In 1831, the Lord called John Whitmer to serve as church historian, replacing Oliver Cowdery. He was assigned to “keep a regular history” and “to keep the church record and history continually” (Doctrine and Covenants 47:1, 3).
John was a reluctant record-keeper. He initially told Joseph Smith, “I would rather not do it” (chapter heading for Doctrine and Covenants 47). Over the next seven years, he wrote 96 pages of history, which he called “The Book of John Whitmer.” By his own admission, he left many details out of his record:
I have written the things that I have written, and they are a mere sketch of the things that have transpired, they are however all that seemed to me wisdom to write.
“The Book of John Whitmer,” Chapter 6
He may have left out many details, but his book is our only source for several significant events in church history. Even for events that are recorded elsewhere, his is the most current account of those events. The fact that he kept this record as the events were happening rather than trying to remember them later makes his book particularly valuable. (See Scott C. Esplin, “‘A History of All the Important Things’ (D&C 69:3): John Whitmer’s Record of Church History,” in Preserving the History of the Latter-day Saints, ed. Richard E. Turley Jr. and Steven C. Harper.)
In the Book of Mormon, Nephi and Moroni both acknowledged their weakness in writing, and both worried that their readers would scoff at their words. (See 2 Nephi 33:1, Ether 12:23-25.) Yet even in their perceived weakness, these prophetic authors provided valuable testimony which has inspired and strengthened countless readers for many years.
The lesson for us is clear: You don’t have to be an accomplished writer to bless your readers. You don’t have to write every detail in order to share important experiences and impressions. Writing something is better than writing nothing, particularly if you write about what happened today, while it’s still fresh on your mind. It’s impossible to write everything, and it’s impossible to write perfectly, so do your best and trust that it will be beneficial to someone.
Today, as I write in my journal, I will remember John Whitmer. I will do my best to record the events of my life in real time, with trust that it will be helpful to me and to future generations.
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