Seeking for Gifts of the Spirit

Many of you know, that I have been an interpreter and translator for Church events and materials ever since my mission ended over 30 years ago. In translation work, we often fuss over little words that most people gloss over. For example, the word "of" in the gift of the Holy Ghost vs. gifts of the Spirit. When we say the gift of the Holy Ghost we mean the gift which IS the Holy Ghost. When we say gifts of the Spirit, we mean gifts which are FROM the Holy Spirit.

Recently at the baptism of Eliza Rasmussen, I was prepared to say a few words at the end. The thought came to my mind while I was there that the gift which is the Holy Ghost enables us to receive these further gifts from the Spirit. It's a little like the story of the goose that laid the golden eggs. The Spirit is the goose, and the gifts of the Spirit are like the golden eggs. Our Father in Heaven loves us so much that when we covenant with Him to follow the Savior Jesus Christ, we are given a giver of continual gifts in the Holy Ghost!

Seek After the Best Gifts

This last year our ward has been focused on the theme of Receiving Personal Revelation, with challenges to attend the temple more than monthly and recording the revelation you receive. Connected to this theme, I have pondered over this specific topic of spiritual gifts and wanted to address you today concerning them.

Interestingly, the Lord gave the revelation in Doctrine and Covenants 46 about gifts of the Spirit in order to quell some of the unnatural and unusual manifestations that people were claiming to have as a result of feeling the Spirit (Revelations in Context). One of the most important gifts, the gift of discernment, was required to know which were of the Spirit and which were of something else. Verses 7 and 8 explain how to know.

7 But ye are commanded in all things to ask of God, who giveth liberally; and that which the Spirit testifies unto you even so I would that ye should do in all holiness of heart, walking uprightly before me, considering the end of your salvation, doing all things with prayer and thanksgiving, that ye may not be seduced by evil spirits, or doctrines of devils, or the commandments of men; for some are of men, and others of devils.

8 Wherefore, beware lest ye are deceived; and that ye may not be deceived seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given; (D&C 46:7-8)

Gifts of the Spirit have a purpose, and while we are commanded to seek the best gifts, we must always remember the purpose for which we should be asking. The Lord proceeds to tell us exactly why they are given:

9 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, that ask and not for a sign that they may consume it upon their lusts. (D&C 46:9)

Note that that you do not have to be perfect to receive these gifts, but seeking, or striving to love the Lord, desiring to give him all your whole soul (Omni 1:26). Also, note that these gifts cannot be sought after for your own gratification or the attention of others. Seeking after them for this purpose will invite pride and false manifestations to come.

Retain These Gifts in Your Minds

The next verse tells us that the Lord wants us to remember what gifts we should seek for:

10 And again, verily I say unto you, I would that ye should always remember, and always retain in your minds what those gifts are, that are given unto the church.(D&C 46:10)

To retain these gifts in your minds, you must study them in chapters such as Moroni 10, D&C 46, and 1 Corinthians 12. Study the extensive help on the subject of (Spiritual Gifts in Gospel Topics). Some of the gifts include:

Knowledge “that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world” (Doctrine and Covenants 46:13).

The capacity to believe the words of those who testify of Jesus Christ (see Doctrine and Covenants 46:14).

Knowledge of “the differences of administration” (Doctrine and Covenants 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 individuals discern whether a teaching or influence comes from God or from some other source (Doctrine and Covenants 46:16; see also 1 Corinthians 12:6–7).

The gift of wisdom (1 Corinthians 12:8; Doctrine and Covenants 46:17).

The gift of knowledge (1 Corinthians 12:8; Doctrine and Covenants 46:18).

The ability to teach by the power of the Holy Ghost (see Moroni 10:9–10; see also Doctrine and Covenants 46:18).

The gift of faith (see 1 Corinthians 12:9; Moroni 10:11).

The gift “to have faith to be healed” (Doctrine and Covenants 46:19).

The gift “to have faith to heal” (Doctrine and Covenants 46:20; see also 1 Corinthians 12:9; Moroni 10:11).

“The working of miracles” (1 Corinthians 12:10; Doctrine and Covenants 46:21; see also Moroni 10:12).

“The beholding of angels and ministering spirits” (Moroni 10:14).

“Discerning of spirits” (1 Corinthians 12:10; Doctrine and Covenants 46:23).

The gift to speak in different languages, or tongues (see 1 Corinthians 12:10; Moroni 10:15; Doctrine and Covenants 46:24).

These spiritual gifts and others listed in the scriptures are only some examples of the many gifts of the Spirit. The Lord blesses His children in many ways according to their faithfulness and their needs and the needs of those they serve.

The Gift of Prophecy

There is one gift I want to specifically mention: the gift of prophecy. "A prophecy consists of divinely inspired words or writings, which a person receives through revelation from the Holy Ghost. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Rev. 19:10). A prophecy may pertain to the past, present, or future. When a person prophesies, he speaks or writes that which God wants him to know, for his own good or the good of others. Individuals may receive prophecy or revelation for their own lives." (Guide to the Scriptures, “Prophecy”)

Please remember that while we may all be given the gift of prophecy, they are only valid within our callings or family stewardship and not for the whole Church. Nor will our prophecies contradict the Lord's words to His prophets.

Mothers are often granted this gift, both in the scriptures and in real life. The mothers of the stripling warriors, Anna, the prophetess in the temple, the wife of King Lamoni—all of them expressed a testimony of Jesus that strengthened others in their conversion to Christ. I have seen this gift in both my mother and my wife. We would all do well to recognize this gift in the women in our lives in addition to seeking it in our own lives for the benefit of others. Doing so will bring to pass the prophecy in Joel 2:28.

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

Obtaining Gifts of the Spirit

Finally we are reminded why gifts are given and what we must do to obtain them.

26 And all these gifts come from God, for the benefit of the children of God.

30 He that asketh in the Spirit asketh according to the will of God; wherefore it is done even as he asketh.

31 And again, I say unto you, all things must be done in the name of Christ, whatsoever you do in the Spirit;

32 And ye must give thanks unto God in the Spirit for whatsoever blessing ye are blessed with.

33 And ye must practice virtue and holiness before me continually. Even so. Amen. (D&C 46:26,30-33)

The Holy Ghost will confirm to us that we are asking for the correct gift as we pray with gratitude and according to the will of God.

Manifestations of Gifts of the Spirit

Just as the Holy Ghost speaks in a still, small voice, we should expect gifts of the Spirit to be manifest, most often, in still and small ways (1 Kings 19:11-12; D&C 85:6). I appreciated the comments from Brother Peter Vidmar of the Young Men General Board who visited last week. He spoke of how often while serving as a mission president, something would just "feel good" or "feel right", but that "good feeling" often led to miracles of conversion.

In addition, because "some [gifts of the Spirit are] given one, and to some [are] given another, that all may be profited thereby" D&C 46:12, you may find that rather than granting you a gift personally, the Spirit may guide you or others to connect in a way that you receive the benefits of their gift.

Example

I asked my dad to share some experiences where he was given gifts of the Spirit. He recorded a few for me and then called and asked if I had enough to choose from. I told him I did and what he provided would be wonderful. I still hadn't chosen which story to share when, a few days later, he called again, asking the same question. He had another story that he didn't record and wanted to see if I needed it. I assured him I had enough, but as I spoke with him I felt that perhaps it was an impression he had to offer more.

One day my father was working on the gate in the backyard. As he was working, he felt a distinct impression that his grandfather, Christen Peter Torgerson, was helping him. My dad was never much of a carpenter, unlike his grandfather. As he mentioned this impression to my mom, he felt that his grandfather wanted him to work on his family history line. One particular problem was that his grandfather's grandmother, Johanna Christensdatter, had no matching records and so work on that line was effectively stopped. My dad found many records that he did not have before as he searched for answers. One specific vaccination record of Christen Torgerson was dated 1851, a year before it was thought he was born in 1852. Because at that time they vaccinated at one years old, and it was common to list the christening date as the birthdate of children, my parents, working together, realized that Christen Torgerson was born in 1850, not 1852. This allowed the connection to Johanna Christensdatter as Christen Torgerson's mother. She likely died due to complications of giving birth to Christen in 1850. But now, her work and her family line could be done.

Note that in this experience my father was blessed with gifts of ministering spirits, knowledge, faith, and the gift of interpretation of tongues as he read Norwegian records.

Callings and Ministering

These same gifts and more can be yours as you seek for them in your callings and assignments. These opportunities to serve provide the means for you to learn how to obtain and use these gifts.

Family history work, callings that you feel are beyond your abilities, ministering to people you don't even know or to whom you cannot relate, family relationships that are difficult—all of these are situations from which you can learn the goodness and power of God as you use His gifts given to you through the Spirit.

Conclusion

President Nelson has said: “Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory. But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost” (Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives, President Russell M. Nelson, General Conference, April 2018).

The gifts of the Spirit are some of those miraculous indications and we will need these gifts to survive spiritually in these times and the future. Commit yourself to serving the Lord in your callings, in your families, living and dead, and in your ministering assignments. Study and retain in your memory these precious gifts that can attend you as you serve. Plead with the Father for these gifts of the Spirit and then go and do what the Lord has commanded you to do with faith in your Savior, Jesus Christ. I promise you that miracles will follow.