It has been unbelievable how the Book of Mormon “Come, Follow Me” lessons have been so relevant to our current events each week, both as a world community and personally.  Something really struck me when I was reading from Chapter 37 of Alma verses 2 and 14 where he was giving counsel and direction to his son, Helaman:

“And I also command you that ye keep a record of this people, according as I have done, upon the plates of Nephi, and keep all these things sacred which I have kept, even as I have kept them; for it is for a wise purpose that they are kept…And now remember, my son, that God has entrusted you with these things, which are sacred, which he has kept sacred, and also which he will keep and preserve for a wise purpose in him, that he may show forth his power unto future generations.”

I immediately thought about the personal histories that we created for both my father, my mother, and my husband’s parents.  In Elaine Hardman’s blog article she gave beautiful direction of how you can accomplish this task.  In our family’s case, we held a fireside with our respective families for both sets of parents and had them tell us about their personal history, each individual answering about an hour’s worth of pre-planned questions.  Although it was not a complete history by any means, we do have a record of some of their life events and what matters most, their testimonies of the Restoration and of Jesus Christ.  So, at first, we thought that we were just being obedient by keeping the record, now we have these priceless treasures.

Everyone will face a trial of their faith and some even to the point of questioning their faith or perhaps abandoning their faith.  Little would we know, as family members have questioned their faith, the wise purpose for recording our parents’ precious testimonies of faith, and also to have the testimonies of more distant generations.  How thankful I am to read the testimony of my great great grandfather Langley Allgood Bailey as he thanked those who helped him, as a handcart pioneer, follow his faith to the Salt Lake Valley and eventually to Nephi, Utah.  There are so many other precious records.  Taking the time to record these histories and testimonies is vital for future generations.  If we did not have records, ancient and modern, we would not have a witness of the “believing blood” that courses through our souls and can become a fortification to our faith.

Make the time to record your own simple history or that of a family member or friend.  The wise purpose of keeping records will yield untold power for future generations.

— Janet Helland, Patron Services/ Consultant Training; Granite Family History Center