Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
I love how section 46 teaches us to include everyone in our public meetings. We are encouraged to see individuals as they come to worship with us and help them feel welcomed, included, and loved. Section 46 also speaks of Gifts of the Spirit. These gifts are intended for our benefit as well as the benefit of others. We are encouraged to pray to ask for spiritual gifts as well as record our experiences in our journals. Writing our thoughts and feelings can help us “grow into the principle of revelation.”
“In the early part of November 1830, Levi Hancock’s brother Alvah brought him word of the Book of Mormon: “Four men have come and have brought a book with them that they call [a] history and a record of the people that once inhabited this land.”
“They lay hands on those they baptize and bestow on them the Holy Ghost.“
“Levi described his reaction: “At these last words … there seemed to fall on me something pleasant and delightful[.]
“It seemed like a wash of something warm took me in the face and ran over my body which gave me that feeling I cannot describe. The first word I said was, ‘It is the truth, I feel it. I will go and hear for myself tomorrow.’” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/revelations-in-context/religious-enthusiasm-among-early-ohio-converts?lang=eng&clang=ase)
The young men seemed “so honest and sincere I was led to believe all thy said.” …perhaps I was not as pure as those men.” (Revelations in Context p 107).
John Whitmer: “The Lord … gave commandment for me … to go to the Ohio, and carry the commandments and revelations with me to comfort and strengthen my brethren in that land.” (Westergren, Historian to Dissident, 13).
John Whitmer: “I hav been ingageed in regulating the Churches here as the deciples are numerous and the devil had made many attempts to over throw them.” (-Letter to Hyrum Smith, 3–4 March 1831, 1, JSP).
Sister Carol F. McConkie: “When anyone’s shadow darkens the door of a chapel, they ought to feel immediately embraced and loved and lifted and inspired …to go and be better because they know the Lord loves them and because they have friends in their faith.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2016-03-0018-lifting-others?lang=eng).
President Dallin H. Oaks: “The Savior commanded His followers to ‘love one another; as I have loved you’ (John 13:34). So we look at how He loved us. … If we make Him our role model, we should always be trying to reach out to include everyone.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2016-03-0022-love-and-law?lang=eng).
Sister Jean B. Bingham: “When you choose to put yourself out there, you are blessing someone else’s life. …Can you look for the person who is sitting on the outside, sitting on the fringe? …When you’ve opened your heart to other people, you see that we all belong.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2016-03-0024-focus-on-the-one?lang=eng).
Elder 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 gift, 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. …
“Each member does not receive all these gifts; but they are distributed through the whole body [of the Church], according to the will and wisdom of the Spirit. … Some may have all these gifts bestowed upon them, so as to understand them all, and be prepared to detect any spurious gifts, and to preside over the whole body of the Church, that all may be benefited. These spiritual gifts are distributed among the members of the Church, according to their faithfulness, circumstances, natural abilities, duties, and callings; that the whole may be properly instructed, confirmed, perfected, and saved.” (Masterful Discourses and Writings of Orson Pratt, comp. N. B. Lundwall [1946], 539–41).
Elder Bruce R. McConkie: “Spiritual gifts are endless in number and infinite in variety. Those listed in the revealed word are simply illustrations of the boundless outpouring of divine grace that a gracious God gives those who love and serve him.” (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith [1985], 371).
Gift “to Know That Jesus Is the Christ”
“This knowledge is placed first among the special gifts, because it is obtained only by revelation. To believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the Anointed One, the Messiah, and that He was crucified for the sins of the world, is not to know it. Knowledge is a special gift.” (Smith and Sjodahl, Commentary, p. 274.)
President Joseph Fielding Smith counseled: “When Spirit speaks to spirit, the imprint upon the soul is far more difficult to erase. Every member of the Church should have impressions that Jesus is the Son of God indelibly pictured on his soul through the witness of the Holy Ghost.” (“The First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve,” Improvement Era, Nov. 1966, p. 979).
The Gift to Believe on the Testimony of Others: Some receive the gift of believing in the testimony that others have received. This gift could be manifested in the lives of people who investigate the Church because they believe in the testimony of members or missionaries while not yet possessing a personal testimony of their own. Children may receive this gift of believing in the testimony of their parents until they receive their own testimony.
The Gift to Know the Differences of Administration (v. 15)
ADMIN’ISTER, verb transitive [Latin administro, of ad and ministro, to serve or manage.] (1828 Webster’s Dictionary)
1. To act as minister or chief agent…
2. To dispense, as to administer justice or the sacrament.
3. To afford, give or furnish; as, to administer relief, that is, to act as the agent. To administer medicine is to direct and cause it to be taken.
“… [agreeable with God’s] mercies according to the conditions of the children of men.”
The Gift to Discern Spirits
President Stephen L. Richards: “It’s the gift every missionary needs when he takes the gospel to the people of the world. The gift of discernment will save him from mistakes and embarrassment, and it will never fail to inspire confidence in the one who is rightly appraised.”
“…arises largely out of an acute sensitivity to impressions—spiritual impressions, if you will—to read under the surface as it were, to detect hidden evil, and more importantly to find the good that may be concealed. The highest type of discernment is that which perceives in others and uncovers for them their better natures, the good inherent within them.” (Conference Report, Apr. 1950, p. 162).
The Gift of Tongues: Because this gift is often counterfeited and used to deceive, the Prophet Joseph Smith warned: “Be not so curious about tongues, do not speak in tongues except there be an interpreter present; the ultimate design of tongues is to speak to foreigners, and if persons are very anxious to display their intelligence, let them speak to such in their own tongues. The gifts of God are all useful in their place, but when they are applied to that which God does not intend, they prove an injury, a snare and a curse instead of a blessing.” (History of the Church, 5:31–32; see also 1 Corinthians 14:1–25.)
Elder Marvin J. Ashton: “Let us review some of these less conspicuous gifts:
- Gift of asking
- Gift of listening
- Gift of hearing and using a still small voice
- Gift of being able to weep
- Gift of avoiding contention
- Gift of being agreeable
- Gift of avoiding vain repetition
- Gift of seeking that which is righteous
- Gift of not passing judgement
- Gift of looking to God for guidance
- Gift of being a disciple
- Gift of caring for others
- Gift of being able to ponder
- Gift of offering prayer
- Gift of bearing a mighty testimony
- Gift of receiving the Holy Ghost
President George Q. Cannon: “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.” (Gospel Truth, 1:196).
President Russell M. Nelson: “Follow the example of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Find a quiet place where you can regularly go. Humble yourself before God. Pour out your heart to your Heavenly Father. Turn to Him for answers and for comfort.
“Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen! Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take. As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will “grow into the principle of revelation.” (April 2018, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives“)
Elder Tad R. Callister: “Recording spiritual promptings results in at least the following blessings:
- it preserves the integrity of the message.
- it preserves the feelings of the moment.
- it plants spiritual seeds.
- it facilitates future sharing.
- it enhances future revelation.” (Oct. 2017, “Record Spiritual Insights to Receive More Revelation in Your Life“)
Application/Teaching Thoughts:
- This week at church, look for someone to welcome, include, bless, and love.
- If you want to discover your spiritual gifts, read your patriarchal blessing. Ask a family member or close friend what spiritual gifts that they see in you.
- What spirit gift will I exercise, or pray for, to bless another?
- How can the gifts that God has given me help me correct my imperfections?
- How can my journal help me “grow into the principle of revelation?”