DOCTRINE and COVENANTS

Sections 46, 4950, 5256

Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class

Background
Kirtland, Ohio. March 1831. Joseph setting the Church in order.
D&C 42: the law of the Lord. D&C 46: the gifts of the Spirit. D&C 49: response to the Shaker movement.

Converts from charismatic faiths.

There are many spirits which are false spirits, which have gone forth in the earth, deceiving the world (D&C 50:2). Some have been deceived, but behold such shall be reclaimed (50:7).
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Administration of spiritual gifts

D&C 46:7. Three sources of revelation.

Sources of inspiration
All inspiration does not come from God. The evil one has the power to tap into those channels of revelation and send conflicting signals which can mislead and confuse us. There are promptings from evil sources which are so carefully counterfeited as to deceive even the very elect. Elder Boyd K. Packer, October 1989

Administration of spiritual gifts

46:89. Why are these gifts given, and to whom are they given? 46:11. Do all Latter-day Saints have a spiritual gift?

All have at least one spiritual gift

No man since the world was had faith without having something along with it. The ancients quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, women received their dead, etc. By faith the worlds were made. A man who has none of the gifts has no faith; and he deceives himself, if he supposes he has. Joseph Smith, January 1843

Administration of spiritual gifts

46:12. Diversity of spiritual gifts.
1 Corinthians 12:2123.

Scriptural sources
1 Corinthians 12. Moroni 10. Doctrine and Covenants 46.

15 spiritual gifts
1. 46:13. To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know.
Ether 3:1719. D&C 76:11718. Alma 39:6. 3 Nephi 12:12. More blessed.

2. 46:14. To others it is given to believe.

3. 46:1516. Differences of administration and diversities of operations.

1 Corinthians 12:46. Moroni 10:8.
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15 spiritual gifts
4. 5. 6. 7. 46:1718. Word of wisdom. Word of knowledge. Taught to be wise. Taughtto have knowledge.

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Gift of wisdom vs. gift of knowledge

Now, what is it to receive the word of wisdom? When a person receives, by the power of the Holy Ghost, the word or gift of wisdom, he receives revelation. When the Holy Ghost falls upon some it gives them the word of wisdom, that is, it imparts to them an understanding of things that are wise. The Spirit may whisper, It is wise for you to do this thingit is wise for you to do that thingit is wise for you to take such a course, and to do thus and so. This is what might be termed the word of wisdom. A person may have great wisdom and yet not have much knowledge; he may have great wisdom given by revelation to know how to exercise that degree of knowledge which he may be in possession of. Then again there are others who may receive the gift of knowledge from God and yet they may have very little wisdom; and they do not know how to turn their knowledge to the best advantage. Here is the distinction then between a revelation which gives wisdom, and a revelation which gives knowledge. Elder Orson Pratt, November 1873
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15 spiritual gifts
4. 5. 6. 7. 46:1718. Word of wisdom. Word of knowledge. Taught to be wise. Taughtto have knowledge. 50:1722. Teaching and receiving by the spirit of truth.

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15 spiritual gifts
8. 9. 10. 11. 46:19. Faith to be healed. 46:20. Faith to heal. 46:21. Working of miracles. 46:22. To prophesy.
Numbers 11:2629.

12. 46:23. Discerning of spirits.

D&C 50:3133. D&C 52:1719.
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Gift of discernment
A man must have the discerning of spirits before he can drag into daylight [this] hellish influence and unfold it unto the world in all its souldestroying, diabolical, and horrid colors; for nothing is a greater injury to the children of men than to be under the influence of a false spirit when they think they have the Spirit of God. Joseph Smith, April 1842

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15 spiritual gifts
8. 9. 10. 11. 46:19. Faith to be healed. 46:20. Faith to heal. 46:21. Working of miracles. 46:22. To prophesy.
Numbers 11:2629.

12. 46:23. Discerning of spirits.

D&C 50:3133. D&C 52:1719.
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15 spiritual gifts
13. 46:24. Speak with tongues. 14. 46:25. Interpretation of tongues.
Acts 2:4, 6. History of the Church 2:428. Words of Joseph Smith 12, 81, 119.

15. 46:2729. Discern all those gifts and have all those gifts.

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Other gifts
Moroni 10:14. Beholding angels and ministering spirits. Articles of Faith 1:7. Receiving revelation and visions. D&C 5:4. Translating unknown writings.

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Less-conspicuous gifts
Let me mention a few [spiritual] gifts that are not always evident or noteworthy but that are very important. Among these may be your giftsgifts not so evident but nevertheless real and valuable. Let us review some of these less-conspicuous gifts: 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. Elder Marvin J. Ashton, October 1987
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The Shakers
The United Society of Believers in Christs Second Appearing. Established 1747, Manchester, England. Ann Lee (173684). D&C 49: Leman Copley (17811862).

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Responding to Shaker beliefs

49:2. The Shakers desire to know the truth in part, but not all. 49:1517. Marriage is ordained of God.

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Filled with the measure of man

If [men] understood the object of the creation of this earth and the inhabitants upon it, these matters would be an easy and pleasing theme to their understandings; they would become natural principles to them, easy to be understood. They would comprehend the design of the Almighty in the formation of these intelligent beings, in the direction of them, the object of the creation of the earth, and the final issue in the end, when all that has been designed of this earth and all consigned to this earth have come upon it, and the work is completedthe winding-up scene has come, when Jesus shall have finished his work pertaining to man and his agencyyou will then see that the kingdom will be taken possession of, and that very quickly. . Until the last spirit that has been designed to come here and take a tabernacle has come upon the earth, the winding-up scene cannot come. Brigham Young, March 1861
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Responding to Shaker beliefs

49:1821. Animals are ordained for the use of man, but wo be unto man that sheddeth blood or that wasteth flesh and hath no need.

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Thirst for blood

And not less with reference to the killing of our innocent little birds, natives of our country, who live upon the vermin that are indeed enemies to the farmer and to mankind. It is not only wicked to destroy them, it is abominable, in my opinion. I think that this principle should extend, not only to the bird life but to the life of all animals. . I do not believe any man should kill animals or birds unless he needs them for food, and then he should not kill innocent little birds that are not intended for food for man. I think it is wicked for men to thirst in their souls to kill almost everything which possesses animal life. It is wrong, and I have been surprised at prominent men whom I have seen whose very souls seemed to be athirst for the shedding of animal blood. President Joseph F. Smith, April 1913
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Responding to Shaker beliefs

49:1821. Animals are ordained for the use of man, but wo be unto man that sheddeth blood or that wasteth flesh and hath no need.
JST Genesis 9:11: And surely, blood shall not be shed, only for meat, to save your lives; and the blood of every beast will I require at your hands.

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Responding to Shaker beliefs

49:2223. Jesus will not return in the form of woman, neither of a man traveling on the earth. 49:24. Jacob shall flourish in the wilderness, and the Lamanites shall blossom as the rose.
Jacob = Israel (D&C 52:2; 109:58). What and where is the wilderness? Who are the Lamanites?
Marion G. Romney, General Conference, April 1963.
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DOCTRINE and COVENANTS

No class next week! In two weeks: Sections 5762

Hurricane Utah Adult Religion Class