Comments on: A Statute of Limitations on Anonymity? http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2004/02/a-statute-of-limitations-on-anonymity/ Truth Will Prevail Sun, 12 Feb 2012 07:57:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Geoff Matthews http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2004/02/a-statute-of-limitations-on-anonymity/#comment-15866 Geoff Matthews Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 /?p=467#comment-15866 I think that this commitment to anonymity is commendable. Sure, and argument of 80 years after death (basically assuming the deaths of anyone who directly knew the individual) may be justifiable (and who knows, it might change to that), but there is something comforting about the current policy. I think that this commitment to anonymity is commendable. Sure, and argument of 80 years after death (basically assuming the deaths of anyone who directly knew the individual) may be justifiable (and who knows, it might change to that), but there is something comforting about the current policy.

]]> By: Karen http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2004/02/a-statute-of-limitations-on-anonymity/#comment-15867 Karen Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 /?p=467#comment-15867 Nate, I was so incredibly excited by your post until I followed the link and saw the price tag. Wow. I wonder if I could convince our stake family history library to splurge? Better yet, maybe you could just pick up a copy, and I could borrow them. :o) (I love reading original documents from that era. One of my favorite books is a collection of the Missouri redress petitions. The emotion just leaks through--even after 150 years.) Although the historical purist in me would like to see the names (putting those particular disputes in context of other known facts--leading to broader historical application), I think the church has a point. Mormons are much closer to their history than so many other groups. We self-identify with our ancestors, and use them in an Aesop's fable kind of way--moralizing through their experiences. Maybe 150 years isn't long enough for a statute of limitations on a point that we're so prideful about. Nate, I was so incredibly excited by your post until I followed the link and saw the price tag. Wow. I wonder if I could convince our stake family history library to splurge? Better yet, maybe you could just pick up a copy, and I could borrow them. :o) (I love reading original documents from that era. One of my favorite books is a collection of the Missouri redress petitions. The emotion just leaks through–even after 150 years.)

Although the historical purist in me would like to see the names (putting those particular disputes in context of other known facts–leading to broader historical application), I think the church has a point. Mormons are much closer to their history than so many other groups. We self-identify with our ancestors, and use them in an Aesop’s fable kind of way–moralizing through their experiences. Maybe 150 years isn’t long enough for a statute of limitations on a point that we’re so prideful about.

]]> By: Nate Oman http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2004/02/a-statute-of-limitations-on-anonymity/#comment-15868 Nate Oman Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 /?p=467#comment-15868 The full set of DVDs costs something like $1300 so it is not the sort of thing you stick in your personal references library. The idea is clearly that libraries at research institutions buy a copy for their patrons. Kind of like buying a full set of John Adams's papers on microfilm from the Massachusetts Historical Society. The full set of DVDs costs something like $1300 so it is not the sort of thing you stick in your personal references library. The idea is clearly that libraries at research institutions buy a copy for their patrons. Kind of like buying a full set of John Adams’s papers on microfilm from the Massachusetts Historical Society.

]]> By: Karen http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2004/02/a-statute-of-limitations-on-anonymity/#comment-15869 Karen Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 /?p=467#comment-15869 Yeah Nate, I caught that, hence the sarcastic emoticon that was apparently insufficiently sarcastic. I'll try again with a wink. ;o) On to more serious matters: what is the subject matter. Does is run the broad gamut of church courts, or stay away from certain topics? I'm curious if there were political excommunications, or at least discipline relating to political issues...i.e. opposing the theocratic government structure of Nauvoo. Would be fascinating to read. I wonder if the John C. Bennett court is on there, and if so, if it's obvious who it is. That would also be fascinating reading. Yeah Nate, I caught that, hence the sarcastic emoticon that was apparently insufficiently sarcastic. I’ll try again with a wink. ;o)

On to more serious matters: what is the subject matter. Does is run the broad gamut of church courts, or stay away from certain topics? I’m curious if there were political excommunications, or at least discipline relating to political issues…i.e. opposing the theocratic government structure of Nauvoo. Would be fascinating to read. I wonder if the John C. Bennett court is on there, and if so, if it’s obvious who it is. That would also be fascinating reading.

]]> By: Nate Oman http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2004/02/a-statute-of-limitations-on-anonymity/#comment-15870 Nate Oman Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 /?p=467#comment-15870 Karen: I honestly don't know. I haven't looked at the collection. I have only talked to some people working on it read Begerra's review. BTW, my bet is that you could probably request a copy of it through your local family history library. You would only be able to view it at the church facility, but I am sure that the main family history library in SLC has copies that can be mailed to branch locations. Karen: I honestly don’t know. I haven’t looked at the collection. I have only talked to some people working on it read Begerra’s review. BTW, my bet is that you could probably request a copy of it through your local family history library. You would only be able to view it at the church facility, but I am sure that the main family history library in SLC has copies that can be mailed to branch locations.

]]> By: clarkgoble http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2004/02/a-statute-of-limitations-on-anonymity/#comment-15871 clarkgoble Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 /?p=467#comment-15871 I suspect that because of our focus on our pioneer heritage and our focus on families and geneology that such private matters are considered private longer. For instance we probably *care* how I grandparents and extended family are thought of longer than the average American. I suspect that because of our focus on our pioneer heritage and our focus on families and geneology that such private matters are considered private longer. For instance we probably *care* how I grandparents and extended family are thought of longer than the average American.

]]> By: Eric James Stone http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2004/02/a-statute-of-limitations-on-anonymity/#comment-15872 Eric James Stone Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 /?p=467#comment-15872 Let's assume you're someone who was involved in a church trial for moral infractions 150 years ago. Now, let's assume that the church adopts a policy that the records of such trials will be opened to the public 80 years after the death of the person involved. Since you're dead (and most likely your children are, too), it no longer matters to you whether your records remain anonymous, right? Wrong! You wouldn't be too happy if, during the millenium, someone came up to you and said, "So, I was reading in the records about that morality problem you had back in Nauvoo..." Let’s assume you’re someone who was involved in a church trial for moral infractions 150 years ago.

Now, let’s assume that the church adopts a policy that the records of such trials will be opened to the public 80 years after the death of the person involved.

Since you’re dead (and most likely your children are, too), it no longer matters to you whether your records remain anonymous, right?

Wrong!

You wouldn’t be too happy if, during the millenium, someone came up to you and said, “So, I was reading in the records about that morality problem you had back in Nauvoo…”

]]> By: Grasshopper http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2004/02/a-statute-of-limitations-on-anonymity/#comment-15873 Grasshopper Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 /?p=467#comment-15873 Luke 12:2-3 (cf. D&C 1:3) 2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. 3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. On the other hand: Ezekiel 33:14, 16 14 Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right... 16 None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him... Luke 12:2-3 (cf. D&C 1:3)
2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

On the other hand:

Ezekiel 33:14, 16
14 Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right…
16 None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him…

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