6/27/2017 - Section 46:11-33

June 27, 2017

Section 46:11-33

Spiritual Gifts, Holy Ghost, Missionary Gifts, Wisdom, Knowledge, Testimony, Discernment of Spirit, Gift of Tongues,

Section 46 is one of the places I look when I want to know about spiritual gifts. P 100 has a great quote from Elder Orson Pratt: “whenever the Holy Ghost takes up its residence in a person, it not only cleanses, sanctifies, and purifies him, in proportion as he yields himself to its influence, 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….for all Saints who constitute the Church of Christ, are baptized into the same Spirit; and each one, without any exception, is made a partaker of some spiritual gift….Each member does not receive all these gifts; but they are distributed through the whole body [of the Church], according to the will and wisdom of the Spirit….Some may have all these gifts bestowed upon them, so as to understand them all, and be prepared to detect any spurious gifts, and to preside over the whole body of the Church, that all may be benefited. These spiritual gifts are distributed among the members of the Church, according to their faithfulness, circumstances, natural abilities, duties and callings; that the whole may be properly instructed, confirmed, perfected, and saved.” Masterful discourses, pp539-41.  (Gifts of the Spirit are also listed in 1 Cor 12:1-13 & Moroni 10:8-18.

V 15 is the gift to know the differences of administration. Sperry, Compendium p196 says: “….by ‘differences of administration’ is meant the distinctive varieties of service and ministration by which things are accomplished in the Church. The Lord seems to be saying that while there are diversities of services and ministers or agents, such as Apostles, High Priest, Seventies, and the like in the Church, they all depend on the same Lord and Savior, who is the head of the whole Church. One who has the gift by the Holy Ghost to know differences of administration is one who discerns correctly the services and agencies by which the Lord works.”

V 16 is the gift to know the diversities of operations. P 101 “The world today is filled with false philosophies and false prophets. This gift gives one the ability to distinguish between those things that are of the devil and those that are of God. To avoid deception requires constant vigilance and acquiring the gift or following those who have received the gift; otherwise, even the elect, according to the covenant could be deceived. “ Marion G Romney, in the April 1956 Gen Conf said “ Some of these counterfeits are crude and easily detected, but others closely simulate true manifestations of the spirit. Consequently, people are confused and deceived by them. Without a key, one cannot distinguish between the genuine and the counterfeit.”

I love the information given concerning v 17, the gift of wisdom: p 101 “…it refers to endowment of wisdom that comes to those who ‘ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally’ (James 1:5). This gift is frequently seen in Church leaders, such as presidents, bishops, and their counselors. Parents may receive this gift when counseling their children.”

V 18 speaks of the gift of knowledge: p 101 “The gift of knowledge is an endowment from God that comes by study and obedience. It is not just a storehouse of factual information but is a knowledge of the things of God obtained by revelation. Thus we read, “If thou shall ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable tings---that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal” (D&C 42:61)

V 23 is the gift to discern Spirits. Elder Stephen L Richards explained that the gift of discernment ‘arises largely out of an acute sensitivity to impressions—spiritual impressions, if you will—to read under the surface as it were, to detect hidden evil, and more importantly to find the good that may be concealed. The highest type of discernment is that which perceives in others and uncovers for them their better natures, the good inherent within them. It’s the gift every missionary needs when he takes the gospel to the people of the world. He must make an appraisal of every personality whom he meets. He must be able to discern the hidden spark that may be lighted for truth. The gift of discernment will save him from mistakes and embarrassment, and it will never fail to inspire confidence in the one who is rightly appraised. (Apr 1950 Gen conf)

V’s 24-25: the gift of tongues, p 101: “This is one of the most misunderstood gifts. The Lord may grant the gift of speaking in tongues to give an unusual message or communicate with those who speak a different language, as on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4-12). But newly-called missionaries who quickly grasp a foreign language may also be experiencing the gift of tongues.   Because this gift is often counterfeited and used to deceive, the Prophet Joseph Smith warned: “Be not so curious about tongues, do not speak in tongues except there be an interpreter present, the ultimate design of tongues is to speak to foreigners, and if persons are very anxious to display their intelligence, let them speak to such in their own tongues. The gifts of God are all useful in their place, but when they are applied to that which God does not intend they prove an injury, a snare and a curse instead of a blessing. (History of the Church 5:31-32, see also 1 Cor 14:1-25)

Basically, to me, it seems that gifts of the spirit are for our benefit AND for the benefit of others. I want to know which gifts to seek or to learn to recognize within myself. I would think there are many callings in which the gift of discernment would be much needed and so extremely helpful.

The final verses of this chapter give wonderful counsel to us: v 30 “He that asketh in the Spirit asketh according to the will of God.” I should be prayerful and thoughtful about what I ask and also ask for the wisdom to use the gift I request properly and for the benefit of all. V 32: “And ye must give thinks unto God in the Spirit for whatsoever blessing ye are blessed with.” Or I could also ask to be aware enough to recognize the blessing I am blessed with. It may be a gift of teaching.  I am sure that with these gifts, it is the same as with all truths—we receive them line upon line, precept upon precept. But if I want to increase my gift of teaching—or any other gift—v 33 says “And ye must practice virtue and holiness before me continually.” And that makes sense—for that should be our life in general.

5/4/2021 – D&C 46:13-33

As the Lord tells us more particulars of the Gift of the Holy Ghost, I think He is helping us learn how to discern between the influence of the Spirit and the influence of the hosts of Lucifer—for both are sure influences on this earth. John Witmer recorded some of the things the saints were doing in their meetings that were certainly not coming from the Lord: “Some would fancy to themselves that they had the sword of Laban, and would wield it as expert as a soldier, …some would slide or scoot…on the floor, with rapidity of a serpent, which they termed sailing in the boat to the Lamanites, preaching the gospel. And many other vain and foolish maneuvers that are unseeming, and unprofitable to mention. Thus the devil blinded the eyes of some good and honest disciples” (The Joseph Smith Papers, Histories, Volume 2: Assigned Histories 1831-1847)

In this section the Lord promises that we will not be deceived if we do things “in all holiness of heart, walking uprightly before [Him]” and “seek…earnestly the best gifts”-which are the spiritual gifts that can be given to us through the Holy Ghost. 

Elder Dallin H. Oaks : “The Spirit of Christ is given to all men and women that they may know good from evil, and manifestations of the Holy Ghost are given to lead earnest seekers to repentance and baptism. These are preparatory gifts. What we term spiritual gifts come next.

“Spiritual gifts come to those who have received the gift of the Holy Ghost. As the Prophet Joseph Smith taught, the gifts of the Spirit ‘are obtained through that medium’ [the Holy Ghost] and ‘cannot be enjoyed without the gift of the Holy Ghost.’ … (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith) (From Sep 1986 Ensign “Spiritual Gifts”)  These are true gifts to us from God, and their purpose, as v 12 says “that all may be profited thereby”. 

Elder Robert D. Hales explained how we can seek gifts of the Spirit: “A prerequisite for seeking after the gifts may require that we find out which gifts we have been given. …To find the gifts we have been given, we must pray and fast. Often patriarchal blessings tell us the gifts we have received and declare the promise of gifts we can receive if we seek after them. I urge you each to discover your gifts and to seek after those that will bring direction to your life’s work and that will further the work of heaven” (Ensign, Feb 2002, 16)

The Lord didn’t just talk about spiritual gifts in the D&C, for He also spoke of them in 1 Corinthians 12:8-11 and in Moroni 10:8-17. He knows that we can, by remembering and seeking these gifts, we will not be deceived (v 7-8)

Elder Marvin J Ashton: “Let us review some of these less-conspicuous gifts: the gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice; the gift of being able to weep; the gift of avoiding contention; the gift of being agreeable; the gift of avoiding vain repetition; the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the gift of being a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony; and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost” (Ensign, Nov 1987, 20)

V’s 13-14: “To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know….To others it is given to believe on their words”.  I remember teaching a lesson in Relief Society on the gifts of the spirit. I had tried to make visual aids by writing out a particular gift of the spirit and wrapping it up in a package. I came to my lesson with lots of wrapped packages. After talking about the gifts of the spirit and reminding everyone that these were our gifts, but our part of getting them was that we would have to seek them. I had to really plead to get individual  sisters to stand up and come open the present and then read the gift. As we came near the end of the lesson time, I had one last gift to be opened, and no one was volunteering to come and open it. Finally, Ruby Truby (we worked in MIA together with the teenage girls) stood up just because she liked me and wanted to help me finish up this lesson.  She came up and opened the package and then broke into tears. When she was able, she read “to some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world. To others is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful.” (v’s13-14).  Ruby then said opened up to us and told us of howt her parents had taught her the gospel throughout her life, and she had always attended church with them. She liked it, but she never felt she had a testimony for herself. She fell in love, and married, a fellow from church. They married in the temple, for that is what he wanted them to do, and it was what she had always been taught. She then told us that all her life she had worried that she had no testimony, but she always felt good about following her parents in their gospel work. And when she got married, she married a man with a firm testimony and she followed his lead in church attendance and callings. And then she said that today, all her prayers had been answered—this was her GIFT of the spirit to be able to comfortably follow her parents in their sure efforts in the gospel, and it was her GIFT to comfortably support her husband’s example of following all the commandments. The Lord had placed her in a good place, surrounded by two loving parents and a loving husband, and now she felt loved by Heavenly Father. I wish I could have written this in her words, but I knew that this lesson was a gift, not just to Ruby, but to every one of us!  I think that day that I had been given [v 18] “the word of knowledge, that all may be taught to be wise and to have knowledge”. 

Some other of those wonderful gifts: the faith to be healed (v 19) and the faith to heal. I remember a time in Singapore when both Dylan and Cal were there. Bob was out of town. I got a call from a man in our ward. He said he had just finished an appointment at the hospital which was very close to our apartment. He asked if he could come over and have my sons give him a blessing. When he got there, he said the doctor had found some problems and that he (our friend) would really appreciate a blessing.  The boys put their hands upon his head and gave him a beautiful blessing. I was surprised at some of the things they mentioned as to parts of his body. It was a time where it was very easy to feel the Spirit, for it filled our house. Much later he told us the full extent of his diagnosis. I shared that with our boys but they were not familiar with intricacies of this particular, serious health problems. But the very parts of his body that the boys had mentioned in the blessing, were the parts of his body that needed repair. It is beautiful when more than one spiritual gift is given and felt at the very same time: the faith to heal, and the faith to be healed. Our friend went on to live many long and productive years.

Other gifts: the working of miracles, the gift of prophesy, discerning of spirits, speaking with tongues, the interpretation of tongues, the gift that is available to those who are called as bishop (v 27)….”all these gifts are come from God, for the benefit of the children of God.” (v 26)

The Lord goes on to tells us that we must ask for these gifts with faith, and use these gifts with love—always giving our thanks to our Father in Heaven. And we “must practice virtue and holiness before me continually. Even so. Amen.” (v 33) This should be my every day life. That’s certainly a most lofty goal, but it is also a goal that will lead me to additional peace, and love, and a deeper spiritual closeness to my Father, and grow in His ways.