The disciples are commanded to write the record of the people. It is no small thing to make a record of the things of God, for “all things are written by the Father” (verse 26). If the Father Elohim writes the book of life as a compound of all that is written on earth, then should we not be exceedingly careful about compiling the chronicle of our development in matters spiritual? We will be judged by the word given to us and by our works. We will be judged by the books of the word of God (see 2 Nephi 29:11) and by the books written of our lives, even the book of remembrance, or the book of life (see 3 Nephi 24:16; D&C 128:6–7). From the history of our lives we will be judged by our works, whether they be good or evil (see Mosiah 16:10; Alma 12:12; 33:22; 41:3; 3 Nephi 27:13–14; Mormon 6:21). How vital it is to search the scriptures and listen to the Spirit that we might know all that we should do, for out of the books we will be judged.