Reflections on Blogging and Journaling

Blogging and Journaling

public and private

REMEMBERING: A Sacred priesthood responsibility

Wilford Woodruff began keeping a day book or journal shortly after his conversion in 1833 continuing until his death in 1898, filling thirty-one such day books and journals. For Elder Woodruff the writing of a diary was inherent in ordination to the priesthood. As an avid student of the past, he recognized that the story of God's dealings with mankind could not be written without the records of eyewitnesses. Now all of his work is digitized and being studied in "The Wilford Woodruff Papers" project. Much of what we know from exact wording to events in the first decades of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is found in Woodruff's journals.

I have about 20 journals so far; 
I'm not a Woodruff, but I am obedient

President Henry B. Eyring (Oct 2007 General Conference) spoke about personally keeping a written record even if it falls short of being a full-fledged journal--creating the opportunity for remembering the specific manifestations of the Lord's hand in our lives-- He would ponder the occurrences of the day and ask himself, "Have I seen the hand of the God reaching out to touch us or our children or family today?" He recalled something special began to happen. As he remembered the day he saw evidence of God's work that he'd been too busy to recognize.

"Trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done."

Bishop Frank D. Gibson, McCullough Hills Ward, Henderson, Nevada emphasized a windfall of blessings that come from keeping a journal. "Everyone should be a student of their own life and your journal is your workbook. You write it as you go along, page by page." He said, "If you're going to make progress in any aspect of life, you have to keep track of that progress and you have to keep track of it somewhere!" "I think," he continued, "that a journal as a workbook is a way to hold yourself accountable without having to talk it over with somebody else: you can talk it over with your journal" privately.      --Church News Week ending January 2, 2010

Whether it's a loose-leaf binder, index cards, 

or a note in a cell phone app, stay flexible. 

Do what works for you!

JUST REMEMBER TO REMEMBER

Posted in remembrance of the 

life of my inspiring friend Cecelia Welch

who passed away Nov. 17, 2022. 

Cecelia was the person who encouraged me to write a blog to publicly share what we'd in discussed in private, about patriarchal blessings, journal keeping, family history research and personal stories. She insisted that one person could quietly influence many, many others, even worldwide, as they search for truths, and as the Holy Ghost testifies.

Blogging is Public

Journaling is Private