The three standard books of scripture used for authoritative reference in the Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are the Holy Scriptures (Inspired Version), the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants. Spiritual gifts from God are recorded in each of these books and the spiritual gifts are firmly established in the life of the Church and its membership. This has been true from the beginning, and continues to be so, ever since the fullness of the gospel was restored to earth through the latter day Prophet, Joseph Smith, Jr. Saints shall be forever grateful to God, The Eternal Father, for His love and compassion toward the children of men for this great and marvelous work. He has provided a way and means for us to taste of the eternal bliss that is possible for us to obtain, if we will bring our unbridled will under His control and submit to Him in all ways. We would surely know true happiness, as well as fulfillment such as is enjoyed by the inhabitants of Heaven, who have kept the faith and endured to the end of their mortal lives here on earth.
The Apostle Paul in his first letter to the Saints at Corinth declared that he did not desire that they would be ignorant of spiritual things, as so many in the world of today are. (See I Corinthians 12:1)
Movie idols and sports athletes continue to attract the attention of those who have no better ideal of what constitutes a role model. Excess and indulgence are the mainstays of such and the spiritually immature continue to be enamored of the celebrity status of some. The Apostle Paul taught that there are more significant things than those of the flesh. He said "there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit"¦there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord"¦there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all." The spiritual gifts of God are given for the benefit of those who consider them to be of great valuable and who recognize that these gifts transcend this temporal existence into the spiritual realm. These gifts cannot be purchased for any price, even by the rich and famous. God grants them to whom He will. They are varied, but all have the same characteristics and stamp of authenticity by their provider, God, who explained in the Doctrine and Covenants, ""¦all things unto me are spiritual, and not at any time have I given unto you a law which was temporal, neither any man, nor the children of men; neither Adam your father, whom I created." (D & C 28:9) The Spiritual Gifts from God are an expression of His great love for us all.
Because we live in a temporal world, where everything has a beginning and an end, it can be difficult for us to comprehend the infinite things of God, which unlike anything here, have neither beginning nor end. In the last writings of the Book of Mormon, Moroni exhorts his brethren and those who would come after him to "deny not the gifts of God, for they are many; and they come from the same God. They are given by the manifestations of the Spirit of God to men, to profit them." He went on to recite some of the ways that the spiritual gifts are revealed unto us. "To one is given by the Spirit of God that he may teach the word of wisdom; and to another, that he may teach the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; and to another exceedingly great faith; and to another, the gifts of healing by the same Spirit. To another, that he may work mighty miracles; and again, to another, that he may prophesy concerning all things; to another, the beholding of angels and ministering spirits; to another, all kinds of tongues; and to another, the interpretation of languages and of divers kinds of tongues. And all these gifts come by the Spirit of Christ, according as he will." Another noteworthy aspect of these spiritual gifts is that they are not manifest unto men unless they believe. Moroni prophesied "to all the ends of the earth, that if the day comes that the power and gifts of God shall be done away, it shall be because of unbelief."
It is important to our understanding that we develop the ability to distinguish between the spiritual gifts and the spiritual fruits. The spiritual gifts are the manifestations of the Spirit given to man. The fruits of the Spirit are produced as a result of the spiritual gifts provided by God. Where there are no spiritual gifts given, there is no spiritual fruit borne. An example of the fruits of the Spirit is found in Galatians 5:22-23, "love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law." In I Corinthians, chapter 12, Paul"'s description of the spiritual gifts is very similar to what is recorded in the Book of Mormon. "The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit." God is not ambiguous in His attempts to teach us what we need to understand about spiritual things.
In a revelation received by the Prophet, Joseph Smith, Jr. in 1831, the Lord reiterated the worth of the spiritual gifts to all those who would seek them. "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; for verily I say unto you, They are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments,"¦ And again, verily I say unto you, I would that ye should always remember, and always retain in your minds what those gifts are"¦." (D & C 46:4-5)
While the scriptures assure us that there is no greater gift than the gift of salvation, the spiritual gifts cannot be diminished in their importance to our spiritual well-being. The temporal things of this world continue to demand much of our attention to the detriment of our souls. It is only when temporal things are compared for value with spiritual things, that the true significance and appreciation for the things of God are recognized. The spiritual gifts of God are so very important to our well being and growth. They should be cultivated and sought after with much diligence and care. God grants to us spiritual gifts as He deems necessary, so that we may gain spiritual understanding and come to a knowledge of Him and His purpose for our life in Christ.