Title: Seek Ye Earnestly the Best Gifts
1Seek Ye Earnestly the Best Gifts
2Qantas gripe sheet
- Pilot Something loose in cockpit.
- Mechanic Something tightened in cockpit.
- P Dead bugs on windshield.
- M Live bugs on back-order.
- P Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
- M Evidence removed.
- P DME volume unbelievably loud.
- M DME volume set to more believable level.
- P Suspected crack in windshield.
- M Suspect you're right.
- P Number 3 engine missing.
- M Engine found on right wing after brief
search. - P Aircraft handles funny.
- M Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right,
and be serious. - P Mouse in cockpit.
- M Cat installed.
3President Boyd K. Packer
- 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.
4Prophet Joseph Smith
- "In order to have the power to distinguish
between truth and error and to interpret properly
a dream or vision, one must have a pure heart and
a contrite spirit and be living a righteous life.
- Satan's mission is to deceive, and he can,
and does, give revelation
to those who permit themselves
to fall into his power. Lying spirits
are going forth in the earth. There
will be great manifestations
of spirits, both false and
true.
5March 1831Kirtland, Ohio
- John Whitmer Records
- "Some saints had visions and knew not what they
saw, some would fancy to themselves that they had
the sword of Laban, and would wield it as expert
as a light dragon dragoon, some would act like
an Indian in the act of scalping, - some would slide or scoop on the floor, with the
rapidity of a serpent, which they termed sailing
in the boat to the Lamanites, preaching the
gospel. And many other vain and foolish manoevers
that are unseeming and unprofitable to mention. .
. .
6DC 46
- 7 But ye are commanded in all things to ask of
God, who giveth liberally and that which the
Spirit testifies unto you even so I would that ye
should do in all holiness of heart -
- Three ways to we may be
deceived -
- 1) that ye may not be seduced by evil spirits,
- 2) or doctrines of devils,
- 3) or the commandments of men
- 8 and that ye may not be deceived seek ye
earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for
what they are given - 9 For verily I say unto you, they 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,
that ask and not for a sign that they may consume
it upon their lusts.
7Covenants, Promises
Heavenly Father
Children Of Men
Endowment of Spiritual Power
...whenever the Holy Ghost takes up its residence
in a person, it not only cleanses, sanctifies,
and purifies him, but also imparts to him some
gift, intended for the benefit of himself and
others. No one who has been born of the Spirit
and who remains sufficiently faithful, is left
destitute of a spiritual gift. (Orson Pratt)
8Question
- and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit
of God. - (DC 4611)
- Do you know what your spiritual gifts are?
916 the diversities of operations
23 the discerning of spirits.
25 the interpretation of tongues
19 to have faith to be healed
18 the word of knowledge
22 to prophesy
the beholding of angels and ministering spirits
17 the word of wisdom.
14 To others it is given to believe on their
words,
15 the differences of administration
20 faith to heal.
24 to speak with tongues
13 know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God
21 the working of miracles
10President George Q. Cannon
- "How many of you, my brethren and sisters, are
seeking for these gifts that God has promised to
bestow? How many of you, when you bow before your
Heavenly Father in your family circle or in your
secret places, contend for these gifts to be
bestowed upon you? - Or do you go along day by day like a door
turning on its hinges, without having any feeling
upon the subject, without exercising any faith
whatever content to be baptized and be members
of the Church, and to rest there, thinking that
your salvation is secure because you have done
this?
11Pres. Cannon Continues
- "If any of us are imperfect, it is our duty to
pray for the gift that will make us perfect.
Have I imperfections? I am full of them. - What is my duty? To pray to God to give me the
gifts that will correct these imperfections. If I
am an angry man, it is my duty to pray for
charity, which suffereth long and is kind. Am I
an envious man? It is my duty to seek for
charity, which envieth not. So with all the gifts
of the Gospel. They are intended for this
purpose. - 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. (Millennial Star, 23 Apr 1894,
p260)