Seek Ye Earnestly the Best Gifts Lesson 15 by Dennis N. Roberts OBJECTI Objective To help class members identify gifts of the spirit, seek to obtain them,

Seek Ye Earnestly the Seek Ye Earnestly the Best GiftsBest Gifts

Lesson 15 by Dennis N. Roberts

OBJECTI

ObjectiveObjective

To help class members identify To help class members identify gifts of the spirit, seek to obtain gifts of the spirit, seek to obtain

them, and use them to serve others.them, and use them to serve others.

Fresh Crab and French BreadFresh Crab and French Bread

By Garnee FaulknerBy Garnee Faulkner

Spiritual Gifts / DefineSpiritual Gifts / Define

Mormon Doctrine:Mormon Doctrine: Spiritual blessings or abilities that are given Spiritual blessings or abilities that are given

by Christ through the Holy Ghostby Christ through the Holy Ghost Though predicated upon obedience, they Though predicated upon obedience, they

are gifts because they are freely given and are gifts because they are freely given and freely availablefreely available

Spiritual Gifts / Identify #1Spiritual Gifts / Identify #1

Knowledge (D&C 46:13)Knowledge (D&C 46:13) Belief in testimonies of Savior (D&C 46:14)Belief in testimonies of Savior (D&C 46:14) Knowledge of differences of administration (D&C Knowledge of differences of administration (D&C

46:1546:15 Discernment to know diversities of operation Discernment to know diversities of operation

(D&C 46:16)(D&C 46:16) Wisdom of knowledge (D&C 46:17-18)Wisdom of knowledge (D&C 46:17-18) Faith to be healed (D&C 46:19)Faith to be healed (D&C 46:19) Faith to heal (46:20)Faith to heal (46:20)


Working of miracles (D&C 46:21)Working of miracles (D&C 46:21) Prophecy, viewing visions (D&C 46:22)Prophecy, viewing visions (D&C 46:22) Discernment of spirits (D&C 46:23)Discernment of spirits (D&C 46:23) Speaking in tongues (D&C 46:24)Speaking in tongues (D&C 46:24) Interpretation of tongues (D&C 46:25)Interpretation of tongues (D&C 46:25) Knowing Jesus Christ is Son of GodKnowing Jesus Christ is Son of God Knowing Book of Mormon is trueKnowing Book of Mormon is true


Gift of testimonyGift of testimony Gift of receiving revelationsGift of receiving revelations Gift of judgmentGift of judgment Gift of wisdomGift of wisdom Gifts of teaching, exhortation, preachingGifts of teaching, exhortation, preaching Beholding angels, discerning spiritsBeholding angels, discerning spirits Gift of translationGift of translation Gift of “seership”Gift of “seership”


Elder Bruce R. McConkieElder Bruce R. McConkie

““Spiritual gifts are endless in number and Spiritual gifts are endless in number and infinite in variety. Those listed in the infinite in variety. Those listed in the revealed word are simply illustrations.”revealed word are simply illustrations.”

Elder Marvin J. AshtonElder Marvin J. Ashton

many “…less conspicuous gifts…”many “…less conspicuous gifts…”

How many

spiritual

gifts are

there?


Gift of askingGift of asking Gift of listeningGift of listening Gift of hearing and using still, small voiceGift of hearing and using still, small voice Gift of avoiding contentionGift of avoiding contention Gift of being agreeableGift of being agreeable Gift of seeking what is righteousGift of seeking what is righteous Gift of not passing judgmentGift of not passing judgment


Gift of looking to God for guidanceGift of looking to God for guidance Gift of being a discipleGift of being a disciple Gift of caring for othersGift of caring for others Gift of being able to ponderGift of being able to ponder Gift of offering prayerGift of offering prayer Gift of bearing a mighty testimonyGift of bearing a mighty testimony Gift of receiving the Holy GhostGift of receiving the Holy Ghost

Spiritual Gifts / PurposeSpiritual Gifts / Purpose Bless us to do goodBless us to do good Strengthen us Strengthen us Edify us towards peaceEdify us towards peace Guide us toward eternal lifeGuide us toward eternal life Enlighten usEnlighten us Encourage usEncourage us Unify usUnify us Help us serve othersHelp us serve others Help us avoid being deceivedHelp us avoid being deceived

““All inspiration does not come from All inspiration does not come from God. The evil one has the power to tap into God. The evil one has the power to tap into those channels of revelation and send those channels of revelation and send conflicting signals which can mislead and conflicting signals which can mislead and confuse us. There are promptings from evil confuse us. There are promptings from evil sources which are so carefully counterfeited sources which are so carefully counterfeited as to deceive even the very elect.”as to deceive even the very elect.”

President Boyd K. PackerPresident Boyd K. Packer

Prophet Joseph SmithProphet Joseph Smith

"In order to have the power to distinguish between "In order to have the power to distinguish between truth and error and to interpret properly a dream truth and error and to interpret properly a dream or vision, one must have a pure heart and a or vision, one must have a pure heart and a contrite spirit and be living a righteous life.”contrite spirit and be living a righteous life.”

““Satan's mission is to deceive, Satan's mission is to deceive, and he can, and does, give and he can, and does, give revelation to those who permit revelation to those who permit themselves to fall into his power. themselves to fall into his power. Lying spirits are going forth in Lying spirits are going forth in the earth. There will be great the earth. There will be great manifestations of spirits, both manifestations of spirits, both false and true.”false and true.”

D&C 46: 7-9D&C 46: 7-97 But ye are commanded in all things to ask 7 But ye are commanded in all things to ask

of God, who giveth liberally; and that of God, who giveth liberally; and that which the Spirit testifies unto you even so which the Spirit testifies unto you even so I would that ye should do in all holiness of I would that ye should do in all holiness of heart… heart… that ye may not be seduced bythat ye may not be seduced by

8 …and that ye may not be deceived 8 …and that ye may not be deceived seek ye earnestly the best giftsseek ye earnestly the best gifts, always , always remembering for what they are given;remembering for what they are given;

1) evil spirits, 1) evil spirits, 2) or doctrines of devils, 2) or doctrines of devils, 3) or the commandments of men…3) or the commandments of men…

9 For verily I say unto you, they are 9 For verily I say unto you, they are given for the benefit of those who love given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to doand him that seeketh so to do; that all ; that all may be benefited that seek or that ask may be benefited that seek or that ask of me, that ask and not for a sign that of me, that ask and not for a sign that they may consume it upon their lusts.they may consume it upon their lusts.

“…“…for there are for there are many gifts…”many gifts…”

D&C 46:11D&C 46:11

How do we obtain How do we obtain spiritual gifts?spiritual gifts?

Question 1Question 1

ChildrenOf

Men

HeavenlyFather

Endowment & Gifts

...whenever the Holy Ghost takes up its residence in a person, it ...whenever the Holy Ghost takes up its residence in a person, it not only cleanses, sanctifies, and purifies him…, not only cleanses, sanctifies, and purifies him…,

but also imparts to him some giftbut also imparts to him some gift, intended for the benefit of , intended for the benefit of himself and others. No one who has been born of the Spirit and himself and others. No one who has been born of the Spirit and who remains sufficiently faithful, is left destitute of a spiritual gift. who remains sufficiently faithful, is left destitute of a spiritual gift.

(Orson Pratt) (Orson Pratt)

Opening the windows of heavenOpening the windows of heaven(with a constant connection)

Covenants & Promises

“…“…and to every man and to every man is given a gift by is given a gift by

the Spirit of God.”the Spirit of God.”

Do you know what your Do you know what your spiritual gifts are?spiritual gifts are?


D&C 46:11D&C 46:11

ChildrenOf

Men

HeavenlyFather

Revelations

Finding our Spiritual GiftsFinding our Spiritual Gifts

Covenants & Promises

Experiences

Patriarchal Blessings

“…“…seek ye earnestly seek ye earnestly the best gifts…”the best gifts…”

Why should we seek Why should we seek spiritual gifts? spiritual gifts?


D&C 46:8D&C 46:8

President President George Q. CannonGeorge Q. Cannon

How many of you, my brethren and How many of you, my brethren and sisters, are seeking for these gifts sisters, are seeking for these gifts that God has promised to bestow? that God has promised to bestow? How many of you, when you bow How many of you, when you bow before your Heavenly Father in your before your Heavenly Father in your family circle or in your secret places, family circle or in your secret places, contendcontend for these gifts to be for these gifts to be bestowed upon you? …bestowed upon you? …


Or do you go along day by day like a Or do you go along day by day like a door turning on its hinges, without door turning on its hinges, without having any feeling upon the having any feeling upon the subject, without exercising any subject, without exercising any faith whatever; faith whatever; contentcontent to be to be baptized and be members of the baptized and be members of the Church, and to rest there, thinking Church, and to rest there, thinking that your salvation is secure that your salvation is secure because you have done this?because you have done this?


If any of us are imperfect, it is our duty to pray for the gift that will make us perfect. Have I imperfections? I am full of them.

President President Cannon continuesCannon continues

What is my duty? To pray to God to give me the gifts that will correct these imperfections. If I am an angry man, it is my duty to pray for charity, which suffereth long and is kind. Am I an envious man? It is my duty to seek for charity, which envieth not. So with all the gifts of the Gospel. They are intended for this purpose.

President President Cannon concludesCannon concludes

No man ought to say, ‘Oh, I cannot help this; it is my nature.’ He is not justified in it, for the reason that God has promised to give strength to correct these things, and to give gifts that will eradicate them.“

(Millennial Star, 23 Apr 1894, p260)

OBJECTI

Next Week Lesson 16Next Week Lesson 16““Thou Shalt Offer Up Thy Thou Shalt Offer Up Thy

Sacraments Upon My Holy Day”Sacraments Upon My Holy Day”(Member Study Guide page 10)(Member Study Guide page 10)

How does this apply to me?How does this apply to me?

Have I identified my gifts?Have I identified my gifts?

Have I sought the best gifts?Have I sought the best gifts?

Have I employed them to bless Have I employed them to bless myself and others?myself and others?

Documents

Seek Ye Earnestly the Best Gifts Lesson 15 by Dennis N. Roberts OBJECTI Objective To help class members identify gifts of the spirit, seek to obtain them,