The Spiritual Gifts of Healing

From Kristy Krueger....

We need to be careful not to get carried away with worldly stuff (cars, boats, expensive clothing, too many activities) and focus on eternal things.
The Apostle Paul taught, "Now concerning spiritual gifts... I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way." (1 Cor. 12:1-2, 31)
The minister Charles Jefferson (1898 - 1929) wrote: "The only thing which places a man above the beasts of the field is his possession of the spiritual gifts. Man's earthy existence is but a test as to whether he will concentrate his efforts, his mind, and his soul upon the things which contribute to the comfort and gratification of his physical instincts and passions, or whether he will make as his life's end and purpose the acquisition of spiritual qualities."

What are the best gifts? We listed lots on the board - they included not only gift of healing, prophecy and tongues, but also the gifts of asking, avoiding contention, listening, hearing and using a still small voice, being able to weep, avoiding contention, caring for others, being able to ponder, patience, humility, integrity, kindness, etc.

The Savior commanded us to become perfect - yet none of us will obtain perfection in this life. President George Q. Cannon stated, ... "If any of us are imperfect, it is our duty to pray for the gift that will make us perfect. No man ought to say, 'Oh, I cannot help this; it is my nature.' He is not justified in it, for the reason that God has promised to give strength to correct these things, and to give gifts that will eradicate them." ...

How do we acquire spiritual gifts? To receive any spiritual gift, we must be worthy of it. The Lord 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)

How do we discern between true and false spiritual gifts? President Hinckley said, "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."

Conclusion (didn't have time for this in class...)
Marvin J. Ashton said, "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.
From the D&C, we have this truth, "For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby."
God has given each of us one or more special talents. Socrates made the famous statement, "the unexamined life is not worth living." It is up to each of us to search for and build upon the gifts which God has given. We must remember that each of us is made in the image of God, that there are no unimportant persons. Everyone matters to God and to his fellowmen."