For what purpose do we need them?
How do we receive them?
Gifts of the spirit come from God. They are the gifts of God, they originate with Him and are special blessings that He bestows upon those who love and keep His commandments. Bruce R. McConkie
For what purpose--Found in 1 Corinthians 12:12-30. They are given for the benefit of the church. When we receive gifts from God we can then bless the lives of others with those gifts.
How do we receive them? Spiritual gifts are given to all who have the gift of the Holy Ghost. All followers of Jesus Christ who are baptized, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and seek to keep the commandments receive one or more spiritual gifts.
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 gifts, 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."
Any weakness we have can be strengthen by Spiritual Gifts. We must want to change. We must ask in earnest for the blessings of spiritual gifts. We must have a change of heart and really want to make our weaknesses become strengths.
WE MUST ASK!!! EARNESTLY ASK!!
Just a few examples--
From Wendy Watson Nelson--What would a Holy Women do?
IF you're too negative, pray for the gift of hop, of optimism.
IF you lost your temper, pray for mildnes or understanding.
IF you are easily discouraged, pray for persistence or endurance.
IF you find that you are increasingly anxious about many things, pray for peace.
IF you are easily hurt by others, pray for faith. Faith in Jesus Christ.
IF life has been pretty easy for you, and you've always been the best and the brightest, pray for the gift of humility and for the ability to learn from others.
Others you can ask for:
A gift of cheerful countenance, a gift of true conversion, a gift of selflessness, of forgiveness, of healing, of wisdom.
President George Q. Cannon--"If any of us are imperfect, it is our duty to pray for the gift that will make us perfect. 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."
Great lesson Kathy. Thanks so much.
Lots of things to think about....
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