I vaguely remember the
facebook comments that were made after Devin Durrant’s talk given during the
Sunday afternoon session in the October 2015 General Conference. It was the first general conference we had
watched after moving to Oregon. I don’t
know how focused I was on his talk. I
remember he used the word “Ponderize” though I didn’t realize how often. 22 times according to this website. Okay . . .
I
remember I had facebook friends who really liked the idea behind the word as it
offered some sort of empowerment – 20% memorization and 80% pondering. And then I had facebook friends who were
overly irritated with the new made-up word.
How dare someone introduce as non-existing word into conference! Would it be a trend? I was indifferent and really didn’t care
about the word one way or the other – although I may have leaned slightly
toward those who were not in favor than those that were – just because my
relationship with those that seemed to LOATHE the idea of PONDERIZATION were
closer friends to me than the ones who seemed to love the new word.
I
hadn’t heard that word many times since – though I do remember the few times I
did hear the word mentioned, I’d smile about the different comments made
particularly from those who hated the word.
And then I forgot all about the very existence of the word until
today. The bishop’s wife used it in her
talk. I Googled the word to learn about
where it had gone, not knowing a scandal had followed as a website was created
within hours of Bro. Durrant’s talk. The
website was labeled as “Priest-craft” by some members.
The
Urban Dictionary (here) provides several definitions for the word “Ponderize” – the seventh definition is the one that had been used in conference. Although it’s misfortune and most likely
ego bruising, it’s the first definition that makes me laugh. I must have a warped sense of humor. I’m glad that Ponderize didn’t become the trendy word that I suppose it could
have (I suppose because of the website scandal). I think if it had caught on, I would be rolling my eyes every time I hear
it.
