The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has always counseled the saints to keep a book of remembrance (D&C 85:9) What is meant by a ‘Book of Remembrance’ exactly? President Spencer W. Kimball spelled it out for us and it simply means that we should keep histories and records of our families lives. Why are we to do this? In the May of 1978 Ensign, President Kimball urged all of the people of this church to give serious attention to their family histories, “…let no family go into eternity without having left their memoirs for their children, their grandchildren, and their posterity.” He urged everyone to start their children out writing a personal history and journal. All of the presidents of the church have encouraged the saints to write their personal histories.
There is a ‘Book of Life’ mentioned in both the Book of Revelation (Rev. 20:12) and in the Doctrine and Covenants. (D&C 128:6–7). The Book of Life is not the same as a book of remembrance. Joseph smith described the Book of Life, “…as a record that is kept in heaven.” In the Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, it is stated that the Book of Life, “…is our own life, and being, the record of our acts transcribed in our souls. Literally, it is the record kept in heaven of the names and righteous deeds of the faithful.” Those whose names are “written in heaven (D&C 76:68) will find Christ confessing their names before his Father. (Revelation 3:5)
There is a third book mentioned as a place where the worthy will have their names enrolled with the people of God. (D&C 85:1–5) This book is called the ‘Book of the Law of God.’ The Book of the Law of God is defined as “Those records kept by the Church showing the names, genealogies, and faith and works of those to be remembered by the Lord in the day when eternal inheritances are to be bestowed upon the obedient…” This record contains both the law of God and the names of those who keep that law. This record is, in a sense a church book of remembrance. (Mormon Doctrine P. 100)
It appears that there is a fourth book. A book called the ‘The Lambs Book of Life,’ mentioned in the D&C 132:19 and Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith 9. Joseph Smith said that this is “the book of the names of the sanctified, even them of the celestial world” (D&C 88:2) It contains the names of the sanctified, celestialized saints who have so lived as to make their calling and election sure. (2 Peter 1:10)
Statements about these several books are sporadic, and some of the verses seem to merge the descriptions of them. Therefore, whether there are three books or four books called by a different name at different times is not totally clear.
The book that we are commanded to keep, however, is a book of remembrance or our own personal histories. I can testify of the importance of doing this because if we do not, within two generations we will be forgotten. Is there anyone who feels that they have nothing to say or nothing to contribute to their descendants.
Have they not learned anything in their sojourn here on earth that would help their children or grandchildren avoid some of the snares and pitfalls of the adversary. Everyone’s life and testimony of life should be passed on. Their triumphs and tragedies will be of importance and of interest to some if not to all of those who follow after them.
There are many helpful tools and guidelines in today’s world that make it easy to know where and how to start your history. Your family will be blessed if you follow the admonition of the prophets and write your history.