What is an Annual History?

Each year, every ward, branch, stake, mission and district in the world is to prepare and submit a written history to fulfill the Lord's mandate to "continue in writing and making a history of all the important things... concerning my church," (D&C 69:3).

An annual history is a summary of the events and work of the unit during the year. It includes sustainings, releasings, baby blessings, ward socials, and other events. It may also include copies of sacrament meeting programs. The typical history is text, but some wards get very creative with pictures, videos, or even narrated PowerPoint presentations.

Why Keep Histories of Church Units?

Annual histories have 3 purposes:

1. Bring members closer to Christ by helping them remember what God has done for His children and that He always fulfills His promises.

2. Continually document the contemporary history of the Church.

3. Present leaders with an opportunity to reflect on their efforts to help individuals and families qualify for exaltation.

How Does the Process Work?

Wards and branches submit an annual history to the stake. These are then used in preparing the stake, mission, or district annual history, which is submitted to the Church History Department. The Church History Department catalogs and archives the histories. They are kept restricted for 10 years, after which they can be requested and read by anyone doing research. If the histories contain sacred, private, or confidential material, they are restricted for 30 years and then re-evaluated. Within each ward or branch, each organization (formerly auxiliary) is responsible for preparing an annual history. The secretary is normally charged with the task, but it is up to the individual organization on how to accomplish that.

What Do I Need to Do?

For Primary, we ask that the Ward Primary Secretary submit a one-page annual history to their ward or branch Historian by February 1 of each year. Please forward a copy of the submission to the Stake Primary Secretary, as well. We appreciate your willingness to help our stake do our part in making history in the Tuscaloosa Alabama Stake of Zion.