INTRODUCTION: As Parley P. Pratt, Oliver Cowdery, Ziba Peterson, and Peter Whitmer Jr. left Kirtland and moved on to continue preaching the gospel, they left more than 100 new members of the Church who had plenty of zeal but little experience or direction. They had no instructional handbooks, no leadership training meetings, no broadcasts of general conference—in fact, they didn’t even have enough copies of the Book of Mormon to go around. Many of these new believers had been drawn to the restored gospel by the promise of marvelous manifestations of the Spirit, especially those described in the New Testament (see, for example, 1 Corinthians 12:1–11). But many found it hard to identify true manifestations of the Spirit.
In the winter of 1831, some Church members in Kirtland, Ohio, became concerned when they saw some new converts acting in a bizarre manner while claiming to be under the Spirit’s influence. The Prophet Joseph Smith inquired of the Lord about this behavior as well as about the Kirtland Saints’ practice of excluding non members from sacrament meetings and other Church gatherings. In response, on March 8, 1831, the Lord gave the revelation now recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 46. In this revelation the Lord explained how to conduct Church meetings and how to avoid deception by seeking after gifts of the Spirit.
The Savior welcomes all who want to worship in His Church.
D&C 46:1 Hearken, O ye people of my church; for verily I say unto you that these things were spoken unto you for your profit and learning.
2 But notwithstanding those things which are written, it always has
been given to the elders of my church from the beginning, and ever shall
be, to conduct all meetings as they are directed and guided by the Holy Spirit.
READ President Russell M. Nelson has taught that members also have a responsibility in our meetings: “Our meetings are always to be conducted as directed by the Spirit….Each member of the Church bears responsibility for the spiritual enrichment that can come from a sacrament meeting.” (Worshipping at Sacrament Meeting, Ensign, Aug 2004)
3 Nevertheless ye are commanded never to cast any one out from your public meetings, which are held before the world.
4 Ye are also commanded not to cast any one who belongeth to the church out of your sacrament meetings; nevertheless, if any have trespassed, let him not partake until he makes reconciliation.
5 And again I say unto you, ye shall not cast any out of your sacrament meetings who are earnestly seeking the kingdom—I speak this concerning those who are not of the church.
6 And again I say unto you, concerning your confirmation meetings, that if there be any that are not of the church, that are earnestly seeking after the kingdom, ye shall not cast them out.
READ In the above article President Nelson also taught: “Because we invite all to come unto Christ, friends and neighbors are always welcome but not expected to take the sacrament. However, it is not forbidden. They choose for themselves. We hope that newcomers among us will always be made to feel wanted and comfortable. Little children, as sinless beneficiaries of the Lord’s Atonement, may partake of the sacrament as they prepare for covenants that they will make later in life”
-What does the Lord say about the exclusion of people from meetings?
-What meetings are to be open to all people?
20 D&C 46-48 May 12–18: “Seek Ye Earnestly the Best Gifts”
-What about members who transgress?
-Do you feel that your friends and people in your neighborhood feel welcome at your ward’s worship services?
-What are you doing to make your Church meetings places that people want to return to?
Think about a time when you attended Church services—or a meeting of another group—for the first time.
What did people do to help you feel welcome?
Heavenly Father gives me spiritual gifts to bless others.
7 But ye are commanded in all things to ask of God, who giveth liberally; and that which the Spirit testifies unto you even so I would that ye should do in all holiness of heart, walking uprightly before me, considering the end of your salvation, doing all things with prayer and thanksgiving, that ye may not be seduced by evil spirits, or doctrines of devils, or the commandments of men; for some are of men, and others of devils.
8 Wherefore, beware lest ye are deceived; and that ye may not be deceived seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given;
READ Some of the Church members in Kirtland, Ohio, were engaging in strange behaviors when they attended Church meetings, claiming that their actions were inspired by the Holy Ghost. Some Church members believed them, while others felt that these behaviors were not of God. The Lord promised that we will not be deceived if we do things “in all holiness of heart, walking uprightly before [Him]” and “seek … earnestly the best gifts” (D&C 46:7–8). The “best gifts” refer to the spiritual gifts that are available to those who have received the gift of the Holy Ghost.
9 For verily I say unto you, they 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.
-For what purposes are spiritual gifts given?
10 And again, verily I say unto you, I would that ye should always remember, and always retain in your minds what those gifts are, that are given unto the church.
11 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.
12 To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby.
READ God does not force His spiritual gifts upon His children, but He invites them to “seek … earnestly” for them (D&C 46:8). The Lord explained that these gifts are for the benefit of those who love Him and strive to keep His commandments (see D&C 46:9). He bestows spiritual gifts in order to bless individuals and the Church as a whole (see D&C 46:12), not to prove the truthfulness of the gospel to those who are seeking signs.
Let us examine the spiritual gifts listed in section 46. This is the Reader’s Digest version:
13 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.
14 To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful.
15 And again, 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.
16 And again, it is given by the Holy Ghost 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.
17 And again, verily I say unto you, to some is given, by the Spirit of God, the word of wisdom.
18 To another is given the word of knowledge, that all may be taught to be wise and to have knowledge.
READ The Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants give added insight into the New Testament regarding the gifts of wisdom and knowledge. These are gifts given with the intended purpose not just to have but to teach. Doing so provides members, experienced and inexperienced alike, a means to direct their lives and to manifest the fruits of their discipleship. President Ezra Taft Benson said, “The Lord will increase our knowledge, wisdom, and capacity to obey when we obey His fundamental laws. This is what the Prophet Joseph Smith meant when he said we could have ‘sudden strokes of ideas’ which come into our minds as ‘pure intelligence.’ This is revelation. We must learn to rely on the Holy Ghost so we can use it to guide our lives and the lives of those for whom we have responsibility.” (CR, April 1983, 71–72)
In other words, wisdom comes from the Spirit.
19 And again, to some it is given to have faith to be healed;
20 And to others it is given to have faith to heal.
21 And again, to some is given the working of miracles;
22 And to others it is given to prophesy;
23 And to others the discerning of spirits.
24 And again, it is given to some to speak with tongues;
25 And to another is given the interpretation of tongues.
26 And all these gifts come from God, for the benefit of the children of God.
27 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.
READ After quoting Doctrine and Covenants 46:16, Elder McConkie taught, “It is to the gift of discernment that reference is here made. Appointed leaders must be able to divide true doctrine from false, to single out true prophets from the false, to discern between true spirits and false ones.” With the world rife with falsehoods, Joseph Smith’s statement seems more applicable than ever: “A man must have the discerning of spirits before he can drag into daylight this hellish influence and unfold it unto the world in all its soul-destroying, diabolical, and horrid colors; for nothing is a greater injury to the children of men than to be under the influence of a false spirit when they think they have the Spirit of God.” ( Smith, History of the Church, 4:573
28 And it shall come to pass that he that asketh in Spirit shall receive in Spirit;
29 That unto some it may be given to have all those gifts, that there may be a head, in order that every member may be profited thereby.
30 He that asketh in the Spirit asketh according to the will of God; wherefore it is done even as he asketh.
31 And again, I say unto you, all things must be done in the name of Christ, whatsoever you do in the Spirit;
32 And ye must give thanks unto God in the Spirit for whatsoever blessing ye are blessed with.
33 And ye must practice virtue and holiness before me continually. Even so. Amen.
-What gifts God has given you?
- How can you use these gifts to bless His children?
If you have a patriarchal blessing, it likely identifies gifts you have been given.
The Lord wants His Church to keep a history.
READ Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, March 8, 1831. John Whitmer, who had already served as a clerk to the Prophet, initially hesitated when he was asked to serve as the Church historian and recorder, replacing Oliver Cowdery. He wrote, “I would rather not do it but observed that the will of the Lord be done, and if he desires it, I desire that he would manifest it through Joseph the Seer.” After Joseph Smith received this revelation, John Whitmer accepted and served in his appointed office. (Forward to Sect. 46, D&C)
1 Behold, it is expedient in me that my servant John should write and keep a regular history, and assist you, my servant Joseph, in transcribing all things which shall be given you, until he is called to further duties.
2 Again, verily I say unto you that he can also lift up his voice in meetings, whenever it shall be expedient.
3 And again, I say unto you that it shall be appointed unto him to keep the church record and history continually; for Oliver Cowdery I have appointed to another office.
4 Wherefore, it shall be given him, inasmuch as he is faithful, by the Comforter, to write these things. Even so. Amen.
READ John Whitmer’s calling to keep a history of the Church continued a long tradition of record keepers among God’s people. Why do you think keeping a history is so important to the Lord? READ As you read section 47 ponder as well as similar instructions in: 2 Nephi 29:11 For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written.
12 For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites and they shall write it; and I shall also
speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth and they shall write it.
Moses 6:5 And a book of remembrance was kept, in the which was recorded, in the language of Adam, for it was given unto as many as called upon God to write by the spirit of inspiration;
Abraham 1:28 But I shall endeavor, hereafter, to delineate the chronology running back from myself to the beginning of the creation, for the records have come into my hands, which I hold unto this present time.
31 But the records of the fathers, even the patriarchs, concerning the right of Priesthood, the Lord my God preserved in mine own hands; therefore a knowledge of the beginning of the creation, and also of the planets, and of the stars, as they were made known unto the fathers, have I kept even unto this day, and I shall endeavor to write some of these things upon this record, for the benefit of my posterity that shall come after me.
-What do you feel the Lord wants you to record about your life?
The Holy Ghost can direct me as I fulfill my calling.
-What was John Whitmer’s initial response to his calling?
-What did the Lord tell him in verse 4?
-What was the warning in verse 4?
-Can you relate to what John Whitmer felt when he wanted reassurance that his calling came from God?
-How did John Whitmer fare as church historian?
READ “The Lord promised John Whitmer that if he was faithful he could write that which was given him by the Holy Ghost thus his work could be a truly unusual history and have unique claim to certain truth. The Lord gave Elder Whitmer further instructions in section 69 concerning the history he was compiling ‘for the benefit of the church and for the rising generations.’
“John Whitmer, unfortunately, accepted his calling reluctantly, and only after section 47 had been received. He kept a sketchy history, eighty-five manuscript pages in length. Upon his apostasy, he refused to turn his history over to the Church, only year later did it become available.” (Cowan, D&C Commentary: Our Modern Scripture, 84-85)
READ The Lord has commanded the Church to keep accurate records (see D&C 21:1; 47:1–3; 72:5–6; 123:1–6; 127:6–9; 128:4–9). Today, keeping and preserving records is a high priority in the Church. In 2009 the Church dedicated a new Church History Library for the purpose of preserving manuscripts, books, Church records, photographs, oral histories, patriarchal blessings, architectural drawings, pamphlets, newspapers, periodicals, maps, microfilm, and audiovisual materials.
READ Elder Marlin K. Jensen of the Seventy explained why the efforts to preserve Church history continue:
“The primary purpose of Church history is to help Church members build faith in Jesus Christ and keep their sacred covenants. In fulfilling this purpose, we are guided by three main considerations:
“First, we seek to bear witness of and defend the foundational truths of the Restoration.
“Second, we desire to help Church members remember the great things God has done for His children.
“Third, we have a scriptural charge to help preserve the revealed order of the kingdom of God. This includes the revelations,
documents, procedures, processes, and patterns that provide order and continuity for the exercising of priesthood keys, the proper functioning of priesthood quorums, the performance of ordinances, and so on—those things that are essential to salvation” (“There Shall Be a Record Kept among You,” Ensign, Dec. 2007, 28–29).
D&C 48: Additional Historical Background
Edward Partridge had been called by revelation to be the Church’s first bishop and was given the responsibility “to administer to the poor and the needy” (D&C 42:34; see also D&C 41:9). Anticipating the arrival of Saints emigrating from New York to Ohio, Bishop Partridge was “anxious to know something” about how to prepare to meet their needs (John Whitmer, in The Joseph Smith Papers, Histories, Volume 2: Assigned Histories, 1831–1847, 35). Questions also arose regarding where the city of Zion was to be established. New Church members wondered whether they should plan to stay in Ohio permanently or prepare to move again to wherever Zion would be located. For these reasons the Prophet Joseph Smith sought the Lord’s direction and consequently received the revelation recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 48.
D&C 48:1 It is necessary that ye should remain for the present time in your places of abode, as it shall be suitable to your circumstances.
2 And inasmuch as ye have lands, ye shall impart to the eastern brethren;
3 And inasmuch as ye have not lands, let them buy for the present time in those regions roundabout, as seemeth them good, for it must needs be necessary that they have places to live for the present time.
-What were the Lord’s instruction to the members?
4 It must needs be necessary that ye save all the money that ye can, and that ye obtain all that ye can in righteousness, that in time ye may be enabled to purchase land for an inheritance, even the city.
5 The place is not yet to be revealed; but after your brethren come from the east there are to be certain men appointed, and to them it shall be given to know the place, or to them it shall be revealed.
6 And they shall be appointed to purchase the lands, and to make a commencement to lay the foundation of the city; and then shall ye begin to be gathered with your families, every man according to his family, according to his circumstances, and as is appointed to him by the presidency and the bishop of the church, according to the laws and commandments which ye have received, and which ye shall hereafter receive. Even so. Amen.
-So, where was the city of Zion to be built?
READ The Lord urged the Saints to save money for the time when they would need to purchase land to build the city of Zion. At that time the Lord had not yet revealed Zion’s location other than declaring that it would be located “on the borders by the Lamanites” (D&C 28:9). Within a few months of this revelation the Lord revealed to Church leaders that Zion would be built in Independence, Missouri (D&C 52:2–3; 57:1–5).(Institute Manual)
LAST WORDS: Bestowing gifts of the Spirit is one way that Heavenly Father helps us to become more like Him. President George Q. Cannon (1827–1901) of the First Presidency explained: “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. If I am an angry man, it is my duty to pray for charity, which suffereth long and is kind. Am I an envious man? It is my duty to seek for charity, which envieth not. So with all the gifts of the Gospel. They are intended for this purpose. 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 lack 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, notwithstanding their many weaknesses, because God has promised to give the gifts that are necessary for their perfection” (“Discourse by President George Q. Cannon,” Millennial Star, Apr. 23, 1894, 260–61).
The attainment of spiritual gifts and the gifts themselves teach individuals how to be like God. The scriptures teach us that there are greater and lesser gifts. Both Moroni and Paul indicate that the gift of charity is foremost among the spiritual gifts in both its enduring qualities and importance. Moroni discusses the inseparability of charity from the other two cardinal or enduring gifts of the Spirit, faith and hope. Of all the gifts, these three are the most important in the progression from natural man to disciple of Jesus Christ. They are gifts that help bridge the gap between imperfection and perfection.[20] Given their great importance, spiritual gifts require more than the work of the seeker to be obtained. This must be a process directed by heaven.
Members of the Church who follow the Lord’s guidelines faithfully have a special endowment of power that sets them apart from their peers: a member of the Godhead who will always be with them (see Moroni 4:3). This privilege is available to each individual who is willing and worthy to take upon him or herself the covenants that are prerequisite to the receipt of the Holy Ghost. Elder McConkie stated that the gift of the Holy Ghost opens the door to auxiliary spiritual gifts that allow us to transcend the baseness of the world to higher planes: “We have received the gift of the Holy Ghost and we are entitled to receive the gifts of the Spirit—those wondrous spiritual endowments which set us apart from the rest of the world and raise us above carnal things.”
Spiritual gifts from God are bestowed by God upon those “who are true followers of his Son” (Moroni 7:48). Our Heavenly Father blesses us with these gifts as we live his commandments and keep our covenants. They are given to help us lead enriched spiritual lives and to serve others, “that all may be profited thereby” (D&C 46:12). The following five points emphasize actions that members can do to increase the Spirit and accompanying spiritual gifts in their lives: Be believing. Be worthy. Be obedient. Serve diligently and selflessly. Be a wise steward. (Craig K. Manscill and Derek Mock, "Gifts of the Spirit," Religious Educator 6, no. 2 (2005): 69–84)
This next week let us give more consideration to the spiritual gifts that we have been given and the spiritual gifts that we need to make us better disciples and stewards. Have a good week.
Greg