I Have Written What I Have Written

By Kristine John

As I was studying my scriptures the other morning, I found this passage held new meaning for me:

1 And now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men.

2 But behold, there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught.

3 But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people. For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry.

4 And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people. And the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong unto them; for it persuadeth them to do good; it maketh known unto them of their fathers; and it speaketh of Jesus, and persuadeth them to believe in him, and to endure to the end, which is life eternal.

I was touched, because this was the first time that I actually "heard" what Nephi had to say as a writer.

His words resonated in my heart...for as a writer, I worry that my words will not convey the emotion, the power that I desire them to carry.

I love that even he, in all of his ability and power, still struggled to feel that he was effective as a writer.

It impressed my heart, and touched my spirit that he chose to bear testimony of how the Lord can touch others lives with the words that are written, even if they are "written in weakness" .
More than anything, it reaffirmed to me the spiritual nature of my gift, (of your gifts my dear ANWA sisters), and the need to follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost in the things I choose to create.

Our desire to write, truly is God-given, and as we rely on Him, our words can and will become "strong" unto all who choose to read them.