Gifts...

Two weeks ago I gave the lesson in R.S. on Gifts of the Spirit. I have since learned a great deal more about the different gifts of the spirit and how they come in and out of our lives.

"Spiritual gifts are endless in number and infinite in variety." (Bruce R. McConkie)

In my lesson, as I mentioned on a previous post, I wrapped a box and put in some Chocolate with slips of paper with different Gifts of the Spirit written on them. I was surprised at the list and found a lot of Gifts I would not have thought would be considered Gifts of the Spirit. I asked the ladies to

1. Identify your present gifts and strengthen them

2. Strive to be virtuous and pure. Act with integrity and truth. Keep the commandments of God.

3. Identify a Gift that you desire to have.

4. Study it out in your mind and in the scriptures; look for examples of this gift. Pray for the ability and opportunity to develop this gift.

I want to encourage all that read this to do the same. Read the list carefully find the one that you need or want in your life. Here is just a few Gifts...

-to know that Jesus is the Christ

-of Avoiding temptation

-of forgiveness

-of asking

-of listening

-of avoiding contention

-of the Word of Wisdom

-of prophecy

-of tongues

-of the interpretation of tongues

-to be calm

-to study and listen
-of translation

-of hearing and using the still small voice

-to be able to weep

-of healing

-to be agreeable

-to avoid vain repetition

-of seeking that which is righteous

-to not pass judgment
-of looking to God for guidance

-of being a disciple

-of offering prayer

-of bearing a mighty testimony

-of receiving the Holy Ghost

-to understand the Holy Ghost

-of strength amidst adversity and trials

-of repentance

-of charity

-of kindness

-to know your divinity and worth

-of patience

-of faith

-of wisdom

-to use knowledge in righteous ways

-of discernment

-to become perfect
I remember while preparing my lesson that the gift of translation was something, in my mind, that people like Joseph Smith had while translating the Book of Mormon.

I have since felt that it could be mothers who translate what their two year old or any other child needs (this could be interpretation of tongues...hee hee), or sisters who translate a conversation into something that another sister might need and then acts on that. I also thought maybe the gift of translation could be always taking comments and words in a positive way. I am the worst at taking anything anyone says to me and making it a negative comment. Maybe this is a stretch but I do think that this list of gifts gave me a better understanding of the Holy Ghost, his promptings and gifts to me and my family.

Speaking of gifts, Jacob has a gift of Love for others. Kendal and Kelsey were over playing for a bit the other day and I was worried about Kendal and where she had wondered off to. I was a bit lazy and we were all in the back yard, so I asked Kelsey to go and find her and check on her. Kelsey continued to play and Jacob stood right up and said I will go look for her. Jacob also, while I was talking to Rachel was the one who went to the car to try and stop Kendal (who had just woke up) from crying. He has so much love and I loved that he was willing to go and do things for Kendal and me without question. (BTW I don't judge Kelsey on this one, I am just super proud of Jacob.)

Another thought I wanted to share... Jacob, Aiden and Jack were all in my bed tonight watching a movie. Jack had fallen asleep and I needed to put him into a diaper or pull ups. Jacob was really into his movie and he had helped me so much before that I decided to ask Aiden if he would go and get me a diaper. Aiden, who is never into movies, said no. I said okay I will go and get it. I went to stand up off my bed (that is still on the floor, new bed comes on Wed. they say) and Jacob said "wait momma, it makes you hurt to walk I will go get the diaper." Off he went, what thoughtful kind little boy. I was fine going and getting a diaper, I am not a cripple, but he knew that it was harder for me to get up and move around than it was for him and it was even more important than missing a bit of his new movie! I LOVE MY BUBBERS