Nah, I would say he's a 'moron.'
Like the author, my ancestors fought for the Union, and I see no need to pay a cent in reparations for slavery.
It might be a spirit but I kinda doubt it's the Holy Spirit.
I understand what the author is saying here but, as a minor point, Mormons don't believe in "substitutional repentance". Mormons believe that they might help someone who has gone ahead fulfill the commandments of John 3:5, "Except a man be born of the water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God." Mormons are substituting themselves for the water baptism but the Spirit part, the repentance, is entirely up to the one who has gone on. Mormons believe that those who died without knowing the law of John 3:5 have a chance to learn the gospel in the hereafter and make a decision there on whether to accept it. Just for your information.
Why don't you describe some of Griswold's teachings and beliefs, and I'll tell you how un-Mormon they are. As a Mormon, I'm not aware of what he teaches.
I'm afraid you have mischaracterized the LDS practice of proxy baptisms.
National Lampoons: The Griswalds Mormon Vacation?
Collective guilt is a leftist idea.