The Gospel in Words: 'Ponder'

"For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them." (2 Nephi 4:15)Elder Marvin J. Ashton taught, "By pondering we give the spirit an opportunity to impress and direct. Pondering is a powerful link between the heart and the mind. Pondering is a progressive mental pursuit. It is a great gift to those who have learned to use it. We find understanding, insight, and practical application if we use the gift of pondering" (November 1987 Ensign).The word "ponder" comes from a root word that means to stretch, spin, weigh in the mind or work, such as tilling the soil. The definition of ponder is to estimate or reckon the worth, value or amount of something; to find or make out a way, or a path. Ponder also means to weigh mentally, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion; to think over, consider or reflect upon. In the sense most relevant to its scriptural use, ponder means to think or reflect deeply, to meditate or contemplate, to muse, to wonder (Oxford English Dictionary).President Henry B. Eyring has taught that one of the great keys to inviting the spirit in our lives is to study and ponder the scriptures. "The Holy Ghost will guide what we say if we study and ponder the scriptures every day." We are commanded to "treasure up in your minds continually the words of life. We treasure the word of God not only by reading the words of the scriptures but by studying them. We may be nourished more by pondering a few words, allowing the Holy Ghost to make them treasures to us, than to pass quickly and superficially over whole chapters of scripture" (November 1997 Ensign).In the twilight of his life, President Joseph F. Smith gave us one of the greatest practical lessons in pondering the scriptures. The result was Section 138 of the Doctrine and Covenants, where he received the glorious revelation on the Atonement of the Savior, his visit to the spirits of the dead and the eventual redemption of the dead."I sat in my room pondering over the scriptures; and reflecting upon the great atoning sacrifice that was made by the Son of God, for the redemption of the world. While I was thus engaged, my mind reverted to the writings of the apostle Peter. I opened the Bible and read the third and fourth chapters of the Epistle of Peter, and as I read I was greatly impressed, more than I had ever been before. As I pondered over these things which are written, the eyes of my understanding were opened, and the spirit of the Lord rested upon me" (D&C 138:1-2, 5-6, 11).