Gifts of the Spirit

This past week I had the opportunity to learn about the gifts of the spirit. They are a lot more common than we realize. In fact nearly every time the Priesthood is used a spiritual gift is being demonstrated.

Before diving in I give full credit to W. Jeffrey Marsh in his book The Light Within for ideas and the resource of information.

What are Spiritual Gifts:

• Spiritual gifts are manifestations of the Holy Ghost. 
• They are given as a witness to us that our baptismal covenant is being honored

Are there pre-requisites for obtaining spiritual gifts:

• Yes, having the Holy Ghost as a companion is pertinant
• Additionally is the aspect of being born again through: Faith, Repentance, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, and receiveing the Gift of the Holy Ghost.
• Humility before God
• Seeking, Asking and then exercising gifts at the appropiate time and according to God's will
• 1 Cor 13 teaches that unless we have Charity all spiritual gifts profit us nothing

Who has them:

• All who receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost after baptism are entitled to receive at least one spiritual gift. More can be given
• Those who are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints can also receive these gifts temporarily, although the greatest of spiritual gifts are available onle to members of Christ's church.

Why are we given them/ What is their purpose in the Plan of Salvation/ For what purpose are they used/ Why are they necessary:

• Spiritual gifts are given to perfect us and others
• They are given for our benefit and others, that all may be profited thereby
• They help us live more spiritually and enable us to be of greater service to others

How do we recognize what gifts we have been given:

• Patriarchal blessings
• Counseling with the Lord
• Through Prayer
• Through loved ones
• Through our leaders
• Through those who know us best
• Pondering Priesthood blessings
• Remembering the promises made to us when we are set apart for callings

Are there varying levels of spiritual gifts:

• Yes. 1 Cor 14 teaches how the gift of prophecy is greater than the gift of tongues
• The greatest gift is that of a seer. (Mosiah 8:16)

Why do some have one gift while others another:

• We are all at different levels in our pathway to perfection. Gifts are given in relation to our spiritual progression and maturity. 
• 1 Cor 12:12-31 teaches how we are all members of the body of Christ, and we are given different gifts to complement,enrich, and edify each other. If we all had the same gift then no one would be edified.

Gifts of the Spirit mentioned in the scriptures

Exodus 31:1-6

Wisdom

Understanding

Knowledge

All manner of workmanship

Devise cunning works

Work in gold, silver, brass

Cut and set precious stones

Carve timber

Wisdom to make all that God commands

D&C 46:13-25; Moroni 10:9-16; 1 Corinthians 12:5-10

Knowing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God

Believing the testimonies of those who know Jesus is the Christ

Administration in the kingdom of God

Discerning whether trends in society are of God

Possessing wisdom

Having knowledge and understanding to know how to teach it to others

Faith to be healed

Faith to heal

Understanding the working of miracles

Prophesying

Discerning spirits

Speaking in tongues

Interpreting tongues

Teaching the word of wisdom

Teaching the word of knowledge

Exercising exceedingly great faith

Working mighty miracles

Prophesying concerning all things

Beholding angels and ministering spirits

Daniel 2; 1 Nephi 2:2; 1 Nephi 8; Joel 2:28

Dreams

Visions

Jacob 4:6; Moses 7:13

Faith to command the elements

Mosiah 8:16-17; Moses 6:35-36

Seers to see all things both physical and spiritual

Mosiah 18:16,26; 27:5; Moroni 10:32-33

Filled with the Grace of God

Alma 9:21; D&C 100:5-8; Mosiah 28:11,13-16

Converse with angels

Speak/Teach/Preach by the Spirit

Translate Languages

2 Nephi 32:2-3

Speak in the tongue of angels

Moroni 6:9

Conduct meetings by the Spirit

Moses 6:5

Write by the Spirit

3 Nephi 29:6

Power to heal

Mormon 9:24

Power to cast out devils

Protection against poisonous serpents

Power to lay hands on the sick and bless them

D&C 124: 100

Power to raise the dead to life

D&C 93:1; 67:10

See God

Is there any connection between the Priesthood, Miracles and Spiritual Gifts:

Yes. When priesthood power is made manifest spiritual gifts are made manifest. Look at the above list and see how many gifts tie into the Priesthood. Additionally miracles both ancient and modern are signs of spiritual gifts.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf has said:

"When we serve in the Priesthood with all our heart, might, mind and strength, we have a promise of sublime knowledge, peace, and spiritual gifts. As we honor the Holy Priesthood, God will honor us, and we will 'stand blameless before [him] at the last day." 

How do we develop the gifts we have been given:

"Many times callings are extended to help us nurture and exercise spiritual gifts we may not even know we have. It takes a lot of prayer and practice to develop spiritual gifts. The Prophet Joseph said that "times and circumstances" are required to develop and "to call these gifts into operation." Accepting and fulfilling Church callings helps provide us with the "time and circumstances" to develop spiritual gifts."     -W. Jeffrey Marsh

How do we receive additional gifts:

“How many of you are seeking for these gifts that God has promised to bestow? How many of you, when you bow before your Heavenly Father in your family circle or in your secret places, contend for these gifts to be bestowed upon you? How many of you ask the Father in the name of Jesus to manifest Himself to you through these powers and these gifts? Or do you go along day by day like a door turning on its hinges, without having any feeling upon the subject, without exercising any faith whatever, content to be baptized and be members of the Church and to rest there, thinking that your salvation is secure because you have done this?...

“If any of us are imperfect, it is our duty to pray for the gift that will make us perfect. Have I imperfections? I am full of them. What is my duty?  To pray to God to give me the gifts that will correct these imperfections. If I am an angry man, it is my duty to pray for charity, which suffereth long and is kind. Am I an envious man? It is my duty to pray to seek for charity, which envieth not. So with all the gifts of the Gospel. They are intended for this purpose. No man ought to say, ‘Oh, I cannot help this; it is my nature.’ He is not justified in it, for the reason that God has promised to give strength to correct these things and to give gifts that will eradicate them. If a man lacks wisdom, it is his duty to ask God for wisdom. The same with everything else. That is the design of God concerning His children. He wants His Saints to be perfected in the truth. For this purpose He gives these gifts, and bestows them upon those who seek after them, in order that they may be a perfect people upon the face of the earth, notwithstanding their many weaknesses, because God has promised to give the gifts that are necessary for their protection.”     -President George Q. Cannon

When there is a lack of spiritual gifts it means that the Holy Ghost is not functioning in a society. When spiritual gifts and the Spirit cease to function among men, all is vain. (Moroni 7:37) 

“True greatness, from an eternal standpoint, is measured not in wordly station nor in ecclesiastical office, but in the possession of the gifts of the spirit and in the enjoyment of the things of God.”      -Elder Bruce R. McConkie

“God knows our gifts. My challenge to you and to me is to pray to know the gifts we have been given, to know how to develop them, and to recognize the opportunities to serve others that God provides us. But most of all, I pray that you will be inspired to help others discover their special gifts from God to serve.”     -President Henry B. Eyring