Nearly 2,000 years ago, when the Savior made His appearance in the Western Hemisphere after His resurrection, He gave counsel that is so applicable to us today.

Among other things, He told the Nephites:"Go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father in my name, that ye may understand. . . ." (3 Ne. 17:3.)

What sound counsel, yet so beautifully simple!

Three key words: Ponder, ask, understand.

If we will ponder the things of God and ask Him in prayer to help us understand, we have the assurance that understanding will come. And what better place to ponder and pray and seek understanding than in the privacy of our own homes?

Every Latter-day Saint home should be such a sanctuary. There should be a tie between home and heaven. "Our homes," said President Ezra Taft Benson, "are divinely ordained." (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 525.)

Reflecting upon the things of the Spirit is so necessary whether we are studying the word of God in the scriptures or hearing it over the pulpit.

The 138th Section of the Doctrine and Covenants teaches us a valuable lesson about pondering and reflecting. Eighty years ago this month, President Joseph F. Smith received a revelation concerning the redemption of the dead after pondering over the scriptures in his room. In writing about this experience, he mentioned three times that he pondered over or reflected upon the matter, and as a result "the eyes of my understanding were opened." (See D&C 138:11.)

The Prophet Joseph Smith told of a similar experience prior to receiving a vision concerning the three degrees of glory. "While we meditated upon these things, the Lord touched the eyes of our understanding and they were opened. . . ." (D&C 76:19.)

While we may not be the recipients of such visions, surely, we should do as did Ezra of old: "For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it. . . ." (Ezra 7:10.) Pondering, reflecting and meditating seem to be an integral part of preparing our hearts as we seek to have "the eyes of our understanding" opened to the things of the Spirit.

It has now been almost a month since general conference. Have we really pondered those inspired messages and sought understanding through personal and family prayer, thereby preparing our hearts to act upon what we have heard? Or, have we been content to just have listened to the messages without letting them permeate our souls?

In President Gordon B. Hinckley's closing address of the past conference, he asked that as we return to our homes that we reflect upon the things that we heard.

"Where there is need for reformation in our lives may we make those adjustments which will lead to such," he counseled. "Where we have been stirred in our hearts, may we respond to the Spirit which has touched us. Where we have been lax in our duty, may we have the self-discipline to stand tall and do what is expected of us."

Such resolves frequently come from pondering.

"Take time to meditate," President Benson counseled. "Ponder the meaning of the work in which you are engaged. The Lord has counseled, `Let the solemnities of eternity rest upon your minds' (D&C 43:34). You cannot do that when your minds are preoccupied with the worries and cares of the world." (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 390.)

That is the challenge for all of us. The solemnities of eternity rest upon our minds only when we have prepared our hearts to receive them.

In the last chapter of the Book of Mormon, Moroni exhorts us, "that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

"And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." (Moro. 10:4-5.) It is a scripture widely used by missionaries worldwide.

However, before asking, Moroni counsels us to ponder it in our hearts. (Moro. 10:3.)

Ponder. Ask. Understand. Beautifully simple principles!