Sunday Report

Sunday's lesson was Gospel Principles Ch. 22  "Gifts of the Spirit" given by Sister Sharon Pringle.  She began the lesson by pointing out two beautiful gift boxes on the table.

She talked about how some gifts give fleeting pleasure and opened the green box and passed around delicious frango mints which we all enjoyed.  The red box contained a lovely little doll dressed in red, obviously from an earlier time but carefully kept like new.  This was a little doll she received as a young child and has cherished for all these years.

She said the surprise of receiving it unexpectedly has added to its worth and the pleasure it has brought over the years.  This is an example of a gift with lasting worth.

As faithful followers of Jesus Christ who have been given the gift of the Holy Ghost at baptism, we can be blessed with certain spiritual powers called gifts of the Spirit which help us to know and teach the truths of the gospel, help us bless others, and guide us back to our Heavenly Father.  The gifts are as diverse as the needs of the faithful in mortal life and we must learn to discern what gifts we have been given, and remember to pray for any gift that we feel that we need.

Our very testimony of Jesus Christ, who He is and what He has done for us comes through the Holy Ghost as a Spiritual gift, and so does our testimony of Joseph Smith and the restoration of the gospel in these latter days.  Our testimonies of any of the truths of the gospel are Spiritual gifts.

The gift of tongues and the interpretation of tongues are vital gifts to spreading the gospel to all nations and missionaries can testify of the importance of these gifts.  The gift of wisdom that helps us understand people and the principles of the gospel is a gift we should all desire to help us in our families and callings and daily lives.  The gift of healing and of being healed are just as important today as they were anciently and give an added dimension to the medical progress which our culture has made.  Miracles come as gifts of the Spirit to those who have faith which is also a Spiritual gift we should all seek to receive, through worthiness and desire.

All worthy Saints are given gifts of the Spirit and it is for us to discern and develop those gifts, and we are also encouraged to seek after the best gifts, those that will aid us in serving and loving Heavenly Father's children.  There is such a diversity of gifts that every need of this mortal life can be met with the faithful use of spiritual gifts.which strengthen us and prepare us to help others.

We must be careful for Satan seeks to imitate some of the spiritual gifts in order to lead the faithful astray.  That is why the gift of discernment is such a valuable tool to tell the false from that which comes from God.  Satan seeks to blind us from the truth and keep us from recognizing the true gifts of the Spirit. Seek prayerfully to find your own gifts and then to ask for those that you need to serve and to grow spiritually.

Enjoy the week and the season!

Next week Gospel Principles Chapter 23  The Sacrament will be given by Shari Carnahan.

The Relief Society Presidency