Altars Quote by John Andreas Widtsoe
“As I view it, in every family a record should be kept...that record should be the first stone, if you choose, in the family altar. It should be a book known and used in the family circle; and when the child reaches maturity and goes out to make another household, one of the first things that the young couple should take along should be the records of their families, to be extended by them as life goes on...each one of us carries, individually, the responsibility of record keeping, and we should assume it.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Family Record, John Andreas Widtsoe, 1935
Family histories preserve identity, values, and continuity across generations, guiding individuals and shaping collective memory.
In simple terms: Family records keep identity and values alive.
Maintain and share family records.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- marriage preparations
- family reunions
- genealogical research
- cultural education
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can families keep records inclusive and current?
- What role do digital tools play in modern family histories?
Records can become outdated or exclusive if not regularly updated.