Ponderize Week #4: November 8-14

Week #4 Ponderize

Bishop Valentine

Moroni 7:16

"For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God."

Bishop's Comments: This is powerful to me at a time when there is doubt and uncertainty throughout the world. People are confused about what is right and what is wrong. You could say that same sex marriage is “right” because it is about making people happy. However, can that ultimately lead to eternal marriage and eternal increase of children in the eternities? No! Therefore, same-sex marriage does not “persuade to believe in Christ” for his teaching are about being perfect as He is and obtaining eternal life.

Brother Forsyth

Mosiah 3:19

 "For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father."

Ben's comments: I often reflect on this verse as I think it relates to so many things in life and answers many questions one may have.  I came across it last night as I was reading lesson 2 for the marriage and family relations class.  I have never read a lesson a week in advance, but I believe I needed to see this scripture and further understand its significance. As Natural man we all look for the easy way and can often find excuses to avoid things that may be untimely or inconvenient in our lives.    Reuben J Clark taught that It is our Surrender to the Authority of Jesus Christ which will allow us to be bound as families, as a church, and as the children of our Heavenly Father.

Brother Crockett

Moroni 7:45

"And charity suffereth long and is kind and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in inquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."

Kyle's comments:

I felt prompted after stake conference and the general conference talk by Larry Lawerence on asking myself, what lack I yet?  After praying about this, I have felt prompted to work on the different aspects of charity.  This scripture helps me to focus on the different aspects that I need to be more charitable.  Rather than attempting to do all of this at once, my goal is to take one aspect over the next several weeks to work on.  This week is "seeketh not her own", trying to give more of myself to my wife and children.

Brother Gibby

D&C 45:12

"For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads."

Daniel's Comment: The hymns always help me feel the Spirit. I can definitely use that blessing.

Brother Burton
D&C 130: 20-21
There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessing are predicated. And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated

Ponderize Week 3: November 1-7

The Bishopric of the 7th Ward continues to ponderize! Here's the next set:

Bishop Valentine
Philippians 1:27
"Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel."

Bishop's Comments:
President Hinckley once asked that all the youth put this scripture on their walls, mirrors, lockers, etc. He asked that we make all of our conversations "as becometh the gospel of Christ." If we did this, we would speak cleanly, we would testify of Christ, and we would become as disciples of Christ.

Brother Forsyth

3 Nephi 15:9

"Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life."

Brother Forsyth comment: This is the scripture that hit me lost when I first read the Book of Mormon before my mission. It still strikes me today. As Christ says “I and the law, and the light”….  Pretty simple phrase, that has tremendous meaning.

Brother Crockett
Ether 12:4
"Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God."

Bishop's Comment: Brother Crockett shared this scripture in our BYC meeting and also in testimony meeting. This was a powerful scripture at a time when people are questioning a recent handbook change about same-sex marriage. When we have faith and believe in God, it creates an anchor to our souls. This is what we all need right now: anchors of doctrine, anchors of love, anchors of faith.

Brother Gibby

D&C 19:15-19

"Therefore I command you to repent--repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore--how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not. For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent. But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I. Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed from every pore, and to suffer both body and Spirit--and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink. Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men."

Brother Burton

3 Nephi 9:13-14

"O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you? Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me."

Brother Burton Comment: This really stuck with me last night as we were reading. Christ truly is the great Healer.

Ponderize Week #2: October 25-31

Here are the Ponderize verses for this week:

Bishop Valentine

D&C 64:33

"Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great."

Brother Forsyth (1st Counselor):

3 Nephi 15:9

"Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life."

Brother Crockett (2nd Counselor):
3 Nephi 13:34
"Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient is the day unto the evil thereof."

Brother Gibby (Executive Secretary):
D&C 6:33-34
"Far not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward. Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail."

Brother Burton (Ward Clerk):

3 Nephi 9:13-14
"O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will y not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you? Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me."