This picture is of Henry Bringhurst (half brother of Veda), Veda, and Will (Marias William, Veda's older brother) at ages about 10, 5, and 3. Henry is William Augustus' child by his first wife Selinda. I think it is interesting that Grandma referred to her as Aunt Selinda when labeling the picture.
Tis one is Veda and Will. I am assuming it is at a younger age.
I have been pondering lately about relationships, concerned that I fulfill my obligations and act appropriately. Some relationships are covenant relationships involving the Lord and perhaps we have no relationship with another person without involving either the Lord or Satan. I am still pondering that question, but that is another topic. One important relationship is that with our leaders in the Church. Although perhaps it is not a covenant relationship involving the Lord and accompanied by an ordinance in the same sense as a sealing relationship to a spouse, child or parent, it does in some sense involve all of those elements, albeit temporarily. It certainly does involve the Lord and the sustaining vote could be considered an ordinance of sorts. It is without question a vitally important relationship. This applies to local leaders as well as the general authorities. Many have lost their membership in the Church for not correctly understanding and fulfilling the terms of this relationship. My current thoughts on this relationship are summarized in the following.
It is as if the Lord says to us: “I have chosen this man. He is not perfect but I have confidence in him that he will do my will. I will speak through him and I want you to accept what he says as if I had said it. Though his words may not be polished and his grammar may not be perfect, the ideas that he expresses are the ideas that I have revealed to him by my spirit. If you, too, are in tune with that spirit, you will understand what he is trying to say and you will know that it is from me and that it is the truth. Since he is mortal and not perfect and he has his agency, he may fall. If he does, I will remove him from his place so that he will not lead you astray. It is neither your place nor your prerogative to correct him or reject him or try to remove him. I have called him and I will remove him if it becomes necessary or I will release him when he has finished his work. He is a man who is learning and growing like yourself, but I will give him special help while he is in this calling so that he can do what is required of him. It is your duty to follow him and sustain him as long as he remains in this calling.”
This is a picture of my Grandfather Wilkinson and two of his brothers, Percy Newton and Harold Herbert. They are listed on the back in the order of Stephen Robert Wells, Harold Herbert, and Percy Newton so I am assuming that is in left to right order. That matches with their relative ages as well.
I was asked to substitute in the Valiant B class in primary last week. The lesson was on 3 Nephi chapter 17. One of the points brought out in the lesson was that Christ perceived that the Nephites did not understand all that he had told them so he asked them to go home and “ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and prepare your minds for the morrow” (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 17:3). The boys were to understand that they should follow the same pattern when they did not understand something in the scriptures. I had to try to explain what ponder meant and that praying without first pondering would not be nearly as effective.
I find it interesting and helpful to explore the etymology of words, especially when it is obvious that the author has carefully chosen them to convey some nuance of meaning or when they are inspired as in this case. As Janet pointed out some years ago in Gospel ‘Doctrine class, ponder comes from the same root as pound as in weight. It has the connotation of assessing the importance or value of something. It involves critically thinking about and weighing the importance of an idea. I think in today’s society we have too little opportunity for pondering. I like to ponder as I am involved in some activity that does not require my full mental concentration. There used to be many more of those activities in the days when there were not so many labor saving appliances. What few opportunities we have today, we tend to fill with other distractions, like i-pods, etc.
I think it is important to make time for pondering. Instead of listening to the i-pod while mowing the lawn or doing the dishes, or cleaning the house, take time to ponder occasionally. Think of a scripture or a gospel topic you do not fully understand or that interests you and mull it over in your mind (mull from M.E. mullyn "grind to powder, pulverize,", divide it up into small pieces and examine it carefully). Then go back and re-read it and pray about it.
