Pondering

My number one favorite scripture study tip?

Allow time while you are reading for your mind to wander on related topics.

In other words, ponder.

But this is often really tricky.

Because who has extra time to just sit there and let their mind wander, right?!

Our days are filled to the brim with other priorities.

Plus, we also place value on “getting things done”.

So if I’m just sitting there with my scriptures, staring off into space, and thinking…

What am I actually accomplishing?

It’s a lot easier to just read my assigned scriptures for the day, and then cross it off of my to-do list.

Did you happen to notice what Nephi did in order to allow the voice of the Lord to speak to him and give him great power?

Nephi was pondering.

He was pondering on previous miracles and revelations he had received.

He was just thinking about them.

He wasn’t talking to anyone else, scrolling through a phone, finding something else to clean, turning on music to fill the void, turning on a show…

He was just quiet.

And that quiet pondering is what led the Lord to give him amazing power and praise.

Are we making quiet moments?

This can be so difficult.

But spiritual development isn’t meant to be easy and convenient.

Because it’s not just nice to ponder sometimes.

It is ESSENTIAL to do every single day in order to open up God’s true power, to obtain personal revelation, and to feel peace.

So whenever I feel that my scripture study is starting to lose its power, I try to follow Nephi’s example from Helaman 10, and make space to ponder.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black