FamilyHistoryWannabe

Hello all,
 
I recently stated working on my family history.  I was building my family tree in FamilySearch and I noticed my grandmother's temple work was actively being done.  This makes me very upset, as my mother is still alive and a staunch Baptist who would totally not approve her mom's work being done (she still not comfortable with my own conversion).
 
Is there anything I can do? 
 
I don't know how to tell who submitted the names, and my grandma has no LDS relatives besides myself.  Best I can tell someone submitted the names in a mass group and aren't doing themselves (baptism, confirmation, and initiatory were done on 3 different continents).  If this were some long dead relative I won't be bothered as much, but it's my grandma...

Good news!
 
So I emailed the familysearch people they were able to halt the rest of my Grandma's ordinances!

We were put to the test here in Houston with the flooding. Everyone was to check in with their families and report back ASAP so that it could be reported to the Stake or so that help could immediately follow. Since I have families that I have good communication with, and communications were not affected, all I needed to do was text them. We also have a "Friends of ____ Ward" page on FB and it was a good tool for everyone to report back on. 
 
One of my families couldn't drive out of his neighborhood or driveway because the waters were too high in the street, they had electricity, the house wasn't flooded and they had food and were okay. Moving from Utah, we always talked about a disaster plan, but seeing it in action was impressive and I felt good seeing the ensuing attempt to make sure everyone was alright. We were checked up on by my wifes Visiting Teachers, but sadly, I don't think I have Home Teachers. 
 
The well being of every member is the reason we have Home/Visiting teaching, not just spiritually, but temporally also. Both in times of plenty and in times of need. 

I testify to you that miracles happen.
I am a skeptic. I have seen many "almost" miracles that can be explained, but there are some that defy all explanation as I understand it.
I build powerlines for a living. We were setting a new pole between two energized wires. It was pouring rain, and I mean everything was dripping wet. As we were positioning the pole it came in contact with one of the wires. One of the guys ran over to help and put his hands on the pole but mistakenly forgot to put on his rubber gloves. The bottom of the pole was about three feet off the ground. He should have been instantly burned, if not killed. He completed a path for 7200 volts to go to ground with his body by putting both his hands on the pole. We screamed at him to get back. He did and I can still see the look of shock on his face. Not only was he not hurt, he didn't even feel a thing.
That was a miracle. I saw it. I was there, first hand. It wasn't a miracle of healing (those happen to) but is was most certainly a miracle. It cannot be explained. I've seen 7200 volts turn dirt into glass.
A few years ago a friend of mine completed a path to ground while he was touching a building. 7200 volts went through him and blew a hole in the building where he was touching it with his hand. He was killed instantly.
Other miracles of healing are too sacred to share.
Miracles happen.

Same here.
 
And in the last ward I was in, and the one before that... I can't think of a ward I've been in with seperate classes for that age

I think that, subject to the laws of the land, any organisation has the right to set its own rules and decide who it will admit as members and whom it will disallow. I was disappointed recently when the blue foot club kicked me out when they found out that my feet are actually green. I think this is an example of blatant discrimination against people with green feet and shows a complete lack of acceptance, respect and love for green footed people. Maybe this rule is based on outdated stereotypes of green footed people, but they are the rules, and the rules of the blue foot club clearly state that only people with blue feet can be members. It may be that at some future time, the rules of the club will be changed to allow green footed people to be members, but that's not what the rules say at the moment. Until that time, I'll do my best to continue to follow those aspects of the club that I enjoyed and found to be appealing even though I no longer belong to it. And I'll do my best to to accept that my right to live as I want is just as valid as the clubs' right to do what it wants and not become angry or bitter about the club.

Your friends are ignorant and/or dishonest. The Church leadership is not looking to discipline ("kick out") a man because he loves another man. They are considering discipline him ("kicking him out") because he is having sex with another man. His "marriage", though perhaps legal, is a sham in the eyes of God. Thus says God through his prophet, and thus teaches God's kingdom. You need not accept that teaching, of course; but then, why are you whining about getting "kicked out" of an organization whose foundational principles you don't even agree with? Lunacy and hypocrisy.
 
In addition, I question the wisdom of posting what amounts to an anti-Mormon screed on this web site. No offense intended.

Of course my response is only knowing what you are telling and not hearing his point in the matter. But, if what you state is fact, then....
 
His temper frightens you... GET OUT NOW!
 
You feel hopeless and terrifeid... GET OUT NOW!
 
If you are so frightened of this man that you are having panic attacks, that is not a good sign. This is someone you will spend the rest of your life and eternity with if sealed. Why would you want to live like that. It will NOT get better by getting married.
 
If he is picking fights with you now... they will be worse when you get married. They won't just disappear!
 
Abusive people normally will be VERY apologetic after they pick the fight or abuse a person. Don't let that fool you.
 
It sounds like you both need to grow up a little and/or get into counseling.
 
Praying you make the right decision.

I grew up in a very contentious home. I think a little contention is inevitable since we are imperfect people. Resisting the natural man is a life long battle, and we will fall sometimes. I think the degree of contention in the home can be a gauge. It can serve as a yellow or red flag for specific problems that need to be addressed. I know contention in the home is not a good thing. The less contention, the better. The spirit will not stick around with contention, but it can come back :)

To me contention is when people who disagree begin to fight and are no longer receptive to reason, empathy, and the exchange of ideas.

I know of no other churches that link the sacrament, communion, or eucharist to the rite of baptism. I know of no scripture that (ancient or modern) that directly link the two covenants. I am not familiar with anything in Joseph Smith's teachings that present the sacrament as a renewing of covenants. So I think this is where the question is coming from (because I'm certain I've heard it taught in General Conference within the last 5 years).
 
Now, if you have some quote or citation to answer or move the discussion along, that'd be great.

My formal response to this is "Meh."  
 
But I do object to this guy's template letter of opposition (for those who wish to oppose without attending Conference); he only provides a template for males!

It may be that in the New Testament era Greek philosophy had an out-sized influence on Christian writings.  Today I would suggest that therapy does.  So much religious teaching seems geared to comfort and re-assure.
 
Now those are both quips.  There is great value in philosophy and psychology.  However, they ought to serve our understanding of God, not guide it. 

"Priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the Welfare of Zion." (2 Nephi 26:29)
 
Note that this does not mean that all paid clergymen are practicing priestcraft, as is sometimes taught in the Church. Our own apostles and other General Authorities (and mission presidents) draw a stipend, and thus are "paid clergy". I hope none of us think they are practicing priestcraft.
 
Priestcraft is all about glorifying the person himself. It is an imitation of what Lucifer did premortally. Anyone -- ANYONE -- who seeks to draw fame, glory, and attention to himself by setting himself up as "a light unto the world" is practicing priestcraft. That means that legitimate Priesthood holders can practice priestcraft; doubtless there have been cases of this very thing, and probably are cases of it right now.

Why are you presuming that cigarettes and drugs are absolute nos but tea and coffee are debatable? This is not debatable. That's not to say that some won't debate it. But that's, frankly, irrelevant, because debate does not define the Lord's standards. Prophets do. And where do you get the idea that three glasses of wine a year is, "what most members believe when it comes to alcohol"?
 
You said it yourself, the prophets have declared it a law. It is. There are no exceptions to the core "don'ts" of the word of wisdom.

Yeah, sorta makes me feel kinda simple, being from a group that just goes by AG...

Tell your bishop. This is not some minor occurrence. No one will think you're just grabbing attention simply for telling your bishop about this problem. He may ask for permission to share the news with certain others, such as the Relief Society president, in order to coordinate help. My advice is to tell him immediately about your life situation.
 
I am very sorry to hear your husband is acting in such a dishonorable way. Good luck.

I tried that; the delay of giving her 48 hours to respond cost me the chance at almost all of the ordinances.  When I contacted FHC, they jumped on it right away and actually got temple workers on two continents to pull the participants doing his and his father's endowments out of their sessions within minutes of my call so I would at least still have that one for each of them.  I still haven't heard a word from the woman who reserved and submitted them, and everyone closer than third cousins has been accounted for, so she's certainly not close family.
 
Frankly, that example of "temple worthy" behavior has cost me any chance I might have had of getting that side of the family interested in the Gospel.

Good news!
 
So I emailed the familysearch people they were able to halt the rest of my Grandma's ordinances!

PolarVortex, I'm not a bishop and never have been, so my opinion is worth exactly what you pay for it. And the decision is your bishop's and stake president's, not mine or yours.
 
Having said that...
 
I would be shocked -- SHOCKED, I say (in my best Foghorn Leghorn voice) -- if there were any disciplinary actions leveled against you for having attended or "joined" another church. Such discipline is not intended as a punishment. When the prodigal son returned, his father didn't send him to his room for a week. Seriously, I don't believe there is the least reason for concern on your part.
 
And, you know, even if the bishop had some reservations and decided something or other should be done...so what? You're a step closer than you were before. It isn't about shame, it's about getting right in your life and before God.

Good news!
 
So I emailed the familysearch people they were able to halt the rest of my Grandma's ordinances!

Good news!
 
So I emailed the familysearch people they were able to halt the rest of my Grandma's ordinances!

Good news!
 
So I emailed the familysearch people they were able to halt the rest of my Grandma's ordinances!

I can see where this response is coming from, but if I were in the same shoes I would have to say yes, I am upset. First of all, knowing that my grandma that recently passed was a deeply rooted Catholic, she nearly went ballistic on me when I mentioned that some of our ancestors converted to the church in England because she was convinced they were Episcopalian (they were...after they immigrated to the United States).
 
I hope I'm not stepping on the OP with my opinion, but I would be upset that the rules and regulations that pop up every time you submit a name for temple work were being blatantly ignored. I would be upset that the saving ordinances were being performed without the permission of her husband or her children or grandchildren.
 
And, on a very selfish note, I have found great joy in being able to perform those saving ordinances for my ancestors. To lose the chance of doing such for my grandmother, or someday watching my children (that I hopefully have) be able to do such for her, in the future would be heartbreaking for me.

My mom and my grandparents spent their lives building up their local baptist church.  I remember going there as a child and my grandma telling her testimony with such power.  Recently their local church has had to dissolve-- it's been a very trying time for my mom.  She would be brought to tears at the news that someone baptized her mom Mormon without her permission.
 
I'm also upset... because I loved my grandma so much and was looking forward to one day (after my mom passes) to being able to be able to do her work myself, not by some stranger in Nigeria/Peru/New York.