Usually
when we hear about writing in journals teachers in the Church refer to the
words of modern prophets to encourage class members. However, I think it is
instructive to look at the number of times in ancient scriptures that peoples
have been commanded to either keep a record or refer to a record kept by
someone else that they now have. Adam’s book of remembrance as referred to in
Moses 6 is the earliest example of a record that we have.
Adam’s book, or the book started by Adam, recorded mostly the words of God spoken to man. We can
see how this might be important because the Church was brand new at this point
so really everything they learned would be extremely important for anyone that
followed, that sought to follow the words of God.
The scriptures, which not
only are themselves a record, also record specific incidences of people being
commanded to begin writing their own book. This pattern even continued into
this the last dispensation, with the entire Doctrine and Covenants coming from
records kept by Joseph Smith and other Apostles and Prophets. So why then might
we assume that we should not keep records ourselves? Some may believe that the
words that they have to write are not as important as the Prophets and
Apostles. But when it comes to helping your own family, which should be our
focus, how can your words not be important in sharing your testimony and giving
those who follow the courage to make it through their own trials? How can you
assume that NONE of the lessons you have learned in life ought to be passed on?
I am not saying that we all have to share everything that is in our personal
journals, certainly those pages contain the secrets that we have no desire to
share. But they also contain truths, truths about ourselves, growing up, and
the gospel that we can share to help inspire others. Is it not selfish to keep
those to ourselves?
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