Brother Devin G. Durrant: My heart pondereth them continually

Brother Devin G. Durrant, the First Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency, extended an invitation to all members of the church to do two things weekly to help them receive both temporal and spiritual blessings.

Brother Devin G. Durrant encouraged Saints to 'ponderize' during the Sunday afternoon session of the 185th Semiannual General Conference.

The first invitation that was given by Brother Durrant was to save a non-specified amount of money each week.

'Imagine the positive outcome of saving money weekly, for six months, a year, 10 years or more. Small efforts sustained over time can produce significant results,' Brother Durrant said.

The second invitation was to 'ponderize' a verse of scripture each week. Brother Durrant explained that to ponderize a verse of scripture includes 80 percent extended pondering and 20 percent memorization of the verse.

Brother Durrant then listed the two steps involving the correct way to ponderize a verse of scripture.

'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.'

He then compared the ponderizing of scriptures to a snorkeler who decided to switch over to scuba diving. The person ponderizing will gain deeper insight and understanding just as a new scuba diver would better understand the depth of the ocean.

The Book of Mormon prophet Nephi, according to Brother Durrant, was a great example of a ponderizer because of his delighting in the scriptures as stated in 2 Nephi 4:15-16.

Brother Durrant explained that by ponderizing verses of scripture each week, members of the church can clear their minds of the filth and trash of the world and replace them with uplifting thoughts and images.

He shared some examples of how people have maintained their weekly ponderizing including putting the verse on a frequently visited location such a a fridge or the dashboard of a car, discussing the verse with spouses, children and siblings, or sharing the verse through social media or text messages.

'Please don't hesitate to include people of other faiths in your groups. They are also looking for ways to elevate their thoughts and to feel closer to God.'

Brother Durrant then shared examples from his family and friends of the benefits of ponderizing a verse of scripture each 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.'

Other General Conference news:

LDS Church announces three new apostles

Three new apostles to represent Christ throughout the world

English only at LDS General Conference

LDS Quorums of the Seventy now called General Authority Seventies

Slideshow: General Conference Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015

Women’s general session:

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: Now is a part of eternity

Sister Carol F. McConkie: The Lord’s agents

Sister Linda S. Reeves: Rewards will come

Sister Rosemary M. Wixom: Divine nature within you

Saturday morning session: