Write

Oprah's life changed ten years ago when she read "Simple Abundance" by Sarah Ban Breathnach and learned that "the authentic self is the soul made visible". Her transformation took place when she exercised the discipline of writing about gratitude every day. Every day she writes about five things for which she is grateful.

This makes her more alert to the world about her. She notices and appreciates if someone holds a door for her, or if the sun shines, or the moon rises.

Writing is a practice that defines and clarifies the thoughts of the writer. The Lamanites and Mulekites did not write, so they lost much. The Nephites who obeyed their fathers' commandment to write gained much.

We are enlarged as we record our own thoughts. My father's sermoncitos teach us that we can also grow by reading the ideas of others. My grandfather wrote in my copy of his autobiography: "An ounce of ink on the spot is worth more than a river of unguarded memory".

I challenge each of you to write. I invite you to use our mission blog for your ideas and updates about personal and family activities.

Elder Roy E. Howard
Yachachiq
Guayaquil Temple Mission
http://www.cantos.org/rnjhoward