What is “your part” in this world?
Have you ever felt like it wasn’t enough?
That your contribution isn’t important or interesting enough?
That someone else is doing a better job at it than you are?
Jarom was asked to record the sacred revelations from his lifetime. He wrote:
“I shall not write the things of my prophesying, nor of my revelations.
“For what could I write more than my fathers have written?”
Jarom had prophecies and revelations. I’m sure he gave great sermons. I’m sure he had a beautiful conversion story or a powerful prayer or some other unique experience.
But he felt that his predecessors had already written better things. Their experiences were more worthwhile.
I don’t want to pass judgment on Jarom.
But it does make me wonder. What did we miss out on?
What story could I be diving into and marking up as much as the verses from Nephi or Enos?
And it makes me reflect – where am I selling myself short?
Other people are doing a better job at being a mom.
Other people are better writers than I am.
Other people are better at serving selflessly.
Other people are more creative than I am.
But… I matter.
My experiences make me unique. My part on this earth matters.
So I will keep being a mom in the best way that I know how. I will keep writing to the best of my abilities. I will keep trying to serve more. I will create in my own way.
Because I matter. And what I do matters. And I will not sell my experiences short.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
10 Responses
I loved this and have thought the very same things when I read Jarom????
Great minds think alike!
Love this thought. We all have those feelings of I’m not good enough, I had one this morning. But I needed that reminder ????
I think those thoughts creep up on all of us! <3 Thanks for reading!
I love Jarom! His humility in recognizing he has nothing new to offer doctrinally is sweet. He is telling us to just follow the prophets, not worrying about making a personal contribution. But then he goes on to show how he is in the trenches, teaching, exhorting, laboring diligently with long-suffering so that his people will stay on the path and prosper by keeping the commandments. But he doesn’t say it was him doing all that—he gives credit to the prophets, priests and teachers. More humility. I’ve never pondered Jarom’s contribution before, but I am blessed this time to see a truly great example of one who loves and ministers to a difficult set of people at a difficult time in their history.
I actually fully agree with everything you wrote! He definitely shows us what a righteous example he was through his actions. It did just make me wonder this time what we might have missed from him. Just like how apostles today share their own stories to illustrate the same principles! Thank you for sharing your thoughtful response <3
I also feel this is our feeling when we abstain from sharing our testimonies on Testimony meeting, which by ther way is a commandment. I often find myself repeating ther same things.. “For what could I say more than my brothers and sisters have said” usually that helps me remember my covenants and I share my testimony.
Oh what a great application of this! Thanks for sharing!
I never thought of Jarom like this before. I love noticing the small human touches in these prophets. Thank you for deepening my reading!
That’s one of my favorite things to do – finding those little relatable qualities and learning from them! <3