The ninth lesson in the Joseph Smith manual is entitled, “Gifts of the Spirit.” The lessons begins by pointing out that Joseph was an unlearned man and was not gifted with languages, and yet he was able to translate the Book of Mormon. This was a gift of the Spirit he was given to help fulfill his mission on this earth, and similarly, we have all been given gifts to aid us, as well.
The seventh Article of Faith states: “We believe in the gifts of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.” The manual adds, “and that these things cannot be enjoyed without the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
The Prophet taught that each and every one of us have been blessed with a spiritual gift, and as we live our lives in accordance with the Lord’s teachings, and pray earnestly to discover what it is, that gift will be made manifest to us. We can’t all have exactly the same gifts, but because our gifts are different, we complete each other and can work together to accomplish more.
When we receive a gift of the Spirit, it is something that happens quietly, without a huge manifestation. If we wait for such a manifestation, we will be deceived. “All gifts of the spirit are not visible to the natural vision,” the Prophet stated. “. . . when angels have come, or God has revealed Himself, it has been to individuals in private, in their chamber, in the wilderness or fields, and that generally without noise or tumult.”
Our gifts were given especially to us to bless us in our trials and to aid us in the mission we have been sent to perform. We best use these gifts as they were intended, to bless the lives of others and to help spread the Gospel. The more we use them righteously, the more we will learn their true uses.
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