In his talk he tells how he and his wife, Julie, "ponderize" a verse of scripture each week. They've been doing this for 3 years now. This is a partial quote from his talk in which he gives some instruction on how to ponderize:
"I invite you to “ponderize” one verse of scripture each week. The word ponderize is not found in the dictionary, but it has found a place in my heart. So what does it mean to ponderize? I like to say it’s a combination of 80 percent extended pondering and 20 percent memorization.
There are two simple steps:
First, choose a verse of scripture each week and place it where you will see it every day.
Second, read or think of the verse several times each day and ponder the meaning of its words and key phrases throughout the week.
Imagine the uplifting results of doing this weekly for six months, a year, 10 years, or more.
As you make this effort, you will feel an increase in spirituality. You will also be able to teach and lift those you love in more meaningful ways.
If you choose to ponderize weekly, you may feel a bit like a person who has enjoyed snorkeling in the past but has now decided to try scuba diving. With that decision, a deeper understanding of gospel principles will be yours and new spiritual perspectives will bless your life.
As you reflect on your selected verse each week, words and phrases will be written on your heart.4 Words and phrases will also be written on your mind. In other words, memorization will take place easily and naturally. But the primary goal of ponderizing is to provide an uplifting place for your thoughts to go—a place that keeps you close to the Spirit of the Lord.
The Savior said, “Treasure up in your minds continually the words of life.”5 Ponderizing is a simple and edifying way to do just that.
I believe Nephi was a ponderizer. He said, “My soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them [continually], and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.”6 He was mindful of his children as he pondered and wrote the scriptures. How might your family benefit as you continually strive to fill your mind with God’s words?"
In her lesson, Savanna challenged us to ponderize a verse of scripture each week. She said that each month she would provide us with 4 verses of scripture that we can take home and use to do this. (Love this Savanna, thank you!)
Scriptures to ponderize for January 2016:
John 11:25: "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live"
John 14:6: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 3:17: "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved."
John 8:12: "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
Scriptures to ponderize for January 2016:
John 11:25: "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live"
John 14:6: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 3:17: "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved."
John 8:12: "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
