Why Write a Journal
Joseph Fielding Smith— “Every important event in our lives should be placed in a record, by us individually. … If you have accomplished something worth while during the day, put it down; it may be of use to posterity.” (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:204.)
Spencer W. Kimball— “Your story should be written now while it is fresh and while the true details are available. …
“Write [about] your goings and your comings, your deeper thoughts, your achievements and your failures, your associations and your triumphs, your impressions and your testimonies. …
“Those who keep a personal journal are more likely to keep the Lord in remembrance in their daily lives.”
(President Kimball Speaks Out, pages 57, 59.)
Friend September 2019 “The Story of Grammy Rose” Tamika’s grandmother wrote down her great-great grandmother’s story of escape from slavery in her journal. If she hadn’t written down the story, Tamika and other family members wouldn’t know about her amazing story.
Friend January 2022 “Papa’s Journals” Allen loves reading the stories in his dad’s journals. He wants to write a journal too so his kids can read them someday.
I Can Record My History.
(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 46–48”)
- If the children you teach keep a journal, ask them to talk about the kinds of things they write about in their journal. The children might enjoy hearing a story from your childhood journal or the journal of an ancestor.
- Show the children examples of ways they could keep a regular history of their lives. For example, they can write in a book, collect pictures in a scrapbook, type on a computer, or make audio or video recordings. Help the children make a list of things that would be good to include in their personal histories, such as their testimony of Jesus Christ. Invite the children to make a sign or poster to take home with some of these ideas to remind them to record their personal histories.
How can you encourage your family to record their personal histories throughout the week? You could share some entries from your personal journal or share a story about an ancestor (see FamilySearch.org). Some families set aside a few minutes each week for everyone to write in their journals. You might provide some journal prompts, like “What happened this week that you would like your grandchildren to know about?” or “How did you see the Lord’s hand in your life this week?” Young children could draw pictures of their experiences, or you could record them telling their stories. What blessings come from keeping a “regular history”? (verse 1).
“We keep records to help us remember. … We desire to help Church members remember the great things God has done for His children. … Lessons from the past help us cope with our present and give us hope for our future” (“There Shall Be a Record Kept among You,” Ensign, Dec. 2007, 28, 33).
See also Family History: Journals and Resources for Teaching Children “Journals“
What to Write
Friend December 2021 “My Year in Review”
Friend November 2021 “A Book about Me”
Friend November 2024 “News about Me”
Friend January 1987 Link includes lesson ideas
Friend January 2018 Make a mini book to write the journal prompts in. Also cut out these “stickers” to add to pages.
Activity Idea: Put the following into a jar and choose one to write about each week.
Friend May 2021 “Making Memories” Think of a person who is special to you. Draw a picture of your favorite memory with them. Think of someone you want to make more memories with and write what you will do.
Friend May 2021 “For Older Kids” Make a list of your talents! You could ask your friends and family for ideas too. Do you know any family members or ancestors who share the same talents as you?
Friend September 2018 “Mind Muscle: Funstuff” Write your answers to these questions.
Friend January 2023 “How Are You Following Jesus?” Send to Friend magazine how you are following Jesus.
Friend March 2023 “I Am Amazing”
Record Spiritual Experiences
Read 3 Nephi 23:6–13 If the Savior were to examine the records our family has kept, what questions might He ask us? Are there any important events or spiritual experiences that we should record? Now might be a good time to create or add to a family record and counsel together about what to include. Younger family members might enjoy decorating your record with photographs or drawings. Why is it important to record our family’s spiritual experiences?Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Book of Mormon 2020 ” 3 Nephi 20–26: Ye Are the Children of the Covenant”
Ways to Do a Journal
Ensign June 2017 Make a Goal to Keep a Journal (Link includes a story about why to keep a journal)
Do you want to keep a journal but don’t know where to start? Consider one or more of the following ways to document your life and testimony:
Keep a traditional written journal.
Keep a gratitude journal.
Use a journal app.
Make a photo journal, complete with captions.
Keep an audio journal with a digital recorder.
Use your social media account to document your experiences.
Journaling to Deal with Life’s Problems
Friend December 2016 “Not So Great Sixth Grade Year” Writing in a journal helps a girl deal with the difficulties of moving and going to a new school. (Includes some ideas of what to write in a journal.)
