Radical Origins

As I was searching Google Books for information regarding some of my ancestors, a publication kept on coming up, Radical Origins: Early Mormon Converts and Their Colonial Ancestors by Val Dean Rust. Understand that I have not read this book though at some point I may (somewhat depending on any feedback I get back on it). Here is a description found at Google Books:

Val D. Rust's Radical Origins investigates whether the unconventional religious beliefs of their colonial ancestors predisposed early Mormon converts to embrace the "radical" message of Joseph Smith Jr. and his new church. Utilizing a unique set of meticulously compiled genealogical data, Rust uncovers the ancestors of early church members throughout what we understand as the radical segment of the Protestan Reformation. Coming from backgrounds in the Antinomians, Seekers, Anabaptists, Quakers, and the Family of Love, many colonial ancestors of the church's early members had been ostracized from their communities. Expelled from the Massachusetts Bay Colony, some were whipped, mutilated, or even hanged for their beliefs. Rust shows how family lore can be passed down through the generations, and can ultimately shape the outlook of future generations.

Now, I was doing research on ancestors of some of my Mormon ancestors so I guess their mention in this book shows the Mr. Rust may have a point. Or does he? What kind of people were coming to the New England area during early colonial times? Many were seeking to worship God as they chose. Many were being persecuted in their native country for their religious beliefs. Would not a majority of those who came be considered "radical" in their beliefs? Many of these ancestors of mine are not only ancestors of my Mormon families by also ancestors of many prominent leaders of this country as well as many present day non-Mormons.

I found the premise of the book interesting when I first read it. First, I think the religious atmosphere of Joseph Smith's time definitely was a contributing factor to and conducive to the restoration. Joseph Smith's "radical" religious background probably was what provided an atmosphere of religious exploration that encouraged Joseph Smith's actions. Others who would become followers of the Church would also come from backgrounds of religious exploration, with an openness to check out a "new" religion. However, there was a lot of religious exploration going on at the time with a majority not joining up with Joseph Smith's church.

As I explore the description of this book, the less I think Mr. Rust has a point. I don't know Mr. Rust's intent as I haven't read the book but just reading the premise I wonder if he is trying to show a defect in the ancestors of early Mormons that predisposed them to believe Joseph Smith. I can't go along with that considering those same ancestors belong to others that would not become followers of the Mormon faith or what may be considered a "radical" faith. Even if Mr. Rust is not disparaging the reasoning behind the choice of early Mormons to believe and follow Joseph Smith, it is faulty for the same reason - lack of uniqueness in ancestors of early Mormons compared to your "average" non-radical early American.

If anyone has read this book, please comment on what you thought of it. Like I said, I haven't had the chance to read it having just discovered its existence. Perhaps it would be worth the read. Perhaps not.

Halloween MeMe

I've been tagged for a MeMe by KetchupQueen - something I've never heard of before but here I go (I hope I'm not too dull)!

1. What's the scariest movie you've ever seen?

I haven't seen too many scary movies. The most recent I have seen was The Grudge which was creepy. I prefer creepy over bloody. Another one that is fairly decent is Dark Water but I definitely did not like the end of that one.

2. What was your favorite Halloween Costume from childhood, and adulthood?

I honestly don't have any memorable costumes from my childhood and don't dress up these days (mostly a time issue). My wife does some excellent costumes for the kids (usually super heros these days). My daughter was a flower in a pot one year (her first halloween) - she was so cute! My oldest was a good Harry Potter that year while his brother was a dragon.

3. If you had an unlimited budget, what would your Fantasy Costume be for this Halloween?

For some reason I've always wanted to wear an authentic costume from the mid-1800s. I won't do it unless it is authentic. I also like medievel costumes as long as they don't involve tights.

4. When was the last time you went Trick Or Treating?

My fondest memories Trick or Treating was from when I was a kid in Idaho. We got so much candy (especially when I would go with a friend in addition to going with family). I don't recall going Trick or Treating after that here in Texas.

We don't take the kids Trick or Treating but take them to some various carnivals and such put on by organizations and churches (including our own Church Ward's "Fall Festival").

5. What's your favorite Halloween Candy?

I would have to say any of the miniature candy bars with Milky Way and Snickers being my favorite. Actually, anything chocolate is good.

6. Tell us about a scary nightmare you had.

I don't have too many scary nightmares anymore. The worse is anything to do with my kids - like not being able to find them. As a kid my recurring nightmare was running away from a tiger and jumping off a cliff. I never got to the bottom but in a version I would have a rope tied around my waste and the nightmare would end with me dangling from a rope and a tiger falling toward me, teeth and claws bared.

7. What is your Supernatural Fear?

Can't think of one.

8. What is your Creepy-Crawlie Fear?

Being attacked by an ant colony.

9. Tell us about a time when you saw a ghost, or heard something go Bump in the night.

I'll have to decline for the same reason KQ did on this one. I haven't seen or felt any friendly spirits, so the only other kind left are ones I don't want to dwell on.

10. Would you ever stay in a real Haunted House overnight?

It is pretty easy to say yes to this one as I don't reckon it will ever happen. I would want a big huge flashlight (preferably a 10 million candle power spotlight).

11. Are you a traditionalist (just a face) Jack O'Lantern Carver, or do you get really creative with your pumpkins?

I like to be creative. Sometimes a scene (ghosts in a cemetery one year) but usually a unique face of some kind.

12. How much do you decorate your home for Halloween?

My wife does the decorating. We have more stuff each year (a couple items bought on clearance right after halloween). My wife tries to pass off the real spider webs as decorations but they were there way before halloween.

13. What do you want on your Tombstone?

Just the stats!

I am going to tag Mary (Tyro) for this MeMe and someone else if I come up with them (I'll let you know).

A Family History Overhaul

Some exciting things are underway for FamilySearch.org. This Deseret News article mentions some of things that are coming to FamilySearch. I'm not incredibly excited by the online tree features after seeing so many errors on for-profit endeavors such as OneGreatFamily and Ancestry's OneWorldTree. Some who do genealogical research aren't too concerned about accuracy. Actually, they don't seem to be too concerned about, well . . . actual research.

I do look forward to the digitizing of records and the availability of indexes for those records. This will be a great benefit to actual research and provider greater access to records that would otherwise have to be ordered on microfilm or microfiche and accessed through a Family History Library (FHC) or a local library. I just haven't had much time for that type of effort (though I have in the past early in my research). I greatly enjoy Ancestry.com but it is expensive to access the records I really want.

It sounds like a lot of effort has gone into the changes for FamilySearch. I hope it creates and maintains excitement in doing family history research. The more working at it (doing actual research) will make for more information shared!

Isolation

Sometimes the thought of living in the middle of no where seems quite appealing. The world often gets quite annoying and not having to deal with it would be nice. Maybe I'm listening to too much talk/news radio. Too much politics. Too much bad news.

The logistics of living in the middle of no where may be difficult. I would want to be self-sufficient. Power generated from solar energy and possibly wind if no where is in the right place for that. I would want a greenhouse of some kind to help with growing a sufficient garden. There would be chickens for meat and eggs. As much as the family and I enjoy milk we would have to have a dairy cow. It would be nice to hunt for game to supply us with some meat but these days it is getting more difficult for the "common man" to find a place to hunt.

I would find it hard to depart with the internet as there is so much information to be found. It is also nice for sharing information. Somehow I would want to stay connected.

I believe I would be deceiving myself to think it would be as simple as it sounds. It would probably be difficult to find a piece of property for a decent price located in the middle of no where unless it was in the middle of nothing which is not what I want. I need some trees and would like to be close to mountains.

I will admit it is nice to whip around a corner or two for convenient shopping for convenient foods. I'm sure all the conveniences of living in or close to town would be missed after a short bit. Escaping the world would not be easy and maybe not the best way to deal with it? I pose that as question because I'm still working on a complete answer to that. At least I know it would be nice to have a cabin in the mountains for occasional escapes. When I'm well off. That so much sounds like never.