Instructions for Preparing the Annual History

We acknowledge the annual history instructions are written for stakes and districts. Please use the same instructions for ward and branch annual histories.

The word stake also refers to district; ward also refers to branch; and bishop also refers to branch president.

Missions:   Please see the PDF on the right side of this web page for mission-specific instructions.

Purpose

The purpose of the annual history program is to bring members closer to Christ and to collect the contemporary history of the Church by gathering, remembering, preserving, and sharing experiences of how God is working in members’ lives and in His kingdom.

The annual history, comprised of stake and ward histories, helps fulfill the Lord’s charge: “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 69:3, 5).

Responsibility

The stake president is responsible to see that a meaningful and accurate annual history is submitted each year.  He calls a specialist to prepare the annual stake history. Each bishop also calls a specialist to prepare the annual ward history.

Preparing the Annual History

Each stake and ward history has two parts:

1. A narrative summary of the work of the Church and faith of the members in the geographical area of the stake or ward. This summary includes challenges, achievements, and important events and meetings. Lists of ordinances performed and changes in officers may also be included.  Stake and ward clerks should include faith-promoting events taking place in the lives of members and in Church units. They may draw from the following sources to create the narrative and, where appropriate, may include excerpts from or photocopies of the following:

• Notes or reports or reminiscences
• Extracts from minutes and so forth. (These require the clearance of the stake president or bishop and should not contain sacred or confidential material.)
• Stake, ward, quorum, and auxiliary organization reports
• Correspondence
• Photographs (preferably black and white, with place, name, and date identification)
• Newspaper clippings (preferably photocopies)

2.  Officers Sustained forms from stake and ward conferences held during the year.

• Officers Sustained--(Stake) (32300)
• Officers Sustained--(District) (32301)
• Officers Sustained--(Ward/Branch in Stake) (32302)

Submitting the Annual History

Ward clerks should submit the history to the stake clerk no later than January 15 each year. Stake clerks should use this folder to submit the stake and ward histories no later than January 31 each year. Please do not submit the annual history in ring binders or sheet protectors.

Stake clerks in the United States and Canada should send the Annual History folder to:

CHURCH HISTORY DEPARTMENT
ANNUAL HISTORY
15 EAST NORTH TEMPLE ST
SALT LAKE CITY UT 84150-1600

Stake clerks outside the United States and Canada should send the Annual History folder to the area administrative office.

Feedback or Questions?