The sisters gathered for the Genesis Annual Women's Conference were told that writing in a journal is so important because it can help you learn more about yourself and your relationship to God. The more than thirty women who attended the conference—with the theme of "Writing Your Own Story. . . Finding the Spirit Through Journaling"—on Saturday, April 30, learned other reasons why writing your own history is essential and heard the spiritual and uplifting experiences of others.

Sister Fiona Smith, dressed in pioneer attire, opened the program with a reading from the journal of Jane Elizabeth Manning James. Genesis Relief Society President Gloria Wilkinson emphasized that we may have never known what we do about Jane had not Sister Eliza Partridge Lyman written in her journal about Jane's gift of flour to her starving family. Journals, Sister Wilkinson highlighted, help us tell about our experiences in our own words. As we take the time to tell our stories, the experience of writing in journals also helps us learn more about ourselves and our relationship to God.

Sister Tamu Smith, first counselor in the Genesis Relief Society, discussed how we as women can recognize and appreciate the various relationships in our lives. People, she said, come into our lives for "A Reason, A Season, and Life Experiences." Regardless of how brief or long those relationships are part of our lives, we can learn something valuable from each one. Sister Smith also explained that sometimes we hesitate to write because we are not in the right mood and beause we want to be careful of what we say because we are not sure who will be reading our journals. Demonstrating the courage to write how we feel, even though it may not seem "appropriate," may bless the lives of our descendants who are called on to pass through some of the same kinds of trials we ourselves face.

Sister AnneMarie Balfour, second counselor, brought us back to earth by talking about how to set the mood for recording our experiences and thoughts in "Making Home a Heaven on Earth." Sister Balfour encouraged the sisters to identify, and build on, what gives them peace. Whether it is music, a good book, or a poem, things that create peace help bring in the Spirit so we are open to learning and writing about our life's experiences.

Darius Gray, president emeritus of Genesis, welcomed the women with a reflection on the opening song, "Over My Head." That song, which helped many slaves escape to freedom, should also be a call to all women to remember that a greater power has a work for us as women to do. That same theme was reiterated in his closing remarks after the luncheon, in which he encouraged all of us to be part of the "critical mass" that will prepare the earth for the second coming of the Savior.

During lunch, facilitators at each table helped women voice their concerns and desires about Genesis. The general tone of the women was that they needed the experiences and support of diverse cultures. Each sister who attended was given a small journal and a pen engraved with the sentiment, "Write your own story. . . ." Many new acquaintances were made, friendships were enhanced, and lessons were learned at the conference. For more information or to contact the Genesis Relief Society, click here.