The prophets say that we need to keep a journal.  If you don’t keep a journal you have probably thought “It too late”,  I have lived so long and have not written anything down.  Well, it is never too late.  I have found two places in the scriptures were important events were written well after they happened.

The first is in Nephi, chapter 9.  This is where Nephi explain the name of the plates that he is making and what was recorded in them.  In verse 4, Nephi says that “these plates are for the more part of the ministry; and the other plates are for the more part of the reign of the kings and the wars and contentions of my people.”  If Nephi wrote this during the time he was traveling in the wilderness, how would he know that his people would have king, wars and contentions.  I believe that Nephi wrote this after he was in the promise land.  He wrote about his early experiences some time after they happened, maybe even years.  It is never too late.

The second is Joseph Smith Jr..  In the 1st verse of Joseph Smith History, Joseph states why he is writing the history.  In verse 2, he said “In this history I shall present the various events in relation to this Church, in truth and righteousness, as they have transpired, or as they at present exist, being now [1838] the eighth year since the organization of the said Church”.   He wrote about the First Vision 8 years after it happened. It is never too late.

 Now that we know that it’s not too late, how does one go about keeping a journal.  Here are some ideas:

   1. Follow the council of Spencer W. Kimball.  “Do It”  Quit putting it off.  Get a notebook or  journal and start writing.

   2. Scrapbook with journaling.  Scrapbooks are journal with picture but they don’t replace words.  It is very important to “journal” (or write about the pictures) when you scrapbook.

   3. Journal Jar.  Journal jars is where you have a list of questions like “What was your favorite book when you were young?”.  Cut the question about, fold them up and put them in a jar.  Everyday draw a different question out of the jar and answer the question.

   4. Blog.  A blog is an online journal.

   5. Interview yourself or have someone interview you.  Ask question that will get you writing about your life.

   6. Talk to others.  Ask your mother, father, sisters, brothers, and friends about your life.  Write down what you talk about.

   7. Write what your everyday schedule is like.  Your descends will find it fascinating to read about what your day to day life was like.

Things to remember.

It is quality is more important and not quantity.

Don’t worry about your handwriting.  It is part of what makes you, you.

It does not have to be perfect, no one is grading you on it.

Blessing will come with come with obedience.