March 2020 Bullet Journal

I took some quick photos of my March 2020 Bullet Journal before filling in the rest of the dates and personal goals.
I was working on the first spread during President Oaks Face to Face event, and included the four goal areas (spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical) on my spread. My poem of the month is from Emily Dickinson:
"'Hope' is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul-
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all-
And sweetest-in the Gale-is heard-
And sore must be the storm-
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm-
I've heard it in the chillest land-
And on the strangest Sea-
Yet-never-in Extremity,
It asked a crumb of me."

 The next spread is prepped for budgeting. The facing page is for lists or notes as needed during the month. I'm not big into shamrocks, so I attempted a rainbow.

 This is a big change from the weekly spread I've been using. The dates run in the central green column. The space to the left is for things that are scheduled--practices, appointments, etc. The space on the right is my "to do" for that day. I may fill in the space on the left in advance, and wait until the morning-of to fill-in the more flexible space on the right.
The vine on the facing page is for my mood tracker. I've never used one before, and am curious to see how it goes. On my month spread (shown above) I have a color key for my mood tracker. The plan is to color in each pair of leaves (representing each day of the week) by the key: yellow for peace and joy, green for patient and productive (a more typical good day), blue for fine, teal for stress/worry, and periwinkle for sorrow or grief.

 On the next spread, I decided to lump my habits by the kind of tracker needed (a once-a-week checkmark or a daily tracker) instead of by category (spiritual, physical, social, intellectual). I haven't labeled all my boxes. One might be a plan for move-in day. One might be a menu plan. One might be for random ideas to remember for later.
The cute stickers on this page I bought at Hobby Lobby: "Elle oh Elle Seasonal, Foiled Sticker Pack." I like this set because each page represents a month of the year, so I don't have to flip back and forth through hundreds of irrelevant stickers.

 Similar, but with a box for menu planning:

This next spread is very personal. I have intentionally used a photograph that makes it hard to read. One side is about me. The facing page is for favorite quotes.
The about me includes:
1. My name
2. a few words I would use to describe myself
3. phrases from personality descriptions (Meyers-Briggs and Enneagram) that resonated with me
4. a place to write some special phrases from my patriarchal blessing and most recent priesthood blessing
5. A list of my favorite things.

 

I've been surprised how uplifting this page has been on difficult days.

The Allegory of the Olive Trees, Book of Mormon Journaling Jacob 5-7 (March 16-22, 2020)

I began the longest chapter in The Book of Mormon (Jacob 5) with a determination to journal each and every page of it (and giving myself permission to skip any time-consuming illustrations). My margins include scholarly explanations and heart-breaking quotes.

In the margin on the first page, I wrote down everything we know about the mysterious prophet Zenos and a lengthy quote comparing the olive tree to the Biblical tree of life.
Who was Zenos?
A Hebrew prophet whose writings appeared on the brass plates but who is not mentioned in the Old Testament. He lived sometime after the prophet Abraham and before the prophet Isaiah (see Hellman 8:19-20). We know he testified concerning the death and redemption of the Son of God (see 1 Nephi 19:10; Alma 8:19). (Book of Mormon Student Manual, chapter 16: Jacob 5-7).

"One writer has said of this extended symbolic portrayal, 'One Jewish legend identifies the tree of life as the olive tree, and with good reason. The olive tree is an evergreen, not a deciduous tree. Its leaves do not seasonally fade or fall. Through scorching heat and winter cold they are continually rejuvenated. Without cultivation the olive tree is a wild, unruly, easily corrupted tree. Only after long, patient cultivating, usually 8-10 years, does it begin to yield fruit. Long after that, new shoots often come forth from apparently dead roots. [The appearance of gnarled trunks gives] the impression of travail-of ancient life and renewing life,'" (Truman Madsen, "The Olive Press: A Symbol of Christ," in The Allegory of the Olive Tree, ed. Stephen D. Ricks and John W. Welch, 1994; as quoted in Book of Mormon Student Manual, chapter 16: Jacob 5-7).

On the next page I put the header "The Scattering of Israel":
"The olive tree is the House of Israel. In its native land it began to die. So the Lord took branches like the Nephites, like the lost tribes, and like others that the Lord led off that we do not know anything about, to other parts of the earth. He planted them all over his vineyard, which is the world," (President Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, 4:204, as quoted in Book of Mormon Student Manual, chapter 16: Jacob 5-7).

I love this next one so much more than those scholarly quotes, because it reminds me of what matters most:
"Jesus suffered in Gethsemane, the place of the olive press," (Elder D. Todd Christofferson, "Abide in My Love," Ensign November 2016).
I penciled in the olive branches that surround the quote, then traced the branches with gray Mildliner highlighter. The leaves and olives are an aqua blue.

On the facing page is a quote from Elder Holland. He has a spiritual gift for speaking straight to the heart of the matter, and can turn even the repetitiveness of this allegory into a heart-rending story. "After digging and dunging, watering and weeding, trimming, pruning, transplanting, and grafting, the great Lord of the vineyard throws down his spade and his pruning sheers and weeps, crying out to any who would listen, 'What could I have done more for my vineyard?' What an indelible image of God's engagement in our lives! What anguish in a parent when His children do not choose Him nor 'the gospel of God,'" (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Ensign, November 2003).

On the next page of Jacob 5, the scattered branches of the olive tree are being gathered back in. I gave this page the title "The Gathering of Israel," and found a recent quote from President Nelson about the importance of the gathering:
"The cause of the gathering is an essential part of helping to prepare the world and its people for the Second Coming of the Lord," (President Russell M. Nelson, "Witnesses, Aaronic Priesthood Quorums, and Young Women Classes, Ensign, November 2019).

Who is the "Lord of the vineyard?" Our Heavenly Father. Many times in our stubbornness, we fail to see Him for who He is: our loving eternal Father.
"May we labor side by side with the Lord of the vineyard giving the God and Father of us all a helping hand with His staggering task of answering prayers, providing comfort, drying tears, and strengthening feeble knees," (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "Be With and Strengthen Them," Ensign, May 2018).

The ending of the allegory parallels what will happen in the Millennium. Don't you just love this quote from Elder Christofferson?
"This great and last dispensation is building steadily to its climax-Zion on earth being joined with Zion from above at the Savior's glorious return," (Elder D. Todd Christofferson, "Preparing for the Lord's Return," Conference April 2019).

In Jacob 6, we get the simplest of advice from the prophet Jacob:
"O be wise; what can I say more?" (Jacob 6:12).

And in chapter 7, Jacob contends with Sherem, the anti-Christ. Like Jacob, we will meet many philosophies in our day that attack our faith. May our testimonies be so strong that we will able to say, along with Jacob:
"I could not be shaken," (Jacob 7:5).

Looking for other chapters? See my "Directory of Book of Mormon Posts." Or you may want to follow my Pinterest board, Book of Mormon Journaling.

"The Kingdom of God," Book of Mormon Journaling Jacob 1-4 (March 9-15, 2020)

Welcome to my Book of Mormon Journal. Here I share links to the inspirational scriptures and conference talks I have used. My scripture pages are sometimes pretty and sometimes messy. I've posted every page I have done so far, in the hopes that others will be as validated by the mistakes as they are inspired by my more successful pages. After all, the point is what we learn through the process, right?

Jacob 1-4

The Nephites had a pride cycle. I have an expectations cycle. One of my biggest struggles is with the high expectations I have for myself. I set really good goals, and for a while make good progress. Then I crash and burn. It's hard to explain to other people why I feel so devastated to have fallen short of my own expectations, but it's real. After a crash and burn, I am extra cautious about setting new goals. Often I emerge with more realistic expectations that I am better able to follow through on . . . for a while. After rebuilding trust in myself, I'm ready to do a little more. And more. And-crash and burn. C'est la vie. That's life. For me.
Jacob 1:7 encourages us to "come unto Christ" and "enter into his rest." This reminded me of a Christ-centered talk Sister Eubank gave in April 2019:
"When expectations overwhelm us, we can step back and ask Heavenly Father what to let go of. But even so, sometimes life can be exhausting. Jesus assures us, 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' Christ is rest," (Sister Sharon Eubank, "Christ: The Light that Shines in Darkness, Ensign, May 2019. Scripture quote from KJV Matthew 11:28).

In Jacob 1:19, he speaks of magnifying callings and teaching the people. This reminded me of what President Nelson told the women last fall:
"As a righteous, endowed Latter-day Saint woman, you speak and teach with power and authority from God. Whether by exhortation or conversation, we need your voice teaching the doctrine of Christ," (President Russell M. Nelson, "Spiritual Treasures," Conference October 2019).

On the next page, Jacob counsels his people, "before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God," (Jacob 2:18). I wrote two quotes in the margins:
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God," (3 Nephi 13:33).
"Choosing to follow the Father's plan is the only way we can become inheritors in his kingdom," (Elder Dale G. Renlund, "Choose You This Day," Ensign, November 2018).

After penciling in a castle, I outlined it with gray Mildliner highlighter (a gray Crayola fine-tip would work similarly). I shaded the stone with the side of a gray colored pencil. The stained glass is done with pastel Mildliners. The flags are purple Mildliner highlighter outlined with a purple Micron pen.

On the next page, Jacob begins the uncomfortable task of scolding the men because of how they have used and abused the women in their lives. Mostly I'm just glad their story isn't my story.
I used a quote from President Nelson to the Latter-day Saint men of the church:
"Brethren, your first and foremost duty as a bearer of the priesthood is to love and care for your wife. Become one with her. Be her partner," (President Russell M. Nelson, "We Can Do Better and Be Better," Conference, April 2019).

After penciling in the roses and vase, I outlined the rose petals in red Micron pen, the leaves and stem in green, and the vase in blue. I filled in the petals and leaves with colored pencil.

After all the uncomfortableness of chapter 2, Jacob begins chapter 3 speaking to the "pure in heart" for about two verses. I embraced those two verses and wrote this beatitude in the margin:
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God," (Matthew 5:8).

Then Jacob points out that the Lamanite husbands love their wives and children and would one day be a blessed people (verses 6 and 7). It's no secret that the Nephites and Lamanites were enemies. They didn't mix with each other. Each group would say bad things about the other. Jacob commands the Nephites "revile no more against them because of the darkness of their skins," and goes back to scolding the Nephite men for having broken the hearts of their wives and children. I wrote a quote from our Prophet:
"Only the comprehension of the true Fatherhood of God can bring full appreciation of the true brotherhood of men and the true sisterhood of women. That understanding inspires us with passionate desire to build bridges of cooperation instead of walls of segregation," (President Russell M. Nelson, "Be One" Celebration).

My final quote before the Allegory of the Olive Tree is from Jacob 4:10:
"He counseled in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works."

To browse my journaling posts from other weeks, please see my Book of Mormon Journaling Directory or follow my Pinterest board Book of Mormon Journaling.

Directory of Book of Mormon Journaling Posts

I will update this post with links to my various Book of Mormon journaling posts. I am currently posting my quotes, references, and the occasional illustration to correspond with the 2020 outline for Come, Follow Me. In other words, one post covers exactly one week of the outline. This is for all of you who, like me, like to study your scriptures without pop-up ads.

Introductory Pages

1 Nephi 1-7

1 Nephi 8-10, Tree of Life

1 Nephi 11-15, Nephi's Vision

1 Nephi 16-22, Journey to the Promised Land

2 Nephi 1-5, "We Lived after the Manner of Happiness"

2 Nephi 6-10, The Plan of God (Jacob's Sermon)

2 Nephi 11-25, The Isaiah Chapters

2 Nephi 26-30, "A Marvelous Work and a Wonder"

2 Nephi 31-33, "This Is the Way"

Jacob 1-4

Jacob 5-7, The Allegory of the Olive Trees

Enos-Omni

I think the images are more clear on my blog, but if you prefer here is the link to my Pinterest board Book of Mormon Journaling.

"This Is the Way," Book of Mormon Journaling 2 Nephi 31-33 (March 2-9, 2020)

In these final chapters, Nephi completes his record. At five pages, you may have time to dive into the beautiful doctrines.

As a young man, Nephi had seen in vision the baptism of Christ. In chapter 31, he reminds us of the importance of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost (mentioned in verses 8 and 12-14). My margin quote for the first page is about the Holy Ghost:
"The Holy Ghost will be your personal tutor as you seek to know and understand what the Lord would have you know and do," (President Russell M. Nelson, "Spiritual Treasures," Conference, October 2019).

On the following page (2 Nephi 31:17), Nephi makes his famous comparison of baptism to a gate: "For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water . . ." I was still feeling nostalgia for the beauty of Charleston, South Carolina (we lived in Goose Creek for nearly five years when my husband taught at the Nuclear Power School). In historic downtown, the narrow side yards are lush, formal, and beautiful. Entrance into those yards was typically through a one-of-a-kind wrought iron gate, framed with brick. That was my inspiration for the gate I drew, along with this quote:
"This is the gate, our access to the Savior's atoning grace and to the strait and narrow path leading to His kingdom," (Elder D. Todd Christofferson, "The Living Bread Which Came Down from Heaven," Conference, October 2017).

In 2 Nephi 32 we learn more about the Holy Ghost. I wrote a treasure scripture in the margin:
"Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore they speak the words of Christ," (2 Nephi 32:3).

In 2 Nephi 39, Nephi speaks of Christ. In verse 9, he encourages us to "be reconciled unto Christ, and enter into the narrow gate, and walk in the strait path which leads to life . . ." In the margin, I wrote:

"Are we true followers of Him who gave His all for us?" (Elder Terence M. Vinson, "True Disciples of the Savior," Conference, October 2019). I used a pencil and circle stencils for the flowers and vines.

On the last page, Nephi speaks of judgment day with this almost eerie prophesy: "You and I shall stand face to face before his bar," (2 Nephi 33:11). I struggled with what to draw on this day. I couldn't picture a judgment bar, and didn't like the idea of doing a gavel (too justice oriented. No mercy). Then I was rereading the quote I had put in the margin. The part about desires for righteousness struck me. But wait! What does that have to do with Christ's atonement or works? I'd say everything. If the deepest desire of our hearts is righteousness, then we desire the source of righteousness (Christ). A natural side effect of having righteous desires is that many (though not all) of our works will be righteous. This reminded me of an image in the ancient Egyptian book of the dead. They believed that to enter the after-life, their hearts would be weighed. If their heart was good (lighter than this symbolic feather) then the God of resurrection would allow them to enter the after-life. While not embracing all the pagan gods involved in their story, the image of a heart on a scale felt right to me.

In the margin, I wrote:

"If our desires have been righteousness and our works good, then the judgment bar will be pleasing. Conversely, if our desires have been for evil and our works wicked, then the judgment bar will be a cause of dread," (Elder David A. Bednar, "Therefore They Hushed Their Fears," Conference April 2015).

Did you have a favorite scripture or quote from 2 Nephi 31-33? If so, please share in the comments below.

If you enjoyed this, you might be interested in following my Pinterest board Book of Mormon Journaling. I've sorted the board into different books in the Book of Mormon, so you don't have to scroll through a hundred ideas for 1 Nephi when the ideas you want are for Jacob!

"A Marvelous Work and a Wonder" Book of Mormon Journaling 2 Nephi 26-30 (February 24-March 1)

Chapter 26 of 2 Nephi begins with a prophesy of when Christ will show himself to the Nephites. This feels very pertinent to us, as we look forward to the Second Coming. I love verse 9, which says, "The Son of Righteousness shall appear unto them; and he shall heal them, and they shall have peace with him." In the sidebar, I traced a coloring page drawing I had made some years ago. I do slightly regret the layers of dark pink Mildliner highlighter to achieve the "red" cape, but I just barely got away without bleeding through to the other side. Underneath, I wrote one of the quotes from that page about Christ. Verses, 8, 9, and 12 have great ones. I chose to use 2 Nephi 26:8:
"Look forward unto Christ."

After the destruction of the Nephites (which must have been upsetting for Nephi to have seen in vision) the prophesies move much farther into the future. When the remainder of Lehi's posterity has dwindled in unbelief and the Gentiles have laid siege against them, then will The Book of Mormon come forth unto them, like "a voice from the dust" (see 2 Nephi 26:14-16). In the margin I wrote:
"The Book of Mormon speaks by ancient and modern covenant to you who are the children of Lehi, 'children of the prophets.' Your forefathers received a covenant promise that you, their descendants, would recognize a voice as if from the dust in the Book of Mormon," (Elder Gerrit W. Gong, "Covenant Belonging," Ensign, November 2019).

The chapter ends (2 Nephi 26:33) with an invitation. "He inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he deniers none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female . . . all are alike unto God." In the margin I wrote:
"Latter-day Saints come in many shapes and sizes, but 'all are alike unto God' 'black and white, bond and free, male and female,' single and married, rich and poor, young and old, lifelong member and recent convert," (Sister Michelle Craig of the Young Women Presidency, "Spiritual Capacity," Ensign, November 2019).

The next page I combined two treasure verses into one quote. I began with the end of 2 Nephi 27:21 and then added part of verse 23, because they both spoke to me that day:
"I am able to do mine own work. I am a God of Miracles," (2 Nephi 27:21 and 23).

There is definitely opposition in all things! In 2 Nephi 28:8, we hear of people preaching to not only "eat, drink, and be merry," but also to commit "little sins." Listening to Satan takes us away from happiness, not toward it! There are two parts to the quote I put in the margin. The oppositional part (about Satan) I chose to write upside down, because that symbolizes his plans to me. I waited until after I had carefully written both parts of the quote before I attempted an embellishment between them.
"The Father's plan of happiness is designed to provide direction for His children, to help them experience enduring joy, and to bring them safely home to Him with resurrected, exalted bodies. The devil labors to make the sons and daughters of God confused and unhappy and to hinder their eternal progression," (Elder David A. Bednar, "Watchful unto Prayer Continually," Ensign, November 2019).

I always think of 2 Nephi 28:21, when we sing the chorus of "Come, Come Ye Saints" (you know--where we start singing "all is well"). I think Nephi meant something different when he criticized those who said "all is well in Zion," which is why I instead chose a quote about complacency from the above talk by Elder Bednar:
"Spiritual complacency and casualness make us vulnerable to the advances of the adversary," (Elder David A. Bednar, "Watchful unto Prayer Continually," Ensign, November 2019).

The problem with having called so many places home is that I can feel homesick even after I'm settled into a new place. This illustration is a tribute to South Carolina. The palmetto tree and crescent moon are not just a government symbol. It's a part of community pride. In the margin I wrote the following treasure scripture:
"I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea," (2 Nephi 29:7).

This next entry is one of my favorites. I had gone back to reread President Nelson's talk from the most recent Women's Session (and some of his recommended reading as well). I found this quote so provoking that I had to find a place to put it. 2 Nephi 30:2 speaks of "covenant people," which ties in with what President Nelson says about endowed women and priesthood covenants, and 2 Nephi 30:5 speaks of a restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let me know if you found another place in your scriptures for this quote:
"How I yearn for you to understand that the restoration of the priesthood is just as relevant to you as a woman as it is to any man. The heavens are just as open to women who are endowed with God's power flowing from their priesthood covenants as they are to men who bear the priesthood," (President Russell M. Nelson, "Spiritual Treasures," Ensign, November 2019).

I ended with a simple treasure quote:
"As many as shall believe in Christ shall also become a delightsome people," (2 Nephi 30:7).

Please share your favorite "treasure verses" or related conference talks in the comments section. I love seeing what other people are up to.

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