Day 302

  • Principle: Pondering is a form of prayer. 

  • Book of Mormon Reading: 3 Nephi 17:1 - 17:20

  • Marion G. Romney taught about prayer:

    • “As I have read the scriptures, I have been challenged by the word ponder, so frequently used in the Book of Mormon. The dictionary says that ponder means ‘to weigh mentally, think deeply about, deliberate, meditate.’ …

      “Pondering is, in my feeling, a form of prayer. It has, at least, been an approach to the Spirit of the Lord on many occasions. Nephi tells us of one such occasion:

      “‘For it came to pass,’ he wrote, ‘after I had desired to know the things that my father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as I sat pondering in mine heart I was caught away in the Spirit of the Lord, yea, into an exceeding high mountain. …’ (1 Ne. 11:1. Italics added.)

      “Then follows Nephi’s account of the great vision he was given by the Spirit of the Lord, because he believed the words of his prophet father and had such a great desire to know more that he pondered and prayed about them” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1973, 117–18; or Ensign, July 1973, 90).

  • How often do you think of God?  How regular do you ponder upon his teachings.  In verses 1-4 Christ invites all to ponder on his words, when have you followed this direction?  What have been the results of your efforts to ponder?

  • Verses 5-15 show many characteristics of Jesus Christ.  As you read through these verses make a list of Christ’s attributes.

  • Ezra Taft Benson said:

    • “That man is greatest and most blessed and joyful whose life most closely approaches the pattern of the Christ. This has nothing to do with earthly wealth, power, or prestige. The only true test of greatness, blessedness, joyfulness is how close a life can come to being like the Master, Jesus Christ” (“Jesus Christ—Gifts and Expectations,” Ensign, Dec. 1988, 2).

  • Additional Study: