"Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard" (2 Nephi 4:16, emphasis added).
The word "ponder," which has significance in this passage of scripture, is defined as, "to weigh mentally, think deeply about; consider carefully; to deliberate, to meditate" (Webster's New World College Dictionary, Fourth Edition, 2001, IDG Books Worldwide Inc.).
Pondering requires an investment of time and effort beyond that which is necessary for just reading the scriptures or listening to counsel given by Church leaders in settings such as general conferences.
President Gordon B. Hinckley wrote the following in a First Presidency Message published in the February 1999 issue of the Ensign:
"I heard President David O. McKay say to the members of the Twelve on one occasion, 'Brethren, we do not spend enough time meditating.'
"I believe that with all my heart. Our lives become extremely busy. We run from one thing to another. We wear ourselves out in thoughtless pursuit of goals which are highly ephemeral. We are entitled to spend some time with ourselves in introspection, in development. I remember my dear father when he was about the age that I am now. He lived in a home where there was a rock wall on the grounds. It was a low wall, and when the weather was warm, he would go and sit on his wall. It seemed to me he sat there for hours, thinking, meditating, pondering things that he would say and write, for he was a very gifted speaker and writer. He read much, even into his very old age. He never ceased growing. Life was for him a great adventure in thinking.
"Your needs and your tastes along these lines will vary with your age. But all of us need some of it. I decry the great waste of time that people put into watching inane television. I am not antisports. I enjoy watching a good football game or a good basketball game. But I see so many men who become absolutely obsessed with sports. I believe their lives would be enriched if, instead of sitting on the sofa and watching a game that will be forgotten tomorrow, they would read and think and ponder.
"They would be blessed if they were to go out into the dark of the night, look at the stars, and ponder their place in the eternal plan of the Almighty. I think David must have been by himself under the starry heavens when he declared:
"'When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
"'What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
"'For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour"' (Psalm 8:3—5).
Church leaders encourage us to think about, ponder and evaluate the teachings recorded in scriptures or expounded at pulpits. Under direction of the Holy Ghost, we can develop or strengthen our own testimonies of the truths that we read about or hear.
The scriptures make it possible for us to know of our Heavenly Father. They teach and testify of His Son Jesus Christ. Also, they teach of Divine will and of what is required for us to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father.
Of the counsel given by specially called elders of this dispensation, the Savior declared, "And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord" (Doctrine and Covenants 68:4).
During a journey in unfamiliar territory, the wise traveler will take time to study a map or seek direction from those who know the way. Each one of us is as a traveler journeying far from home. It is little wonder, then, that we are counseled to ponder the scriptures and follow directions given by apostles and prophets as we strive to find the route that will take us back to our heavenly home.
