Nephi bears testimony that Lehi received the power of the Holy Ghost “by faith on the Son of God.” Nephi “was desirous also that [he] might see, and hear, and know of these things by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him” (v. 17). While it may seem presumptuous of Nephi to want to know of the things his father had seen, such desires are not offensive to the Lord. The Prophet Joseph taught: “God hath not revealed anything to Joseph, but what he will make known unto the Twelve, and even the least Saint may know all things as fast as he is able to bear them” (TPJS, 149). By diligently seeking, Nephi was living righteously, and thus received a knowledge of the mysteries. As Nephi sat pondering over the things he had heard from his father, he was caught away in the Spirit of the Lord into an exceeding high mountain and was taught by the Spirit. To ponder is to study or weigh spiritually in one’s mind. Thus, the formula for obtaining the power of the Holy Ghost, in order to learn the mysteries of God, is to exercise faith and ask God (pray), to diligently seek after God by living worthily to receive revelation (knock), and to ponder in your heart and mind (study) the possible meanings of the experience or scripture. “Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (3 Nephi 14:7; Matthew 7:7).
Nephi further testifies that God is unchanging; and therefore the power of the Holy Ghost has always been, and will always be, the source by which the mysteries of the kingdom can be unfolded (vv. 18–19). Of course these mysteries are not the ones from which we are admonished to refrain, but those God has reserved for the faithful to have revealed to them. “It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God … and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full” (Alma 12:9–10; see also 26:21–22).