Mormon Church Removes War Crimes Hunter from IGI

According to an article in the Associated Press, the Mormon Church says it's removed the name of a Nazi war crimes hunter from its genealogical databases. Simon Wiesental's name was removed at the request of the Wiesenthal Center, an international Jewish human rights organization.

Posthumous baptism is a sacred rite practiced in Mormon temples to offer membership in the church to the deceased. However, Jews are offended by the practice and in 1995 signed an agreement with Mormon leaders that should have prevented the names of Holocaust victims from being added to the genealogical index.

A Mormon Church spokesman issued a statement last night saying Wiesenthal's name was immediately removed from the International Genealogical Index and that no proxy-baptism had been performed for the Jewish civil rights leader.

Comments

[Rest In Peace]

Is there any way for an individual to "opt out" of getting proxy-baptised after his death?

[Graeme Simpson]

I respectfully don't believe in proxy-baptizim after death, so why should it concern me (and it doesn't) if someone wants to do this for me after death (or even before death for that matter!!) ?

[Joy Rich]

I have not heard of any way to opt out in advance, but information on how to request removal of a name is on the JewishGen website at http://www.jewishgen.org/InfoFiles/ldsagree.html under "Request Removal Of Inappropriate Names."

[Jennifer]

Rest In Peace: I could be wrong, but when I asked that question of a LDS member, I was told that after I die I have the choice of accepting/not accepting the baptism.

[Amy Rhoads]

Jennifer, you are correct. I am a Mormon and by doing baptisms for the dead you are giving that person the opportunity to accept the work that was done for them or they can reject it. We believe that you have your agency before during and after this life. There are many people who never had the chance to hear the Gospel while on this earth, so we are extending that opportunity to them. And yes, "Rest in Peace" your agency, your ability to chose for yourself, provides your "opt-out". It's just like in life. If I were to make you a birthday cake and then you tell me you don't eat cake. I did the work but you chose not to eat it.

[Ann Lamb]

I understand the part about not accepting posthumous baptism. We have free will in life and after.

But does the IGI include ONLY those who have been baptized posthmously? Could not names remain in the IGI for informational purposes, as a genealogical aid, without assuming proxy baptism?

I have greatgrandparents who were Mormon pioneers from England to Salt Lake City who 20 years later left the church. They are in the IGI with all their children and I never though of asking that they be removed for the above reason, and as a non-LDS volunteer at a FHC I have explained it that way to patrons. Jennifer, can you help with this?

[Ann Lamb]

Sorry, I should have addressed my question to Amy.

[Annette]

The article stated: Posthumous baptism is a sacred rite practiced in Mormon temples to offer membership in the church to the deceased.

This statement is incorrect. The sacred ordinances preformed for the deceased does NOT offer membership in the church to the deceased. Also see Jennifer's statement above about Baptism for the Dead.

[Irene W]

If the LDS beliefs are wrong, there is no harm done. If they're right, then be happy you were included! And, don't forget - the IGI also includes EXTRACTED first-source data (data extracted directly from church records, etc). I'd hate for this type of information to be removed simply because of religious disbeliefs.

[Dae Powell]

I believe there is a web page that indicates which LDS ordinances were performed for whom, when and where. Can anyone share this information with me?

TIA,

Happy Dae
www.ShoeStringGenealogy.com/ssg1.htm

[Rest In Peace]

The comments have really helped to clarify. I see two separate issues. One is the issue of the data, which is an issue of privacy vs. public records, and though it's an important topic I don't intend to address that one here. The other issue is some kind of potential change in your afterlife. If you believe as the Mormons do, no problem (whether you're right or wrong). If you don't believe as the Mormons do but you're wrong and they're right, you'll get the choice anyway after death, so presumably no problem. But if you don't believe as the Mormons do, and you are right and they are wrong, you should still have the right to pre-posthumously object to a ritual being done in your name after your death.

[Dani]

There are two purposes for which the IGI functions. As the name indicates it is an index or a listing of families and relations. The data there is only as good as the research from the person submitting it. The purpose of the IGI for me as a Latter-day Saint is to not submit duplicate entries for individuals. There is a record (book) on earth and a (book) in heaven. It is out of these books that we will be judged. But erasing the name out of the one on earth will not erase the record in Heaven, only cause another entry to be made.
You see if the deceased person wants his name there then he will have the opertunity to have it there. No matter how many well meaning earth bound souls try to blot it out.

[sharon johnson]

If the United states is a t war do Mormons fight in the war on the side of the USA.
Thank You

[Nikki]

The issue I have with inclusion of my ancestors on a LDS baptismal roll is one of accuracy in records. Future generations could believe they converted to LDS. I truly object to this practice.

[Norris Hall]

Baptizing people without their permission is like breaking into a house and searching for a gay marriage certificate.
It's immoral

[Norris Hall]

Baptizing people without their permission is like breaking into a house and searching for a gay marriage certificate.
It's immoral