Seek Ye Earnestly the Best Gifts

1. Objective To help class members identify gifts of the spirit, seek to obtain them, and use them to serve others. OBJECTI Seek Ye Earnestly the Best Gifts Lesson 15 by Dennis N. Roberts

2. Fresh Crab and French Bread By Garnee Faulkner

3. Spiritual Gifts / Define Mormon Doctrine: • Spiritual blessings or abilities that are given by Christ through the Holy Ghost • Though predicated upon obedience, they are gifts because they are freely given and freely available

4. Spiritual Gifts / Identify #1 • Knowledge (D&C 46:13) • Belief in testimonies of Savior (D&C 46:14) • Knowledge of differences of administration (D&C 46:15 • Discernment to know diversities of operation (D&C 46:16) • Wisdom of knowledge (D&C 46:17-18) • Faith to be healed (D&C 46:19) • Faith to heal (46:20)

5. Spiritual Gifts / Identify #2 • Working of miracles (D&C 46:21) • Prophecy, viewing visions (D&C 46:22) • Discernment of spirits (D&C 46:23) • Speaking in tongues (D&C 46:24) • Interpretation of tongues (D&C 46:25) • Knowing Jesus Christ is Son of God • Knowing Book of Mormon is true

6. Spiritual Gifts / Identify #3 • Gift of testimony • Gift of receiving revelations • Gift of judgment • Gift of wisdom • Gifts of teaching, exhortation, preaching • Beholding angels, discerning spirits • Gift of translation • Gift of “seership”

7. Spiritual Gifts / Identify #4 Elder Bruce R. McConkie “Spiritual gifts are endless in number and infinite in variety. Those listed in the revealed word are simply illustrations.” How many spiritual gifts are there? Elder Marvin J. Ashton many “…less conspicuous gifts…”

8. Spiritual Gifts / Identify #5 • Gift of asking • Gift of listening • Gift of hearing and using still, small voice • Gift of avoiding contention • Gift of being agreeable • Gift of seeking what is righteous • Gift of not passing judgment

9. Spiritual Gifts / Identify #6 • 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 offering prayer • Gift of bearing a mighty testimony • Gift of receiving the Holy Ghost

10. Spiritual Gifts / Purpose • Bless us to do good • Strengthen us • Edify us towards peace • Guide us toward eternal life • Enlighten us • Encourage us • Unify us • Help us serve others • Help us avoid being deceived

11. President Boyd K. Packer “All inspiration does not come from God. The evil one has the power to tap into those channels of revelation and send conflicting signals which can mislead and confuse us. There are promptings from evil sources which are so carefully counterfeited as to deceive even the very elect.”

12. Prophet Joseph Smith "In order to have the power to distinguish between truth and error and to interpret properly a dream or vision, one must have a pure heart and a contrite spirit and be living a righteous life.” “Satan's mission is to deceive, and he can, and does, give revelation to those who permit themselves to fall into his power. Lying spirits are going forth in the earth. There will be great manifestations of spirits, both false and true.”

13. D&C 46: 7-9 8 …and that ye may not be deceived seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given; 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… that ye may not be seduced by 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. 1) evil spirits, 2) or doctrines of devils, 3) or the commandments of men…

14. Question 1 “…for there are many gifts…” D&C 46:11 How do we obtain spiritual gifts?

15. Opening the windows of heaven (with a constant connection) Heavenly Father Covenants & Promises Children Of Men Endowment & Gifts ...whenever the Holy Ghost takes up its residence in a person, it not only cleanses, sanctifies, and purifies him…, but also imparts to him some gift, intended for the benefit of himself and others.  No one who has been born of the Spirit and who remains sufficiently faithful, is left destitute of a spiritual gift. (Orson Pratt) 

16. Question 2 “…and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.” D&C 46:11 Do you know what your spiritual gifts are?

17. Finding our Spiritual Gifts Heavenly Father Covenants & Promises Children Of Men Revelations Experiences Patriarchal Blessings

18. Question 3 “…seek ye earnestly the best gifts…” D&C 46:8 Why should we seek spiritual gifts?

19. President George Q. Cannon How many of you, my brethren and sisters, 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? …

20. President George Q. Cannon 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?

21. President George Q. Cannon 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.

22. President Cannon continues 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 seek for charity, which envieth not. So with all the gifts of the Gospel. They are intended for this purpose.

23. President Cannon concludes 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.“ (Millennial Star, 23 Apr 1894, p260)

25. How does this apply to me? Have I identified my gifts? Have I sought the best gifts? Have I employed them to bless myself and others? OBJECTI Next Week Lesson 16 “Thou Shalt Offer Up Thy Sacraments Upon My Holy Day” (Member Study Guide page 10)