Moshia 1:3-7--Records

3. And he also taught them concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass, saying: My sons, I would that ye should remember that were it not for these plates, which contain these records and these commandments, we must have suffered in ignorance, even at this present time, not knowing the mysteries of God.

4. For it were not possible that our father, Lehi, could have remembered all these things, to have taught them to his children, except it were for the help of these plates; for he having been taught in the language of the Egyptians therefore he could read these engravings, and teach them to his children, that thereby they could teach them to their children, and so fulfilling the commandments of God, even down to this present time.

5. I say unto you, my sons, were it not for these things, which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God, that we might read and understand of his mysteries, and have his commandments always before our eyes, that even our fathers would have dwindled in unbelief, and we should have been like unto our brethren, the Lamanites, who know nothing concerning these things, or even do not believe them when they are taught them, because of the traditions of their fathers, which are not correct.

6. O my sons, I would that ye should remember that these sayings are true, and also that these records are true. And behold, also the plates of Nephi, which contain the records and the sayings of our fathers from the time they left Jerusalem until now, and they are true; and we can know of their surety because we have them before our eyes.

7. And now, my sons, I would that ye should remember to search them diligently, that ye may profit thereby; and I would that ye should keep the commandments of God, that ye may prosper in the land according to the promises which the Lord made unto our fathers.

King Benjamin is speaking to his three sons here. His words apply to us with respect to the scriptures and also (I believe) with respect to our personal journals and family histories.

First, no one can expect to remember all the gospel teachings without constant reference to the scriptures. Not even Lehi, a prophet who had seen visions, could do it. We need to refer often to the scriptures and the principles we've learned from their study.

Second, we need to pass on to the next generations the things we've learned. I don't want to be a missing link between my ancestors and my descendants. I want to build upon what has been learned by my fathers and pass it on to my children. It might not be as important as the brass plates were in preserving language and civilization, but it is important nonetheless.