Ponder, Pray, Prepare and Promise

3 Nephi 16 & 17

Jesus continues speaking to the people.  In chapter 17 he tells the people he needs to leave – to report to his Father.  Hmmmm.  Return and Report.  This is something that I watch for currently in the scriptures.  Where is this principle taught?  Here is another one. 

Anyway, when he tells them he is going to leave, of course they are saddened.  He knows he has given them a lot of things that are hard to understand.  He gives them counsel to do four things:

• Ponder
• Pray
• Prepare
• Believe in his Promise 

I’ve written in my margin these are the four P’s to understanding the things we are being taught whether it be in the scriptures or the temple or meetings we attend. 

If we don’t ponder the things we are taught, we were merely occupied for the time it took.  If we don’t pray for understanding as we ponder, I would suppose it’s not much better.  The next one is “prepare”.  When we know we are about to be taught – (whether in the temple, conference, or any similar setting), we need to pray for the spirit to be with us and teach us.  What else do we need to do to prepare?  It would be helpful to avoid conflict and situations that would cause us to lose the spirit.   I have a quote on a Post-it note from Elder Theodore M. Burton.  He describes what happens when we become angry.  “Whenever you get red in the face, whenever you raise your voice, whenever you get ‘hot under the collar,’ or angry, rebellious, or negative in spirit, then know that the Spirit of God is leaving you and the spirit of Satan is beginning to take over.” 

Ways of making peace and becoming children of God:

• Love unconditionally
• Return good for evil 
• Pray for enemies
• Forgive
• Understand
• Show respect
• Be thoughtful
• Kind, considerate
• Righteous example
• Control self 

These are the things we must do to prepare to be taught by the spirit.  Each Saturday, I try to ponder the thought that I will be partaking the sacrament the next day.  I need to remember to keep this list in mind as I prepare myself.  This would be the kind of “prepare” I believe Jesus is telling the people to do.