Might Have Been

A poem from 1856 written by John Greenfleaf Whittier (1807–1892) contains the well-known quotation: "For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: 'It might have been!'" This phrase has been re-quoted on many occasions and for several purposes. Most memorable in my mind was Dr. Cook, my 9th Grade English teacher, who stressed the regrets not only of experiences left unfulfilled, but of the experiences we do have being undocumented for future review. We all live a story, but our tale undocumented is the only real tragedy. Such is the plight of the missionary who fails to faithfully document his or her daily experiences in a journal, or for those who fail to pass along important family history and traditions to their posterity. And such was the plight of poor Chemish in The Book of Mormon, of whom we will never know much about.

 Omni 1:8 And it came to pass that I did deliver the plates unto my brother Chemish.
 9 Now I, Chemish, write what few things I write, in the same book with my brother; for behold, I saw the last which he wrote, that he wrote it with his own hand; and he wrote it in the day that he delivered them unto me. And after this manner we keep the records, for it is according to the commandments of our fathers. And I make an end.

LESSON LEARNED: A life undocumented is a life unfulfilled. Like a squandered fortune, it is selfish oversight that robs future posterity of precious riches.

FEEDBACK: WHAT WRITTEN OR ORAL LEGACY ARE YOU FAITHFULLY LEAVING BEHIND FOR OTHERS TO LEARN FROM?