Mormon leaders on Monday presented President Obama with detailed volumes of his family history during a private White House meeting.

Mr. Obama said he enjoyed the session and was grateful for the genealogical records, which he said he would read through with his daughters, Malia and Sasha.

"It's something our family will treasure for years to come," Mr. Obama said.

The Oval Office meeting, arranged by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, included Thomas Monson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Elder Dallin Oaks, chairman of the LDS Church genealogical committee. Mr. Reid, Nevada Democrat and a Mormon, also attended.

"LDS Church leadership has met with previous presidents and presented them with genealogical records detailing their family history," White House aides said.

A source said the church presented Mr. Obama with five large leather-bound volumes that go through generations of the president's familyon his mother's and father's sides. Mr. Obama's father was born in Kenya. His mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, was from Kansas. The records did not include information about first lady Michelle Obama's family.

The church described the meeting to reporters as a "courtesy visit."

Several prominent church members attended the Obama inauguration six months ago.

The visit came as a small but vocal group continues to question Mr. Obama's citizenship with unsuccessful lawsuits challenging the legitimacy of the president's birth certificate. Mr. Obama was born in Hawaii.

The Salt Lake Tribune reported that Mr. Obama's mother was baptized posthumously into the Mormon church by a member in 2007, according to researcher Helen Radkey. The president did not discuss that issue with the Mormon leaders Monday, White House aides said.

According to the Deseret News in Utah, Mr. Obama canceled a campaign visit to Salt Lake City before Super Tuesday in 2008 because it coincided with funeral services planned for LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley.

He does not have any Mormons serving on his faith advisory council, but White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the faith-based office has met with LDS leaders and "looks forward to continuing its engagement with the church in the future."

Republican Mitt Romney, a potential 2012 challenger for Mr. Obama, is Mormon.

Copyright 2009 The Washington Times, LLC.

The LDS, from what I understand, have one of the most comprehensive genealogical databases in the world. I'm not sure, but I believe that their service is relatively low-cost.

yep, they do. My mom is mormon and has done all of our history..I mean WAY back, pretty cool

If you count having your departed relatives being converted posthumously to Mormonism as 'low cost', yeah, I guess that's true. But do some research and you'll find this is just Mormon dogma played out in a strange, literal way. They're NOT maintaining these genealogical databases as a public service.

-Kerry O.

true that...

their the only ones who believe it so who cares?

of course they are not

why would they?

but it was nice of em to gift Obama with his genealogical history

Well, some Jews, for one. Here's a letter explaining it:



For another, myself. As an agnostic, I find it just a little bit creepy that posterity could assume I was baptized as a Mormon on the basis of these genealogies when I really didn't care very much for a lot of what the religion stood for, especially its left-handed persecution of gays in this century and of people of color in the last.

-Kerry O.

Preaching to the choir here..I'm not going to defend the Mormon church...if ya want to argue with a Mormon your gonna have to find one cause it ain't me.

I don't let things offend me... these people, well their choice.

all I know is that if you take a Mormon fishing you better take two of em

other wise he'll drink all your beer

The LDS does indeed have the most comprehensive records.. of everyone, not just Mormons. The LDS library (in SLC) is open to anyone and is considered a MUST to the majority of those that are interested in genealogy, as well as professional genealogists.

I think it is a thoughtful gift... and highly unique.. one that any family would appreciate & cherish.

And before anyone complains that the LDS are trying to get a foot into The White House.. ponder this:

If a Jewish organization (or individual) was to gift me with a Mezuzah.. while it is not a part of my faith, I would still appreciate & cherish the gift.. as I would know how sacred it is to them. (Mezuzah=is a piece of parchment (often contained in a decorative case) inscribed with specified Hebrew verses from the Torah).

Very funny!

Brigham Young quote, so I'm told;
I don't care how ya' bring 'em, just, bring 'em young.

That was a good thing that the mormans did. As far as thier religion goes have no respect for it though they borrow from every religion in the world put what they like here and there and make it their own.

and sooo, they are different than what religion?

Please be careful about what you say about the Mormon religionWe have many Mormon members here on Mingle and we wouldn't want to hurt anyones feelings

I was speaking monetarily. I don't know about anything else, as I haven't researched and don't particularly care to. I was simply commenting on the extensive database they had.

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they only keep tract of thier members . not every dufuss that gets born

They keep records on the dead so they can do "baptisms for the dead".
And they don't keep track of their members, the members do their own history.

Actually...they do have one of the most comprehensive genealogical databases. Anybody can use it.

Baptism in absentia. Something to be really concerned about..

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what do you think god is stupid .
they keep track of the dead of members not every duff born . as a mormon you can pray for someone who may of not got to heaven and for what ever reason they well make it then . it is to get the people who have not been for given as a mormon . that is if you believe it . and i have spent a lot of time at the building across the street from the temple . that's where the genealogy is .
the mormons saved millions of Jews during ww2 and yet every time they turn around the Jews are whining about about something about there church . they have a funny way of saying thanks

as far as praying someone in to heaven . I believe its gods choice who gets there .. not some clay footed human .he is the only final judge ..