Gospel Principles
Unit 6: The Gospel of Jesus Christ
Chapter 22: The Gifts of the Spirit
Concept 2: Gifts of the Spirit (part 1)
"The Gifts of the Spirit
The Scriptures mention many gifts of the Spirit. These gifts have been given to members of the true Church whenever it has been on the earth (Mark 16:16-18 "16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall nothurt them: they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.").
The Gifts of the Spirit include the Following:
The Gifts of Tongues (D&C 46:24 "And again it is given to some to speak with tongues.")
Sometimes it is necessary to communicate the gospel in a language we have not learned. When this happens, the Lord can bless us with the ability to speak that language. Many missionaries have received the gift of tongues when there was a great need for it. For example, Elder Alonzo A. Hinckley was a missionary in Holland who understood and spoke very little Dutch even though he had prayed and studied hard. When he returned to a home he had visited before, a lady opened the door and spoke to him very angrily in Dutch. To his amazement he could understand every word. He felt a strong desire to bear his testimony to her in Dutch. He began to speak, and the words came out very clearly in Dutch. But when he returned to show his mission president that he could speak Dutch, the ability left him. Many faithful members have been blessed with the gift of tongues. (see Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, 2:32-33).
The Gift of Translation (D&C 5:4 "And you have a gift to translate the plates; and this is the first gift that I bestowed upon you; and I have commanded that you should pretend to no other gift until my purpose is fulfilled in this; for I will grant unto you no other gift until it is finished.")
If we have been called by the leaders of the Church to translate the word of the Lord, we can receive a gift to translate the word of the Lord, we can receive a gift to translate beyond our natural ability. As with all gifts, we must live righteously, study hard, and pray to receive it. When we do these things, the Lord causes us to feel a burning inside concerning the correctness of the translation (D&C 9:8-9 "8 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.
9 But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me.")
Joseph Smith had the gift of translation when he translated the Book of Mormon. This gift came to him only when he was in tune with the Spirit.
The Gift of Wisdom (D&C 46:17 "And again, verily I say unto you, to some it is given, by the Spirit of God, the word of wisdom.")
Some of us have been blessed with the ability to understand people and the principles of the gospel as they apply in our lives. We are told;
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
"But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
"For let not that man think he shall receive anything of the Lord". (James 1:5-7)
The Lord said, "Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich" (D&C 6:7)
The Gift of Knowledge (D&C 46:18 "to another is given the word of knowledge, that all may be taught to be wise and to have knowledge.")
Everyone who becomes like Heavenly Father eventually knows all things. The knowledge of God and his laws is revealed by the Holy Ghost (D&C 121:26 "God shall give unto you knowledge by his Holy Spirit, yea, by the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, that has not been revealed since the world was until now;") We can not be saved if we are ignorant of these laws (D&C 131:6 "It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance.").
The Lord revealed, "And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come." (D&C 130:19). The Lord has commanded us to learn as much as we can about his work. He wants us to learn about the heavens, the earth, things that happen or will happen, things at home or in foreign lands (D&C 88:78-79 " 78 Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand;
79 Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms").
However, there are those who try to gain knowledge by their own study alone. They do not ask for help of the Holy Ghost.. They are those who are always learning but never arrive at the truth (2 Timothy 3:7 "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."). When we receive knowledge by revelation from the Holy Ghost, his Spirit speaks to our minds and our hearts and we feel the truth burn within us (D&C 8:2 "Yea, behold, I willtell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.").
Discussion
What kind of things should we learn about? (dc/90/15#15">D&C 90:15 "And set in order the churches, and dc/90/15a">study and dc/90/15b">learn, and become acquainted with all good books, and with dc/90/15c">languages, tongues, and people.")
2 Nephi 9:28-29 " 28 O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.
29 But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God."
D&C 88:118 "And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith."
What is the right way to gain knowledge?"