Friday, January 22, 2016

D&C 128:6-7 -- On Books Above and Below

"And further, I want you to remember that John the Revelator was contemplating this very subject in relation to the dead, when he declared, as you will find recorded in Revelation 20:12—And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
You will discover in this quotation that the books were opened; and another book was opened, which was the book of life; but the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works; consequently, the books spoken of must be the books which contained the record of their works, and refer to the records which are kept on the earth. And the book which was the book of life is the record which is kept in heaven; the principle agreeing precisely with the doctrine which is commanded you in the revelation contained in the letter which I wrote to you previous to my leaving my place—that in all your recordings it may be recorded in heaven."
Doctrine and Covenants 128:6-7


I think that it is great that we are partially judged out of the records on earth and partially out of the records in heaven.  (Actually, just the fact that they *have* books in heaven seems pretty cool to me.)  It's another good reason to keep a journal... so we can tell our side and explain our actions.  We probably get to do that then too, but it might be a little harder... plus this way, writing helps us think through our actions when we still have a chance to do something about them and change.
It's a little scary that someone up there is actually recording all of this... but we kind of knew that all along.  It's just that being reminded of it makes us a little self-conscious.  Today, let's remember that what we do matters... not just now, but in the end.  We're here to learn and become better than we have been, to learn about God and the world and life.  Let's jump in and develop our talents, learn more, and improve ourselves.  Let's have something to write about, and for others to write about us.  When God asks us how we think our lives went, let's have something to say that is worth saying, like doing good and helping people and learning to make the world a better place.

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