The journal is used for linking boss abilities so you don't have to explain as much to the raid. It's also useful to check durations on spells and whether it's physical/magic damage. All it does is save you a few wipes to write down timers on things and figure out whether something it blockable or not.
It's really only actively used by world first guilds, for the rest of us there's videos
Does anyone MAKE YOU look into that journal? Go on guild chat and say "hey let's never look at strat sites or journal again". Maybe it will solve your problems?
S.H.