1 For it came to pass after I had desired to know the things that my father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as I sat pondering in mine heart I was caught away in the Spirit of the Lord, yea, into an exceedingly high mountain, which I never had before seen, and upon which I never had before set my foot.
Nephi is shown this great vision as a result of him pondering (in an attitude of faith) the things that his father had taught. The importance of pondering and meditation along with sincere and quiet scripture study cannot be overestimated. The voice of the Lord, or the instruction of the Spirit comes in a still, small voice. In order to hear that still, quiet instruction, we must be still and quiet. In some cases, as recorded by a few prophets, the Spirit will take them away to mountains, usually to receive further instruction. My guess is that these mountains are like temples in that they allow you to be separated from the world for awhile. The Lord does not usually give us this kind of instruction until we demonstrate our readiness to receive it.
- D&C 138:11 — this section was received as a direct result of Joseph F. Smith pondering some scriptures.
- 3 Nephi 17:3 — Christ tells the people to go home and ponder the things He had taught them.
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