This blogpost features some study resources and a half-sheet activity page to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for August 4-10, which includes Doctrine and Covenants 85-87. I have focused mostly on why we should keep a record. Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks.
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WHY RECORDING OUR SPIRITUAL IMPRESSIONS MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Isn't it interesting that you can talk to three different people who were all present at the same event and you'll get three different recollections of the specifics of that experience? It's a fascinating phenomenon that I see in action every time I have a conversation with a sibling about something that happened while we were younger. Sometimes our accounts will be pretty similar, but other times I am 100% convinced that one or the other of us has a faulty memory. Probably them, right? :)
LEARNING INCREASES WHEN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE BRAIN ARE ENGAGED
On a slightly different note, have you ever noticed that the more ways you learn something, the better you remember it? For instance, if your teacher just got up and talked endlessly about whatever subject they're teaching (something that perhaps happens a bit too frequently at church), you likely would forget most of what they said. But, if they talked about it, then let you try something hands-on that demonstrated the concept, then asked a thought provoking question and gave you time to ponder and write down an answer, then showed a video of a related concept, ....you would likely remember it much better, because you've had the opportunity to engage different parts of your brain. Even just one alternate form of teaching besides just talking is hugely valuable for imprinting those memories!
I feel like that's how life is too.
When I have an experience, I may or may not remember it in much detail. However, when I have an experience, then share it with someone, or write it down, I am much more likely to remember it. That's one of the reasons why I've been an avid journal keeper for much of my life. When I was young, it was in notebooks, then I went through a scrapbooking phase, and now it's mostly on our family blog. Yes, I still keep one of those!
I think all these reasons are why I was drawn to the section of this week's Come, Follow Me lesson entitled: "The Lord wants me to 'keep a history,'" and the scripture that that phrase comes from.
Doctrine and Covenants 85:1-2 It is the duty of the Lord’s clerk, whom he has appointed, to keep a history, and a general church record of all things that transpire in Zion, and of all those who consecrate properties, and receive inheritances legally from the bishop; And also their manner of life, their faith, and works; and also of the apostates who apostatize after receiving their inheritances.
I think it's interesting that the revelation to keep a history was received so early in the church's existence. It proved to be prescient though, since it became a part of the church's fabric long before anyone but God could have known how widespread the church would one day be. One of my many callings over the last several years has been that of ward historian. To be honest, I wasn't that excited about it when I first received the calling, but I have since grown to have a testimony of the value of it. The act of reflecting and gathering a history, one year, one organization, one miracle, one ward at a time is something that has the potential to be of great value to a ward and to the church as a whole.
Similarly, when we take the time to record the important events of our lives, we are leaving a legacy for our families that could otherwise easily be forgotten. I know I regret not writing down more of my Dad's stories before he passed away a couple years ago. Now I am left wondering about the accuracy of my memories of an experience that I wasn't a part of, but that he had verbally shared with us. It's better than not knowing about it at all, but how much better would it have been to have it in written form, either by his own hand or written by someone else with his stamp of approval?
ARTICULATING EXPERIENCES HELPS US REMEMBER THEM BETTER
Over the years, I have sometimes taken the time to write about a spiritual experience I've had. Though it is challenging trying to articulate the feelings that accompanied such an experience, I think there's great value to trying. It's the exact same concept of teaching to engage different parts of your students' brains. Sorting through my feelings enough to give them words, is something that cements the experience more fully into my spirit and also makes it easier to share, should I feel inspired to do so.
"Generations are affected by the choices we make. Share your testimony
with your family; encourage them to remember how they felt when they
recognized the Spirit in their lives and to record those feelings in
journals and personal histories so that their own words may, when
needed, bring to their remembrance how good the Lord has been to them." Elder Rasband
DIFFERENT WAYS TO RECORD
Over the course of my life, I've had different promptings about what the best way to record those experiences are and honestly, the details of it don't matter. Whether you're jotting in a notebook, using Google Drive, making notes on your phone, keeping a blog, or keeping a detailed scrapbook...it doesn't matter. What matters is getting it down. If you think it's something that you'll want to share with your family someday or reference in a talk, you'll want to organize it in a way that can be found, but other than that, it's just finding what works for you. Lately, I am finding that Google Drive is very helpful for me in that way. I have different folders in my Drive for talks, lessons, and personal experiences. I've even typed up a few special journal entries to gather them in one place. I attach key words to them, so I can locate them quickly if desired. This easy access to them from any device I'm using has proven very helpful to me. I can usually find what I'm looking for within 1 minute of searching.
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What about you? How do you record your spiritual impressions? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
TALKS/ARTICLES TO STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
Lest Thou Forget by Elder Rasband (Oct 2016)
Spiritually Defining Memories by Elder Andersen (Apr 2020)
5 Unique Ways to Record and Remember Revelation by Bentlee Rice (from church website, Feb 2020)
ORIGINAL PRINTABLE ACTIVITY PAGE
These
activity sheets are designed to print double-sided and cut in half.
They're perfect for reviewing or introducing the content found in the
Come, Follow Me reading each week and would be great used in a classroom
or home setting.
THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITY SHEET LINK (in case it's not showing below)
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Be sure to come back each week and check out my latest Come, Follow Me post.
Enjoy learning the gospel together!
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