Gifts of the Spirit
“For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby.” (D&C 46:11-12).

Why are spiritual gifts given?
We may wonder why spiritual gifts are given to us. God has counseled us that spiritual gifts “are given for the benefit of those who love [him] and keep all [his] commandments, and [those] that seeketh [to do so]; that all may be benefited that seek or that ask of [him]” (D&C 46:9).  “All these gifts come from God, for the benefit of the children of God” (D&C 46:26).

Deny Not
“I exhort you, my brethren, that ye deny not the gifts of God, for they are many; and they come from the same God. And there are different ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the same God who worketh all in all; and they are given by the manifestations of the Spirit of God unto men, to profit them” (Moroni 10:8).

Gifts of the Spirit

• “To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world” (D&C 46:13)

• “To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful” (D&C 46:14)

• “To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know the differences of administration, as it will be pleasing unto the same Lord, according as the Lord will, suiting his mercies according to the conditions of the children of men” (D&C 46:15)

• “To some to know the diversities of operations, whether they be of God, that the manifestations of the Spirit may be given to every man to profit withal” (D&C 46:16)

• “To some is given, by the Spirit of God, the word of wisdom” (D&C 46:17; 1 Cor 12:8)

• “To one is given by the Spirit of God, that he may teach the word of wisdom” (Moroni 10:9)

• “To another is given the word of knowledge, that all may be taught to be wise and to have knowledge” (D&C 46:18; 1 Cor 12:8)

• “To another, that he may teach the word of knowledge by the same Spirit” (Moroni 10:10)

• “To some it is given to have faith to be healed” (D&C 46:19; 1 Cor 12:9)

• To some “the gift of faith” (Moroni 10:11)

• “To others it is given to have faith to heal” (D&C 46:20; 1 Cor 12:9; Moroni 10:11)

• “To some is given the working of miracles” (D&C 46:21; 1 Cor 12:10; Moroni 10:12)

• “To others it is given to prophesy” (D&C 46:22; 1 Cor 12:10; Moroni 10:13)

• “To others the discerning of spirits” (D&C 46:23; 1 Cor 12:10; Moroni 10:14)

• “To some to speak with tongues” (D&C 46:24; 1 Cor 12:10; Moroni 10:15)

• “To another is given the interpretation of tongues” (D&C 46:25; 1 Cor 12:10; Moroni 10:16)

• The gift of translation (D&C 5:4)

Other Gifts of the Spirit
Bruce R. McConkie wrote, "Spiritual gifts are endless in number and infinite in variety.¹" Elder Robert D Hales has suggested a few other gifts, such as:

• “The gift to ponder; looking to God for direction.

• The gift to hear and respond to the still, small voice.

• The gift to be calm, which includes the ability to curb anger and to be temperate, rather than contentious.

• The gift to study and to listen.

• The gift to have charity.²”

Elder Marvin J. Ashton also suggested:

• “The gift of asking

• The gift of being agreeable

• 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 offering prayer

• The gift of bearing a mighty testimony

• The gift of receiving the Holy Ghost³”

What Now?
There are many spiritual gifts given to us from God. Let us all strive to develop and strengthen the gift(s) that God has blessed us with. As we do this, not only will the lives of those around us be blessed but our own lives will be blessed as well.

¹McConkie, Bruce R. A New Witness for the Articles of Faith [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1985], p. 371.
²Hales, Robert D. “Gifts of the Spirit.” Brigham Young University, Fireside. Provo, Utah. 1 Aug 1993.
³Ashton, Marvin J. “‘There Are Many Gifts’,” Ensign, Nov 1987, 20