Spiritual Gifts

I love knowing that whatever the test or trials are in life, Heavenly Father cares so much that he provides the tools and the training needed to succeed in anything he asks us.  Even if the task seems huge and you can’t possibly see how this is going to come about, we can trust Heavenly Father to continue on as Nephi did.  I choose to stand with him in his statement saying:

“..I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.”  1st Nephi 3:7

So this scripture ties into Spiritual Gifts in that we may not be able to see the help Heavenly Father gives us, but it is there.  So, lets say we have a teenager that is often lying or deceitful in some way or another.  Lets suppose we take our plea up with the Lord and ask for help, whether we ask directly for a certain spiritual gift or not if we are found worthy to receive such the Lord will bless us.  I have seen this given as the ‘Gift of Discernment’.  To be able to discern what the true intention of the individual is regardless of what they’re actually saying.  We may not all recognize the gifts we’ve been given, but I’m going to point out several that I’ve found in my studies.

Spiritual Gifts:

• Gift of Agency to Choose
• Gift of knowledge “that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world” (D&C 46:13)
• Gift of believing others – The capacity to believe the words of those who testify of Jesus Christ (see D&C 46:14)
• Gift of knowledge of “the differences of administration” (D&C 46:15; see also 1 Corinthians 12:5). This gift is used in administering and leading the Church.
• Knowledge of “the diversities of operations,” which helps us discern whether a teaching or influence comes from God or from some other source (D&C 46:16; see also 1 Corinthians 12:6–7)
• Gift of “the word of wisdom” (1 Corinthians 12:8; D&C 46:17). It is the gift of wisdom—the ability to use knowledge in righteous ways.
• Gift of “the word of knowledge” (1 Corinthians 12:8; D&C 46:18)

• Gift of Teaching Wisdom and Knowledge (Moroni 10:9–10) To be given a special ability to explain and testify of the truths of the gospel.

• Gift of the ability to teach by the power of the Holy Ghost (see Moroni 10:9–10; see also D&C 46:18).
• Gift of exceedingly great faith (see 1 Corinthians 12:9; Moroni 10:11)
• Gift “to have faith to be healed” (D&C 46:19)
• Gift “to have faith to heal” (D&C 46:20; see also 1 Corinthians 12:9; Moroni 10:11)
• Gift of the working of mighty miracles” (1 Corinthians 12:10; D&C 46:21; see also Moroni 10:12)
• Gift of prophecy (see 1 Corinthians 12:10; Moroni 10:13; D&C 46:22). John the Beloved taught that “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10)
• Gift of the beholding of angels and ministering spirits” (Moroni 10:14)
• Gift of visions (Articles of Faith 1:7)
• Gift of revelations (Articles of Faith 1:7)
• Gift of discerning of spirits” (1 Corinthians 12:10; D&C 46:23)
• Gift to speak in different languages, or tongues (see 1 Corinthians 12:10; Moroni 10:15; D&C 46:24)
• Gift of “the interpretation of languages and of divers kinds of tongues” (1 Corinthians 12:10; D&C 46:25; see also Moroni 10:16)
• Gift to translate the word of the Lord (see D&C 9:8–9)
• Gift of fine workmanship in metals and wood and stone. (Ex. 31:1–5.)
• Gift of understanding (1 Kgs. 3:5–15.)
• Gift of discernment (1 Kgs. 3:5–15.)
• Gift of riches (1 Kgs. 3:5-15)
• Gift of honor (1 Kgs 3:5-15)
• Gift of speech (Moses 6:31)
• Gift of seeing (Moses 6:31) A seer – to be able to see things which were not visible to the natural eye.
• Gift of asking
• Gift of listening
• Gift of hearing and using a still, small voice
• Gift of being able to weep
• Gift of avoiding contention
• Gift of being agreeable
• Gift of avoiding vain repetition
• Gift of seeking that which is righteous
• Gift of looking to God for guidance
• Gift of being a disciple
• Gift of caring for others
• Gift of being able to ponder
• Gift of bearing mighty testimony
• Gift of receiving the Holy Ghost
• Gift of Being Quick to Observe

 “..Seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given; “For verily I say unto you, they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do; that all may be benefited that seek or that ask of me”

(D&C 46:8–9; see also 46:26)

Life has been fun, especially as I came to realize that everything I go through can be used as a guide for later experiences.  I’ve been talking to a various people and been able to communicate a thought or a concept without having the words to say such; and to even help them explain the concept they’re trying to express.  There is no other explanation as to how this could happen except to give credit to spiritual gifts, and our Heavenly Father for giving us such.

In the most basic sense any increase in light that an individual experiences may be regarded as a spiritual gift—or a gift or free offering of the Spirit.

Others may take the more subtle form of a talent or special skill or ability to discern.  So my husband for example in talking about this asked if there were a Gift of Programming… understanding that there was a gift of all manner of fine workmanship I’m positive there would also be many gifts in regards to computers.  The ability to put a computer together and understand the components needed.  The ability to program a computer to send proper signals from one component to another… and like I told my husband the gift to be able to program in such a way that the computer tells itself what to do – he’s always programming things to run themselves. 🙂  He’s a genius, and I know that he’s got some spiritual strength supporting him in that manner. So, there are many many many spiritual gifts – and in truth it all comes down to the tender mercy of our Lord granting such to us upon our faithfulness and obedience to his commands.

I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.

Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.

Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.

Alma 26:11-12,16

I praise my Father in Heaven with all the strength of my soul.  This I say in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!