Stake and District

Annual Histories
 Doctrinal Foundation
D&C 21:1

“Behold, there shall be a record kept among you.”

D&C 69:3, 5
“Continue in writing and making a history of all the important things . . .
concerning my church. . . . “And also my servants who are abroad in the earth
should send forth the accounts of their stewardships.” 

D&C 85:1–2
“It is the duty of the Lord’s clerk . . . to keep a history . . . of all things that
transpire in Zion, . . . “And also their manner of life, their faith, and works.”
 Purpose

The purposes of the annual history are to:

– Bring members closer to Christ
– Document continually the history of the Church
– Present leaders and missionaries with an
opportunity to reflect
Importance of Keeping Records
Annual History Cycle
Assign

Submit Gather

Approve Compile
 Assign
Assign

Submit Gather

In January, assign a person to be responsible for the Approve Compile

annual history

lds.org/annualhistories
Message to Priesthood
 Assign

Gather Submit Gather

Basic Comprehensive Approve Compile

1. Cover sheet 5. Priesthood, auxiliary,

2. Calendar
3. Officer sustained form
4. A brief narrative describing
the year’s important events
and developments
and member reports
6. Significant records
created by or about the
unit
 Gather
Assign

Submit Gather

• Include photographs
Approve Compile

– Identification
– Permission
• Avoid confidential and
private information
– Worthiness issues
– Directories
 Compile
Assign

Organize
history the annual
according to
Submit Gather

preference. For instance,

you might organize it by:
Approve Compile

•Chronologically
•Organization
•Topics
•Record types (narratives,
photographs, statistics, etc)
Do not use
paperclips, staples,
protective
sleeves,
binding or any kind of
 Approve
Assign

Submit Gather

Approve Compile

The priesthood leader reviews

and approves the history
 Assign

Submit Gather

Approve Compile

SubmitPage2
 Assign

Summary
Submit Gather

Approve Compile

Message to Clerks and Ward History Specialists

 Training and Support

You may contact me if you have further questions.