“Thoughts are created in the act of writing. [It is a myth that] you must have something to say in order to write. Reality: You often need to write in order to have anything to say. Thought comes with writing, and writing may never come if it is postponed until we are satisfied that we have something to say. … The assertion of write first, see what you had to say later applies to all manifestations of written language, to letters … as well as to diaries and journals” (Frank Smith, “Myths of Writing”) by Heather Hales, associate editor

Why is it so important that we be a journal keeping people?
“Do not suppose life changes so much that your experiences will not be interesting to your posterity,” President Kimball explains then suggests recording “your goings and comings, your deepest thoughts, your achievements and your failures, your associations, … your impressions and your testimonies,” your “experiences of work, relations with people.” Your journal is your autobiography so it should be kept carefully. You are unique, and there may be incidents in your experience that are more noble and praiseworthy in their way than those recorded in any other life. There may be a flash of illumination here and a story of faithfulness there; you should truthfully record your real self and not what other people may see in you.” (Kimball, “The Angels May Quote from It,” p. 5.)

We cannot assume that we will live forever. We may pass away before our children (or grandchildren) become adults. They may want to know who we really were, and a diary or journal is the best way to learn about someone. Many of us have come across special family stories that we love while doing our genealogy, those are found because someone wrote it down! One day someone will want to know YOUR story, how you met your spouse, how you felt when your children were born, what you thought about the government, and what your experiences were in college, etc.

What should I write about

“We sometimes forget that the everyday world around us now quickly becomes altered by time. People and experiences now very common to us become unfamiliar in just a short time. People whom we think will be our close friends forever move away, and we lose contact. Relatives, now important in our lives, die. Old buildings are replaced by new structures. Kids’ games, teenage social customs, family daily activities, Church activities, and styles in dress and music change. So do our personal concerns, interests, tastes, abilities, and goals. WE CHANGE. Scene by scene, therefore, our lives should be reflected in our as fully and as accurately as possible. William G. Hartley, “Diary and Journal Ideas,” New Era, Mar. 1977, 39”

Write about your life. Tell about your job, or your children, are you involved in any civic activities, tell about your church calling, etc. If you feel that your life is so mundane that you can’t bear to write about it, try journaling your history by answering questions. Here are a list of questions that may help you start writing, and will create a journal that tells about who you are:

1. How many places have you lived? What time frames were you in each location?
   
2. What was the best practical joke you played?
   
3. Or was played on you?
   
4. How did you meet your spouse? How did you/he propose?
   
5. How many brothers and sisters do you have?
   
6. What is your fondest memory with each of your siblings?
   
7. Did you go to college? Why did you go to the University you went to?
   
8. What is one of your most spiritual experiences?What are/were your parents like?
   
9. If you had 8 hours of free time and unlimited resources, how would you spend that time?
   
10. What are you most afraid of and why?
    

What are some tips for starting/keeping a journal?

1. Use a good quality pen and paper. Never use a messy pen or pencil. Acid free paper is a good paper choice; it will last longer without getting brittle or yellow.
   
2. Newspaper clippings cause diary pages to turn yellow. Photocopy articles that you want to keep onto Acid Free paper.
   
3. Paper clips, staples, and pins rust, so they might stain diary pages.
   
4. Over time, most tapes and glues become brittle and no longer hold. You can buy “photograph” tape or tabs (acid free) at most craft and scrap booking stores.
   
5. Tell the who, what, where, when, and why of the things you do. Relate the decisions you’ve made and how you reached those decisions.
   
6. Indicate the day, month, and year with each entry. Give the full name of a person when mentioning him or her for the first time. People who we think will always be our close friends may move away, and we may lose contact and forget names and situations.
   
7. It is all right to mention problems, doubts, and dislikes, but emphasize normal days and happy times.

What are some alternatives to traditional journal writing?

If you absolutely hate writing there are alternative ways to keep a “journal” of your life.  Here are a few suggestions:

The “Book of Mormon,” is a wonderful example of the importance of keeping a journal. Had the ancient peoples not been faithful in keeping a record of their lives, we would not have the “Book of Mormon.” Re-read your Patriarchal Blessing, remember that you are a special individual, and your ancestors will want to know who you were.