List of Doctrines on "Records and Record Keeping"
617. We will be judged out of the records that are kept (on earth and in heaven).
618. The "book of life" is the record kept in heaven.
619. The Lord commands the Church to keep records.
620. Keeping personal journals can bless us and our posterity.
617. We will be judged out of the records that are kept (on earth and in heaven).
Jesus
Elder Spencer W. Kimball
Elder Spencer W. Kimball
John
Joseph Smith
Jesus
Elder John Taylor
Jesus,
quoted by Mormon
quoted by Mormon
For behold, out of the books which have been written, and which shall be written, shall this people be judged, for by them shall their works be known unto men.
26. And behold, all things are written by the Father; therefore out of the books which shall be written shall the world be judged. (The resurrected Jesus calls on the Nephites to repent in contemplation of the final judgment, A.D. 34) 3 Nephi 27:25-26
Elder Spencer W. Kimball
Accordingly, men's deeds and thoughts must be recorded in heaven, and recording angels will not fail to make complete recordings of our thoughts and actions. We pay our tithing and the bishop records it in his book and gives us a receipt. But even if the entry fails to get in the ward record, we shall have full credit for the tithes we paid. There will be no omissions in the heavenly records, and they will all be available at the day of judgment. President John Taylor emphasized this: Man sleeps the sleep of death, but the spirit lives where the record of his deeds is kept.
Man sleeps for a time in the grave, and by and by he rises again from the dead and goes to judgment; and then the secret thoughts of all men are revealed before him with whom we have to do; we cannot hide them: it would be in vain for a man to say, "I did not do so and so," the command would be, unravel and read the record which he has made of himself and let it testify in relation to these things, and all could gaze upon it. [JD11:78-79]
At that day we may be sure that we shall receive fair judgment. The judges will have the facts as they may be played back from our own records, and our voices and the pictures of our own acts and the recordings of our thoughts will testify against and for us. (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p.109) TLDP:324-25
Elder Spencer W. Kimball
It is well for all of us to realize that our thought sins as well as all other sins are recorded in heaven. (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p.108) TLDP:691
John
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (The Apostle John sees the judgment of man at the end of the Millennium) Revelation 20:12
Joseph Smith
You will discover in this quotation that the books were opened; and another book was opened, which was the book of life; but the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works; consequently, the books spoken of must be the books which contained the record of their works, and refer to the records which are kept on the earth. And the book which was the book of life is the record which is kept in heaven; . . .
8. Now, the nature of this ordinance consists in the power of the priesthood, by the revelation of Jesus Christ, wherein it is granted that whatsoever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Or, in other words, taking a different view of the translation, whatsoever you record on earth shall be recorded in heaven, and whatsoever you do not record on earth shall not be recorded in heaven; for out of the books shall your dead be judged, according to their own works, whether they themselves have attended to the ordinances in their own propria persona, or by the means of their own agents, according to the ordinance which God has prepared for their salvation from before the foundation of the world, according to the records which they have kept concerning their dead. (Joseph writes to the Church giving further directions on baptism for the dead, Sept. 6, 1842) D&C 128:7-8
Related Witnesses:
Jesus,
also quoting Malachi,
quoted by Mormon
Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another, and the Lord hearkened and heard; and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.
17. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. (The resurrected Jesus Christ teaches the Nephite people, expounding and quoting the words of the prophet Malachi, A.D. 34, see Malachi 3) 3 Nephi 24:16-17
Elder John Taylor
It is written that Jesus will judge not after the sight of the eye, or after the hearing of the ear, but with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity the meek of the earth. It is not because somebody has seen things, or heard anything by which a man will be judged and condemned, but it is because that record that is written by the man himself in the tablets of his own mind—that record that cannot lie—will in that day be unfolded before God and angels, and those who shall sit as judges. (In Tabernacle, Feb. 5, 1865, JD11:79) TLDP:324
618. The "book of life" is the record kept in heaven.
Joseph Smith
Alma, the younger
President Brigham Young
John
Paul
John
Joseph Smith
Francis M. Lyman
Bruce R. McConkie
Jesus
John
Daniel
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith,
also quoting John
You will discover in this quotation [Revelation 20:12] that the books were opened; and another book was opened, which was the book of life; but the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works; consequently, the books spoken of must be the books which contained the record of their works, and refer to the records which are kept on the earth. And the book which was the book of life is the record which is kept in heaven; . . . that in all your recordings it may be recorded in heaven.
8. Now, the nature of this ordinance consists in the power of the priesthood, by the revelation of Jesus Christ, wherein it is granted that whatsoever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Or, in other words, taking a different view of the translation, whatsoever you record on earth shall be recorded in heaven, and whatsoever you do not record on earth shall not be recorded in heaven; for out of the books shall your dead be judged, according to their own works, whether they themselves have attended to the ordinances in their own propria persona, or by the means of their own agents, according to the ordinance which God has prepared for their salvation from before the foundation of the world, according to the records which they have kept concerning their dead.
9. It may seem to some to be a very bold doctrine that we talk of—a power which records or binds on earth and binds in heaven. Nevertheless, in all ages of the world, whenever the Lord has given a dispensation of the priesthood to any man by actual revelation, or any set of men, this power has always been given. Hence, whatsoever those men did in authority, in the name of the Lord, and did it truly and faithfully, and kept a proper and faithful record of the same, it became a law on earth and in heaven, and could not be annulled, according to the decrees of the great Jehovah. This is a faithful saying. Who can hear it? (Joseph writes to the Church giving further directions on baptism for the dead, after quoting Revelation 20:12Sept. 6, 1842) D&C 128:7-9
Alma, the younger,
quoted by Mormon
quoted by Mormon
The names of the wicked shall not be mingled with the names of my people;
58. For the names of the righteous shall be written in the book of life, and unto them will I grant an inheritance at my right hand. . . . (Alma teaches the people, about 83 B.C.) Alma 5:57-58
President Brigham Young,
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
The names of every son and daughter of Adam are already written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Is there ever a time when they will be taken out of it? Yes, when they become sons of perdition, and not till then. Every person has the privilege of retaining it there for ever and ever. If they neglect that privilege, then their names will be erased, and not till then. All the names of the human family are written there, and the Lord will hold them there until they come to the knowledge of the truth, that they can rebel against him, and can sin against the Holy Ghost; then they will be thrust down to hell, and their names be blotted out from the Lamb's Book of Life. (In Tabernacle, Aug. 15, 1852, JD6:297) DBY:387-88
John
And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. (The Apostle John sees the celestial kingdom) Revelation 21:27
Related Witnesses:
Paul
And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. (Paul writes from Rome to the Church at Philippi in Macedonia) Philippians 4:3
John
He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. (Jesus invites all to overcome, as he overcame) Revelation 3:5
Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord
receiving the Word of the Lord
Behold, this is pleasing unto your Lord, and the angels rejoice over you; the alms of your prayers have come up into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded in the book of the names of the sanctified, even them of the celestial world. (The Lord speaks to Joseph by revelation, Dec. 27/28, 1832) D&C 88:2
Francis M. Lyman
The forgiveness of sins is predicated upon faith in God, repentance and reformation and baptism. Sins are not forgiven through the payment of tithing, nor through the partaking of the sacrament, not observing the Word of Wisdom, or prayer. There are blessings attached to each of these important requirements of the Gospel; but if a man would have his sins forgiven, and be allowed to enter into the Church, he must have faith in God, and in his Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost, he must repent of all his sins, turn unto the Lord with full purpose of heart and sin no more. Then God will forgive him and redeem him from his sins; but not by paying tithing. . . . But we want our names recorded in the Lamb's Book of Life, and it is not done by the observance of any one principle alone, but to every principle there are special blessings promised. CR1899Oct:34
Bruce R. McConkie
All who bear testimony by the power of the Holy Ghost are blessed; their inspired utterances are recorded in heaven for the angels—their fellowservants—to look upon. (The Mortal Messiah, 3:38) TLDP:689
Jesus,
recorded in Luke
recorded in Luke
Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. (Jesus speaks to the Seventy who have reported their experiences) Luke 10:20
John
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (John addresses those who hear the words of his book of prophecy, the book of Revelation) Revelation 22:19
Daniel
And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. (In the last days Michael shall deliver Israel from their troubles) Daniel 12:1
Joseph Smith,
quoted by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
quoted by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
Until we have perfect love we are liable to fall and when we have a testimony that our names are sealed in the Lamb's book of life we have perfect love and then it is impossible for false Christs to deceive us; . . . (General conference held Oct. 25, 1831 at home of Sirenes Burnet, Orange, Ohio) (Far West Record, p. 23) TPJS:9
Author's Note: The Book of Life is defined in the Bible Dictionary as follows: "Book of Life Spoken of in Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12; 21:27; 22:19; cf. Daniel 12:1-4; Luke 10:20. In one sense the book of life is the sum total of one's thoughts and actions—the record of his life. However, the scriptures indicate that a heavenly record is kept of the faithful, whose names are recorded, as well as an account of their righteous deeds (D&C 88:2; 128:7)."
619. The Lord commands the Church to keep records.
Anthon H. Lund
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
Joseph Smith
Jesus
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
President George Albert Smith
Anthon H. Lund
At the beginning of this revelation [D&C 21:1] we were told that there should be a recorder in the Church, that records should be kept among the people. This important work in the Church, of keeping records, was commanded; and if we read farther on we will find that John Whitmer was appointed to be Church Recorder, to write the events of the Church. I mention this to show you how important this part of our Church government is, to keep a history, to keep a record of what takes place. CR1913Apr:11
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
The matter of record keeping is one of the most important duties devolving on the Church. In the early days of the Church, because of lack of experience, this duty was neglected, therefore many important historical events were not recorded. Even today it is difficult to impress upon clerks in stakes, wards and missions the importance of proper record keeping. CHMR1:103
Joseph Smith,
receiving the Word of the Lord
receiving the Word of the Lord
Behold, there shall be a record kept among you; . . . (Revelation to Joseph Smith given at the organization of the Church, April 6, 1830) D&C 21:1
Jesus,
quoted by Mormon
quoted by Mormon
And it came to pass that Nephi remembered that this thing had not been written.
13. And it came to pass that Jesus commanded that it should be written; therefore it was written according as he commanded. (The resurrected Jesus Christ instructs his disciples among Nephite people, A.D. 34) 3 Nephi 23:12-13
Joseph Smith
I wrote a few words of revelation to you concerning a recorder. I have had a few additional views in relation to this matter, which I now certify. That is, it was declared in my former letter that there should be a recorder, who should be eye-witness, and also to hear with his ears, that he might make a record of a truth before the Lord. (Joseph writes to the Church giving further directions on baptism for the dead, Sept. 6, 1842) D&C 128:2
Related Witnesses:
Joseph Smith
After prayer by President Joseph Smith, Jun., he said, if we heard patiently, he could lay before the council an item which would be of importance. He had for himself, learned a fact by experience, which, on recollection, always gave him deep sorrow. It is a fact, if I now had in my possession, every decision which had been had upon important items of doctrine and duties since the commencement of this work, I should not part with them for any sum of money; but we have neglected to take minutes of such things, thinking, perhaps, that they would never benefit us afterwards; which, if we had them now, would decide almost every point of doctrine which might be agitated. But this has been neglected, and now we cannot bear record to the Church and to the world, of the great and glorious manifestations which have been made to us with that degree of power and authority we otherwise could, if we now had these things to publish abroad. (Oliver Cowdery, clerk of the meeting, takes minutes of Joseph Smith's instructions to the Twelve, in Joseph's home at Kirtland, Ohio, Feb. 27, 1835) HC2:198-99
President George Albert Smith
Each of them [the temples] has been built to one great eternal purpose: to serve as a House of the Lord, to provide a place sacred and suitable for the performing of holy ordinances that bind on earth as in heaven—ordinances for the dead and for the living that assure those who receive them and who are faithful to their covenants, the possession and association of their families, worlds without end, and exaltation with them in the celestial kingdom of our Father. ("The Tenth Temple," IE1945Oct:561) TLDP:675
620. Keeping personal journals can bless us and our posterity.
President Spencer W. Kimball
Gordon B. Hinckley
Elder Ezra Taft Benson
Adam S. Bennion
Joseph Smith
President Brigham Young
President Spencer W. Kimball
We renew our appeal for the keeping of individual journals and records and compiling family histories. . . . [S]ome families possess some spiritual treasures because ancestors have recorded the events surrounding their conversion to the gospel and other happenings of interest, including many miraculous blessings and spiritual experiences. . . . I promise you that if you will keep your journals and records they will indeed be a source of great inspiration to your families, to your children, your grandchildren, and others, on through generations. CR1978Oct:4-5
Gordon B. Hinckley
To you young women of today, who are old or young, may I suggest that you write, that you keep journals, that you express your thoughts on paper. Writing is a great discipline. It is a tremendous educational effort. It will assist you in various ways, and you will bless the lives of many—your families and others—now and in the years to come, as you put on paper some of your experiences and some of your musings. CR1984Oct:111
Related Witnesses:
Elder Ezra Taft Benson
[S]ome things which have not changed:
. . . . Our responsibility to keep a journal and to write our own personal histories and those of our ancestors, particularly those who belong to the first four generations of our pedigree, has not changed. CR1978Oct:40-41
Adam S. Bennion
To you parents, as you dream dreams for the children you cherish, may I offer these suggestions:
1. Make sure that your children know our pioneer story. Let it not be said in any Latter-day Saint home that the children grow up in ignorance of the achievements of their forebears. Both you and they will stir to the materials in the books already quoted in this address and in such other publications as:
Family Journals and Diaries. . . . CR1954Apr:101
Joseph Smith
Since I have been engaged in laying the foundation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have been prevented in various ways from continuing my journal and history in a manner satisfactory to myself or in justice to the cause. Long imprisonments, vexatious and long-continued law suits, the treachery of some of my clerks, the death of others, and the poverty of myself and brethren from continued plunder and driving, have prevented my handing down to posterity a connected memorandum of events desirable to all lovers of truth; yet I have continued to keep up a journal in the best manner my circumstances would allow, and dictate for my history from time to time, as I have had opportunity so that the labors and suffering of the first Elders and Saints of this last kingdom might not wholly be lost to the world. (Journal entry, Dec. 11, 1841, explaining the Prophet's difficulties in writing the annals of the Church) HC4:470
President Brigham Young,
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
You may remember it and lay it to heart, and if you wish, write it in your journals that some of the best spirits that have ever been sent to earth are coming at the present time. (Given on visits to Utah, Juab, and Sanpete counties, Utah, June and July, 1865, JD11:117) DBY:109
Author's Note: Joseph Smith inserted in his own journal the following excerpt from a letter to the Editor written by a George Mitchelson and printed in the Millennial Star. Joseph headed it, "Importance of Elders Keeping Journals, Case of Healing Recorded:"
"MR. EDITOR:—The idea has frequently crossed my mind, that were the Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ in this age to keep a journal of their travels and ministry, and record all the healings and miracles they had witnessed from time to time,—that should their separate journals be afterwards collected together and published in a volume, I am inclined to believe that a far greater number of manifest displays of the power of God would be therein recorded than is found in the journals of the Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ in the early ages, at least so far as they are faithfully handed down to us in the New Testament Scriptures." (HC6:186)
