(Seminary Lesson in Laguna, California from May 10, 1995 TG Entry: Journal)

I talked to my seminary class about journals one day.  I took mine to show them.  I used the passage where Jesus asks Nephi that the records be brought for him to examine.

BkMormon:3 Nephi 23

  v6 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had said these words he said unto them again, after he had expounded all the scriptures unto them which they had received, he said unto them: Behold, other scriptures I would that ye should write, that ye have not.

  v7 And it came to pass that he said unto Nephi: Bring forth the record which ye have kept.

  v8 And when Nephi had brought forth the records, and laid them before him, he cast his eyes upon them and said:

  v9 Verily I say unto you, I commanded my servant Samuel, the Lamanite, that he should testify unto this people, that at the day that the Father should glorify his name in me that there were many saints who should arise from the dead, and should appear unto many, and should minister unto them.  And he said unto them: Was it not so?

  v10 And his disciples answered him and said: Yea, Lord, Samuel did prophesy according to thy words, and they were all fulfilled.

  v11 And Jesus said unto them: How be it that ye have not written this thing, that many saints did arise and appear unto many and did minister unto them?

  v12 And it came to pass that Nephi remembered that this thing had not been written.

  v13 And it came to pass that Jesus commanded that it should be written; therefore it was written according as he commanded.

I then said “O.K., I want you all to go home, get your journals, and bring them here so I can inspect what you have written.  How are you going to feel?  Have you recorded the things we have talked about in Seminary?  Have you recorded all the testimonies you have received?  I think it was pretty effective.