Introduction: Defining a "Heritage-Mormon" (Lineage, Cultural Tribe & Birthright)

According to Merriam Dictionary online, the second and third definition of heritage is:

2

a

: something transmitted by or acquired from a predecessor : legacy, inheritance

proud of her Chinese heritage

a rich heritage of folklore

The battlefields are part of our heritage and should be preserved.

b

: tradition

the party's heritage of secularism

3

: something possessed as a result of one's natural situation or birth : birthright

the heritage of natural freedom was long since cast away—V. L. Parrington

 So just as we see in definition (2), where someone is proud of their Chinese heritage. Well I'm proud of my Mormon heritage. This means more than just my "inheriting" an LDS identity, culture, and ethical ideals growing up LDS. It includes a quasi-ethnic heritage, for my Germanic and Scandinavian ancestors intentionally left Scandinavia to gather in Utah.  My relatives were also some of the top leaders in the early formation of the LDS Church. I believe that because of this lineage, I inherited a rich cultural tradition from my predecessors (who chose to make Mormonism their tribal ethos). 

As definition (3) explains, it is also something I possess due to the natural situation of my birth or birthright. In other words, had my ancestors not left Scandinavia to gather in Utah and became top leaders, I likely would not have been born and raised in the LDS church. Growing up learning LDS doctrines and singing LDS hymns and attending LDS youth activities, is more than just a "cultural" inheritance, but I believe I also received a rich quasi-ethnic heritage: as it was my Germanic, British, and Scandinavian ancestors and their bio-lineage that made up a large portion of the first Mormons. Note that while I am not related to Joseph Smith, he has British and Irish ancestry (and is thus European as well). My point is my closest Germanic and Scandinavian ancestry did not choose Norse paganism, or to be Lutherans or Catholics, but chose to make their "spiritual tribe" the ethos of Mormonism.

I also find purpose and identity in the concept of being one of the Lost and Tribes of Israel, for even if this concept is treated as a mythological or metaphorical "spiritual identifyer" (as Brian H. Shirts believes), it still acts as a tribal identity for me. In a world with increasing isolation and feelings of aloneness (especially among men of European descent) due to secular progressive cults attacking the European identity and the rise of expressive individualism, finding greater meaning and belonging in a tribal identity within the tribe of my own ancestors, is for me at least positively enriching. For me, my ancestors from the northern countries having a special place in building the LDS Church, makes Mormonism more than a "belief system" but a quasi-ethnic identity,  part of my Scandinavian heritage and birthright. For more details see:

• D&C 133: 26 and the notes from scripturalmormonism blog)

• Scandinavian Saints: A Legacy of Significant Sacrifice by Shauna C. Anderson

• The Peoples of Utah, Scandinavian Saga by Helen Z. Papanikolas, © 1976 (“Scandinavian Saga,” pp. 151–85″ by William Mulder)

• Wikipedia.org House of Joseph (LDS_Church)

• Born to Change the World: Your Part in Gathering Israel by Brad Wilcox 

So as I see it, the secular atheist position is you are ultimately a walking "nothing" as a cellular robot with no meaning in life, no objective soul, or real identity; then you die and return to Nothingness. Personally, I prefer the view of Somethingness: a soul, ultimate meaning, and a tribal identity rooted in lineage both real and "spiritual." 

Meanwhile the traditional Christian view is that you are a depraved sinner (contaminated with Original Sin) as a European with no value in your lineage; and so the goal is to have the right "belief system," or be threatened with eternal conscious torment for thoughtcrimes. In contrast, those of European descent (such as myself) are considered part of God's elect tribe with a higher purpose and sense of belonging within Mormonism. Instead of being accused of Original Sin, I am told that I'm born innocent and I exist so that I might have joy. Rather than hell threats for thoughtcrimes, I was taught growing up LDS the Three Degrees Of Glory. 

So while the LDS Church (and the other Smith-Rigdon Restoration Branches) and their leaders and policies are often far from perfect, "Mormonism" is (for me at least), a more empowering tribal ethos and spiritual identity than the other options.