Yes, it’s a long title, but every word – counts. This book is about my personal journey with Christ. It is not about being enlightened in general, especially in the way one is sometimes temporarily filled by the world – i.e., receiving an award, graduating from college, getting that long-awaited favorite job. Enlightened is about coming unto Christ.
What is scripture journaling? What makes it different from regular diary-keeping?
When I was a teenager, I kept a diary. In it, I included my sadness’s, my triumphs, what I sometimes ate for breakfast or what I had done during the day. If I’d met a new boy. What I thought about him. On a scale of 1-10 where he ranked. You get the idea.
Scripture journaling is different. And while I find myself occasionally writing about my day, since my mid-thirties when this journey began for me, I am more inclined to write about other things like dreams, visions, scriptural insights, life direction prompts, learning moments, council, and more.
When was the last time you read your patriarchal blessing, or studied in depth the conference talks from the recent conference and wrote down your thoughts about what you’d received? What does scripture study really include? Might it include the singing of hymns and reading and studying the scriptures underneath the songs? How about receiving and recording revelation you have received from the Lord in regard to your children? Might it mean sharing moments in your journal with them as directed by the Spirit?
Enlightened is a ‘hands-on’ book. What that means for you is that you’ll have plenty of opportunities to be enlightened and to record in the wide margins what you receive of the Lord. You may have been receiving personal revelation for many years, and you wonder if there’s more to it.
Now you have it. An additional step. A step called RECORDING.
The prophets of old have set the bar. And the Prophet Joseph Smith in our dispensation has shown us the way. Prophets today mention recording what we receive of the Lord, so it must be pretty important.
Recently, The Book of Mormon and The New Testament scriptures published by the Church have been issued with wide margins for writing, and the Come, Follow Me manual has these words written at the beginning of every chapter: “Record Your Impressions”.
Consider not only making time for the Lord but creating a place to study with Him every day. Consider what it would mean to have your scriptures on hand, a prayer spoken, a journal handy. Think about being intentional when it comes to learning and doing the will of the Lord. You will never forget what He has told you. You will always retain in remembrance what you have received because it is recorded.
Keeping a scripture journal is a step up. I know that. But if you’re ready to step up, ready to spend a little more time getting to know the Savior, He is ready to receive you.
There is no doubt in my mind about that.
The Lord has said, “Behold, [see] I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).
I have a testimony of the Savior. I know that He lives and that he is the great I Am. His word comes through the power of the Holy Ghost to me every morning as I seek Him. I am filled every day. I have learned that repentance and forgiveness is a key to learning more – to being who I really am. Scripture journaling is another key to receiving more. Revelation can be daily. And daily revelation is needed as we prepare for the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
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Enlightened is for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is for young adults to adult readers. The paperback or eBook can be purchased at Amazon or through me. If you would like an autographed copy, please email me at kathy@ariverofstones.com with the word ‘enlightened’ in the subject line. I have a personal website where I discuss my books and writing in general. It’s at http://www.ariverofstones.com. You can also connect with me on social media.
The Mormons Of YouTube Keep Church Tradition Of Journaling Alive
Shay and Colette Butler, who call their family of six “the Shaytards,” are arguably the most famous Mormons on YouTube. With more than 3.5 million subscribers on just one of their five channels, the Butlers know they provide many viewers’ first exposure to the LDS church. A British woman who watched the family’s daily posts and wondered where their happiness came from credits “the Shaytards” for her conversion to Mormonism.