Gifts of the Spirit should be coveted earnestly, as we are admonished by Paul in 1 Corinithians 12:31. Every member of the church is given at least one gift of the Spirit and it is up to us to seek after the rest. Gifts of the spirit are all tied around revelation of one sort or another.
“It was asked of me by a gentleman how I guided the people by revelation. I teach them to live so that the Spirit of revelation may make plain to them their duty day by day that they are able to guide themselves. To get this revelation it is necessary that the people live so that their spirits are pure and clean as a piece of blank paper that lies on the desk before the [writer], ready to receive any mark the writer may make upon it.” Brigham Young, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church (DBY, 41)
Mormons, or Latter-day Saints as we prefer to be called, have been classified by ignorant individuals for decades as a cult. From the beginning we have been taught to think for ourselves. We have been taught how to seek revelation for ourselves. We have been deeply encouraged to seek knowledge for ourselves. By these teachings alone we cannot, and are not, nor have we ever been, a cult.
“Knowledge does away with darkness, suspense, and doubt; for these cannot exist where knowledge is . . . In knowledge there is power.” — Joseph Smith, Jr.
So where do gifts of the Spirit come into play? They are part and parcel of the perfecting of the Saints. Elder George Q. Cannon, an early apostle, said:
“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 . . .He wants His saints to be perfected in the truth. For this purpose He gives these gifts, and bestows them upon those who seek after them, in order that they may be a perfect people upon the face of the earth, notwithstanding their many weaknesses, because God has promised to give the gifts that are necessary for their perfection . . .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. 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.” Marvin J. Ashton, The Measure of Our Hearts, p.24-25
Elder Bruce R. McConkie added:
“Faithful persons are expected to seek the gifts of the Spirit with all their hearts.” Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 314
There are no less than forty-seven scriptures discussing gifts of the Spirit in one form or another. The brethren, from the beginning of time, have discussed and encouraged us to seek after gifts of the Spirit. So what holds us back? Why do we not live our lives accordingly and reach out to our Father in Heaven and seek after these gifts?
Let me say this. As you earnestly seek after gifts of the Spirit you will find a deeper and closer communication with heaven. Life, although still difficult, is more easily traversed. The flowers, trees, lakes and mountains become richer in color until you look at what you’ve seen your whole life and say to your Father in Heaven, “Wow, that is astonishingly beautiful. Thank you.” I urge you to follow the admonition of Paul and seek most earnestly after what your Father in Heaven waits to give you.