Have you ever felt like your life is too ordinary to write about? Many people avoid documenting their daily experiences because they believe future generations won’t be interested. However, writing a personal journal is one of the most spiritually powerful things you can do for your family.
The embedded document below is an inspiring collection of 35 apostolic quotes detailing the incredible importance of keeping a personal history. It explains how our written experiences can act as a guide and a blessing for our descendants. By studying these prophetic teachings, you will find the motivation you need to start recording your life today.
The Importance of Writing a Personal Journal
Keeping journals reminds us of our blessings and leaves a vital inventory of these blessings for our posterity. In fact, prophets have taught that family books of remembrance in Latter-day Saint homes should rate in importance second only to the standard works. These family records act as beautiful supplements to the scriptures.
You may think there is little of interest or importance in what you personally say or do. However, it is remarkable how many of our family members, as we pass on down the line, will be deeply interested in all that we have accomplished.
Start Young and Record Daily Events
Prophets have encouraged all boys and girls to get a little book and write a little in it almost every day. If you begin this wonderful habit while you are young, it will be quite easy for you to maintain when you become adults.
Even when you are exhausted at the end of the day, making the effort to record your experiences is crucial. President Henry B. Eyring shared that he was prompted to write down his experiences specifically to record for his children how he had seen the hand of God blessing his family.
Sharing Triumphs Over Adversity
A recent university study concluded persuasively that if you want a happier family, you should create, refine, and retell the stories of your ancestors’ positive moments. Emphasizing their ability to bounce back and persist through adversity will greatly increase the odds that your family will thrive for generations to come.
Therefore, you should make sure to record your triumphs over adversity and your recovery after a fall. Showing your progress when all seemed black provides an incredible roadmap of resilience for your grandchildren.
A Simple Way to Get Started
If you feel overwhelmed, there is a very simple set of instructions to begin this process. Get a cardboard box, collect every record of your life, and put them all into that box. Then, simply sort out what you have collected and divide your life into three periods: child, youth, and adult.
If you can just start with what you have and what you already know, it is a little hard to refuse to begin your genealogical work. Taking this first simple step removes the intimidation of facing a blank page.
A Sacred Duty for Future Generations
The First Presidency has officially announced a twofold emphasis: all members should write a personal history and participate in a family organization. Leaving these personal memoirs for your children and grandchildren is an absolute duty and a responsibility.
Remember that you are entirely unique, and your journal becomes the literature of superiority in your own humble life. Take a few moments to review the excellent 4-page document below for more inspiring quotes! You can also read our previous step-by-step guide on Writing My Life History, or visit the official Gospel Topics page on Family History to learn more.
