Influence through Charity

When principles are in our hearts, 

our actions will naturally follow.   

While in Utah for a widows conference I attended a friend's ward. It was ward conference and we spent Sunday school talking privately with a member of her stake presidency.  He share with us what he has taught in a recent auxiliary meeting.  I thought there were some powerful principles and connections in the scriptures that would aid me in patiently expressing charity through ministry as I seek to better live the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I wrote this up to share with my missionaries, but thought I would share it here as well.  There are also important applications for dealing with family members.

We can look at the principles and see what actions should follow. When we are naturally doing these actions then we know that we have internalized the principles. Actions give a key indicator to what is in our heart.

In the English language we use the word love to signify so many different emotions.There is love in various relationships and love of things, but the love that I am going to talk about transcends these these things. The love I want to refer to is God’s love. It is the overriding principle of the Gospel. It is the motivation behind everything that He does. The action we can associate with this principle is ministering. God ministers to us because of His unconditional love for us, and that action brings Him joy. God’s work and glory is to minister to us in a manner that facilitates our exaltation. The kind of love that produces the action of ministering is REAL CARING and the scriptures refer to it as Charity. Loving and Caring in this manner is a choice that is enacted through our agency and it is a spiritual gift given to us because of our choice to follow the path of the Savior. Love isn’t something that we fall into, but rather it is something that we choose to do everyday. We chose to turn outward rather than inward. We choose selflessness over selfishness. In real caring, we are not motivated by the desire for anything in return. Charity is unconditional in nature. As we provide the action, God gifts us with the feeling behind it.

The action behind the principle is ministry and ministry begats service. Service often is associated with helping with physical needs, but some of the most important service we can do is to fulfill the emotional, intellectual, spiritual and social needs of those around us. Serving s listening, being there, teaching, and comforting. Acts of charity and service do not need to expend resources as much as they need to offer time.

As we truly care about people barriers and wall go down. A place in their heart opens up and they are able to feel God’s love gifted to us, through us. We become a conduit for that love. Caring creates faith. I have written about this principle before. It created faith and trust in the person who is serving you and it creates a place for faith and trust in God to begin. People open up when this faith starts to grow and they begin to make connections, lasting connections, associations or friendships.

Beyond our own agency, the only power we have is that of influence. We cannot force the choices of the people that surround us. If we attempt to do so, we are told in the scriptures that the power of God will leave us. We can no longer be a conduit for that love because it will not flow into us. If we want to have influence, we have to have a connection with that person. Even if our motivations are pure and we are ministering out of charity, being a conduit for that love, that connection will only occur if the other person chooses to receive it. We have to respect their agency.

Thus charity and ministry require patience over time as the person we serve chooses to open and receive. Connecting requires sustained interaction. Patience becomes another Christ-like attribute that we need to seek to influence people over time. We have to continue in unconditional love. Our love cannot be based on the person behaving in the manner that we desire. That is manipulation, and it is contrary to the principle of agency.

D&C 121: 36-37, 41-42
36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.
37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.

We learn in the later verse how we should seek to minister. These are also spiritual gifts that are given to us as we chose and desire to act in this manner.

41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—

Furthermore, we learn that these relationship, associations and friendships that we build here upon the earth are to continue beyond the grave.

D&C 130:2

2 And that same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory, which glory we do not now enjoy.

Not only can they exist beyond the grave, but if we use the principle of Charity in forming them, they can also be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise.

Also in conjunction with this verse, I had not noticed that the following verse refers to far more than covenants. Knowing that these relationships can be sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise when we enter into them and maintain them through righteous principles, can help us continue on in patience as we wait for others to have experiences that prepare their hearts for to recieve God’s love.

D&C 132:7

7 And verily I say unto you, that the conditions of this law are these: All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, of him who is anointed, both as well for time and for all eternity, and that too most holy, by revelation and commandment through the medium of mine anointed, whom I have appointed on the earth to hold this power (and I have appointed unto my servant Joseph to hold this power in the last days, and there is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred), are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead.

Love One Another

Love One Another

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment."

From the moment that I learned this first commandment, I was slightly confused.  I knew God was not a selfish God who desired to be loved the MOST, but somehow I couldn’t understand why this was His first and GREATEST commandment.  It seemed to contradict the very nature of God.

It didn’t bother me much, but was just always an unresolved question in the back of my mind....

  “Why does God want love for Himself first and foremost?”

During a wonderful inspired discussion with my sister, the Holy Ghost bore witness to me the answer that I’d been searching for!  I was so excited to finally understand and be able to confirm that God truly is the most UNSELFISH Being to exist. 

I taught this new insight to my Young Women a couple weeks ago as we discussed the AMAZING talk by Elder W. Craig Zwick called “What were you thinking?”  The topic was about improving our communication and how to avoid having, as Paul warned, “…corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth…” Ephesians 4:29

How does communication relate to loving God?  Well, it is in fact, the KEY!

Imagine light flowing from God to us.   As we love him, we allow that light to penetrate into our very being.  Suddenly we can be gifted with spiritual gifts--directly from God.  We can be gifted with His feelings of patience, love, charity, understanding, knowledge, etc… 

In contrast, imagine someone who is having angry feelings of blame, bitterness, or unbelief directed at God.  Then imagine a very solid door closing, blocking all light from flowing into them.  Suddenly they loose all the light from God and the power it can bring into their lives.  This is when darkness can take over and Satan can fully reign.  Thoughts will become volatile and self-centered and pride can easily take over.   Joy, happiness, hope and gratitude all disappear in the darkness. 

So, God wants us to Love Him so that He can GIFT us all things spiritual, because He is the source of all spiritual gifts! 

How very UNselfish of Him!

Let’s take this one step further as we study the second commandment:

“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” 

As we love God, we are gifted with His feelings and spiritual gifts.  Since He already loves us perfectly, this conduit for spiritual gifts is open and we can access this power, as we love Him and seek it.  

 We can then, in turn, reflect those wonderful gifts on others, AS WE LOVE THEM and they LOVE us!  That is a wonderful tool when it come to communicating with others.  

As God's feelings for them flow THROUGH us and TO them, we will see others through HIS eyes.  At that moment, we become instruments in His hands and we can understand them, what they have been through, and are going through.  We will have compassion on them because of their weaknesses.  We will be able to more effectively communicate because the spirit will be present to share, not just the words we say, but the LOVE we feel for them and the LOVE that God has for them.  

This will help us all become more like our... 

Father in Heaven
....day by day as we interact with others and reflect the beautiful 
EMOTIONS that God feels for all of his children.

So, this is all about sharing God’s gifts with all of humanity... 

                                                                                  .......and it centers around LOVE.

All we need to do is LOVE God with all of our hearts, and then LOVE each other better

Won’t the world be an amazing place as we do this?

I invite you to ponder and comment on these questions...

How can I love God better? 

What attributes do I need to learn about and seek to be able to love others better?

Elder Craig Zwick, “What were you thinking?”, April 2014
Elder Gene R Cook, Charity: Perfect and Everlasting Love July 2002

How Do We Aquire Spiritual Gifts?

How Do We Aquire Spiritual Gifts?

Someone recently asked me, "How do we aquire Spiritual Gifts?" I have pondered that question and while listening to Elder Bednar's question and answer session on the 'Act in Doctrine' DVD, this is what came to mind....

1. We have to put ourselves in a place where we need them to do God's work
2. We have to study about them and ask for them. (ASK, SEEK and KNOCK)
3. We have to act in faith that they will come.

God will give us the spiritual gifts we need when He knows that He can trust us to be a tool to deliver them to help someone else.  We will never get them be WE WANT them.  If we are turning to SELF, they will never come.  Only when we turn OUTWARD as Christ did and work to develop His character will His character traits be bestowed upon us grace by grace.

This is the secret...  The more we get out of the way... the more we worry less about obtaining and more about doing, the quicker those gifts will come.  They will come as the dews distilled upon us without compulsion.

If you haven't read 'Act in Doctrine' or 'Increase in Learning' and 'Power to Become,' put it on your Christmas list.  You will not regret the time invested.  I have learn and grown so much by following the study patterns of Elder Bednar.

Women and Spiritual Gifts and Power of the Priesthood

Women and Spiritual Gifts and Power of the Priesthood

I know that some women really struggle with not being able to be ordained to the priesthood.  For me, that has never been a desire or an issue.  I perhaps have errored the opposite way, tuning out when ever the word 'priesthood' was mentioned, figuring that my husband had that covered so I didn't need to worry about it.  Experiences since his death have led me to study and understand how  priesthood is used on the other side of the veil, how priesthood power is shared in a marriage, and how I can access priesthood power in my life.

President David V. Clare stated, "I want to testify to you that priesthood and power of the priesthood is for you and is absolutely critical for the days ahead—absolutely critical." In many of the talks below, inspiring stories are told from the scriptures and church history of women who do exactly that in critical times. 

In the last year some amazing talks have been given on priesthood power and women.  Most people are very familiar with Dallin H. Oaks conference talk, The Keys and the Authority of the Priesthood (April 2014) Where he points out the difference between priesthood power and priesthood authority.

Men are called to officiate in and administer priesthood ordinances (with the exception of women who do the ordinance work in the temple.)  The Prophet and the Twelve Apostles hold all the priesthood keys to perform those ordinances and they delegate that power to others through the laying on of hands. 

The power in the priesthood comes to us through the service of men,

 but men are not the priesthood.  

The power of the priesthood is available to all of us. 

This is not just referring to when we ask for blessings.  

Priesthood power is so much bigger than that.  

Priesthood power is power from God. 

What else is also defined as power from God?

• glory
• intelligence
• light 
• truth
• spiritual gifts

All of these things are power, or priesthood power.

Sister Linda Burton, General Relief Society president confirms this idea as well.  She links the ability to obtain and use this power to our personal righteousness.

"There is a difference, however, between priesthood authority and priesthood power. Priesthood authority is conferred by calling; priesthood power is available to all. Since priesthood power is something we all desire to have in our families and homes, what do we need to do to invite that power into our lives? In the 2013 World Wide Leadership Training, Elder Oaks, Elder Golden, and Bishop Caussé taught that personal righteousness is imperative to having priesthood power." -Linda K. Burton

How do we as women learn more about the priesthood of God?

Bruce R McConkie, says "“the doctrine of the priesthood is known only by personal revelation. It comes line upon line.” We also learn in the Doctrine and Covenants “the doctrine of the priesthood shall distill upon thy soul as the dews from heaven." (D&C 121:45)  These two references teach us that through personal revelation we can come to understand how we personally draw upon this power.  Personal revelation is the very principle that the Brethern have been stressing in both General Conference and in Stake Conferences.

How do we as women use and access that power?

Elder Oaks discusses the ability of women to receive personal revelation and the gift of prophecy.  This is an interesting example, because the prophecy comes to Rebecca, not her husband who is the priesthood holder.  Elder Oaks explains that it comes to her because she asks, it pertains to her stewardship, and she has incredible faith.

"There is a choice example of personal revelation in the Genesis 21.  Rebecca went to inquire of the Lord. In this instance the Lord spoke to Rebecca... Though she was the wife of a prophet and patriarch, Rebecca herself inquired of the Lord and the Lord instructed her directly in a matter of great personal concern to her, to the children she would bear and to generations unborn. Elder Bruce R McConkie concluded, 'The Lord gives revelation to women who pray to Him in faith." 

I am not advocating that as women we should bypass our husbands to receive revelation for our families, but neither should we rely on them exclusively.  There are times when our faith may be able draw on the powers of heaven in a way that our husband's cannot.  As we counsel together, share our revelations with each other and seek for confirmation, we have the added bonus of "two witnesses" to establish truth.  This is a principle that I wish I had practiced more often with my husband in mortality.  To often I simply relied on him to get the answer because he had the priesthood.

It is through the dual keys of Faith and Personal Righteousness that we are able to unlock the power of the priesthood

 in our lives and in the lives of the ones we love.

What is the ultimate purpose of priesthood power?

"To bring a man and a woman unto Christ so that they can become ONE 

that the eternal round of God is fulfilled."- Clare

This ONENESS, like the ONENESS that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ share, is when two being, each accessing priesthood power come together in a united purpose, sharing with each other their unique divine attributes or spiritual gifts.  The eternal plan of the Father requires both a man and a woman together endowed with priesthood power, living and keeping their covenants in righteousness.

Women have a vital role to play in bringing forth the kingdom.  The prophets have foretold this. I love the following references to the gift of prophecy among women that Elder Oaks used.  I testify that I have seen these verses being fulfilled now.

"The Bible has many references of women who had or would have the gift of prophecy.  'It shall come to pass in the last days, sayeth God,  that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy and your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream dreams, and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out my spirit and they shall prophesy'" (Joel 2 and Act 2:17-18)

Elder Oaks gave additional understanding about the gift of prophecy.  He asked a question that I myself had asked my priesthood leadership... "How can a woman have the gift of prophecy when she does not hold the priesthood?"  I was assured that women very much can have this gift as the scriptures and prophets rightly testify.

Paul taught "He that prophsieth speaketh unto man to edification, exhortation and comfort." Thus in the sense used in speaking of spiritual gifts, a prophet is one who testifies of Jesus Christ, teaches God's word and exhorts God's people.  In a scriptural sense, to prophesy means much more than to foretell the future." President Joseph Field Smith declared, "All members should seek for the gift of prophecy, for their own guidance, which is the spirit by which the world of the Lord is understood and His purposes made known."

How will women use priesthood power in the eternities?

We learn something of the power of the priesthood and women on the other side of the veil from Joseph F. Smith. He compares the authority given to women to work in the temple to their call to preach the gospel in the next life.

"Now, among all these millions and thousands of millions of spirits that have lived in the earth and have passed away, from generation to generation, since the beginning of the world, without the knowledge of the gospel-among them you may count that at least one-half are women. Who is going to preach the gospel to the women? Who is going to carry the testimony of Jesus Christ to the hearts of the women who have passed away without a knowledge of the gospel? Well, to my mind, it is a simple thing. These good sisters have been set apart, ordained to the work, called to it, authorized by the authority of the Holy Priesthood to minister, for their sex, in the house of God for the living and for the dead, will be fully authorized and empowered to preach the gospel and minister to the women while the elders and prophets are preaching it to the men. The things we experience here are typical of the things of God and the life beyond us (Joseph F. Smith, Young Women's Journal 23:130).

I love this concluding quote by Elder Oaks, who encourages us to all seek for these gifts or power of the priesthood, regardless of our sex.

"These gifts come by the power of the Holy Ghost and are available to every member of the church, both male and female. We should seek after spiritual gifts. They can lead us to God and shield us from the power of the adversary. They can compensate for our inadequacies and repair our imperfections."

As we come to better understand the priesthood we will be prepared to have the fullness of the Father's priesthood power bestowed upon us.

"I want to visually again show a very important, beautiful truth about the priesthood so that you understand that it’s something that you must come unto—that you must receive the priesthood, understand it, and utilize the power. The priesthood—the Holy Priesthood—is God’s priesthood, all power." - Clare

As Sheri Dew said, "God needs a powerful people." Priesthood power is "the power of God that [we] need to tap into and understand and utilize."(Clare)  As we study to understand this power, we will come to know how to activate and use our spiritual gifts.  We will be able to strengthen our homes and families, we will be prepared for the final days and the crowns that will be bestowed upon us in the eternities. We as women and men "need to draw upon the miracles that will come and are needed in the last days" and that are only accessible through the power of the priesthood. (Clare)

Resources for Further Study:
Please don't just take my word for it.  These are amazing and I only highlight a small portion of the pearls of knowledge found in these talks.  If you want to learn to really access this power, and I think we all in the last days desperately need to do this, study these resources. (Especially Oaks and Clare!)

Oaks, Dallin H. "Spiritual Gifts," BYU Speeches 1986
(I have typed selective quotes from this speech below since it is not available in written format)

Clare, David V. "Attaning, Accessing, Using Priesthood Power."  BYU Women's Conference 2014
Clare, David V. transcript

Lectures of Faith, Joseph Smith - suggest study for by David Clare (specifically to learn the attributes and characteristics of God and Christ)

Swinton, Heidi S. "The Powerful Privilege of Women." BYU Women's Conference 2014
Swinton, Heidi S. transcript

Linda K Burton, "Priesthood: “A Sacred Trust to Be Used for the Benefit of Men, Women, and Children” BYU Women's Conference 2013
Linda K Burton.  transcript

Selected Notes from Spiritual Gifts by Dallin H Oaks

Sprirtual Gifts: Infusions of Light

Spiritual Gifts: Infusions of Light

I taught D&C 46 in seminary today, which covers spiritual gifts.  Our discussion in class reminded me of many impressions and thoughts that I needed to write down and share today.

What are spiritual gifts?

Spiritual gifts are so much broader than the examples given in the scriptures ( Doctrine and Covenants 46:11–33; 1 Corinthians 12:1–12; Moroni 10:8–18) and the Seventh Article of Faith.  Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

“Spiritual gifts are endless in number and infinite in variety. Those listed in the revealed word are simply illustrations of the boundless outpouring of divine grace that a gracious God gives those who love and serve him” (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith [1985], 371).

I love the phrase "outpouring of divine grace" to define spiritual gifts.  

As members of the church we use the word "blessings" to describe what we receive when we are obedient, but I do not think that most of us and especially the youth associate the word 'blessings" with spiritual gifts.  This is an important principle to teach our children.  Understanding that those blessings, although sometimes including temporal things, are always spiritual in nature and are always spiritual gifts, helps us to recognize them, express gratitude for them and to use them more effectively.

Spiritual gifts are any ability or attribute of 

Heavenly Father or Jesus Christ that they share with us through

 the Light of Christ by the power of the Holy Ghost.

This definition of spiritual gifts helps us understand the enabling power of the atonement.  It is through these gifts of spiritual light that we are able to become more like the Savior.  This expands the concept of spiritual gifts to include the all of the virtues of Christ.

Elder Marvin J. Ashton of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said:

“Taken at random, let me mention a few gifts that are not always evident or noteworthy but that are very important… The gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice; 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 not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the gift of being a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony; and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost” (“There Are Many Gifts,” Ensign, Nov. 1987, 20). 

 I visualize spiritual gifts as seeds of light 

 that are gifted to us from our Heavenly Father. 

Although some of those seeds begin to sprout early in our lives, many of those divine traits lay dormant within us...waiting for us to discover and activate them or waiting for catalysts to drive us to discover them. (see Unleashing the Dormant Spirit) We allow the sunshine of the Spirit to radiate on those seeds through dedicated seeking, studying and pondering about those gifts.  We water those seeds as we identify ways to practice and act in faith on those gifts. As we do our part to discover and nurture those seeds, our Savior allows them to grow within us.

The power of spiritual gifts can only be accessed

 when we feel the Holy Ghost.  

If we are doing, thinking or feeling things that pull us out of alignment with the Spirit then our ability to use those gifts will be diminished.  Without the light from the Spirit, those gifts will wilt and then wain and die in us.  We must diligently seek the light and the living water that comes from seeking Christ and doing His will.

Spiritual gifts are gained and developed line upon line

 just like spiritual knowledge (which is a spiritual gift.) 

More advanced spiritual gifts cannot be sought without obtaining and developing foundational gifts.  For example, in his book "Increase in Learning," Elder Bednar describes how being "quick to observe" is a precursory gift to "discernment."(52-61) Personally, as I have studied meekness, I have realized that humility, patience, reverence, gentleness, and selflessness to name a few are prerequisite attributes for the development of meekness. Dissecting this spiritual gift has given me foundational gifts to seek in combination, so that in time I can develop the gift of being meek.

Gifts also get 'boosted' and 'upgraded' as we learn more and 

become proficient in using them for good. 

My boys used to play with Pokemon cards, and I find that they make a good analogy to spiritual gifts.  Each animal starts as an immature version with limited abilities. As it gains experience through action, it will undergo a burst metamorphosis into a more mature creature with new and enhanced traits.   After more action, the animal will complete it's final metamorphosis, reaching its full potential and power.  Through this process we grow in spiritual power as the Lord sees that we are prepared and trustworthy to use our gifts only according to His purposes.

Spiritual gifts also combine to activate and create

 new and enhanced gifts. 

For example, if you combine knowledge or understanding with discernment you can develop wisdom.  A person can posses vast amounts of  knowledge and understanding, but without discernment they will not know how to use it properly and will not be wise.

Certain spiritual gifts work as "boosters" to other gifts.  One of the reasons that charity is the greatest of all gifts, is that when it is added to any other spiritual gift, it makes it more effective.  Love is how we share spiritual light.  Only through love do we have the power to influence people.  Even though we may have an amazing spiritual gift of knowledge, if we do not love those we teach, it will do little to impact them.  I believe that humility and it's enhance version, meekness are also booster gifts.

Studying, categorizing and understanding the progression and interaction of spiritual gifts can aid you in acquiring, developing and effectively using more advance spiritual gifts. 

It can also prevent frustration and streamline your efforts.  We would not attempt or expect to be able to do well in a calculus class without foundational algebra and geometry.  Spiritual gifts are not any different.  We will be much more successful if we develop and build strong foundational gifts and proceed line upon line to our perfection.

As an important sidelight... 

We know that spiritual gifts are given for the benefit of all, not for us individually.  Just as God can take our weaknesses and make them strengths, Satan conversely will try to take our strengths and turn them into weaknesses.  As we develop spiritual gifts we must carefully watch our motivations and root out any impurities.  Satan can use these gifts against us if we are not very careful.  Elder Oaks's BYU speech below is eye opening to this concern.

Where do we learn of our spiritual gifts?

Besides our patriarchal blessing and other priesthood blessing, we are also given spiritual gifts in the temple. Today when I was driving home and pondering spiritual gifts, I realized that the Initiatory Ordinance is the pronouncement of spiritual gifts.  These gifts give us power to become like our Savior.  It is important that we understand these blessings in the context of them being spiritual gifts and not just temporal pronouncements.

"...but no temporal commandment gave I unto him, for my commandments are spiritual; they are not natural nor temporal, neither carnal nor sensual." (D&C 29:35)

Seeking to understand the spiritual meaning of those blessing will aid you in understanding your spiritual gifts.

As we act on the commandment to "Seek ye earnestly the best gifts," we will find added power flow into our lives.  We will have the abilities to accomplish God's work and to become like our Savior. (D&C 46:8)

I invite you to further study the resources below and to individually determine the gifts you have and the gifts you need to seek to obtain at this time in your life.  Then I invite you to learn more about them, understand how they connect and relate to each other and make a plan to practice them.

Resources:

Not for Naught: A Young Widow's Journey :Unleashing the Dormant Spirit
 (my notes and a link to a BYU Address by F. Enzio Busche)

What a Patriarchal Blessing Can Do for You 
(a resource for preparing teens to receive their patriarchal blessing)

Oaks, Dallin H. "Our Strengths can Become our Downfall, " BYU Speeches 1992

Oaks, Dallin H. "Spiritual Gifts" Audio from Women's Conference 1986
 (This ties in the Holy Ghost and the Spirit of Christ... awesome!)

Bednar, David A. "Quick to Observe," BYU Speeches 2005

Bednar David A. "Increase in Learning" Deseret Book 2011

Hales, Robert D. "Gifts of the Spirit" BYU Speeches 1993

Eyring, Henry B. "Gifts of the Spirit for Hard Times." BYU Speeches 2006

Teachings of the President of the Church: Brigham Young, Chapter 34