Spiritual Gifts

36863, True to the Faith, Spiritual Gifts, 165-66

Spiritual gifts are blessings or abilities that are given by the power of the Holy Ghost. God gives at least one of these gifts to every faithful member of the Church. As you receive these gifts, they will strengthen and bless you individually and help you serve others. (See D&C 46:8-12.) The scriptures teach of many gifts of the Spirit:

*     Knowledge "that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world" (D&C 46:13).

*     The capacity to believe the words of those who testify of Jesus Christ (see D&C 46:14).

*     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).

*     The gift of "the word of wisdom" (1 Corinthians 12:8; D&C 46:17). This does not refer to the law we know as the Word of Wisdom. Rather, it is the gift of wisdom-the ability to use knowledge in righteous ways.

*     The gift of "the word of knowledge" (1 Corinthians 12:8; D&C 46:18).

*     The ability to teach by the power of the Holy Ghost (see Moroni 10:9-10; see also D&C 46:18).

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

*     The gift "to have faith to be healed" (D&C 46:19).

*     The gift "to have faith to heal" (D&C 46:20; see also 1 Corinthians 12:9; Moroni 10:11).

*     "The working of miracles" (1 Corinthians 12:10; D&C 46:21; see also Moroni 10:12).

*     The 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).

*     "The beholding of angels and ministering spirits" (Moroni 10:14).

*     "Discerning of spirits" (1 Corinthians 12:10; D&C 46:23).

*     The gift to speak in different languages, or tongues (see 1 Corinthians 12:10; Moroni 10:15; D&C 46:24).

*     The gift of "the interpretation of tongues" (1 Corinthians 12:10; D&C 46:25; see also Moroni 10:16).

These spiritual gifts and others listed in the scriptures are only some examples of the many gifts of the Spirit. The Lord may bless you in other ways depending on your faithfulness and on your needs and the needs of those you serve. He has commanded us to work diligently so we can receive spiritual gifts:

"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;

"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 D&C 46:26).

Additional references: 1 Corinthians 13; 1 Corinthians 14:1-33; Moroni 10:17-25; D&C 46:27-33; Articles of Faith 1:7

See also Holy Ghost; Revelation



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