Week 9

GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT

"By the grace of God--following devotion, faith, and obedience on man's part--certain special spiritual blessings called gifts of the Spirit are bestowed upon men....They are signs and miracles reserved for the faithful and for none else....

"Their purpose is to enlighten, encourage, and edify the faithful so that they will inherit peace in this life and be guided toward eternal life in the world to come. Their presence is proof of the Lord's work; where they are not found, there the Church and kingdom of God is not....

"Faithful persons are expected to seek the gifts of the Spirit with all their hearts" (Bruce R. Mc Conkie. Mormon Doctrine, p. 314).

Questions and Activities

• What are the gifts of the Spirit?
• Why does the Lord give us these spiritual gifts?
• From the scriptures, list as many gifts of the Spirit as you can.
• How can you discern between the true spiritual gifts and Satan's imitations?
• What gifts of the Spirit have you seen manifested in your life?
• Recall an experience or two when gifts of the Spirit were a blessing for someone you know.
• What are you doing to develop the spiritual gifts in your life?
• What are you doing to develop other gifts of the Spirit?

Topical Guide

Discernment, Spiritual

God, Gifts of

Heal, Healing

Holy Ghost, Gifts of

Interpretation

Sign

Tongue

Translate

Scriptures

Mormon 9:7-11, 24-25

Moroni 7:33-37; 10:7-17

D&C 46; 84:64-72

Mark 5, 9, 16

Acts 3:1-11

1 Corinthians 12:1-10

James 5:14-15

Articles of Faith 1:7

Other Sources

Gospel Principles, chapter 22

The Articles of Faith, chapter 12

Week 8

TESTIMONY

"No man can be a minister of Jesus Christ except he has the testimony of Jesus; and this is the spirit of prophecy. Whenever salvation has been administered it has been by testimony" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 160).

" A testimony of the gospel is the sure knowledge received by revelation from the Holy Ghost, of the divinity of the great later-day work....A testimony consists of knowledge that comes by revelation, 'for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy' (Rev. 19:10).

"If the sole source of one's knowledge or assurance of the truth of the Lord's work comes from reason, or logic, or persuasive argument,...it is not a testimony of the gospel." (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p.785).

Questions and Activities

• What is a testimony?
• What must you know or believe to have a testimony of the gospel?
• How do you gain a testimony of the gospel?
• How does bearing your testimony strengthen it?
• Think of people whose testimonies have affected your testimony. Describe how you have gained your testimony. Record these thoughts in your journal.
• What are you doing to strengthen your testimony?

Topical Guide

Holy Ghost, Source of Testimony

Scriptures, Study of

Testament

Testify

Testimony

Witness, Witnesses

Scriptures

In the Book of Mormon: "The Testimony of Three Witnesses"; "The Testimony of Eight Witnesses"; "Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith"

Alma 5:48; 32

D&C 63: 8-12; 100:9-12

Matthew 16:13-17

John 5:31-35

2 Timothy 1:8

Articles of Faith 1:9

Bible Dictionary

Conversion

Other Sources

Jesus the Christ, chapter 22

Week 7

PRAYER

"Every prayer is heard, and every sincere prayer is answered. They who pray should be content to await the answer at the time and in the manner comporting with God's wisdom. He knows what is for our good and bestows His blessings accordingly. The testimony of untold millions, that their prayers have been heard, is a convincing testimony that God hears and answers prayers.

" A prayer is not complete unless gratitude for blessings is expressed. It is by the power of the Lord that we live and move and have our being. This should be frankly stated gratefully as we pray to our Father in Heaven" (John A. Widtsoe, Evidences and Recocilations, 1:313).

Questions and Activities

• Why has the Lord commanded us to pray?
• In what way are we to pray?
• Why should we use the pronouns thee, thou, thy, and thine when addressing our Father in Heaven in prayer?
• Why is it important to make our requests conditional on the Lord's will (such as "if thy will" or "thy will be done")?
• In what ways does our Heavenly Father answer our prayers?
• What are some of your personal experiences with prayer?
• What blessings do you receive from daily personal prayer?
• What can you do to improve the effectiveness of your prayers?

Topical Guide

God, Access to

Meditation, Meditate

Ponder

Prayer

Supplication

Scriptures

I Nephi 15:7-11

Enos 1:1-19

Alma 10:22-23; 34:17-27

Alma 37:35-37

3 Nephi 13:5-15; 17

Matthew 6:9-15

John 17

1 Timothy 2:1-4

Bible Dictionary

Prayer

Other Sources

Gospel Principles, chapter 8

Week 6

THE HOLY GHOST

"As a member of the Godhead, and being one with the Father and the Son, the Holy Ghost is, as are the Father and the Son, omniscient. He comprehends all truth having a knowledge of [all] things (D&C 93:24)" Marion G. Romney, "The Holy Ghost," Ensign, May 1974. p. 90)

"[The Holy Ghost] is the Comforter, Testator, Revelator, Sanctifier, Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit of Promise, Spirit of Truth, Spirit of the Lord, and Messenger of the Father and the Son, and his companionship is the greatest gift that mortal man can enjoy." (Bruce R. mcConkie, Mormon doctrine, p. 359).

Questions and Activities

• What are the titles and roles of the Holy Ghost?
• Why is the Holy Ghost a personage of spirit only?
• What is the difference between the Holy Ghost and the Light of Christ?
• In what way is the Holy Ghost one with God the Father and Jesus Christ?
• What words do the scriptures use to described the feelings associated with the promptings of the Holy Ghost?
• How do you know when you are feeling the influence of the Spirit? How have you felt as the Holy Ghost has borne witness to you that the gospel is true?
• What are you specifically doing to cultivate the influence of the Spirit in your life?
• How is the Holy Ghost blessing the lives of others, especially those without the gospel, through you?

Topical Guide

Holy Ghost

Holy Ghost, Baptism of

Holy Ghost, Comforter'

Holy Ghost, Gifts of

Holy Ghost, Mission of

Lord, Spirit of

Spirit

Scriptures

1 Nephi 4:6-18

2 Nephi 32:1-6

D&C 8:2-3; 9:7-9; 50:1-25

John 14:16-18, 26-31

Acts 2; 10:44-48

Articles of Faith 1:1

Bible Dictionary

Comforter

Holy Ghost

Light of Christ

Revelation

Spirit

Other Sources

Gospel Principles, chapter 7

the Articles of Faith, chapter 8