Written Upon These Plates

     1 Nephi 19 describes how the Lord commanded Nephi to create a record to document the revelations and spiritual instruction given to his people. Nephi was also commanded to create a larger record to record the secular history of his people, but extra emphases was given to the spiritual record. Nephi recalls, “I, Nephi, received a commandment that the ministry and the prophecies, the more plain and precious parts of them, should be written upon these plates; and that the things which were written should be kept for the instruction of my people, who should possess the land, and also for other wise purposes, which purposes are known unto the Lord.” 

     These verses impressed upon me the importance of keeping a journal. While most people will rarely keep a separate secular and spiritual record like Nephi, journals allow us to preserve the lessons we learn for ourselves and others who will read the thoughts and lessons we recorded. I believe modern prophets encourage us to keep a journal for the same reason the Lord instructed Nephi to keep a record. The Lord may have many wise purposes in store for the knowledge and experience we gain and record through journaling. After reading 1 Nephi 19 I looked up all the other references I could find about keeping a record to see what other council the Book of Mormon gave on the subject. 

     I turned to Alma 37:8-9.  Here Alma teaches his son that the scriptures serve to “enlarge the memory of the people”, and “convince many of the error of their ways.”  Alma says that it was only through what was recorded on the plates that Ammon and his brethren were able to convince so many Laminitis to repent. 

     Our own personal records help us to remember what is important to us. Like the Laminitis that were convinced of the truth, each of us has a moment where we were converted to the gospel. It is important that we remember the details of our own conversion, so we can share it with others looking for truth, and we can remind ourselves why we believe if we are ever confronted with doubt. Journaling is like a spiritual safety deposit box that we can always go back to, and make a withdrawal to help ourselves, or bless the lives of others. 

     Earlier in Nephi, he explains what he found worthwhile to put into his record. Nephi explains, “The fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved.”  Nephi later explains that he has filled the plates with knowledge that would be pleasing to God and of worth to the children of men. 

     One journal that I have enjoyed reading was written by Emperor Marcus Aurelius, and is commonly known by the title Meditations.  Marcus Aurelius although not a Christian, and not intending to write a religious text, tried to fill his journal with the wisdom he gained through leading the Roman empire. The journal was originally written to help him in times of hardship, but was created with such reverence for true principals that it is still a great source of inspiration for many today. 

     I believe what we can take away from the examples of Nephi and Marcus Aurelius is that we should look for wisdom daily. Journaling doesn't have to be a banal recounting of our day, but rather a chance to grow a little wiser and look for the common place lessons of life that can be of incredible worth. 

     In closing, beginning a journal is wise council that will serve not only us, but those that come after us. Journaling can be a source of strength for ourselves and others that is there whenever we need it. Furthermore, it is a chance to learn and grow daily as we capture life little lessons that are so easy to take for granted. I’d encourage anyone to take up daily journaling, even if it’s only for a few lines at a time in order to take part in the great blessings that can come from it.