Neither Purse nor Scrip: The Way of the Ministering Disciples

 While modern day missionaries and evangelists do not undergo the same circumstances of our Christian forbears, I can't help but admire how missionaries from the 1800s and earlier ministered to their congregants and listeners in a manner similar to the early apostles and Jesus himself. The manner in which the Apostles of Christ's early ministry can be found in the following scriptures: 

Matthew 10, Luke 5 and 6

Matthew 10:1, 5-24 and Luke 5:2-11 and chapter 6 highlight major points of how Christ and His disciples went about ministering: 

1. They were called by Christ.

2. They followed after Christ forsaking worldly pursuits.

3. Jesus called them to minister in His name and on His behalf.

4. They ministered by preaching, healing, cleansing, casting out devils, etc.

5. They were to take no "gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses."

6. They were also to take no "scrip..., neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves"

The principle behind only the clothes they wore and taking no extra funds or payment for their ministry was because "the workman is worthy of his meat," (Matthew 10:10). While modern day missionaries are expected to have more than one coat and shoes, they still go about with no pay for their work and only needing the essentials needed in ministering in the name of Christ. (Observe Latter-day Saint missionaries as an example of these circumstances). It is admirable and humbling how missionaries still minister in a manner outlined by Christ. Looking at Latter-day Saint missionaries from the 1800s though, the following from the Doctrine and Covenants reflect a means similar to Christ's apostles: 

D&C 24:18 "And thou shalt take no ^apurse nor scrip, neither staves, neither two coats, for the church shall give unto thee in the very hour what thou needest for food and for raiment, and for shoes and for money, and for scrip.

19: "For thou art called to ^aprune my vineyard with a mighty pruning, yea, even for the last time; yea, and also all those whom thou hast ^bordained, and they shall do even according to this pattern. Amen."

D&C 84: 78 "For I suffered them not to have ^apurse or scrip, neither two coats."

79: "Behold, I ^asend you out to ^bprove the world, and the laborer is worthy of his ^chire."

Jesus wants His disciples and followers to minister to people who need the Gospel, which is basically all of mankind (Luke 5:10-11). The people Christ ministered to are found all over the four gospels of the New Testament:

1. The sick (Matthew 10, Luke 5, Luke 8, Mark 2)

2. City folk (Matthew 11)

3. The Gentiles (Matthew 15)

4. People who sin (Luke 7, Mark 2)

5. People possessed of devils (Luke 8, Mark 5)

In reading and pondering over the manner Christ had his missionaries and apostles preach His word and minister, it is inspiring to the modern day Christian. It makes one want to minister even if not ordained or set apart as a missionary. There are many ways a Christian can minister in the name of Christ nowadays. For example, disciples of Christ can still preach, forsake worldly pursuits outside of essentials, reach out to the sick and needy, minister to the sinner, and so on. 

Finding the Old through the New, Tearing Down a Decades-old Brick wall (Part 3)

Through the efforts it took to research the Dean line, Harry Fenton Dean was a piece of cake next to his father, Henry C. Dean. Through piecing together his life story, it took learning to research in the following manner:

·      Learning to perform in-depth research in Illinois

·      Using Inter-library loan to obtain books and microfilms

·      Making trips to the Salt Lake Family History Library for special books

·      Doing contextual and supplemental research through newspapers

·      Using a digital microfilm scanner

·      Researching genealogy in 1800s southern Illinois—my new specialty, thanks to this family

·      Using territorial, pre-state records

·      Learning about 19^th century farming communities

·      Using court and probate records (even widow’s relinquishment)

·      Performing research on hypotheses based on indirect and, at times, circumstantial evidence

·      Chasing after elusive cemetery listings

·      Doing research outside of the Big 4, especially Ancestry. It was my comfort zone for too long. Btw, Illinois State Archives and Illinois Digital Archives have some great materials.

I could go on and on, but you see why it took me 8 years to learn research techniques piecemeal and finally find Henry’s full story in time. 

"Everybody Lives!"--and Other Genealogy Tips from the Doctor

Believe it or not, the Doctor would make a fantastic genealogist with the wisdom he has acquired from over his 900 year lifespan. Several of the ideas and gems he shares with his companions can be applied family history and the pursuit of our ancestors.

1. Books are the Best Weapons!  

“You want weapons? We’re in a library! Books! The best weapons in the world!” (S 2, Ep 2)

Indeed they are! Many library-rats would give their right arms for one that covers the surface of a planet—and a genealogist would never be seen again in such a building! But the Doctor makes a valid point—Books are the Best Weapons—Internet resources are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to doing research. Books are an indispensable tool for the average researcher.

2. Life is a Pile of Good Things and Bad Things

“The way I see it, every life is a pile of good things and bad things. The good things don’t always soften the bad things, but vice versa, the bad things don’t always spoil the good things and make them unimportant.” (S 5, Ep 10)

Matt Smith said these beautiful words to Amy when she was grieving Vincent Van Gogh’s suicide. Although Van Gogh died in 1890, the pain was fresh to Amy after spending a day with the artist in attempts to vanquish the Krafayis. Like with genealogy, any time spent learning about an ancestor’s life is time not wasted. Any fact learned should be accepted as a part of that individual, good or bad. What matters is remembering your ancestor is human with a lifetime of good and bad things. Their existence and legacy is a part of you.

3. It's not Time but the Person

“Some people live more in 20 years than others do in 80. It’s not the time that matters, it’s the person.” (S 3, Ep 6)

This is another principle that hits home for doing genealogy. All people who lived made their

mark on history, big or small—my grandfather who died at 40 is not less important than my grandfather who turned 90 this week. Both have lived their lives and contributed to the fabric of our family.

4. I've Never Met Anyone Not Important

“In 900 years of time and space, I’ve never met anyone who wasn’t important.” (S 6, Christmas Special)

The Doctor said this one best—no individual, big or small, young or old, rich or poor, should be looked over. Everybody deserves to have their story told.

5. Everybody Lives!"

“Everybody lives, Rose. Just this once…Everybody lives!” (S 1, Ep 10)

A truly heartwarming moment--the cure for the gasmask people was in the nanogenes! The Doctor's love for life and its beauty is conveyed in his ecstatic proclamation: "Everybody Lives!" Who cannot cry with the Doctor over the joy of all who were thought to be lost regaining life? When doing family history, this is how I feel about "meeting" my ancestors; they come alive as I learn their stories.  

You Might Be a (Young) Genealogist If...

    You know what the following abbreviations stand for when they appear across the Internet: BMD, FMP, DAR, DUP, FHL, FHC, GLO, NARA, WRHS, and so on.

    You know how to use a digital microfilm reader

    You can watch a movie, research, and perform data input all on the same computer

With twenty open tabs being used at various times…

    People tell you that you have an old person’s hobby

    You actually know how to talk to the older generations

    You work two jobs, go to school, and still find time for genealogy—who needs sleep right?

    You know how to use at least five different kinds of scanners

    You use the library’s online catalog for its obscure features in research help

      You NEVER take a transcription for face value

      You enjoy getting your hands dirty from time to time when it comes to research—remember those things called books? (Yeah, got a stack of them on my shelf about random historical things.)

      You know what “second cousin once removed” means

      Your ability to speed-read and multi-task…Pretty much speaks for itself

      These three words get you excited: Salt Lake Trip!

    You would rather spend your Saturday in the library than at the biggest ward function of the summer

      You have been on a date to a genealogy related function