Lesson 20: "To Every Man Is Given a Gift"

Lesson 20:

To Every Man Is Given a Gift

D&C Sections 46, 49, 50

Section 46

"On 8 March 1831 at Kirtland, Ohio, the Prophet received section 46, a revelation which would assist the Saints in dragging into daylight Satan’s plan by describing the true gifts of the Holy Spirit." (https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual/section-41-49/section-46-seek-ye-earnestly-the-best-gifts?lang=eng)

What is the role of the Holy Spirit?  (See John 14:26)

What are some of the Gifts of the Spirit?  (see Vv13-26)  Why are they given?  (See v.9)

Galatians 5: 22-23 lists the fruits of the Spirit.  (See also Ephesians 5:9).  How do fruits of the Spirit differ from gifts of the Spirit?  How do the fruits and the gifts complement each other?  Does developing one help us recognize the other?

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“John Whitmer records in his history that ‘in the beginning of the Church, while yet in her infancy, the disciples used to exclude unbelievers which caused some to marvel and converse of this matter because of the things written in the Book of Mormon. (3 Nephi 18:22–24.) Therefore, the Lord deigned to speak on this subject, that his people might come to an understanding, and he said that he had always given to his elders to conduct all meetings as they were led by the Spirit.’ After the Lord gave this revelation this practice of forbidding non-members to attend the sacrament services ceased.” (Smith, Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:199.)" (https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual/section-41-49/section-46-seek-ye-earnestly-the-best-gifts?lang=eng)

Why does the Lord speak to us in revelation?  (See D&C 46:1)

Verse 7 commands us to ask God in all things.  Why must we do that if there are other resources that may answer our questions?

Vv 2-6 discuss church meetings: who conducts them, how, and who may attend.  Why do you suppose the Lord feels it necessary to have our meetings run in a specific way?  Does the way our meetings run differ from how other denominations/congregations run their meetings?  What role do spiritual gifts play in how our meetings proceed?  What gifts of the Spirit do you feel most assist you to feel/recognize the fruits of the Spirit in Sacrament Meeting?  In Sunday School?  In Primary?  In Relief Society?  In Young Men's?  In Priesthood?  In Young Women's?  What can you do to improve your gift to contribute to cultivating an atmosphere where the fruits of the Spirit may be borne forth in our Sunday meetings?

Vv 11, 12, and 26 inform us that one person does not have all the gifts.  Why not?

V. 11 specifically says that "every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God."  Does this include persons are who are not members?  What about persons who are in/less-active?  Do we have an obligation to help them seek out, recognize, and develop their gifts even if it doesn't profit our Branch or Ward?

Vv 31-33 give us a commandment on how we are to treat our gifts.  How can practicing virtue and holiness help us to appreciate the gifts we share?  How can it help us develop them further?

The Student Manual has a discussion of the various gifts of the Spirit. (https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual/section-41-49/section-46-seek-ye-earnestly-the-best-gifts?lang=eng)

Section 49

Shaker Dance, Currier and Ives Engraving, 1830
https://history.lds.org/bc/content/images/revelations-in-context/780x390/3a15948u.jpg

"Not far from Kirtland, Ohio, the new headquarters of the Church, was a religious society known as the Shaking Quakers. Formerly members of the Society of Friends (Quakers), they were called Shaking Quakers or Shakers for two reasons: their dress and manners resembled in certain respects those of Quakers, and their manner of worship included shaking and physical contortions. The society seems to have had its beginning in England during the latter part of the 1700s. Ann Lee, founder of the Shakers, immigrated to America with her followers just before 1800. Settling in Ohio, they were in such close proximity to the Saints that it was only a matter of time until there was some intermingling between the two groups. One of the Shakers, Leman Copley, joined the Church but retained many of his former beliefs. Still, he wished to go and teach his former friends. Concerned, the Prophet inquired of the Lord and received the reply found in section 49." (https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual/section-41-49/section-49-preach-my-gospel-unto-the-shakers?lang=eng)

Leman Copley
https://history.lds.org/bc/content/images/revelations-in-context/Leman
%20Copley%20and%20the%20Shakers/390x520/sidney-rigdon-portrait-631961.jpg

49:2 reads in part, "...they desire to know the truth in part, but not all..."  What does this mean?  Do we do this in our day?

Leman Copley was specifically suited to task of teaching the Shakers, but not because he was previously a member of that congregation.  Why, according to verse 4, was he chosen for this?  Who would be the ones to teach him? (See v 3)

"John Whitmer wrote that Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt, and Leman Copley “went and proclaimed [the Gospel] according to the revelation given them, but the Shakers hearkened not to their words and received not the Gospel at that time, for they are bound in tradition and priestcraft; and thus they are led away with foolish and vain imaginations” (in History of the Church, 1:169n).

"Sidney Rigdon had lived in close proximity to the Shakers at North Union for many years and had become well acquainted with their leaders and their doctrine. Parley P. Pratt had many relatives who were Shakers. He had also been one of the first missionaries to approach the group at North Union.

"The three missionaries arrived at North Union on a Saturday evening and were allowed to give to the group a long discussion of the gospel. They spent the night, and the next morning they spoke in the regular Sunday meeting. Sidney Rigdon read the revelation to them as a part of his comments, and it was instantly rejected by the leader of the group, Ashbel Kitchell. The rest of the group agreed with Kitchell, and the missionaries withdrew." (https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual/section-41-49/section-49-preach-my-gospel-unto-the-shakers?lang=eng)

Vv 12-14 give a pattern to us, commanding us to "believe (v12), "repent" (v13), and "be baptized," (v13).  What is the promised blessing in v14?  

What specific commandments does the Lord enumerate in verses 23 and 26?  Do you feel like any of these apply to you today?  How can you more fully heed this advice in your life this week?

Section 50

Verse 1 commands us to hearken, to give ear, and to attend to the voice of the living God.  Why should we do this?  (See v:1-4).  What is the blessing associated with this commandment to pay attention?  (See v.5)

Verse 10 begins a passage (vv 10-36 inclusive) of reasoning.  It could easily be classified as the elenctic method (or Socratic debate if you prefer).  Joseph Smith and his contemporaries would have been familiar with this type of reasoning in their post-Enlightenment culture.  Do you feel this demonstrates the Lord's desire to communicate with us in a manner we may understand, or do you feel it is coincidental?

Why is the Lord reasoning with us as one person reasons with another?  (See v.12)

Verse 22 informs us that "he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together."  How does this relate to giving a talk in Sacrament Meeting?  How does this relate to hearing a talk in Sacrament Meeting?  How can you make Sacrament talks an occasion for edification and rejoicing?

What does it mean to be purified?  (See v.29)  Does this differ from being perfected?  (See v.40)  If so, how?

Verse 36 is a beatitude format.  Does it fit with the stock beatitudes spoken by the Savior in the Sermon on the Mount, or is it substantially different?

Verse 37 commands that Joseph Wakefield and Parley P Pratt "go forth among the churches and strengthen them by the word of exhortation."  What is an example of a word of exhortation in our day?