Reflect, Record, Remember
Reflect, Record, Remember
By Angela Halliday
For several years now, our stake Self Reliance group has offered a class called, “Spiritual Empowerment.” I’ve heard interesting things about it from the beginning, but I finally decided I simply must investigate. I know the excellent facilitators, understood the premise (helping lead people to search for truth from the right sources, especially as it relates to those struggling with their faith), and was fascinated. I love to learn. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love the Church of Jesus Christ. I’ve ached and mourned as friends and acquaintances have chosen to collapse into doubt, rather than question with faith. So, last week, I attended the first class of this new session.
Already, I can feel my heart nodding enthusiastically as I read the assigned talks and articles and engage in the serious homework. (One friend said it was like a part-time job for her to take this one-hour class each week! It might very well be! Stay tuned! ) You can’t be a “lazy learner and lax disciple” and fully embrace the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. (See President Russell M. Nelson’s talk “Christ is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains.”)
One of the exercises we have been assigned this week is to write down our life’s “spiritual watershed moments,” those times that have shaped our view of heaven, of God, of our relationship to Him. This isn’t a quick-jot-down-a-couple-of-experiences activity. When was the last time you reflected on the times the Lord has spoken to you? Did you write it down? Elder Andersen taught, “The spiritually defining memories from our book of life are like luminous stones that help brighten the road ahead, assuring us that God knows us, loves us, and has sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to help us return home.” I’m trying to recognize, record and remember these moments better—it’s a work in progress. (See Elder Neil L. Andersen’s talk “Spiritually Defining Memories.”)
When we allow ourselves to be swallowed in doubt, we are forgetting. Hasn’t the Lord shown Himself? Truman G. Madsen, renowned gospel scholar said, “May God help us to walk in the light, and, when we do not feel that we have it, to walk in the memory of it with integrity.” Maybe one way we can walk in the memory with integrity is by regularly reflecting, recording and remembering!
Meditation on our day, writing in a journal, and then reviewing what we’ve written (as needed throughout our life) can powerfully change our course. When depression or doubt or demons have tried to grab ahold of us, the divine pattern of reflecting, recording, and remembering can help bring us back-back to the loving arms of an amazing Father in Heaven and a powerful Jesus Christ. They, even now, and always, are reaching and will cradle us in the safety of their arms, where we can ask our questions with integrity, search for further light and knowledge, and know that we are Theirs.
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