Latter-day Saints are reminded to \"remember.\"
From the Book of Mormon as a written history to the counsel to keep our own journals, records of the past are important in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
But what should be shared? And how?
Church history isn't just found in museum-worthy Mormon pioneer artifacts. It's also made up of personal conversion stories, experiences of missionaries serving in new areas or even the meeting minutes taken by a ward clerk in Italy.
Latter-day Saints are making church history daily just by living the gospel.
\"Just about every family will find something in their home with historic value,\" said Brad Westwood, manager of acquisitions for the Church History Department. \"Members who donate historical items are the backbone of our acquisitions.\"
But the Church History Department can't accept everything. There is so much history out there, and \"Mormonism is an international experience now,\" Westwood said.
In effort to help direct potential donors, Westwood offers a few areas of history in which the department has particular interest.
1. Church-owned records:
These are records created under the auspices of the church, or items that belong to the church. They include church correspondence (on letterhead), meeting agendas and minutes kept by a mission, ward, branch, Relief Society, Primary or Sunday School clerk or secretaries.
2. History of new church pioneers:
When Mormons and the general public think of LDS history, they mostly focus on the 19th century and the Western United States. Today, the Church History Department tries to focus equally on history made around the globe — collecting materials about new areas of church growth, recent coverts, the first decades of church history in a given area, second- and third-generation LDS families, documentation regarding new church buildings, and historic sites \"near and dear\" to members in all continents and in all countries. International materials are highly sought after, such as church-related regional published materials in native languages. Are you a first-generation member? Did you live in an area where a temple was built? Were you one of the first missionaries to serve in a new mission or area? These personal histories from all over the world are being sought after.
3. Documents about the everyday life of a Latter-day Saint:
These are items that reflect and document Mormonism. Latter-day Saint family journals, diaries and correspondence document the everyday life of Mormon men, women, children, leaders and rank-and-file members, Westwood says. They evidence the genuine life of Latter-day Saints.
4. Published materials:
The Church History Department has maintained a library for 100-plus years of items printed and published about Mormonism, such as books, periodicals, pamphlets, postcards, audio visuals and CDs, including everything officially produced by the church. This is an ongoing effort, Westwood says. Piles of books and popular magazines, anything with the word \"Mormon,\" are kept to document moments in history.
5. Art and artifacts that document church experiences in different places, including LDS-related art from all applicable traditions and forms:
Westwood mentions that people who would like to donate specific items should contact the call center to make an appointment. Those serving in the call center will be able to advise callers on items they would like to donate. Potential donors should call or e-mail the Church History Department before sending in materials.
To set up an appointment or ask questions about historical materials for donation, contact the church history acquisitions call center at 801-240-5696 or e-mail churchhistoryacquisitions@ldschurch.org.
As the Church History Department focuses on Mormon-related items only, the call center will advise and direct donors to other locations and libraries where non-LDS historical materials can be preserved and shared.
\"For us, history is not a little pastime, it's a big experience that helps us build our testimonies,\" Westwood said. \"History is a way to understand God's hand in our lives.\"
e-mail: hloftus@desnews.com