Principles of Pondering

On October 3, 1918, Joseph F. Smith received the revelation recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 138 as he sat in his room “pondering over the scriptures” and reflecting on the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the love of God (v. 1-3). It had been a difficult year for him. One of his children and two of his children-in-law had died. Additionally, he was troubled by the millions of people who were dying in World War I and a global flu pandemic. So it’s not surprising that the revelation he received was about the state and destiny of people in the spirit world.

As Nephi and his family journeyed in the wilderness toward an uncertain destination, his father taught them some doctrines which were “hard to be understood” (1 Nephi 15:3). As he sat “pondering in [his] heart” (1 Nephi 11:1), he saw a vision in which an angel explained his father’s teachings and helped him understand the contribution his family would make to God’s work. (1 Nephi 11-14).

A descendant of his, also named Nephi, received an important revelation as he walked toward his home, “pondering—being much cast down because of the wickedness of [his] people” (Helaman 10:3).

What can we learn from these three examples?

1. Trials and tragedies can prepare our hearts to receive knowledge from God.
2. We sometimes experience things faster than we can process them. We need quiet time to let our minds work through what we don’t yet understand.
3. Pondering invites revelation. As we organize our thoughts and grapple with gaps in our understanding, the Spirit of the Lord can help us fill those gaps.
4. As revelation starts to flow, we may learn far more than the questions that originally concerned us.
5. Pondering is not a purely cognitive exercise. As we ponder, we engage both our minds and our hearts, organizing our understanding and our emotions.

Today, I will ponder “upon the things which I have seen and heard” (2 Nephi 4:16). I will slow down and take time to think about my recent experiences and the things I don’t yet understand or that trouble me. I will open my mind and heart, so that the Spirit of the Lord can teach me as I work through these questions.