Comments about ‘Book Review: 'Preserving the History of the Latter-day Saints'’

It's one thing to preserve history, it's quite another to present it. When you talk about any historical issue, what do you include in your narrative and what do you leave out. So I'm glad historical documents are being preserved and technology is being used to advance the processes used to preserve things. What I worry about is the openness to the records and the ability for people to use the records to talk about the "history" of the LDS faith.

I believe that whereas the commandment to keep ongoing records was given to the Church as a whole, it was given mostly to individuals and families.

Just as most every active member of the Church, I am inspired by the historical events that have occurred since the Restoration of the Gospel as reported by professional historians.

However, the level of inspiration I experience from the histories that have been kept by my own family and ancestors is greatly enhanced by their precious personal accounts. even above that of the most gifted writings of historians.

When I read the histories of those who certainly would be my family loved ones had I ever had the opportunity to know them in this mortal existence, my level of admiration and inspiration increases manifold.

That is why I believe that we, as individuals and families, need to keep personal records to pass on to our yet unborn loved ones.