Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve spoke at the April 1982 general conference about the important message of Section 138 of the Doctrine and Covenants.
" On the third of October,' writes President [Joseph F.] Smith,in the year nineteen hundred and eighteen, 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. . . .
" `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.' " (Verses 1:1-2, 11.)
Elder Wirthlin then spoke on the topic of "pondering." He said that pondering, which he defined as "to weigh mentally, to deliberate, to meditate," can achieve the opening of the spiritual eyes of one's understanding. He said that the Spirit of the Lord may rest upon the ponderer as described by President Smith.
"And Jesus admonished the Nephites, `Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand.' (3 Ne. 17:3.)
"We are constantly reminded through the scriptures that we should give the things of God much more than usual superficial consideration. We must ponder them and reach into the very essence of what we are and what we may become."
