In 1 Corinthians 12:1‒11 in the New Testament, the apostle Paul enumerates gifts of the Spirit found in the Church, including “divers kinds of tongues,” “prophecy,” “healing,” and “the interpretation of tongues.” Paul says explicitly that “no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost,” a firm affirmation of the principle of revelation. He also speaks of “visions and revelations” in 2 Corinthians 12:1. Importantly, he points out that “the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal” (1 Corinthians 12:7), meaning that everyone can enjoy the blessed gifts of the Spirit.
By Study
The seventh Article of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints likewise declares: “We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.” (The Pearl of Great Price, The Articles of Faith 1:7.)
Assignment
Study the following chapter from the Church manual Gospel Principles, which is available free online in electronic form or in hard copy for members at the Church’s online store and for anyone else here (the chapters listed below all have links to the online version):
Chapter 22: The Gifts of the Spirit
Also read the talk “The Voice Is Still Small” by Elder Graham W. Doxey, who was a Seventy at the time he delivered it at general conference in April 1991.
By Faith
The gifts of the Spirit are sometimes dramatic, such as the working of miracles and some healings. But for the most part, the Spirit operates quietly and without fanfare. The good feeling we receive when we do good is a spiritual confirmation. So is the warm assurance we call a testimony.
Yet we live in a noisy world. Some of us have screens in front of our eyes or speakers pushing sound into our ears almost constantly. While these technologies can be blessings, they can interfere with more important gifts if not used wisely.
Assignment
After finishing the reading assignment in Gospel Principles noted above, ponder Doctrine and Covenants 46:11‒12, which says, “For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby.”
Ask yourself, “What gifts of the Spirit have I been given? How can I use these gifts to advance the Lord’s work of bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of His children?” Then set a time this week to do something to advance the work.
Credit for the image at top of the page: Detail from relief, Campo Santo, Pisa, Italy, stock photo from depositphotos.com.
