in harmony with this agreement, the church removes it if they discover it. What else can they do??
The Church--Not to blame | 10:50 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
The Church made the agreement and kept their part of the agreement. The issue lies in "well meaning" others who submitted names after the fact; besides those nine names who were submitted out of 260,000 by actual family members of the Holocaust victims. Could it be that these other names slipped into the records is what the Jewish Community are still upset?
"However, there are members of the Church who are related to these persons and they re-submit the names as part of their genealogy. The Jewish group in the article wants this practice to stop as well.

"In effect, they wish to prevent these people from practicing their religion."

The Church gets the heat everyday that we have NO idea what the brethren have to deal with. Look at the public opposition to Proposition 8. The Church was asked by a Catholic Bishop formerly from SLC for its help in California. Read the article in today's DesNews. We are in the times of the persecutions that we as members have to weather the storm.

We have done nothing wrong, but calling Evil as good, and Good as Evil. Sad, but reality. A Mc

Anonymous | 10:51 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
The level of Mormon arrogance is well demonstrated on this board, just as it is on the other comment boards on this website with articles about other groups who differ with "God's true church."
I love the assumptions | 10:55 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008

I love the assumptions that the church just thumbed their noses at the Jewish community and continued to baptize jews.

I ask, how does the church stop descendants of these individuals, if members of the church, from submitting names? That's not right or fair either.
Duh | 10:55 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
For all those who think the church continued the practice after 1995, read the article again. The church came to an agreement, they have not done any baptisms of the Holocaust victims since then. For those who are "confused", you need to learn to read. There is no "confusion". Yes we were negotiating to start the practice again, they said no, we said OK and that was the end of it. So, learn to read and you won't be so confused. Are you still confused???
Bear Rug | 11:04 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
The LDS Church believes in baptism for the dead, which is supported by the New Testament, I Cor. 15:29: "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?" Anyone who studies ancient Christianity would be familiar with this doctrine. It was preached by Paul, and Peter. Baptism for the dead is provided by the living, for the dead, who are still extant. The people for whom the proxy work is done have the agency to accept or reject it. Just because the baptism is performed, doesn't mean that the person is automatically a "Mormon."
Interesting points | 11:11 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
It is clear that both sides of this issue have a credible claim to their rights. It is also clear that the church is doing everything it can do to respect the agreement, errors are made but not as attempt to break the agreement.

Also, as memebers of the church we should try to understand the other's point of view. Many people on this message board have clearly missed the key point that Jewish people are very concerned about the legacy of these victims, the do not want anything to potentially confuse future generations of the details of this atrocity. As a memeber of the church, I truley respect that.
How will history be written... | 11:17 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
the concern by members of the Jewish faith (my family) is that 100 years from now how will my Jewish family be remembered, especially those who died in the Holocaust? As jews or Mormons.

The last thing our family wants is our names to come up as Mormons when people research our family's history. Our people were killed because of our faith, it is EXTREMELY important to be remembered that way as Jews and not as LDS

No offense to the LDS people, but your Church has a "unique" way of rewriting history...
Cremation | 11:19 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
All dead bodies should be cremated, (ashes to ashes dust to dust).
There should be a law - there is not enough room on this world for production of food the living and the dead. All cemeteries could then be dug up and used for positive purposes.
What does it matter if it is against your religion or if you feel uncomfortable?
Get over it.
The Jews should get over it.
The Greek Orthodox should get over it.
The Mormons should get over it.
Re: Always Right | 11:21 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
I disagree. But from my conversations with Jewish friends, I get the impression that Jews have a very different outlook on the purpose of mortality, the nature of the afterlife, and the concept of salvation. Among other things, they don't proselytize (although ironically, the term "proselyte" originally referred to a Gentile who had undergone the strict process of converting to Judaism). Maybe that is where the disagreement over baptism for the dead comes from. Also, a lot of people mistakenly call it "baptism of the dead", which radically misrepresents the practice and the doctrine surrounding it.
Always right always wrong | 11:21 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
As big a sinner as I am I could use as many baptizms as possible by Jews, Christians ect. But I forgot I need to repent before they are any good here there or anywhere.
To Always Right | 11:25 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
No, at least I wouldn't be offended. Why would it matter. Especially if I didn't believe that it had any efficacy.
6000yearoldearth | 11:28 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
One insane group of people involved in a mass hallucination interfering with another insane group's mass hallucination -- ahh religion is hilarious! Thanks for the laughs you guys -- keep it up!
RE: Linda | 11:37 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
We are worried about our own souls. We also worry about the salvation of others. It's out of compassion, not whatever skewed image you have of us in your mind. We'll all understand eventually.
TOo MUCH HATRED | 11:40 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
Why is there always someone out there causing problems? All we need in our world is peace. There are too many "trouble makers" in our world who like to keep the chaos going. Very sad.
An Apology | 11:41 a.m. Nov. 11, 2008
This whole thing is saddening. I love every aspect of the work of redeeming the dead and have dedicated much of my life to it. However, as difficult and disheartening as it is for the LDS people to understand the Jewish point of view, we, LDS, need to honor their wishes and refrain from doing anything that they perceive diminishes their religion. We must take them for their word that baptizing their ancestors hurts them.

To the Jewish people: I apologize for any anguish or sorrow caused by our actions. Our intent was not to hurt or diminish the Jewish faith in anyway. We honor you and know you have endured great persecutions, as we have, to live your religion. We do not want to be on the list of persecutors.

To the LDS people, trust the LORD on this one. Leave the Jewish names alone.

To the direct descendants of those who are Jewish who have joined LDS. You are the ones that need to work this out. You are the only ones with your unique birthright who can make a legitimate argument for doing the work your direct ancestors.
Clifton | 12:01 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008
To
CiCi | 1:05 p.m. Nov. 10, 2008
Collecting souls? I thought that was the Lords job!
Respect them and leave them alone! You can't change their religion after they are gone! Ambulance chasers, good grief!

You are right CiCi, and it is the Lord's job, but consider this, if it id his job, then why did Jesus ordain his Apostles, the Seventy and others to be ministers in his Gospel? He did return to heaven and so he did give authority to those he left behind to act in his name,including Baptism.
For those who steadfastly believe in your own brand of Christianity,which doesn't include Baptisms for the dead, perhaps your Church should purge verses concerning Baptism for the Dead from your particular version of the Bible. Maybe eliminate the word Baptism from the bible too, since many don't believe it necessary for salvation anyway.

One more question CiCi, what happens to those infants, children and adults who never had a chance to hear the Gospel and be baptized? How about those little humans that have been aborted?
Hello?? | 12:24 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008
Wasn't Paul a Jew? He talked about baptisms for the dead, why is there such a debate about it, the Church is keeping thier agreement as best as they possibly can. Free agency is still in force even after death.
Again | 12:38 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008
It's what the Lord wants. Any family of mine will have their work done regardless of their past religion.
JW | 12:42 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008
tvb. NOT!!! I have had Jehovah Witnesses come into our house and listened to their discussion many times. Give it a rest. And I also could care less if Jew, Catholics, or any other group want to be baptised for my ancestors or even myself when I die. That is the beauty of this whole thing, We believe they will have the choice of whether they accept the work or not. See how simple that is.
Mormon Jew | 12:43 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008
I happen to be a Jew along with being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The operative word here is "ignorance". As has been previously stated, if an individual thinks that the practice of Baptism for the dead is of no effect then it is the height of ignorance to object to its practice. In fact, it would or should be viewed by the Jewish community as a blatant waste of time! They must be concerned that there is in fact some validity in its practice. If this is the case, then I would suggest that the Jewish community visit with the LDS Missionaries. They might learn something and change their minds.
Doug S | 12:48 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008
The Trib is saying that the bulk of the Jewish names are being submitted to the LDS database by NINE (count 'em, NINE) individuals.

Why don't we just excommunicate these nine troublemakers and get it over with?
mark | 1:00 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008
I cannot believe the rudeness and inconsideration by the mormon people as demonstrated by these posts.
No actually it does not surprise me one bit having grown up among these terribly inconsiderate people, the mormons.
ken | 1:00 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008
As a lifelong mormon, I have one thing to say. Whats on the sports page?
Aaron | 1:00 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008
I've never seen the church in the news so many times in one week. It's great PR. For those who don't know history. The early christian church after Christ had died practiced Baptisms for the dead even up to 400-500 a.d. Why isn't this Jewish guy mad at those jews who practiced this ordinance before?
Got Answers? | 1:05 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008
Anyone, please, anyone! If you have the answers to life's meaning and purpose, if you have authority from God, please, please take me with you. If you can do anything for me, please do it. If all you have is smoke and mirrors, then darn. I guess all you do posthumously will not have any effect upon me or my soul. But if you can help me, though I am stupid and closed minded, please help me anyway. Let me hitch my wagon to your transporter beam.
Clifton | 1:10 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008
Will people become Mormons if they baptized in the after life? Nah, don't think so. I also don't believe that anyone of the following Christian faiths will go by their Church titles either. In the Bible, there are no named Churches such as Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Anglican, Evangelicals, Charismatics, Church of Christ, Presbyterian or any other modern so called traditional Christian Churches. Nope, not a one. So, if any of these mentioned here and many more not mentioned here, especially those who believe in the Trinity, those who do not believe in Baptism in whatever form, perhaps need to unite as one under one Church name, and collectively remove any words having to do with Baptism or the word itself from the Bible. Now, that would be interesting to be sure. Oh, by the way, there would be no need to send out missionaries since you all would be united under one faith. Neat huh?
happyguy | 1:18 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008
Linda - what about those who lived and died without the opportunity to hear about the gospel of Jesus Christ. Are they damned to eternal hell because they weren't baptised?
Their legacy is not changed | 1:19 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008
I have been trying to understand Mr. Michel's interpretation of our temple baptisms and I think it is this: that in 100 years when people have long since died, they are worried that the Jewish public records will read as being members of the mormon church when alive when they were most definitely practicing Jews and had completely rejected the Christian faith. To put it in one Jewish writer's words--that we had "hijacked" dead Jewish souls.

I can respect that. I think it is more a matter of ironing technology. I think many LDS people (especially zealous--LOVE THEIR SOULS--new converts) do not know official church policies and are very well meaning. The church is working hard to fine tune our records so that we are especially not duplicating the same names and tagging holocaust victims' names.

With that said. For those not of our faith. One has to respect the hundreds of hours of faithful geneologists that are NOT paid and that have a desire to seek out their kindred dead. Their is immense satisfaction from learning about one's ancestors.

Offensive to Jewish Mormons | 1:21 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008
Disturbing trend,

"It's disturbing that this keeps happening. "The Church" has been asked to stop this a number of times and they have said they will stop doing it."

How many times must you people be told that it's individual members, not the Church itself, who are the ones submitting these names for Temple work. The Church is doing everything it can, short of stopping all temple work including for our own families, to stop these inappropriate ordinances.

When it discovers that a member has submitted and done temple work for the victims of the Holocaust the Church removes the names. It has even created flag possible violations of Church policy.

"It's about time they actually live up to their word and respect others beliefs."

The Church is going out of its way to respect the beliefs of others but its obvious that the respect the Church is showing isn't recognized.

For those of you who are complaining. What do you propose as the solution?

The Church breaking into the homes of its members, and torturing them until they agree to not submit these names?

This whole issue is getting tiresome. What happens when a Jewish ancestor is flagged?
LDS in Northwest | 1:23 p.m. Nov. 11, 2008
There are plenty of other people out there we need to be doing the work for. I'd give this some time and leave it alone for now.

And to Richard G and Nevada Mike, I will continue to do the work for MY ancestors. That's my right and no one - including you - is going to stop me.

And as far as leaving people alone, you're the ones that came onto a board on a church topic.

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Elder Lance B. Wickman of the First Quorum of the Seventy with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints talks about the 1995 agreement not to submit list of names of Jewish holocaust victims to the practice of baptism for the dead.

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