Church Historian and Recorder, Elder LeGrand R. Curtis Jr., on the vital role of Church History

Church News

Religion, Christianity, Religion & Spirituality, News

4.9 • 782 Ratings

🗓️ 12 July 2022

⏱️ 41 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

There has always been a declared need for recording keeping in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith, as documented in Doctrine and Covenants section 21, affirms: “Behold, there shall be a record kept among you.” Historical records continue to bless Latter-day Saints, helping members to understand the robust history of the Church and the challenges their forefathers overcame. The modern explosion of technology has made it possible for members to share the Church's history and Christ's doctrine with the world at large.

Elder LeGrand R. Curtis Jr., a General Authority Seventy serving as Church Historian and Recorder and executive director of the Church History Department, joins this episode of the Church News podcast to share what he has learned about the importance of these records and how understanding the past history can define the future.

The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Host Sarah Jane Weaver, reporter and editor for The Church News for a quarter-century, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and most important people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.

Transcript

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0:00.0	When I was set apart as church historian, President Russell M. Nelson in his blessing to me,
0:16.0	said, the history of this church is sacred. It is precious. It's one thing to keep records of wars and
0:27.0	elections. That kind of history is important. But when you start talking about revelations that
0:33.1	come from God, about visits of angels, about sacred translations.
0:38.5	There is a holiness to it that by writing it down, we can then have the spiritual benefit of those
0:47.7	sacred experiences as the church moves forward.
0:57.9	I'm not going Weaver, editor of the church news.
1:00.8	Welcome to the church news podcast.
1:03.0	We are taking you on a journey of connection as we discuss news and events of the Church
1:07.4	of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
1:15.4	Okay. of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 1830,
1:21.1	there has been a declared need for record-keeping.
1:23.9	The revelation given to the prophet Joseph Smith,
1:26.7	as documented in Doctrine and Covenant, Section 21 affirms,
1:30.7	Behold, there shall be a record kept among you. And these records kept bless us to this very day.
1:37.0	This episode of the Church News podcast, we are joined by Elder LeGrand R. Curtis Jr., a general authority 70,
1:43.6	serving as church historian and recorder,
1:46.2	an executive director of the Church History Department. He shares with us what he has learned about
1:51.5	the importance of these records and how understanding our past can strengthen us today.
1:56.6	Elder Curtis, welcome to the Church News podcast. Thank you. I'm honored to be here.
2:01.4	Well, we're so grateful you would come.
2:04.0	Why don't we just start and have you tell us, what is the role of church historian and recorder?
	...

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