One topic I never tire of is how the act of recording spiritually sensitive information invites further light and helps one learn how to discern the voice of the Lord. I learned this from Richard G. Scott when I heard this quote 20 years ago:
“Spiritually sensitive information should be kept in a sacred place that communicates to the Lord how you treasure it. That practice enhances the likelihood of your receiving further light.”
Richard G. Scott, “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge,” Ensign, Nov 1993, 86
Recently, I was reading through 3 Nephi and looking at what Jesus had to say about Isaiah when I read past where I was and came to the account where Jesus corrects the records of the Nephites.
Jesus spends some time expounding “all the scriptures unto them which they had received.” Note that last part, “which they had received.” (3 Nephi 23:6) He then says that he wants them to write some other scriptures that they don’t have, he says, “Bring forth the record which ye have kept.” (vs.7)
Jesus points out “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?” (vs.9)
Nephi replies, “Yea, Lord, Samuel did prophesy according to thy words, and they were all fulfilled.” (vs.10)
The Lord says, “How be it that ye have not written this thing, that many saints did arise and appear unto many and did minister unto them?” (vs.11)
Nephi then remembers that they had not yet written down that this prophecy was fulfilled. If Jesus didn’t remind them, it may never have been written down. (vs.12)
Jesus then commands for it to be written and it was (vs.13)
Then, Jesus does some more expounding: “And now it came to pass that when Jesus had expounded all the scriptures in one, which they had written,” (vs.14)
This time, Jesus expounds all scriptures in ONE all the scriptures they had written after filling in the missing parts. It’s possible that he could not have done it without this one prophecy from Samuel. Why was that such a key piece?
I can only guess, but doesn’t it seem kind of odd that eye-witness evidence of the actual resurrection of mortal beings, death being conquered, had happened – and nobody thought to write it down!
But then again, how many miracles happen in our lives that we forget to record?
How many astounding and sacred things have we witnessed only to allow them to fall into what Terryl Givens calls “the vacuum of oblivion?”
Think of your most sacred moments, maybe they are still fresh in your mind. But might Jesus still be saying to us today: “How be it that ye have not written this thing?“
Neal A. Maxwell said: “The holy scriptures represent mankind’s spiritual memory.” Your own writings represent your family’s spiritual memory; what kind of memory is it?
Alma taught his son Helaman this about the brass plates:
“…it has hitherto been wisdom in God that these things should be preserved; for behold, they have enlarged the memory of this people, yea, and convinced many of the error of their ways, and brought them to the knowledge of their God unto the salvation of their souls.”
Alma 37:8
It’s true, figure out a way to record your sacred witness that works for you.
Start somewhere, don’t worry about finding the perfect solution, there isn’t one. The best solution is the one that works for you today. The worst solution is to do nothing at all.
