Why is Jesus Christ Important in my Life?

What think ye of Christ? ~Matthew 22:42 (This should be on the chalkboard, along with pictures or Christ)



What do we know about Christ?  What do YOU know about Christ?  Who is He?  How does he affect our daily lives?

While I was cleaning the kitchen and preparing this lesson simultaneously, I picked this month's Ensign up off the counter and went to put it away.  But then, I had this thought, "I wonder how much this particular Ensign mentions Christ?  Does it help us learn the answers to these questions (I mentioned above)?"  Needless to say I didn't put the magazine away.  Instead, I browsed through it, scanned a bit, and quickly came up with 25 different paragraphs mentioning things about who He is, what He does, and why He does it.  This was the result of a seriously brief read through.  Imagine how much more there is that I missed!?!  Something tells me EVERY issue is like this one too.  Maybe I should check last months...or you can! :)
I've marked all the parts of the February Ensign that I found regarding the Savior.  Let's read some of them and have you guys tell me what we learn from the brief, yet poignant sentences authored by both apostles and typical saints like you and me.

Here are some of the things I picked out from all of that (what I found in the Ensign):
-He teaches us to truly love and be loved
-He loves us perfectly
-He is THE perfect example for us to follow, shows us how to pattern our life 
-He "bids us enter", invites all to come unto Him
-He understands completely
-He gave us the Atonement; allows us to be truly clean/without sin as He is
-He will never leave us alone, he is constantly helping us
-He carries our "weight" with us
-He helps us and provides ways for us to keep the commandments
-He is our Savior and Redeemer
-He gives us power, strength, and comfort
-He is the great teacher
-We learn charity through Him
-He taught us that we can control our thoughts
-He restores our joy and helps our joy increase
-He taught us to be baptized
-He comforts and assures us
-He blesses our efforts
-He care about what we care about
-He overcame death
-He seeks after the lost lamb
-He blesses even ordinary people like us

If we look at "The Living Christ" we'll find more (and some of the same):
-His life is matchless
-His virtue is infinite
-None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth
-He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New.
-He was the creator of the earth
-He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness
-He went about doing good but was despised for it
-His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill
-He entreated all to follow his example
-He healed the sick, caused the blind to see and raised the dead
-He taught the truth of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and he potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.
-He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice.
-He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross.
-He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in
behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.
-His life neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded in Calvary
- He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only
Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.
-He rose from the grave to “become the first fruits of them
that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20)
- As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America.
-In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fullness of times” (Ephesians 1:10).
-the Prophet Joseph wrote: “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white
like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah
- he lives!
-he is the Only Begotten of the Father—
“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22–24).
-His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—
“built upon the foundation of . . . apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20).
-He will someday return to earth. “And
the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall
see it together” (Isaiah 40:5).
-He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.
- Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father.
-He is the light of the world
-He is the life of the world
-He is the hope of the world
-His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come
From Elder Oak's talk entitles "Teachings of Jesus" we learn of Him as:
-the Only Begotten son (John 3:16-17)
-the Creator (John 1:2-3)
-Lord God of Israel (3 Nephi 11: 10,14)
-the Life of the World (John 10:10, 3 Nephi 11:11)
-the Light of the World (John 8:12, 14:16)
-the Great Exemplar (John 10:27)
and see that he:
-was always doing the will of the Father (Luke 2:49, John 6:38, 5:19)
-gave the priesthood power and authority to his apostle (Matthew 10:1, 16:19)
-gave us the Holy Ghost to help guide us (John 14:26, 16:13)
-also gave us the commandments to help guide us (3 Nephi 11:29-30)
-culminated his mortal ministry with His Resurrection and His Atonement for the sins of the world (John 1:29, Matthew 20:28, 26:28)
"And so we understand that the Atonement of Jesus Christ gives us the opportunity to overcome the spiritual death that results from sin and, through making and keeping sacred covenants, to have the blessings of eternal life (live with God again)." ~Oaks


Again, these are just from one month's Ensign a document from the church and a single talk from Elder Oaks.  Imagine how much more there is in the scriptures!  If you only read one book in the Book of Mormon, read third Nephi.  If you really want to narrow it down, start in chapter 11.  That much, I know we can all do.  I'm doing it now with me soon to be eight year old.  But you know what we should also do?  Read the entire New Testament.  What do you say?  Shall we commit to doing that this year?  I know it will be worth the effort... times 1000!

Okay, let's focus on a couple things.  First, let's talk about Elder Bednar's talk entitled "Bear Up Their Burdens with Ease."  It's the one with the truck that gets stuck in the snow.  Remember that one?  Who can quickly recap that story?
(truck stuck, needed traction)

How cool is that phrase, "spiritual traction"!?!  For whatever reason, that resonates with me.  We KNOW life isn't a fairy tale.  It doesn't take long to figure that out.  I think it would even be accurate to say that we recognize that the trials the Lord allows us to endure make us better people...somehow.  But the second we start looking at it as "spiritual traction" it feels more like a intelligent, needed teaching tool and less like the school of hard knocks we all try to escape.

That being said, gaining spiritual traction is never easy.  It takes A LOT of work.  And faith.  Lots and lots of faith.  And hope.  Don't forget hope.  Many times we feel like the heavy weight lifter carrying impossible amount of weight all alone in hopes to win some contest on our own.  Guess what!?!  Weight lifting competitions are STUPID  (both metaphorically and realistically-or should I not say that. :/ )  That's not what the Lord wants for us.

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of  me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: an ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." ~Matthew 11:28-30

What do you know about yokes?  Do you know what they look like?  Do you know how and why they are used?  Tell me what you think the Savior is teaching us hear.
-"In essence, the Savior is beckoning us to rely upon and pull together with Him, even though our best efforts are not equal to and cannot be compared with His.  As we trust in and pull our load with Him during the journey of mortality, truly His yoke is easy and His burden is light.  We are not and never need to be alone. We can press forward in our daily lives with heavenly help.  Through the Saviors Atonement we can receive capacity and "strength beyond our] own"".  Bednar

Does this mean that the Lord removes our burdens completely?
Absolutely not.

Mosiah 24: 13-15

13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.

14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand aswitnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord didstrengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

The challenges and difficulties were not immediately removed from the people. But Alma and his followers were strengthened, and their increased capacity made the burdens lighter. These good people were empowered through the Atonement to act as agents (see D&C 58:26–29) and impact their circumstances. And “in the strength of the Lord” (Words of Mormon 1:14; Mosiah 9:17; 10:10; Alma 20:4), Alma and his people were directed to safety in the land of Zarahemla. Bednar

The Savior succors his people.  Do you know what succor means?  I kind of did, but I couldn't confidently tell you a definitely.  So I Googled it. This is what I found:
1. Assistance and support in times of hardship and distress
2 Give assistance or aid too. 

“And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities” (Alma 7:11–12).

Everything is personal with Christ.  He cares about what we care about.  He KNOWS what we are going through and what we need.  He's been there himself!  Through His infinite atonement He has experienced everything He needed to in order to truly succor his people.

"Thus, the Savior has suffered not just for our sins and iniquities—but also for our physical pains and anguish, our weaknesses and shortcomings, our fears and frustrations, our disappointments and discouragement, our regrets and remorse, our despair and desperation, the injustices and inequities we experience, and the emotional distresses that beset us."  Bednar

There is no physical pain, no spiritual wound, no anguish of soul or heartache, no infirmity or weakness you or I ever confront in mortality that the Savior did not experience first. In a moment of weakness we may cry out, “No one knows what it is like. No one understands.” But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands, for He has felt and borne our individual burdens. And because of His infinite and eternal sacrifice (seeAlma 34:14), He has perfect empathy and can extend to us His arm of mercy. He can reach out, touch, succor, heal, and strengthen us to be more than we could ever be and help us to do that which we could never do relying only upon our own power. Indeed, His yoke is easy and His burden is light. ~ Bednar

I invite you to study, pray, ponder, and strive to learn more about the Savior’s Atonement as you assess your individual load. Many things about the Atonement we simply cannot comprehend with our mortal minds. But many aspects of the Atonement we can and need to understand.~Bednar


Not only does the Atonement of Jesus Christ overcome the effects of the Fall of Adam and make possible the remission of our individual sins and transgressions, but His Atonement also enables us to do good and become better in ways that stretch far beyond our mortal capacities. Most of us know that when we do things wrong and need help to overcome the effects of sin in our lives, the Savior has made it possible for us to become clean through His redeeming power. But do we also understand that the Atonement is for faithful men and women who are obedient, worthy, and conscientious and who are striving to become better and serve more faithfully? I wonder if we fail to fully acknowledge this strengthening aspect of the Atonement in our lives and mistakenly believe we must carry our load all alone—through sheer grit, willpower, and discipline and with our obviously limited capacities.
-Bednar

To which Jesus responded (and here again I acknowledge my nonscriptural elaboration), perhaps saying something like: “Then Peter, why are you here? Why are we back on this same shore, by these same nets, having this same conversation? Wasn’t it obvious then and isn’t it obvious now that if I want fish, I can get fish? What I need, Peter, are disciples—and I need them forever. I need someone to feed my sheep and save my lambs. I need someone to preach my gospel and defend my faith. I need someone who loves me, truly, truly loves me, and loves what our Father in Heaven has commissioned me to do. Ours is not a feeble message. It is not a fleeting task. It is not hapless; it is not hopeless; it is not to be consigned to the ash heap of history. It is the work of Almighty God, and it is to change the world. So, Peter, for the second and presumably the last time, I am asking you to leave all this and to go teach and testify, labor and serve loyally until the day in which they will do to you exactly what they did to me.”-Holland

"Who am I, and Who can I become?"

(On the board, I'll write "origin", "purpose" and "destiny"

Every week we stand and say our theme:

Young Women Theme 

WE ARE DAUGHTERS of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him. WE WILL “STAND as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places” (Mosiah 18:9) as we strive to live the Young Women values, which are:

Faith • Divine Nature • Individual Worth • Knowledge • Choice and Accountability • Good Works • Integrity • and Virtue

WE BELIEVE as we come to accept and act upon these values, WE WILL BE PREPARED to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation.

And if you look at the first page of your Personal Progress book, you'll find these words: "You are a beloved daughter of Heavenly Father, prepared to come to the earth at this particular time for a sacred and glorious purpose."

Think about these words.  Pick them apart.  What are your thoughts?  When you read that you are DAUGHTERS OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER and that he loves you, what does that mean to you? Can you glean a little from these words what our purpose is?  How about our destiny?  What does Divine Nature mean? How do you feel about our Father in Heaven after reading these statements?

Our origin (as daughters of a king):
Sisters, those words are true (from your personal progress book)! They are not made up in a fairy tale! Isn’t it remarkable to know that our eternal Heavenly Father knows you, hears you, watches over you, and loves you with an infinite love? In fact, His love for you is so great that He has granted you this earthly life as a precious gift of “once upon a time,” complete with your own true story of adventure, trial, and opportunities for greatness, nobility, courage, and love. And, most glorious of all, He offers you a gift beyond price and comprehension. Heavenly Father offers to you the greatest gift of all—eternal life—and the opportunity and infinite blessing of your own “happily ever after.”-Uchtdorf

"You are truly royal spirit daughters of Almighty God.  You are princesses, destined to become queens. Your own wondrous story has already begun.  Your "once upon a time" is now"-Uchtdorf
Let's read:
Genesis 1:26–27  26 ¶And God said, Let us make man in our image, after ourlikeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Moses 1:39  For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass theimmortality and eternal life of man.

From those two scriptures, what do we learn?  
-We are not only daughters or God, but we are created in his image!  We are not creatures that randomly morphed to look how we do.  We LOOK like our father.  Just like my girls look like their dad, we look like our Father in Heaven.
-God's entire purpose; His goal and His desire, is to have His children return to Him!  He gave us our bodies (which we, as women, get to help with-We GET to HELP our Father in Heaven!  The thing that God wants MOST is something we not only have the privilege of being a part, but we're a critical part of the equation.  Think about that for a while.), our agency, the Plan of Salvation, etc. all to help US come home; to give us our "happily ever after"!  He gave us our "once upon a time" and so badly wants us to choose our "happily ever after"!  Unlike Cinderella, there is not one lone author creating the plot twist and writing the ending.  There's God, and there's us.  Together, we decide if it's a "happily ever after" or not.

(We are DAUGHTERS of GOD)
"It is good to remember that you are always a child of God. This knowledge will carry you through the most difficult times in your life and will inspire you to accomplish remarkable things. However, it is also important to remember that being a daughter of eternal parents is not a distinction you earned or you will ever lose. You will always and forever remain a daughter of God." Uchtdorf (Living the Gospel Joyful")

"You are loved.  You are dear to your heavenly parents.  The infinite and eternal Creator of light and life knows you! He is mindful of you.  Yes, God loves you this very day and always.

He is not waiting to love you until you have overcome your weaknesses and bad habits. He loves you today with a full understanding of your struggles. He is aware that you reach up to Him in heartfelt and hopeful prayer. He knows of the times you have held onto the fading light and believed—even in the midst of growing darkness. He knows of your sufferings. He knows of your remorse for the times you have fallen short or failed. And still He loves you.

And God knows of your successes; though they may seem small to you, He acknowledges and cherishes each one of them. He loves you for extending yourself to others. He loves you for reaching out and helping others bear their heavy burdens—even when you are struggling with your own.

He knows everything about you. He sees you clearly—He knows you as you really are. And He loves you—today and always!"~Uchtdorf

Cinderella
-Noble birth
Did that mean that she automatically got to be a princess/queen? (No, it simply made her eligible)
Did her nobility prevent her from having to endure hardship? (Not at all...Dad died, horrible step-mother and sisters, worked to the bone etc.)
Now, since this is a fairy tale, our comparison is imperfect.  Like Cinderella, we are of a noble birthright.  We are daughters of a king; children of our Heavenly Father.  We are princesses and are destined to become Queens. We are also not simply thrust upon a throne.
We must earn it.  UNLIKE Cinderella, we do not have a fairy godmother.  WE DO, however, have a Savior.  We the ability to repent.  And instead of magic, we have His grace.  If we act in accordance to the will of our Father, we WILL have a "happily ever after," eternally living in His presence.  We WILL be given the opportunity (whether in this life or the next) to have our own "Prince Charming" as well as an eternal family.

As daughters of God, we have inherent gifts specifically bestowed upon us from our father.  What might those gifts be?
Gifts given to women (These are but a few and I pulled these from Elder Christofferson's talk):
-Virtue
-Able to instill faith, courage, empathy and refinement in relationships and in cultures
-Moral authority
-A mother can exert an influence unequaled by any other person in any other relationship
-Sacred role in the creation of life
-An intention to do good and be good

Our purpose
-"God sent you here to prepare for a future greater than anything you can imagine." ~Uchtdorf
-"...you must humble yourself, exercise faith, take upon you the name of Christ, seek Him in word and deed, and resolutely "stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places.""-Uchtdorf
-Help our Heavenly Father with His work and His glory by giving his children bodies
-Raise spirits in righteousness
-Set an example
-Instill qualities of faith, courage, empathy etc. in relationships and cultures
-To walk the path of discipleship for ourselves, and our families, so we can choose our "happily ever after" with our Father in Heaven.

What things should we do to stay on the path to our "happily ever after"?

Are there warnings/advice given by the apostles/prophets specifically for US?
Uchtdorf, Your Happily Ever After
-Stay true to what you know is right, stand for truth and righteousness
-Trust your Father in Heaven.  Trust him enough to follow His plan
-Attend church meetings, read the scriptures regularly, pray to our Heavenly Father daily
-Love your Heavenly Father with all your heart, might, and mind.
-Fill your souls with virtue
-Love goodness (do what is right for the love of doing what is right)
-Always strive to bring out the best in yourself and others.
-Learn to accept and act upon the YW values
-Live the standards in "For the Strength of Youth."
-Stand in holy places
-Be strong and of good courage
Living the Gospel Joyful
-Obedience to God's commandments, walk the path of discipleship
-Live the gospel joyfully, with all our heart, might, mind, and soul.
-Walk the path of discipleship
"Discipleship lifts our spirits and lightens our hearts. It inspires us with faith, hope, and charity. It fills our spirits with light in times of darkness, and serenity during times of sorrow."-Uchtdorf
The Moral Force of Women
-The devaluation of marriage and motherhood and homemaking "there is not a higher good than motherhood and fatherhood in marriage...no superior career, and no amount of money, authority, or public acclaim can exceed the ultimate rewards of family.  Whatever else a woman may accomplish, her moral influence is no more optimally employed that here." -Elder Christofferson
-Attitudes toward human sexuality
-Abortion for persona or social conveniences strikes at the heart of a woman's most sacred powers and destroys her moral authority
-Sexual immorality, revealing dress that debases women and reinforces the lie that a woman's sexuality is what defines her worth
-In the name of equality, society is trying to erase all the differences between the masculine and the feminine...encouraging women to adopt more masculine traits--be more aggressive, touch and confrontational

Former Young Women general president Margaret D. Nadauld taught: “The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity.”¹⁰ 

Why do we, as do all the fairy tale princesses, have to experience opposition and hardship?

"...Sandwiched between their “once upon a time” and “happily ever after,” they all had to experience great adversity. Why must all experience sadness and tragedy? Why could we not simply live in bliss and peace, each day filled with wonder, joy, and love?

The scriptures tell us there must be opposition in all things, for without it we could not discern the sweet from the bitter. ² Would the marathon runner feel the triumph of finishing the race had she not felt the pain of the hours of pushing against her limits? Would the pianist feel the joy of mastering an intricate sonata without the painstaking hours of practice?

In stories, as in life, adversity teaches us things we cannot learn otherwise. Adversity helps to develop a depth of character that comes in no other way. Our loving Heavenly Father has set us in a world filled with challenges and trials so that we, through opposition, can learn wisdom, become stronger, and experience joy."~Uchtdorf

"It is your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that determines how your life's story will develop." -Uchtdorf

Is it enough simply to endure? Nope.  How we react to both adversity and temptation is a critical factor in our destiny

I know that our Heavenly Father has absolutely given us the tools we need not only to endure, but to endure well.  I know that as we we truly understand who we are, and have the desire for our "once upon a time" to end with an eternal "happily ever after", we CAN absolutely get there. We can claim our noble birth right to not only be princesses but QUEENS!  We can become the people we were sent here to become.

The Moral Force of Women, Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Living the Gospel Joyful, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Your Happily Ever After, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

How Does Heavenly Father Want Me to Use Spiritual Gifts?

As a kid I often heard the phrase "spiritual gifts" and automatically started tuning out.  What in the heck are spiritual gifts?  If they are gifts, who gives them?  And who receives them?  Does the recipient get more than one?  Are these gift special or are they a dime a dozen?  So many questions!!! Now that I'm...less of a child...it's time I nailed this concept down!  So here we go...

What are spiritual gifts? What is their purpose  

Spiritual gifts are blessings or abilities that are given by
the power of the Holy Ghost. God gives at least one of these
gifts to every faithful member of the Church. As you receive
these gifts, they will strengthen and bless you individually
and help you serve others. (See D&C 46:8–12.)

*** One of the insights we learn here is that if you are not worthy of the Holy Ghost, you will not receive spiritual gifts-he can not give them to you if you do not recognize his promptings.

"The scriptures and modern-day prophets teach that there are many spiritual gifts (see Moro. 10:8; D&C 46:13–26). Their purpose, among other things, is to give us strength, lead us to do good, help us resist temptation, encourage and edify us, increase our wisdom, help us judge righteously, and help us qualify for eternal life." Arnold

There are many scriptures, articles and talks that offer specific examples of spiritual gifts but before we look at them let's see how many you guys can come up with...

(Write on chalk board-when they are done I'll list more)

Are any of these gifts that you've never thought about before? Are there any you'd like to understand better? (give girls assignments from below and then we'll discuss)

(Gifts of the Spirit-in depth look)

• Knowledge “that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and
that he was crucified for the sins of the world” (D&C
46:13).

The Gift of Knowing That Jesus Christ Is the Son of God (D&C 46:13)

This has been the gift of prophets and apostles who have been called as special witnesses of Jesus Christ. However, others are also given this gift. Every person can have a testimony through the whisperings of the Holy Spirit. President David O. McKay taught: “It is given unto some, says the Lord in the Doctrine and Covenants, to know by the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Son of God and that He was crucified for the sins of the world [seeD&C 46:13]. It is to these I refer who stand firm upon the rock of revelation in the testimony that they bear to the world” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay [2003], 166).

• The capacity to believe the words of those who testify
of Jesus Christ.

The Gift of Believing the Testimony of Others (D&C 46:14)

By the power of the Holy Ghost we may know the truth of all things. If we want to know whether someone else is speaking the truth, we must ask God in faith. If the thing we are praying about is true, the Lord will speak peace to our minds (see D&C 6:22–23). In this way we can know when someone else, even the prophet, has received revelation. Nephi asked the Lord to let him see, feel, and know that his father’s dream was true (see1 Nephi 10:17–19).

• Knowledge of “the differences of administration”
(D&C 46:15; see also 1 Corinthians 12:5). This gift is
used in administering and leading the Church.
• Knowledge of “the diversities of operations,” which
helps us discern whether a teaching or influence
comes from God or from some other source (D&C
46:16; see also 1 Corinthians 12:6–7).
• The gift of “the word of wisdom” (1 Corinthians 12:8;
D&C 46:17). This does not refer to the law we know as
Spiritual Gifts the Word of Wisdom. Rather, it is the gift of wisdom—
the ability to use knowledge in righteous ways.

The Gift of Wisdom (D&C 46:17)

Some of us have been blessed with the ability to understand people and the principles of the gospel as they apply in our lives. We are told:

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

“For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord” (James 1:5–7).

The Lord said, “Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you” (D&C 6:7).

• The gift of “the word of knowledge” (1 Corinthians
12:8; D&C 46:18).

The Gift of Knowledge (D&C 46:18)

Everyone who becomes like Heavenly Father eventually knows all things. The knowledge of God and His laws is revealed by the Holy Ghost (seeD&C 121:26). We cannot be saved if we are ignorant of these laws (seeD&C 131:6).

The Lord revealed, “If a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come” (D&C 130:19). The Lord has commanded us to learn as much as we can about His work. He wants us to learn about the heavens, the earth, things that have happened or will happen, things at home and in foreign lands (see D&C 88:78–79). However, there are those who try to gain knowledge by their own study alone. They do not ask for the help of the Holy Ghost. They are those who are always learning but never arrive at the truth (see 2 Timothy 3:7). When we receive knowledge by revelation from the Holy Ghost, His Spirit speaks to our minds and our hearts (see D&C 6:15, 22–24; 8:2; 9:7–9).

• The ability to teach by the power of the Holy Ghost
(see Moroni 10:9–10; see also D&C 46:18).

The Gift of Teaching Wisdom and Knowledge (Moroni 10:9–10)

Some people are given a special ability to explain and testify of the truths of the gospel. This gift can be used when we teach a class. It can be used by parents to teach their children. This gift also helps us instruct others so they can understand the gospel.

• The gift of faith (see 1 Corinthians 12:9; Moroni 10:11).

The Gift of Faith (Moroni 10:11)

The brother of Jared had great faith. Because of his faith, he received other gifts. His faith was so great that the Savior appeared to him (seeEther 3:9–15). Without faith, no other gift can be given. Moroni promises, “Whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him” (Mormon 9:21). We should seek to increase our faith, find out our gifts, and use them.

• The gift “to have faith to be healed” (D&C 46:19).
• The gift “to have faith to heal” (D&C 46:20; see also
1 Corinthians 12:9; Moroni 10:11).

The Gift of Healing (D&C 46:19–20)

Some have the faith to heal, and others have the faith to be healed. We can all exercise the faith to be healed when we are ill (see D&C 42:48). Many who hold the priesthood have the gift of healing the sick. Others may be given a knowledge of how to cure illness.

• “The working of miracles” (1 Corinthians 12:10; D&C
46:21; see also Moroni 10:12).

The Gift of Working Miracles (D&C 46:21)

The Lord has blessed His people many times in miraculous ways. When the Utah pioneers planted their first crops, a plague of locusts nearly destroyed them. The pioneers prayed that the Lord would save their crops, and He sent seagulls to devour the locusts. When we need help and ask in faith, if it is for our good the Lord will work miracles for us (seeMatthew 17:20; D&C 24:13–14).

• The gift of prophecy (see 1 Corinthians 12:10; Moroni
10:13; D&C 46:22). John the Beloved taught that
“the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy”
(Revelation 19:10).

The Gift of Prophecy (D&C 46:22)

Those who receive true revelations about the past, present, or future have the gift of prophecy. Prophets have this gift, but we too can have it to help us govern our own lives (see 1 Corinthians 14:39). We may receive revelations from God for ourselves and our own callings, but never for the Church or its leaders. It is contrary to the order of heaven for a person to receive revelation for someone over whom he or she does not preside. If we truly have the gift of prophecy, we will not receive any revelation that does not agree with what the Lord has said in the scriptures.

• “The beholding of angels and ministering spirits”
(Moroni 10:14).

• “Discerning of spirits” (1 Corinthians 12:10; D&C 46:23).

• The gift to speak in different languages, or tongues
(see 1 Corinthians 12:10; Moroni 10:15; D&C 46:24).

The Gift of Tongues (D&C 46:24)

Sometimes it is necessary to communicate the gospel in a language that is unfamiliar to us. When this happens, the Lord can bless us with the ability to speak that language. Many missionaries have received the gift of tongues (see the picture in this chapter). For example, Elder Alonzo A. Hinckley was a missionary in Holland who understood and spoke very little Dutch even though he had prayed and studied hard. When he returned to a home he had visited before, a lady opened the door and spoke to him very angrily in Dutch. To his amazement he could understand every word. He felt a strong desire to bear his testimony to her in Dutch. He began to speak, and the words came out very clearly in Dutch. But when he returned to show his mission president that he could speak Dutch, the ability had left him. Many faithful members have been blessed with the gift of tongues. (See Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, comp. Joseph Fielding Smith Jr., 5 vols. [1957–66], 2:32–33.)

• The gift of “the interpretation of tongues” (1 Corinthians
12:10; D&C 46:25; see also Moroni 10:16).

The Gift of Interpretation of Tongues (D&C 46:25)

This gift is sometimes given to us when we do not understand a language and we need to receive an important message from God. For example, President David O. McKay had a great desire to speak to the Saints in New Zealand without an interpreter. He told them that he hoped that the Lord would bless them that they could understand him. He spoke in English. His message lasted about 40 minutes. As he spoke, he could tell by the expression on many of their faces and the tears in their eyes that they were receiving his message. (See Answers to Gospel Questions, 2:30–31.)

The Gift of Translation (D&C 5:4)

If we have been called by the leaders of the Church to translate the word of the Lord, we can receive a gift to translate beyond our natural ability. As with all gifts, we must live righteously, study hard, and pray to receive it. When we do these things, the Lord causes us to feel a burning inside concerning the correctness of the translation (see D&C 9:8–9). Joseph Smith had the gift of translation when he translated the Book of Mormon. This gift came to him only when he was in tune with the Spirit.

"In his message Elder Ashton detailed and described a number of less conspicuous spiritual gifts—attributes and abilities that many of us might not have considered being spiritual gifts..." (below are the follow gifts mentioned by Elder Ashton)

The gift of asking

The gift of listeningThe gift of hearing and using the still, small voice

"Small voices are heard only by those who are willing to listen. Soft and small voice communications with our associates make priceless friendships possible. I am appreciative of people who find no need to raise their voices as they try to impress or convince. It seems most people who argue and shout have ceased listening to what the small voice could powerfully contribute."

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 looking to God for guidance

"What a spiritual comfort and blessing it is to know that, if we look to our Savior Jesus Christ and endure to the end, eternal life and exaltation can be ours. Our capacity to see and comprehend is increased only in proportion to our willingness to look. God becomes more approachable as we look to him. Looking to God teaches us to serve and live without compulsion. Being a leader in the Church should never diminish our “looking to God” time."

The gift of being a disciple

The gift to calm

"The gospel is one of harmony, unity, and agreement. It must be presented in love, and with glad tidings, by those who are calm.

We should learn to talk together, listen together, pray together, decide together, and avoid all forms of possible contention. We must learn to curb anger. Satan knows that when contention begins, orderly progress is thwarted.

There has never been a time when it is more important for us as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to take a stand, remain firm in our convictions, and conduct ourselves with calm assurance under all circumstances. We must not be manipulated or enraged by those who subtly foster contention over issues of the day."

The gift of caring for others

"How grateful we should be for families, friends, and organizations who care! They make life easier and more meaningful. They, too, reap rewards in their Christlike caring when they serve for the right reasons. Leaders on every level should be primarily interested in rendering compassionate caring for others.

“And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17)...

Our Savior cares for all of his sheep. What a tribute it is to be recognized as one who cares."

The gift of being able to ponder

"By pondering, we give the Spirit an opportunity to impress and direct. Pondering is a powerful link between the heart and the mind. As we read the scriptures, our hearts and minds are touched. If we use the gift to ponder, we can take these eternal truths and realize how we can incorporate them into our daily actions...

Pondering is a progressive mental pursuit. It is a great gift to those who have learned to use it. We find understanding, insight, and practical application if we will use the gift of pondering."

 The gift of bearing mighty testimony

This makes me think of Elder Holland.  Or Oaks.  Their conference talks rattle the Earth itself...it so it seems on the ground I'm standing.

The gift of receiving the Holy Ghost(see “There Are Many Gifts,” Ensign, Nov. 1987, 20).

Here are some that I think might also be gifts of the spirit:
The gift of charity (seeing other people as God sees them)
The gift of common sense
The gift of logic/reason
The gift of knowing we have a Father in Heaven (Dad)
The gift of beautification (making everything around you beautiful)
The gift of optimism

Think about the young women in this room.  Do any of them have these gifts? Do YOU have any of these gifts?  Have you been able to recognize experiences that are the result of a spiritual gift?

Possible Stories: Mac and his friends (homecoming-winner and date-peacemaker, friend), My testimony, Grandma always listening...lastly...Dad pulling over car, .44 by driver's leg

The story of my dad brings me to the spiritual gift I'd like to focus on; the gift of being quick to observe... 

The Spiritual Gift of Being Quick to Observe

"...And Mormon, even in his youth, is described as being “quick to observe.” As you study and learn and grow, I hope you also are learning about and becoming quick to observe. Your future success and happiness will in large measure be determined by this spiritual capacity.

Please consider the significance of this important spiritual gift. As used in the scriptures, the word observe has two primary uses. One use denotes “to look” or “to see” or “to notice”—as we learn in Isaiah 42:20: “Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not” (emphasis added).

The second use of the word observe suggests “to obey” or “to keep”—as is evident in the Doctrine and Covenants: “But blessed are they who have kept the covenant and observed the commandment, for they shall obtain mercy” (D&C 54:6; emphasis added).

Thus when we are quick to observe, we promptly look or notice and obey. Both of these fundamental elements—looking and obeying—are essential to being quick to observe. And the prophet Mormon is an impressive example of this gift in action...

...Simply stated, being quick to observe is an antecedent to and is linked with the spiritual gift of discernment. And for you and for me, discernment is a light of protection and direction in a world that grows increasingly dark.

Much like faith precedes the miracle, much like baptism by water comes before the baptism by fire, much like gospel milk should be digested before gospel meat, much like clean hands can lead to a pure heart, and much like the ordinances of the Aaronic Priesthood are necessary before a person can receive the higher ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood, so being quick to observe is a prerequisite to and a preparation for the gift of discernment. We can hope to obtain that supernal gift of discernment and its light of protection and direction only if we are quick to observe—if we both look and obey." (Bednar)

President George Q. Cannon (1827–1901), who served as a counselor to four Presidents of the Church, taught powerfully about the gift of discernment:

“One of the gifts of the Gospel which the Lord has promised to those who enter into covenant with Him is the gift of discerning of spirits—a gift which is not much thought of by many and probably seldom prayed for; yet it is a gift that is of exceeding value and one that should be enjoyed by every Latter-day Saint. …

“Now, the gift of discerning of spirits not only gives men and women who have it the power to discern the spirit with which others may be possessed or influenced, but it gives them the power to discern the spirit which influences themselves. They are able to detect a false spirit and also to know when the Spirit of God reigns within them. In private life this gift is of great importance to the Latter-day Saints. Possessing and exercising this gift they will not allow any evil influence to enter into their hearts or to prompt them in their thoughts, their words or their acts. They will repel it; and if perchance such a spirit should get possession of them, as soon as they witness its effects they will expel it or, in other words, refuse to be led or prompted by it.” ^1"(Bednar}

I see so many of these gifts, like the gift of being quick to observe, and I WANT them.  When I learn about all these cool tools the Lord has given us I just want to run to Home Depot and max out my credit card!  But wait...we can't exactly BUY these gifts.  We can't buy them for ourselves OR for others.  We know God has given us each at least one gift, but what if we want more?  What can we do?  Are spiritual gifts given to you at birth and that's is?  Or can we "earn" them?

How Can We Obtain Spiritual Gifts?

We are taught that in order to receive any spiritual gift, we must be worthy of it. The Lord has said that spiritual gifts “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” (D&C 46:9).

When we seek to obtain a spiritual gift, we can study the examples and teachings of the Savior that pertain to that particular gift and then try to incorporate those teachings into our life. For example, let’s suppose we are seeking the gift of charity. We could study Moroni 7:45 [Moro. 7:45], where we would find that there are 13 separate qualities we will need to seek as part of the process of obtaining charity. Kindness is one of the first that is mentioned.

What can we learn from the Savior’s teachings about kindness? In Matthew 25 [Matt. 25] He states:

“For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

“Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. …

“… Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matt. 25:35–36, 40).

As we continually strive to be kind, kindness will begin to become a part of our lives, and the Lord can then choose to grant that which we are worthy of and prepared to receive.

To receive a gift we must “practice virtue and holiness before” the Lord continually (D&C 38:24), and we “must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth” (D&C 50:40). We must “ask of God, who giveth liberally; … in all holiness of heart, walking uprightly … , doing all things with prayer and thanksgiving” (D&C 46:7). When we ask for a gift, our will must be aligned with God’s will (see D&C 46:30).

So lets see:
1. God can give us them to start off with
2.We can be worthy, have a desire, study, pray/seek/ask and align our will with God's
  

To develop our gifts, we must find out which gifts we have. We do this by praying and fasting. We should seek after the best gifts (see D&C 46:8). Sometimes patriarchal blessings will help us know which gifts we have been given.

We must be obedient and faithful to be given our gifts. We then should use these gifts to do the work of the Lord. They are not given to satisfy our curiosity or to prove anything to us because we lack faith. Of spiritual gifts, the Lord said, “They are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do” (D&C 46:9). Chapter 22

Now, even if I have a dozen shiny tools in my tool box, what good are they if they sit there unopened?  We need not just figure out the spiritual gifts we've been given.  We need to hone those skills.  We need to continue to develop and share them with others.  It's kind of a "use it or lose it" thing in that way.

Why do we need these gifts?

"The scriptures and modern-day prophets teach that there are many spiritual gifts (see Moro. 10:8; D&C 46:13–26). Their purpose, among other things, is to give us strength, lead us to do good, help us resist temptation, encourage and edify us, increase our wisdom, help us judge righteously, and help us qualify for eternal life." Arnold

What really sticks out to me (because it's not a primary-type answer) is the need to judge righteously.  What is that?  Must it be done?  How do we do it?  Will these gifts really help us (Yes!)?

We HAVE to make judgements everyday.  What we wear, who we hang out with, how we spend our time etc...we need all the help/gifts/talents we can get in order to make the best judgement and continue on the straight and narrow.

Let's quickly talk about judging...

"There are two kinds of judging: final judgments, which we are forbidden to make, and intermediate judgments, which we are directed to make, but upon righteous principles."

 “Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour” (Lev. 19:15).

On one occasion the Savior chided the people, “Why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?” (Luke 12:57). On another occasion he said, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24).

We must, of course, make judgments every day in the exercise of our moral agency, but we must be careful that our judgments of people are intermediate and not final. Thus, our Savior’s teachings contain many commandments we cannot keep without making intermediate judgments of people: “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine” (Matt. 7:6); “Beware of false prophets. … Ye shall know them by their fruits” (Matt. 7:15–16); and “Go ye out from among the wicked” (D&C 38:42).

"We all make judgments in choosing our friends, in choosing how we will spend our time and our money, and, of course, in choosing an eternal companion. Some of these intermediate judgments are surely among those the Savior referenced when He taught that “the weightier matters of the law” include judgment (Matt. 23:23). The scriptures not only command or contemplate that we will make intermediate judgments but also give us some guidance—some governing principles—on how to do so." Oaks

What are the principles of righteous judgement?

1. It must be intermediate (we are commanded never to make final judgement on anyone)

2. It must be guided by the spirit of the Lord (not anger, revenge, jealous etc.)

3. It must be within our stewardship

4. If at all possible, it must be made only AFTER we have an adequate knowledge of the facts

5. Whenever possible, refrain from judging people and instead judge the situation

6. You must be prepared to forgive

7. It must apply righteous standards

Unlike the common belief in today's society, we ARE supposed to judge.  In order to do so righteous we need to have as many spiritual gifts as possible.  Wouldn't it be easier to judge wisely if you were quick to observe, able to ponder and turn to God for answers?  These are all very attainable spiritual gifts.  Wouldn't judging righteously come easier if you had knowledge and wisdom?  Again, both gifts of the spirit, gifts you can have!
The truth is we will be making judgements every day of our lives and as it gets harder to judge, we'll need more gifts of the spirit.  Time to hit our knees! :)
(Not going to focus on this, but something to be aware of)

Satan Imitates the Gifts of the Spirit

• How can we discern between the true gifts of the Spirit and Satan’s imitations?

Satan can imitate the gifts of tongues, prophecy, visions, healings, and other miracles. Moses had to compete with Satan’s imitations in Pharaoh’s court (see Exodus 7:8–22). Satan wants us to believe in his false prophets, false healers, and false miracle workers. They may appear to be so real to us that the only way to know is to ask God for the gift of discernment. The devil himself can appear as an angel of light (see 2 Nephi 9:9).

Satan wants to blind us to the truth and keep us from seeking the true gifts of the Spirit. Mediums, astrologers, fortune tellers, and sorcerers are inspired by Satan even if they claim to follow God. Their works are abominable to the Lord (see Isaiah 47:12–14; Deuteronomy 18:9–10). We should avoid all associations with the powers of Satan.

The Savior taught that in the last days there would be many unholy and unrighteous people who would seek to deceive, using false gifts. He warned, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (3 Ne. 14:15; see also Matt. 7:15). He taught us how to know which gifts are of God and which are of the adversary: “Ye shall know them by their fruits” (3 Ne. 14:16; see also Matt. 7:16). “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance” (Gal. 5:22–23).

President Gordon B. Hinckley taught: “You recognize the promptings of the Spirit by the fruits of the Spirit—that which enlighteneth, that which buildeth up, that which is positive and affirmative and uplifting and leads us to better thoughts and better words and better deeds is of the Spirit of God. That which tears us down, which leads us into forbidden paths—that is of the adversary. … How do we recognize the promptings of the Spirit? You put it to that test. If it invites to do good, it is of God. If it inviteth to do evil, it is of the devil. … If you are doing the right thing and if you are living the right way, you will know in your heart what the Spirit is saying to you.” ⁴ How comforting it is to have a living prophet.

The bounds of the adversary are set. If we are striving to keep the commandments and to abide by the covenants we have made with the Lord, the adversary will not frustrate our progress. ⁵ As the Doctrine and Covenants tells us, “Hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass” (D&C 122:9). Arnold

We Must Be Careful with Our Gifts of the Spirit

• How can we respect the sacredness of spiritual gifts?

The Lord said, “A commandment I give unto them, that they shall not boast themselves of these things, neither speak them before the world; for these things are given unto you for your profit and for salvation” (D&C 84:73). We must remember that spiritual gifts are sacred (see D&C 6:10).

In return for giving us these gifts, the Lord asks that we “give thanks unto God in the Spirit for whatsoever blessing [we] are blessed with” (D&C 46:32).

I absolutely promise you that you have at least one incredible gift of the spirit already.

"One of the great tragedies of life, it seems to me, is when a person classifies himself as someone who has no talents or gifts. When, in disgust or discouragement, we allow ourselves to reach depressive levels of despair because of our demeaning self-appraisal, it is a sad day for us and a sad day in the eyes of God. For us to conclude that we have no gifts when we judge ourselves by stature, intelligence, grade-point average, wealth, power, position, or external appearance is not only unfair but unreasonable." Ashton

Sometimes we tend to cut ourselves short.  We tell ourselves that if we aren't a concert pianist, a brilliant poet, a favored teacher, or at the top of our field (career) that we must not have any talents. This is just unreasonable. Whether you search your patriarchal blessing, get down on your knees, or talk to those who know you best, you MUST allow yourselves to recognize your spiritual gifts!  They are there and it's your responsibility to discover and develop them!  

" It is up to each of us to search for and build upon the gifts which God has given...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. " Ashton

"God does live. He does bless us with gifts. As we develop and share our God-given gifts and benefit from the gifts of those around us, the world can be a better place and God’s work will move forward at a more rapid pace." Ashton

I know that the Lord wants us, and needs us, to develop the gifts he's given us as well as the ones we desire.  The war against Satan requires it.  I promise you that you will never regret aligning your will with Gods;seeking out, preparing and working for these SACRED gifts.

Challenge:
1. Are there any gifts that you'd like to earn/recieve?  Will you pray about them?  Work for them?
2.Will you focus on trying to see the spiritual gifts in others?  See if it makes you think more kindly of them and if you're able to recognize their value more easily.

"Judge Not and Judging" Elder Dallin H. Oaks
"There Are Many Gifts" Marvin J. Ashton
"Messages from the Doctrine and Covenants: Seek Ye Earnestly the Best Gifts" Elder Mervyn B. Arnold
"Quick to Observe" Elder David A. Bednar 
"Gospel Principles, Chapter 22:The Gifts of the Spirit"