Journals

[pam]

In the Book of Mormon discussion threads...once again the importance of keeping a journal was brought up. As one who has never done this (not that I don't see the importance of it)..what kinds of things do you document in your journals? For those of us that would like to start this and haven't...this might be helpful.

[Optimistic_Trish]

Pam, I am not the greatest journal writer either and I think this varies for each person. I generally write in my journal twice a month or more if I am having an especially grateful day or one that is full of sorrow. I bear my testimony in my journal, go over things I need to work better on, my struggles and blessings I recognize in my life. I guess my journal is pretty much my own thoughts on paper. I am am not sure if there is an actual way one is "suppose" to write in their journal, but it does help me to recognize a lot of things when forced to write them down! Good LUCK

[Iggy]

In this new phase of my life, I have the most difficult time writing a journal. Back when I was married to 1st husband I wrote in one constantly. The reason I started it was because of the abuse he inflicted on me. It was my way of coping. Either I wrote or I find a gun or big knife and take care of my abuser. I knew that the latter was the WRONG way.

I still have those journals- no one has ever read them and one day I will re-read them and then burn them.

It is hard for me to hold a pen and write now days. I am so accustomed to the computer keyboard.

8 years ago, a friend in Church talked of a computer Journal program that she had that made it so much easier for her to keep a daily journal. She actually had a Spiritual Journal, Conference Journal, Daily-Around-The-House journal.

I never asked her the name of it, where she got it, etc. Sure wish I had it, perhaps it would help me to keep a daily & spiritual journal.

Does anyone here know of such a journal program??

[Palerider]

I have kept a journal since I was 18yrs old.....I don't write in them everyday but I have several. I still use the books and hand write in them. This so everyone can see what my handwriting looks like. I put all kinds of stuff in there. On my mission i would keep a letter that I thought was special in there. I still keep cards in them I recieve if I think they are special. When my kids were younger I would put things in my journal they made or things they said. I would even trace their hand prints on a page. Now that they are older I will get them out and show them things and we all have a laugh. Now that my grandaughter is almost 3 and we have another grandchild on the way I will be tracing more hands in my journal. I say put whatever you want in your journal...rememebr its all about you and your thoughts and what you want to remember and things your kids will read about you later.

[tomk]

Originally Posted by pam

In the Book of Mormon discussion threads...once again the importance of keeping a journal was brought up. As one who has never done this (not that I don't see the importance of it)..what kinds of things do you document in your journals? For those of us that would like to start this and haven't...this might be helpful.

This has grown into one of my favorite topics.

I don't claim to be an expert, in any of it, but I can share what I do, personally, when I keep my journal, and the fruits thereof.

I learned my present method of keeping a journal from the Appendix of a book I read; Clean Hands, Pure Heart by Phil Harrison. For a full and complete description of the methodology that book recommends, see the Appendix.

For me what it boils down to is this: my journal writing takes the form of a written prayer. It is a two way conversation. I express to Him my thoughts and feelings, on whatever topic. I express my desire to do His will. If I feel a response from Him, I also write THAT down. I write "my stuff" in normal handwriting. I write down His words to me in ALL CAPS.


An example of this can be found on my blog:

Not Left Comfortless: Counseling with the Lord in Writing


Also included in this is scripture study, where I ask questions and receive answers, and record those dialogues in writing as well.


The fruits of this practice have been wonderful. My relationship with Christ has grown. I feel like I have a sure witness of His Living Reality now, because of how sweet the experience has been while keeping my journal in this manner. I often find myself paging through past entries, and as I do, I am struck time and time again by one salient truth. He is willing to speak to me and instruct me in my stewardship, even as Moses. We are to become "even as Christ is" and I can think of no more effective way to do this. Keeping a daily journal in this manner effectively keeps my promises made during the sacrament prayers to "always remember Him, keep (record and obey) His commandments, and take His name upon me.



Love,


Tom

[pam]

My grandmother kept journals for years and years. I have read many of them. She wrote in them almost daily. Most was about what was going on with her day. What each of her children did that day. What chores she completed for the day. To me it was very interesting. Though simple and just a daily task kind of thing, it made her human and I felt more of a closeness with her.

[tomk]

Originally Posted by pam

My grandmother kept journals for years and years. I have read many of them. She wrote in them almost daily. Most was about what was going on with her day. What each of her children did that day. What chores she completed for the day. To me it was very interesting. Though simple and just a daily task kind of thing, it made her human and I felt more of a closeness with her.

What entered my mind was "this is what Jesus desires to have with us, as well."

Our journal entries should be "love letters" between the Lord and ourselves.


He wants us to feel close to Him. To act as if He is standing beside us -- for He does stand beside us.


Everything in my life that brings remorse of conscience comes from me "putting the Lord on a shelf" so that I can "do my own thing."


1 Ne. 19: 7
7 For the things which some men esteem to be of great worth, both to the body and soul, others set at naught and trample under their feet. Yea, even the very God of Israel do men trample under their feet; I say, trample under their feet but I would speak in other words—they set him at naught, and hearken not to the voice of his counsels.




If I liken this verse unto myself:

For the things which God esteems to be of great worth [THINK "THE SANCTIFICATION PROCESS"], both to [MY] body and [MY] soul, [I, TOM] set at naught and trample under [MY] feet. Yea, even the very God of Israel do [ I ] trample under [MY] feet; God says [HE IS] trampleed under [MY] feet but [HE] would speak in other words— [ I ] set him at naught, and hearken not to the voice of his counsels.




Where can the voice of His counsels be received? In our journals. HIS WORDS can be received, recorded, written down, cherished, loved, valued, etc. inside of our journals. They are "scripture" unto us!

[Iggy]

I finally found a journal for my computer- it is called Notable - LDS version - Personal History & Journal Software.

I ordered it online on 22 May 2008 and got it in the mail today!

I really haven't done much other than download it and put in my personal data. I need to read the Read Me- I am hoping that I will be more diligent in writing in this.

[Tough Grits]

Before my depression in 2005, I kept several journals.

My own journal, which just had accounts of my day-to-day life.

I also kept a journal for my daughter and my son. My original intent, was to keep a journal of them throughout their lives. Then one day, they could have all the journals that I have kept of them from my perspective and they could then compare it to their own journals from their own perspective.

I thought that would be cool for them, and most especially for future generations...to see two accounts. One from the mother's perspective, and one from the child's perspective...regardless of how old said child became!!!!

Well, I have not written in their journals since 2005. Everything just came to a stop.

I have written in several spiritual journals, though.

I always keep a journal in my Sunday church bag. When I feel a prompting, I write down what came to me as I listen to a lesson, talk, or testimony. I draw pictures too. I am VERY visual. My cousin Chad once made fun of me and my drawings, but they are essential tools for me to learn and visualize what the Spirit prompted.

I am still amazed at the power of the Holy Ghost whenever I thumb back through my Spiritual Journals.

I always make sure to write in my journal during Stake Conference. Man, the promptings just come fast and furious during Stake Conference. I used to do the same for General Conference, but I stopped. I don't know why. Maybe too much information coming at me at one time? Not sure.

I think that my writings on forums serve as expressing myself and getting my thoughts and testimony out there. I just need to be more diligent about copying and pasting the important stuff into Word. Then I can just print out my posts and blogs and place them in a binder.

I don't think the format is what matters, so much as placing our beliefs and testimonies down for record. Also, the day-today things are important too.

Oh, I am also a calendar and day-planner freak. I save ALL my past day-planners. Those are also a valuable resource to me. I can go back YEARS and read what I was doing on any given date. True, it may not be as in depth as a journal, but the information has helped me remember important stuff.

Hope that helps!

[pam]

Wow you keep your planners etc from years past too? I have done that forever. It is interesting to go through and see what kinds of things I had scheduled from 5 years ago for example.