Spiritual Gifts: When One is Not Enough

1. Spiritual Gifts: When One is Not Enough When we think of spiritual gifts, we typically imagine ourselves as having one or two, which we think should probably satisfy us for a lifetime. But on second thought--don't the Father and the Son have every spiritual gift?  If our goal is to be like them, then our quest must be to receive every spiritual gift, using each in the divine work of life-long learning and loving.

2. Moroni 10: 8-18 1 Corinthians 12:2-11 D&C 46:11

3. Knowledge that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (D&C 46:13) Belief in others’ testimonies of the Savior (D&C 46:14) Knowledge of the differences of administration (D&C 46:15) Discernment to know the diversities of operations, whether they be of God (D&C 16) Wisdom and knowledge (D&C 46:17-18) Teaching the word of knowledge (Moroni 8:10) Faith to be healed (D&C 46: 19) Faith to heal (D&C 46: 20) Exceeding great faith (Moroni 8: 11) Working of miracles (D&C 46: 21) Working of mighty miracles (Moroni 8:12) Prophecy(D&C 46:22) Discerning of spirits (D&C 46: 23) Speaking in tongues (D&C 42: 24) Interpretation of tongues (D&C 42: 25) All kinds of tongues (Moroni 8:15) Charity(1 Corinthians 13) Revelation(Articles of Faith 1:7) Visions(Articles of Faith 1:7) Dreams(Joel 2:28) Beholding of angels and ministering spirits (Moroni 8:14) Teach the word of wisdom (Moroni 8:9)

4. “ Spiritual gifts are endless in number and infinite in variety. Those listed in the revealed Word are simply illustrations.” --Bruce R. McConkie, A New Witness for the Articles Of Faith, 371

5. “Less-conspicuous gifts” are: Translate records Asking Listening Hearing and using still, small voice Avoiding contention Being agreeable Seeking what is righteous Not passing judgment Looking to God for guidance Being a disciple Caring for others Ability to ponder Offering prayer Researching our ancestors Bearing a mighty testimony Spiritual perspective Marvin J. Ashton, “‘There Are Many Gifts’,”Ensign, Nov 1987, 20

6. D&C 46: 11For all have not every giftgiven unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. Moroni 10: 17And all these gifts come by the Spirit of Christ; and they come unto every man severally, according as he will. 1 Corinthians 12:11But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

7. Spiritual Gifts -- a spring board to God’s characteristics and qualities -- a sample of what is possible

8. “If we understand that our potential is to become like our Father – joint heirs with Christ – should we not aspire to omniscience (knowing all things) and omnipotence (able to do all things)? If we might someday be creating ‘worlds without number’ of our own, what information or skill can we afford to ignore . . . . “ Julene Bassett , Educational Principles of the Restoration

9. “We are at war! Our enemy is not an invading army from a bordering nation or a navy of some overseas power. Bullets are not whizzing above our heads, nor are bombs exploding in and around our homes. Nevertheless, we are engaged in a life-and-death struggle with forces capable of thrashing us inside out and sending us down into the depths of spiritual defeat if we are not vigilant.” The Temple Garment: “An Outward Expression of an Inward Commitment” Elder Carlos E. Asay (1926–1999) Liahona September 1999

10. Realization is a step to acquisition. Heavenly Father gives you what you seek….whatever it may be. And He asks us over and over again to seek HIM . . . . to be like HIM.

11. 16. Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should actfor himself. . . .  26. And the Messiah cometh in the fullness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be actedupon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given. (2 Nephi 2:16, 26 )

12. “He who develops his gifts to the fullest capacity is granted additional gifts even beyond his natural capacity.” Gifts of the Spirit, Duane Crowther, 19

13. “Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessing that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings.” Bible Dictionary, 753 (emphasis added)

14. “If any of us are imperfect, it is our duty to pray for the gift that will make us perfect. … 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 Church. 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.” George Q. Cannon, Millennial Star, Apr. 1894, p. 260.

15. . . . . when you need them to do the Lord’s work, you can access spiritual gifts through FAITH and COMMUNICATION and COMPANIONSHIP with the Holy Ghost

16. Spiritual Gifts help us to recognize what the Lord’s power and work are and then to take part in them with HIM.

17. “Spiritual Gifts are not for scoffers. They are granted to those who will place their faith in the things of the Divine and will humbly seek to be participants in the eternal workings of God.” Gifts of the Spirit, Duane S. Crowther, ii

18. To be like Him . . . .