Did Tolkien ever give your second question in the form of a statement? i.e. Did he say that it was *goodness* that got elves back from The Halls of Mandos? Beren & Luthien's 'resurrection' seemed to be due not necessarily to their goodness but the Luthien's Song of Power before Mandos. And since we had already seen her pull one over on Morgoth with song and dance, it isn't incredible to believe she could do it to Mandos.

As to the others, Glorfindel's resurrection could almost be termed a linguistic accident by the author that he then tried to capitalize on (he found he had two Glorfindels - one died in the first age in the fall of Gondolin, killing a balrog on the way, and the second appeared in the third age in LotR). That leaves Finrod, and to be honest, I don't remember his history.

If goodness was the sole criteria for release from Mandos, then either there would have been a lot more elves released, or none (depending on where exactly the bar was set. If it was perfect goodness, of course none would be released). Otherwise, goodness may only be one part of the equation, the rest being unknown... You've got me thinking now....

-Steve S.