Gifts of the Spirit: What is the LDS position?

[Elrond]

I Corinthians 12:1 - 11,

"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. "

Personally I believe these gifts are still active today and are given by God. I have experienced some of them so I have a real hard time when they are denied.

When I first became a Christian I was mainly involved in the Pentecostal movement, and I even went 3/4 of the way through a prominant Pentecostal Bible College for the ministry in the mid 80s. I dropped out because I just could not reconcile with some of their teachings.

The one problem I had with churches that believe in the gifts of the Spirit is they mostly all insisted that speaking in tongues was the evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. I do not believe this, simply because in Acts there are times people where baptised in the Holy Spirit and manifest other things like prophecy or just speaking the word of God boldly....

Paul goes on in Corinthians to emphasize prophecy as being a gift to covet more than tongues. Prophecy is important and is twofold. It can mean speaking the word or giving a message under direct inspiration or revelation, and it can mean receiving prophetic messages about the future. Obviously Joseph Smith must have had both types working in his gift.

Although I believe in all the gifts of the Spirit I believe they are greatly abused, counterfeited, and shamed today. If someone has the gift of healing then people will be healed. If someone prophecies of an event that is going to happen that event has to happen and if it doesn't then it's false prophecy. I believe in faith.... but I shun a lot of what is called "The Faith movement" because I don't see fruits....

Yet other churches deny the gifts and claimed they stopped when the last apostle died.

So, can anyone explain what the position of LDS is on the gifts of the Spirit?

[john doe]

We're for them.

[WillowTheWhisp]

We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues and so forth.

[BenRaines]

Excellent question. We do believe in gifts of the spirit. We believe that to some are given a gift to others there may be more than one gift given. Gifts are a result of righteous living. Not required that we have all gifts. There is a great section of LDS scripture in the Doctrine & Covenants that deals with gifts.

We do not believe in the utterings of the gift of tongues as seen in public display that I have observed by some pentecostal members. Speaking of tongues as I understand it in Biblical times was so that people who spoke another language could understand the speaker as moved by the spirit. If I recall the question is asked "How is it we understand this man when he is from another country?" or something to that effect.

Ben Raines

[WillowTheWhisp]

Yes, the gift of tongues is for the purpose of communication and the gift of interpretation is for the purpose of being able to understand a language you are not familiar with.

[bodhigirlsmiles]

do you believe that members of other religions can or do receive gifts of the spirit?

[prisonchaplain]

Ben gave great explanation...LDS theology does embrace some of the "pentecostal gifts." However, the practice is far different from the experiences you had as a pentecostal. Tongues and interpretation are seen as a supernatural ability to speak or understand foreign language, prophecy will come through particular people, set aside for that calling, and sustained by other church members, healing prayers are offered by those who hold the appropriate priesthood--an ordination granted by church authority.

Bottom-line: I wouldn't call LDS belief Pentecostal, but it is probably more open than those Bible Baptists who embrace Cessationism (all the gifts ended with the Apostles).

[prisonchaplain]

do you believe that members of other religions can or do receive gifts of the spirit?

What a great question! I'll let LDS members answer for themselves. As the OP mentioned, Pentecostals believe that tongues, in particular, are evidence of Spirit baptism--being filled with the Holy Spirit. Since that experience is SUBSEQUENT to conversion (or salvation), in pentecostal teaching, no, a non-Christian could not receive an authentic Gift of the Spirit--meaning one detailed in our Scriptures, and specifically meant to instruct or encourage a church gathering..

On the other hand, there is no doubt that God appears to, speaks to, and sometimes works through non-Christians. So, a Buddhist, for example, could receive a gift, and that gift could be from the Holy Spirit. That gift would be meant for God's purposes, and to bring blessings.

Edited December 7, 2008 by prisonchaplain
clarification

[Prodigal_Son]

I seem to recall Brigham or Joseph explaining that oft times the gifts of tongues in the early days of the church was actually a moment of hearing the pure Adamic language - as our languages failed to express what needed to be said...

But I have no source on that, so it might be some good ole' Mormon hooey.

[Elrond]

do you believe that members of other religions can or do receive gifts of the spirit?

I would have to. But the term "religions" - do you mean Christian religions or others like Hindu or Islam, or even Pagan?

Since I am officially a member of no church or religion but believe I have been called by Christ I am a Christian. Personally I found quite a bit of confusion in various denominations. I wasn't confused but I must admit I have been swayed to and fro with every wind of doctrine a time or two (more)

So I'll answer in 2 parts. As far as Christian religions I believe some do simply because they are seeking Christ.

As far as other religions, I believe God MAY manifest gifts to some people to try and show them the way to go.

"The gifts and calling of God are without repentance..."

I believe God may manifest a gift to an individual prior to them acknowedging Jesus as their LORD because it was destined to be from the beginning. In such a case the person will at some point in their life commit to Christ and be brought into the Kingdom.

I will say this, I had an ability to see future things on occasion prior to my being a Chrsitian. The same ability remained after I became a Christian.

But, the other side of the coin is that satan can also9 counterfeit gifts and can predict things, cause things to happen that appear to be spiritual gifts. In such cases it is a delusion and the powers (as with Janes and Jambres magic against Moses in copying a few of the plagues) are given by false gods....

As for tongues I do believe it is mainly an ability to either understand or speak in foreign languages as expressed in Acts 2. Also on occasion it may be "tongues of angels" or as one post mentions Adamaic tongues which is an interesting theory.

Edited December 7, 2008 by Elrond

[BenRaines]

I know of no requirement for someone to be LDS to receive a gift of the spirit. People have been healed by the power of God based on their faith not on a blessing given by an LDS priesthood holder.

If the gifts were given only to LDS then there would be no LDS. One of the first things that someone is invited to do as they study the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is to pray to know if these things are true and if you ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ he will manifest the truth by the power of the Holy Ghost. Gift of revelation without being LDS.

Ben Raines

[Elrond]

I know of no requirement for someone to be LDS to receive a gift of the spirit. People have been healed by the power of God based on their faith not on a blessing given by an LDS priesthood holder.

If the gifts were given only to LDS then there would be no LDS. One of the first things that someone is invited to do as they study the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is to pray to know if these things are true and if you ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ he will manifest the truth by the power of the Holy Ghost. Gift of revelation without being LDS.

Ben Raines

Nice.....

And scripture says God gives gifts as HE wills.

I would PRAY God give the gift of discernment to some people, the more sinners they are the better!

For that matter.... only God can reveal the truth so everyone who has ever come to the knowledge of the truth has at least been given a measure of the gift of faith as well as revelation! - BEFORE they acknowledged the Truth!

[HiJolly]

Nice.....

And scripture says God gives gifts as HE wills.

I would PRAY God give the gift of discernment to some people, the more sinners they are the better!

For that matter.... only God can reveal the truth so everyone who has ever come to the knowledge of the truth has at least been given a measure of the gift of faith as well as revelation! - BEFORE they acknowledged the Truth!

Yes, indeed.

Mormon Chapter 10:

8 And again, I exhort you, my brethren, that ye deny not the gifts of God, for they are many; and they come from the same God. And there are different ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the same God who worketh all in all; and they are given by the manifestations of the Spirit of God unto men, to profit them.

9 For behold, to one is given by the Spirit of God, that he may teach the word of wisdom;

10 And to another, that he may teach the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

11 And to another, exceedingly great faith; and to another, the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

12 And again, to another, that he may work mighty miracles;

13 And again, to another, that he may prophesy concerning all things;

14 And again, to another, the beholding of angels and ministering spirits;

15 And again, to another, all kinds of tongues;

16 And again, to another, the interpretation of languages and of divers kinds of tongues.

17 And all these gifts come by the Spirit of Christ; and they come unto every man severally, according as he will.

18 And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that every good gift cometh of Christ.

19 And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that he is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that all these gifts of which I have spoken, which are spiritual, never will be done away, even as long as the world shall stand, only according to the unbelief of the children of men.

and....

Mormon 10:

24 And now I speak unto all the ends of the earth—that if the day cometh that the power and gifts of God shall be done away among you, it shall be because of unbelief.

25 And wo be unto the children of men if this be the case; for there shall be none that doeth good among you, no not one. For if there be one among you that doeth good, he shall work by the power and gifts of God.

26 And wo unto them who shall do these things away and die, for they die in their sins, and they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God; and I speak it according to the words of Christ; and I lie not.

27 And I exhort you to remember these things; for the time speedily cometh that ye shall know that I lie not, for ye shall see me at the bar of God; and the Lord God will say unto you: Did I not declare my words unto you, which were written by this man, like as one crying from the dead, yea, even as one speaking out of the dust?

28 I declare these things unto the fulfilling of the prophecies. And behold, they shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the everlasting God; and his word shall hiss forth from generation to generation.

29 And God shall show unto you, that that which I have written is true.

30 And again I would exhort you that ye would come unto Christ, and lay hold upon every good gift, and touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing.

31 And awake, and arise from the dust, O Jerusalem; yea, and put on thy beautiful garments, O daughter of Zion; and strengthen thy stakes and enlarge thy borders forever, that thou mayest no more be confounded, that the covenants of the Eternal Father which he hath made unto thee, O house of Israel, may be fulfilled.

32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

33 And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.

34 And now I bid unto all, farewell. I soon go to rest in the paradise of God, until my spirit and body shall again reunite, and I am brought forth triumphant through the air, to meet you before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge of both quick and dead. Amen.

Moroni 10

HiJolly

[Aesa]

do you believe that members of other religions can or do receive gifts of the spirit?

I'd have to go out of my scope and say no.

Since the true church is restored, the only place to recieve true spiritual gifts is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

There's "One faith, One baptism..."

But at the same time, I don't know, God still wants to lead His children to the truth. I guess.

Edited December 7, 2008 by Aesa

[BenRaines]

These are my favorite verses from the Doctrine and Covenants regarding gifts

D&C 46: 12-13, 15-17, 19, 21, 24, 29

[Elrond]

I'd have to go out of my scope and say no.

Since the true church is restored, the only place to recieve true spiritual gifts is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

There's "One faith, One baptism..."

But at the same time, I don't know, God still wants to lead His children to the truth. I guess.

I believe when gifts are granted to "unbelievers" or those outside Christ at the moment they are extremely limited. I think God gives them to bring people to the Truth. God wouldn't pour out the full power of ANY gift to someone who had not already come to the knowledge of the Truth and entered into the covenant with Jesus Christ. But I do believe God allows gifts to operate in measure to some people who have not yet come to faith....

Only enough to bring faith about.

Examples: Pharoahs dream.

Nebuchadnezzers dream.

Both Egyptian Pharoahs and Babylonian kings thought they were gods. For the most part they did not acknowledge God as God, at least not until God revealed something to them. In the case of Pharoah in Genesis and Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel, God gave special dreams to them and then sent one of his own (Joseph & Daniel) to interpret the dreams...

[NeuroTypical]

So, can anyone explain what the position of LDS is on the gifts of the Spirit?

Here you go, straight out of our Gospel Principles manual:

Chapter 22: The Gifts of the Spirit