December 2007 Ensign - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day ...

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28 There Shall Be a Record Kept among You Elder Marlin K. Jensen of the Seventy, the current Church historian and recorder, recently talked with Church magazines about the past, present, and future of this important office. Why are Latter-day Saints taught that it is important to keep records and to gather and preserve Church history? Elder Marlin K. Jensen: The scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon, make clear that “remembering” is a fundamental and saving principle of the gospel. We keep records to help us remember. Remembering the past gives us needed perspective as God’s children to have faith in our future destiny and thus to live more faithfully in the present. On April 6, 1830, the day the Church was organized, the Lord commanded the Prophet Joseph Smith, “Behold, there shall be a record kept among you” (D&C 21:1). This is the revelation upon which the office of Church historian and recorder is based. On that day the Prophet learned how important it is to the Lord for a history of the Church to be kept, and he soon called Oliver Cowdery to be the first Church historian and recorder. In the beginning Oliver recorded minutes of meetings, patriarchal blessings, membership information, and certificates of priesthood authority. He also began what might be called a narrative history of the Church. Record keeping began with a commandment from God and continues to the present day. What does the calling of Church historian and recorder entail? Elder Jensen: The work of the Church historian and recorder is largely one of record keeping. It includes the gathering and preserving of Church history sources, the recording of ordinances, and the collection of minutes. The scriptures also suggest there is a responsibility to ensure the records are used “for the good of the church, and for the rising generations” (D&C 69:8). The roles of historian and recorder are complementary and at times almost indistinguishable. I think that’s why, in the early days of the Church, sometimes a recorder was appointed and sometimes a historian and why over time the roles were joined together in one calling. What is the purpose of recording and teaching Church history? Elder Jensen: The primary purpose of Church history is to help Church members build faith in Jesus Christ and keep their sacred covenants. In fulfilling this purpose, we are guided by three main considerations: First, we seek to bear witness of and defend the foundational truths of the Restoration. Second, we desire to help Church members remember the great things God has done for His children.
OLIVER COWDERY WRITING WITH A FEATHER PEN, BY ROBERT T. BARRETT; PHOTOGRAPHS BY CRAIG DIMOND AND JED CLARK; BORDER © ARTBEATS Third, we have a scriptural charge to help preserve the revealed order of the kingdom of God. This includes the revelations, documents, procedures, processes, and patterns that provide order and continuity for the exercising of priesthood keys, the proper functioning of priesthood quorums, the performance of ordinances, and so on—those things that are essential to salvation. How else does the Church benefit from the office of Church historian and recorder? Elder Jensen: The Church historian and recorder can provide an authoritative voice of the Church in historical matters. There are always historical questions, and sometimes there are historical controversies. It is helpful to have an office to which anyone can turn for trustworthy answers. The Church historian and recorder chairs the Historic Sites Committee, which administers Church history sites and landmarks. He also serves as chairman of the Church’s Records Management Committee. This committee oversees the creation, management, and final disposition of all Church records—ecclesiastical and corporate—the world over. Opposite page: Oliver Cowdery served as the first Church recorder. Below: Pages of this Joseph Smith journal show the revelation that became Doctrine and Covenants 121. ENSIGN DECEMBER 2007 29
Page 1 and 2: T H E C H U R C H O F J E S U S C H
Page 3 and 4: T H E C H U R C H O F J E S U S C H
Page 5: 34 USING THIS ISSUE Celebrating Chr
Page 8 and 9: 6 the baby’s mind. And then God w
Page 10 and 11: 8 The noble Roman mother responded,
Page 12 and 13: 10 Not only is the story of the Sav
Page 14 and 15: The angel Gabriel was sent to Zacha
Page 16 and 17: 14 Ushering In a New Dispensation T
Page 18 and 19: 16 & QUESTIONS ANSWERS The holidays
Page 20 and 21: 18 works through others. He knows w
Page 22 and 23: 20 As I enjoyed my other children,
Page 24 and 25: 22 THE TRUTH TRUTH FOUND FOUND ME I
Page 26 and 27: 24 “How about one more door?” s
Page 28 and 29: PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBERT CASEY, POSED B
Page 32 and 33: 30 LEARN MORE ABOUT CHURCH HISTORY
Page 34 and 35: 32 As today, ancient prophets like
Page 36 and 37: 34 The Joseph Smith Journals The Pr
Page 38 and 39: 36 The Prophet’s second Ohio jour
Page 40 and 41: 38 Below: The Prophet’s first Ill
Page 42 and 43: A Mother AND AN OVERFLOWING HEART 4
Page 44 and 45: Elizabeth Teaching John, by Ardith
Page 46 and 47: I testify that Jesus is the perfect
Page 48 and 49: 46 I testify that Jesus was, in fac
Page 50 and 51: 48 LESSONS FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT F
Page 52 and 53: 50 from the power of a fallen and d
Page 54 and 55: 52 BY STEFFANI R. PACKER For most c
Page 56 and 57: Below, from left to right: Purevsur
Page 58 and 59: Above: Odgerel (left), Ulaanbaatar
Page 60 and 61: 58 manages the one-room distributio
Page 62 and 63: INSET: PHOTOGRAPH BY HENRIK ALS, PO
Page 64 and 65: 62 Mother’s Christmas Mouse By Be
Page 66 and 67: 64 Did Heavenly Father Really Love
Page 68 and 69: Our Christmas Experiment When our c
Page 70 and 71: 68 INDEX for 2007 V OLUME 37 A AARO
Page 72 and 73: 70 Foundation for the Future in San
Page 74 and 75: 72 Mother’s Christmas Mouse, Bett
Page 76 and 77: 74 Meals and Memorization, Chantell
Page 78 and 79: 76 Elder Oaks Bolsters Members in A
Page 80 and 81:
78 Months of effort help make Templ
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80 education program offered their
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