"it Takes 5 Generations In A Family Line To Make A Good Mormon"

[JAHS]

I have heard people pronounce something like this as if it were doctrine a few times in my life. There is of course very little if any proof to this statement. One has only to look at converts like many members of the early church, several general authorities today, my own wife, as well as many people on this board.

Yet, I wonder, just as some people might have an inherited genetic predisposition to being an alcoholic or having some personality trait, could a person  be predisposed to being a strong member of the church because of some genetic trait that has been developed and passed down through generations of strong church members within a family line?

I have ancestors who lived in Nauvoo among the early saints. I consider myself a very strong member of the church because of a testimony that I obtained on my own. I feel it is in my nature to never question the truthfulness of the church. But did I get a little help with this because of my genetic heritage? 

Edited January 20, 2015 by JAHS

[Mars]

I have never heard of this at all, brother.

[JLHPROF]

 

I have heard people pronounce something like this as doctrine a few times in my life. There is of course very little if any proof to this statement. One has only to look at people like many members of the early church, several general authorities today, my own wife, as well as many people on this board.

Yet, I wonder, just as some people might have an inherited genetic predisposition to being an alcoholic or having some personality trait, could a person  be predisposed to being a strong member of the church because of some genetic trait that has been developed and passed down through generations of strong church members within a family line?

I have ancestors who lived in Nauvoo among the early saints. I consider myself a very strong member of the church because of a testimony that I obtained on my own. I feel it is in my nature to never question the truthfulness of the church. But did I get a little help with this because of my genetic heritage? 

 

 

Some have said this is why Isarel wandered for 40 years - this allowed a new generation to be raised without false traditions.

 

I think there is definite truth to the idea that over multiple generations we can (if we choose) rid ourselves of false traditions and become better saints.

[omni]

I too have never heard this. I can't imagine anyone saying such a thing in all seriousness.

[Ahab]

A better Mormon family, maybe, but people can be a pretty good Mormon without that much of a heritage.

I know how it helped me that the family I was raised in had a long tradion of being members of a church called the "Church of Christ", with my Father and grand Father being ministers in that church and how that influenced me to become a minister too, so I can see how it would have helped me if they had been members of the true church of Christ, instead.

[Kenngo1969]

My sister-in-law is a first-generation Mormon, and she's one of the best Mormons I've ever known.

Edited January 19, 2015 by Kenngo1969

[teddyaware]

 

I have heard people pronounce something like this as doctrine a few times in my life. There is of course very little if any proof to this statement. One has only to look at people like many members of the early church, several general authorities today, my own wife, as well as many people on this board.

Yet, I wonder, just as some people might have an inherited genetic predisposition to being an alcoholic or having some personality trait, could a person  be predisposed to being a strong member of the church because of some genetic trait that has been developed and passed down through generations of strong church members within a family line?

I have ancestors who lived in Nauvoo among the early saints. I consider myself a very strong member of the church because of a testimony that I obtained on my own. I feel it is in my nature to never question the truthfulness of the church. But did I get a little help with this because of my genetic heritage? 

 

 

I would imagine there were some self-righteous Nephites who smugly said the same thing about the Lamanites who were newly converted by the sons of Mosiah. Yet the Book of Mormon tells us these "greenie" Lamanite converts were more faithful and more faith-filled than a great many of the Nephites who were infamous for their shallowness and spiritual instability.

[Mola Ram Suda Ram]

Never heard of this. If any thing I hear that "I am 6th generation Mormon I know what I am talking about". And that is generally coming from critics.

[tonie]

I too, generally, have only heard "My family crossed the plains with BY" statements, from individuals who have left the Church and now consider themselves "cultural Mormons".  My guess is that the individual believes the statement gives the impression of more than passing knowledge of the LDS beliefs and practices.

[JAHS]

I would imagine there were some self-righteous Nephites who smugly said the same thing about the Lamanites who were newly converted by the sons of Mosiah. Yet the Book of Mormon tells us these "greenie" Lamanite converts were more faithful and more faith-filled than a great many of the Nephites who were infamous for their shallowness and spiritual instability.

I think this probably represents the situation when my convert wife heard such things from smug long-time multi-generational members.  

[cinepro]

Some have said this is why Isarel wandered for 40 years - this allowed a new generation to be raised without false traditions.

 

I think there is definite truth to the idea that over multiple generations we can (if we choose) rid ourselves of false traditions and become better saints.

 

I think the logic on that doesn't work out.  How could you hope to have fewer false traditions as time goes on?  Traditions are, by definition, created over time, so at best you might have the same number.  But I've never seen any evidence that we naturally get rid of false traditions as time goes on.

[Garden Girl]

I think it depends on the individual... but nothing genetic.... sometimes a heritage helps us to want to uphold that tradition...

I'm only 2nd generation LDS and I consider myself Mormon... true blue... through and through...

 

from the beach on a sunny (yah-hoo) clear day... guess I'll get out and about and take care of some chores I put off the past week of windy, blowing rain...

 

GG

Edited January 19, 2015 by Garden Girl

[Rain]

I think there is some truth in a heritage can help you. We know abuse often goes down family lines because the abuser was not taught how to act better and falls back into his/her learning rather than taking the time to relearn or knowing there is a better way. I think this idea helps with good things as well.

But it doesn't have to be this way though. There are a lot of really good people before the church. They have learned to recognize truth before they have knowledge of the church. When they join the church they may have to learn what a stake center is or the story of Alma and the angel, but the church doesn't change their character.

Best of all is those who have had a bad life before joining the church. When they saw the light they experienced the atonement and often better recognize just what a gift it is more than others because they didn't have the light before.

So what makes a good mormon has everything to do with getting a testimony and being converted. As ancestors we can help descendants gain that, but having children of my own I know all too well agency really can really change things for the good or bad.

[rpn]

There are some habits and routines that bless the lives of children as they grow up, that do get transferred from generation to generation.   But traditions that hold families together only result in strong members when family members are both loved and taught (and the parents act as though) that their duty is to seek and get their own testimonies, and conform their own agency to His.

[mfbukowski]

Utah silliness.  You would never hear this in "the mission field" because everyone is a convert and you would be insulting the whole ward.

 

Not a good idea.

[Hamba Tuhan]

I think there is definite truth to the idea that over multiple generations we can (if we choose) rid ourselves of false traditions and become better saints.

 

It also works the exact opposite way in scripture. If parents are not careful to explicitly teach and give their children space in which to find truth for themselves, eventually the later generations just find themselves going through pointless motions, and then they wander off. I've seen this happen in real life too.

[Kenngo1969]

Utah silliness.  You would never hear this in "the mission field" because everyone is a convert and you would be insulting the whole ward.

 

Not a good idea.

Just for the record, my sister-in-law is a Utahn (though not native) ...

 

P.S.: Reminds me what John the Baptist said to those who thought they were saved as the children of Abraham: "God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham" (Matthew 3:9).

Edited January 19, 2015 by Kenngo1969

[CV75]

I have heard people pronounce something like this as if it were doctrine a few times in my life. There is of course very little if any proof to this statement. One has only to look at people like many members of the early church, several general authorities today, my own wife, as well as many people on this board.

Yet, I wonder, just as some people might have an inherited genetic predisposition to being an alcoholic or having some personality trait, could a person  be predisposed to being a strong member of the church because of some genetic trait that has been developed and passed down through generations of strong church members within a family line?

I have ancestors who lived in Nauvoo among the early saints. I consider myself a very strong member of the church because of a testimony that I obtained on my own. I feel it is in my nature to never question the truthfulness of the church. But did I get a little help with this because of my genetic heritage?

I think the whole idea (D&C 128:18) is to have generation upon generation linked together in time and in eternity, and that those on both sides of the veil remain actively engaged in the Lord’s work for our mutual welfare. I think the more generations are so linked and faithful to that covenant, the more prepared the Lord's people will be to receive Him in His Second Coming.

“We are closely related to our kindred, to our ancestors … who have preceded us into the spirit world. …they are solicitous for our welfare, they love us now more than ever. For now they see the dangers that beset us; … their love for us and their desire for our well being must be greater than that which we feel for ourselves,” and “Relationships can be strengthened through the veil with people we know and love. That is done by our determined effort to continually do what is right.” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/how-to-obtain-revelation-and-inspiration-for-your-personal-life?lang=eng

[The Nehor]

I agree entirely which is why my family only breeds with the highest families in the church and they do likewise. Here is my family photo:

Seriously there are advantages to being born in the covenant with a strong family heritage in the church. There are advantages to being a convert. I am guessing God prefers the former as the ideal is everyone in the Church in an unbroken line from Adam till now but Adam and Eve and many others since lost many of their children so that plan got tossed.

[teddyaware]

I agree entirely which is why my family only breeds with the highest families in the church and they do likewise. Here is my family photo:

Seriously there are advantages to being born in the covenant with a strong family heritage in the church. There are advantages to being a convert. I am guessing God prefers the former as the ideal is everyone in the Church in an unbroken line from Adam till now but Adam and Eve and many others since lost many of their children so that plan got tossed.

 

But board participant 'Vance' told me this was his family photo and the he's the one on the left! I call a foul!

Edited January 19, 2015 by teddyaware

[The Nehor]

Bit board participant 'Vance' told me this was his family photo and the he's the one on the left! I call a foul!

I am the one on the right. I am his husband, cousin on both sides, brother, and brother-in-law.

[teddyaware]

I am the one on the right. I am his husband, cousin on both sides, brother, and brother-in-law.

 

And so I waste one of my precious "limited" number of posts to give you a hearty two thumbs up and a boisterous LOL! 

 

P.S. At least you have a very nice, thick head of hair

[Buzzard]

I'm a fifth generation Mormon, and I  can assure you some of my ancestors were much better Mormons than I. 

[CV75]

Maybe the expression is meant to convey the sentiment, “If I were given five lifetimes to do it, I could become a good Mormon.” Or, “If I am consistent in doing all I can do bless my family until my great-great-grandchildren (whichever side of the veil I am on), I could become a good Mormon.” At least that's how I feel about it, and I’m sure our ancestors carry the same sentiment, and this contributes to the urgency for moving family history and temple work along.

[Robert F. Smith]

 

I have heard people pronounce something like this as if it were doctrine a few times in my life. There is of course very little if any proof to this statement. One has only to look at people like many members of the early church, several general authorities today, my own wife, as well as many people on this board.

Yet, I wonder, just as some people might have an inherited genetic predisposition to being an alcoholic or having some personality trait, could a person  be predisposed to being a strong member of the church because of some genetic trait that has been developed and passed down through generations of strong church members within a family line?

I have ancestors who lived in Nauvoo among the early saints. I consider myself a very strong member of the church because of a testimony that I obtained on my own. I feel it is in my nature to never question the truthfulness of the church. But did I get a little help with this because of my genetic heritage? 

 

In a word "no."

The first generation Mormons were by far the best and least spoiled, beginning with Joseph Smith Jr himself, and continuing with a great bunch including Brigham Young (who met Joseph while Joseph was chopping wood).

 

Of course there is the question of what genetic heritage Joseph had, and whether he was a direct descendant of the Joseph who was sold into Egypt, and therefore an Ephraimite (through Joseph's son Ephraim).  Or is that only by adoption?  What about the rest of us.  What do our Patriarchal blessings say about our descent?