I love this time of year. Christmas-time is almost magical. And truth be told, I love giving and receiving gifts. I love picking out gifts that will express my gratitude or love to someone else. And I love receiving gifts because it shows that someone cares. The best gift of all, though, is what makes Christmas so magical. The gift Heavenly Father gave us all through His Son, Jesus Christ, is a gift I’m still trying to completely understand.
Jesus Christ came to earth to atone for our sins and break the bonds of death through Resurrection. He has made it possible for us to live again and has provided a way for us to repent and improve ourselves. If we use His gift to the fullest, we can even gain eternal life. These aren’t the only gifts that He has given us, though. When we are baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are given the gift of the Holy Ghost. This gift can be our companion at all times if we live righteously and do not make choices that will drive Him away.
As members of the Church, we are also entitled to other gifts of the Spirit. In Doctrine and Covenants, Section 46, we learn that we “are commanded in all things to ask of God, who giveth liberally” (v.7) and that we should seek earnestly the best gifts (v.8). Christ teaches in verse 9 that the gifts of the Spirit are “given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do; that all may be benefited that seek or that ask of me, that ask and not for a sign that they may consume it upon their lusts” (v. 9). If we love Him and keep His commandments, we can be given gifts of the Spirit. That may seem like a tall order which is why I love the second part of that which says “and him that seeketh so to do.” He will give us gifts when we are trying to follow Him and do His will. Too often, I think we believe ourselves unworthy when He is just waiting to give us gifts. When Sisters Sheri Dew and Wendy Nelson came to visit last year, one of them, I can’t remember which, compared gifts of the Spirit to gift cards. We have been given an infinite asking of gift cards for gifts of the Spirit, but it doesn’t do us any good until we use them.
So what are gifts of the Spirit? The scriptures list many that we can have, including: the gift of exceedingly great faith, healing, tongues, interpretation of tongues, to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that he was crucified for the sins of the world, and the capacity to believe the words of those who testify of Jesus Christ. Elder Bruce R. McKonkie taught, “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.”
Elder Marvin J. Ashton taught about other gifts of the spirit that we might overlook. He says, “Let me mention a few gifts that are not always evident or noteworthy but that are very important. Among these may be your gifts—gifts not so evident but nevertheless real and valuable.
Let us review some of these less-conspicuous gifts: the gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice; the gift of being able to weep; the gift of avoiding contention; the gift of being agreeable; the gift of avoiding vain repetition; the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the gift of being a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony; and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost.
We must remember that to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. It is our right and responsibility to accept our gifts and to share them. God’s gifts and powers are available to all of us.” (“There Are Many Gifts,” November 1987)
Let us review some of these less-conspicuous gifts: the gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice; the gift of being able to weep; the gift of avoiding contention; the gift of being agreeable; the gift of avoiding vain repetition; the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the gift of being a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony; and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost.
We must remember that to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. It is our right and responsibility to accept our gifts and to share them. God’s gifts and powers are available to all of us.” (“There Are Many Gifts,” November 1987)
The Bible Dictionary teaches, “Where there is true faith there are. . . all the gifts of God that he gives to his saints.” (BD Faith)
Christ taught that some things can hinder faith. In John 5:44, he asks, “How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? “
John 12:40, we learn that Satan wants to deceive us: “He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. “
We can be blessed by the gifts we have been given and also be the gifts others have.
My patriarchal blessing says that I have the gift of faith. I have felt this gift throughout my life and was grateful for it. We had a pretty rough year last year and my faith was really tested. At one point, I started to doubt if I had enough faith to get through. Luckily, I was meeting with President Carroll for my temple recommend interview and he knew our situation and asked how I was doing. I basically told him the struggle I was having and trial of my faith. He calmly listened and then told me that I still had lots of faith. I was still doing my best to serve in the Church and do all I can to support His kingdom on the earth. Of course this made me cry even more, but helped me get through the next several months. In D&C 46:27, it says, “And unto the bishop of the church, and unto such as God shall appoint and ordain to watch over the church and to be elders unto the church, are to have it given unto them to discern all those gifts lest there shall be any among you professing and yet be not of God.”
