Spiritual Gifts...

My Relief Society lesson today is on gifts of the spirit.  I have been thinking about spiritual gifts and how they are often an untapped resource both in dealing with the problems that vex our lives and in receiving an abundance of joy in living.  Rather we tend to rely solely on our own limited strength and temporal resources.  I found the following quotes interesting.  I hope they will be a strength to you as well.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

 "Faith is a spiritual gift. So is personal revelation. So is a testimony of Jesus Christ. And there are other spiritual gifts. We know too little about spiritual gifts. This is evident in our communications, and it is also evident in our failure to seek after and use spiritual gifts.....


"We should seek after spiritual gifts. They can lead us to God. They can shield us from the power of the adversary. They can compensate for our inadequacies and repair our imperfections. Almost a century ago President George Q. Cannon of the First Presidency taught the Saints:


“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. If a man lacks wisdom, it is his duty to ask God for wisdom. The same with everything else. That is the design of God concerning His Church. 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.” (Millennial Star, Apr. 1894, p. 260.)

Here's another one from Elder Mervyn B. Arnold

"Not long ago at a stake conference I was assigned to attend, I asked the stake president what challenges the members were experiencing. He responded that many members were focused on diversions such as extravagant homes, expensive clothing, cars, boats, vacation cabins, and countless activities. He explained that many of these activities were held on Monday nights, taking family members out of the home.
To maintain this lifestyle, oftentimes both the husband and the wife had to work—in some cases two jobs. This made it difficult for these members to hold regular family home evenings, family prayer, and scripture study, and in some cases even to attend Sunday meetings. There was little time, if any, to seek those things which “neither moth nor rust doth corrupt” (Matt. 6:20).


The Apostle Paul teaches the importance of seeking the best gifts:
“Now concerning spiritual gifts … I would not have you ignorant.
“Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. …
“But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way” (1 Cor. 12:1–2, 31).


I have reflected on the stake president’s comments and share his concerns for the increasing number of Church members who focus their attention on “that which is of no worth [and] cannot satisfy” (2 Ne. 9:51). Satan is very astute, and he has cunning ways to divert our attention from that which is of greatest worth. The Lord warns, “Satan hath sought to deceive you, that he might overthrow you” (D&C 50:3)...


Man’s earthly existence is but a test as to whether he will concentrate his efforts, his mind, and his soul upon the things which contribute to the comfort and gratification of his physical instincts and passions, or whether he will make as his life’s end and purpose the acquisition of spiritual qualities.” 1
As members of the Church, we are commanded to “lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better” (D&C 25:10)—or, said another way, to “seek … earnestly the best gifts” (D&C 46:8).