Spiritual Gifts

Have you ever wondered what your spiritual gifts are? Or what spiritual gifts your children have been given? Did you know that there are more spiritual gifts than just the ones listed in Moroni 10: 9-16? My good friend shared a talk with me a while back entitled "There are Many Gifts" by Elder Marvin J. Ashton. In this talk he references 3 Nephi chapters 11-26 as chapters that contain "many gifts". For my Come, Follow Me study this week, I have gone through the first half of these chapters (11-17) and tried to find some of these "less-conspicuous" (as Elder Ashton calls them) spiritual gifts. Here's what I found (several of these can also be found in Elder Ashton's talk):

• the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice (11:3)
• the gift of testifying of Jesus Christ  (11:15)
• the gift of avoiding contention (11:28-29)
• the gift of being calm (11:30)
• the gift of becoming like a little child (11:37)
• the gift of listening to the prophets (12:1)
• the gift of being humble (12:3)
• the gift of empathy (12:4)
• the gift of being meek (12:5)
• the gift of hungering and thirsting after righteousness (12:6)
• the gift to forgive others (12:7, 39)
• the gift of being pure in heart (12:8)
• the gift of being a peacemaker (12:9)
• the gift of being a disciple (12:10)
• the gift of being joyful (12:12)
• the gift of being an example (12:16)
• the gift of being agreeable (12:25)
• the gift of communication (12:37)
• the gift of generosity (12:40-42)
• the gift of charity (12:43-44)
• the gift of having righteous motives (13:1-6)
• the gift of avoiding vain repetition (13:7)
• the gift of offering prayer (13:9-13)
• the gift of being able to fast (13:16-18)
• the gift of prioritizing (13:20-21)
• the gift of dedication (13:22)
• the gift of seeking the kingdom of God (13:33)
• the gift of not passing judgment (14:1-5)
• the gift of recognizing sacred things (14:6)
• the gift of asking (14:7-8)
• the gift of benevolence (14:9-11)
• the gift of discernment (14:15-20)
• the gift of obedience (14:21)
• the gift of loyalty (14:21-23)
• the gift of wisdom (14:24-27)
• the gift of remembering (15:1)
• the gift of looking to God for direction (15:9)
• the gift of being able to endure (15:9)
• the gift of trusting in Gods word (15:14-15)
• the gift of being able to ponder (17:3)
• the gift of compassion (17:6-7)
• the gift of being able to weep (17: 5,10,21,22)

Do you recognize any of those gifts in yourself? Or in your children? "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." (D&C 46: 11-12) "And all these gifts come by the Spirit of Christ; and they come unto every man severally, according as he will." (Moroni 10:17) Based on those two scriptures, we know that we've all been given at least one gift, but, we can also obtain more gifts through righteous desires, prayerful requests, and diligence. I'm grateful to know that spiritual gifts are "endless in number and infinite in variety" (Bruce R. McConkie), because that means I always have something to be working on that will help me become more like my Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ.😇

Here are some more talks that I've found especially enlightening on the subject of spiritual gifts.

"Why Not Ask" by Elder Larry R. Lawrence

"I have a work for thee" by Elder John C. Pingree

"A Plea to my Sisters" by Pres. Russell M. Nelson

Teachings concerning Spiritual Gifts by George Q. Cannon

Character of Christ

As I read through 3 Nephi 8-11 this week, I was looking for the things Jesus Christ did or said as he visited the Nephites in the new world. As we read about all the destruction that happens in chapters 8-9, it's easy to get the impression that Christ is mean or vengeful-especially since the pronoun "I" is used repeatedly throughout the text. But if you read carefully, the reason this is happening is because of the wicked choices being made by the people, "to hide their wickedness and abominations from before my face." (3 Nephi 9:2,5,7,8,9,10,11,12). It is very clear that Christ wants them (and us) to understand that this destruction was a direct consequence of their choices.

So, to make sure they understood His true character, he then speaks directly to the surviving Nephites to let them (and us) know exactly who He is and His righteous intentions.

1. repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you (9:13). He wants to help us.
2. mine arm of mercy is extended towards you (9:14), (11:9). He is merciful
3. whosoever will come, him will I receive (9:14). Everyone is accepted by Him.
4. blessed are those who come unto me (9:14). Blessings are unlimited.
5. the scriptures concerning my coming are fulfilled (9:16),(11:10, 12) He keeps his promises given by the prophets
6. as many as have received me, to them have I given to become the sons of God, and even so will I to as many as shall believe on my name (9:17). He forgives
7. I am the light and life of the world (9:18), (11:11) He gives us hope
8. I have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the world, to save the world from sin (9:21) He is selfless.
9. I have laid down my life and taken it up again (9:22) He knows about sacrifice.
10. how oft would I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings (10:4-6) He wants to gather and protect us.
11. I have drunk out of that bitter cup (11:11) He did hard things
12. have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world. (11:11) He is humble
13. I suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning (11:11) He is obedient
14. Arise and come forth unto me (11:14) He is approachable
15. the multitude went forth...one by one. He spake unto Nephi (11:15,18) He knows us each individually
16. I give unto you power that ye shall baptize this people (11:21) He cares about covenants
17. there shall be no disputations, contention or anger among you (11:22, 28-30). He loves peace and unity.
18. I will declare unto you my doctrine (11:31) He is a teacher
19. I bear record of the Father...(11:32) He testifies of the doctrine
20. go forth unto this people and declare the words which I have spoken, unto the ends of the earth (11:41) He wants us to follow His example and testify of His doctrine.

I love that in these four chapters we see this huge contrast between dark and light, sadness and happiness, destruction and restoration, death and life. It makes things so much clearer to see that we need to look to Jesus Christ in order to have peace, joy and happiness in our lives.

 I recently studied the April 2020 General Conference talk by Elder Christofferson entitled, "Sharing the Message of the Restoration and the Resurrection". In his message he talks about three things we need in order to share the gospel more effectively..

1.  Love
2.  Example
3. Use of the Book of Mormon

As he talked more in depth about each of these items, I really enjoyed the section about being an example. He states "what is it that will make your invitation appealing to someone? Isn't it you, the example of your life?" He then says "we need to understand and live the principles of the restored gospel as best we can for our invitations to be inviting. It is something often referred to today as authenticity."(italics added)

 I loved the use of the word authenticity (which he uses again a second time, later on in his talk), and it made me stop and examine my life and think about whether or not I'm being authentic with all of the different hats I wear. Am I the same person as a wife, and as a mom and a soccer coach and a young women leader and a  community volunteer? Am I the same person in each of these different settings? Do my values change depending on the company I'm keeping? As I've asked myself these questions, I know there is room to improve. 

I hope I can be more authentic in every aspect of my life so that my example carries more weight to those who are looking for true followers of Jesus Christ. 

Hello! This is Melody here making my social media debut. I know, I'm a wee bit behind the times, but I've never felt the need to "put myself out there" until recently when I listened to a talk by Elder David A. Bednar (To Sweep the Earth as with a Flood, Brigham Young University Campus Education Week address, Aug. 19, 2014) that inspired me to step out of my comfort zone and find a way to share my testimony on social media. After fasting, praying and pondering, it was brought to my remembrance that we once had a blog and that that is where I should begin. So here I am. 

My goal is to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As I study the scriptures, General Conference talks, and the Come, Follow Me curriculum, I want to share my love of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the things that I'm learning.

Here's one thing I learned this week while studying 3 Nephi 1-7. In the Come, Follow Me manual, it challenged us to look for the things the believers did to keep their faith during this challenging time. As I read those seven chapters, I found 25 things the believers did or characteristics they had that allowed them to stay faithful during such challenging times. When I've read these chapters in the past, I've always focused on what the wicked people are doing. It was so refreshing to read these chapters and look for the things the righteous people are doing. 

We also live during challenging times and can apply these same principles in our lives right now.

1. watch steadfastly for signs and miracles (1:8)
2. cry unto the Lord on behalf of others (1:11-12) (3:15)
3. lift up heads and be of good cheer (1:13)
4. firmness in belief (3:5)
5. noble spirit (3:5)
6. cry unto the Lord for strength (3:12)
7. gather together (3:13)
8. build strong fortifications (3:14)
9. place guards around fortifications (3:14)
10. repent of iniquity (3:15) (5:3)
11. follow leaders with all your might (3:16)
12. fortify yourself against your enemy (3:25)
13. arm yourself after the manner of your leaders instruction (3:26) (2:12)
14. fear God and supplicate Him for protection (4:10)
15. repentant and humble (4:33) (6:13)
16. believe in prophets (5:1)
17. serve God with all diligence (5:3)
18. industrious, hard-working (6:7-8)
19. receive railings, persecution and affliction (6:13)
20. firm, steadfast, immovable and diligent in keeping the commandments of God (6:14)
21. testify of Christ (6:20) (7:16)
22. support religious freedom (6:25)
23. believe in angels, having personal revelation (7:15)
24. minister (7:17)
25. believe in priesthood power and miracles (7:19-20)

I'm grateful for the scriptures and for inspired questions that lead me to search more diligently and study things I haven't thought about before. I'm grateful for the happiness and peace that comes from living the gospel of Jesus Christ. And I'm grateful for these things that have now been written on my heart💗