Journaling Matters: Record Your Story!

 Journaling isn’t just writing. It is a way to preserve memories, recognize God’s hand in our daily lives, and create a record that blesses both us and our families. In this episode, we share our personal experiences with journaling along with simple tips for making it a joyful and meaningful habit. 

Shownotes (clickable links)

Wilford Woodruff journal quote

1 Nephi: Chapter 1 verse 1-3

O Remember, Remember, Eyring

Transcript

Fair Use & Disclaimer
This podcast episode may contain brief quotes from external sources, used in a positive and respectful manner for discussion, education, and commentary. These references fall under fair use as they are not used for commercial gain, do not replace the original works, and are presented with proper context and attribution.

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are our own and those of our guests. They do not necessarily reflect the official doctrine, beliefs, or positions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Transcript

Candice: Welcome to the Sisters Podcast. This is Sisters Latter-Day Voices.

Clare: I’m Candice.
Candice: And I’m Clare.
Clare: Welcome! Today I’m going to do a mini episode on journaling.

So, a couple weeks back on Come Follow Me, it was Doctrine and Covenants 85 through 87. There was a short little paragraph that talked about journaling, and it made me think about how we should keep a journal. I’ve known that for a while, but I’ve been pretty bad about it.

I thought, “Okay, this is just a little reminder. Maybe I should start one again.”

And then I was reading Doctrine and Covenants, but I also thought, “I want to read the Book of Mormon again, too.” So I started over in the Book of Mormon.

And of course, in chapter one, it’s Nephi, and he says in the first few verses that he’s going to make his own record. I thought that was cool, because it’s like his journal. It’s in his words. He has his dad’s knowledge, but he also wants everyone to know his own knowledge of Jesus and what is happening.

I think it’s important to have your own perspective, so your posterity can know what you believe and think.

Come Follow Me also had a quote from Wilford Woodruff: “Believing it to be beneficial to review our past life, it is not only our privilege but our duty to keep an accurate account of our proceedings.”

So, why do you think it’s so important to keep a journal, Candice?

Candice: I don’t know, because I’m so bad at it. I even remember going back and reading my journals from when I was young and a teenager, and they were so awful that I threw them away. I thought, “Oh no, I don’t want posterity reading this.” So I chucked them in the trash.

I feel like I only journaled sometimes. It’s intimidating. I’m worried I’ll sound stupid or not very articulate, or that my handwriting is bad. I don’t know. I don’t know why I think I’m capable of doing a podcast but not journaling.

Clare: Totally agree. I’ve done the same. I started journals in the past, then read them, and it was so embarrassing I also threw them away—which I probably shouldn’t have. That’s kind of silly, but still… it was pretty bad.

I also remember looking at other people’s journals—I won’t mention who—but I remember one that was like: breakfast, lunch… and it was just little boxes squished in with nothing important. Every day looked like that. I thought, “What’s the point of this?”

But maybe that’s just the starting point of journaling. Maybe that’s how it begins: silly stuff, like, “What boy do we like?”

Candice: Yeah, that’s definitely what I was talking about in my teenage years. Oh no.

Clare: Yep, that’s how mine was too. I thought, “These are stupid. I’m throwing them away.”

Well, everyone thinks of a typical journal as just writing. That’s probably the best one, but I think there are untraditional methods that are also important.

Candice: Like what?

Clare: Art can be a type of journaling. If you’re super creative and good at drawing, that counts. It can be Christian-related, too. Like when you did your 25 Days of Christmas advent calendar—that’s so cool, and posterity would think that’s awesome.

Candice: Thank you.

Clare: Sorry—I said 12 earlier! Duh, I’m the worst sister.

But really, journaling doesn’t have to be just an everyday writing journal. It could be photographs, videos, blogs, or even recipes if you’re a really good cook. People can think outside the box.

If you’re a seamstress and make a baby blanket, that’s worth keeping. I would love a great recipe too—I’m a terrible cook. A killer apple crisp recipe? Yes please.

Candice: I like that idea. I hadn’t thought of it before. That gives me comfort, because you’re a better writer than I am, but I’m better at other things. That’s why writing a journal feels intimidating.

When I start, I can talk fine and be conversational, but when I put a pen to paper, my mind goes blank. I struggle with it.

I did have a “mom journal” a while ago that gave me prompts. That helped—it asked about specific memories or moments with my kids. I need to write in that more because it was easier for me.

Clare: I’ve seen journals companies make where you give them to your mom or someone important, and you write back and forth with prompts. It helps get things flowing.

Obviously there’s no right or wrong way. But I restarted journaling last night. I didn’t want to just write, “Oh my gosh, I love you, Darren,” and make it a short, silly journal.

Candice: Just everyday: “My husband’s the best. Good night. The end.”

Clare: Exactly!

So last night I thought, “I’ll just start randomly.” I started with bikes. Growing up, I thought bikes were just cheap ones from Walmart, maybe $100 or less. I didn’t realize bikes would become so important in our lives.

I remembered learning to ride without hands, or putting cards in the spokes to make noise.

Candice: That was the coolest thing to do for sure.

Clare: Right?

Candice: Your neighbors were probably so annoyed. “What punk kid has cards on their wheels again?”

Clare: True! But it was so fun, just riding around the neighborhood. Not like now—no long rides, no mountain biking. That wasn’t a thing growing up. Now bikes are crazy expensive.

But that’s what I started journaling about last night.

Candice: That’s great—it’s central to your family. You’ve taught your kids lessons through biking, so it’s a perfect place to start.

Clare: Journaling can be about anything. Just pick something meaningful and go with it.

If you want posterity to actually read it, make it easy for them. Old boxes of paper aren’t practical for our generation. So, if we can, we should try to organize it in one place, so when we pass away, future generations can find and read it.

Here are some ideas:

• Write about mistakes you’ve made. (It’s easier to be vulnerable on paper, and maybe it will help future generations.)
• Write about how you saw God’s hand in your life each day, like President Eyring’s “gratitude journal.”

I also love autobiographies. I think it’s because they’re real life stories. We’re all children of God with a story to tell. Journaling passes down life lessons that can help others grow. That’s what makes it powerful.

Candice: I love it.

Clare: I’ll end with a quote. President Kimball, in 2003, said: “Get a notebook, a journal that will last through all time, and may the angels quote from it for eternity. Begin today and write in it your goings and comings, your deepest thoughts, your achievements and your failures, your associations and your triumphs, your impressions and your testimonies.”

Candice: Wonderful. With that, we’ll see you next time. Bye.