The LDS Daily WOOL Home Page
(1/16/99)
"Again, let me say we know that not only do we have a spark of
divinity within us, but that we are actually spirit children of our
Heavenly Father and that 'every man is given a gift by the Spirit of
God.' (D&C 46:11.) With this relationship, we are thus blessed
with many talents and possess great possibilities."
Franklin
D. Richards
Conference Report, October 1968, p.111
(1/17/99)
"As calls come to us for church service by the Lord's
representatives, it is natural for us to wonder why we have been
selected. The Lord has made it plain that every individual has been
blessed and endowed with certain gifts and talents. And while there
are many gifts, yet 'To some is given one, and to some is given
another, that all may be profited thereby.' (D&C 46:12)"
Henry
D. Taylor
Conference Report, October 1963, p.71
"Now, after almost two thousand years, in the passing time of a century characterized by a decline in religious faith, the restored gospel joyfully proclaims anew, with as much enthusiasm and vigor as did the first century Christians, that Christ is risen. Our confidence in man's salvation through the atonement of Christ is a matter of faith, not completely understood, yet the central meaning of Jesus Christ for our time, as for all time, is to be found in that faith--faith in man's salvation through the resurrection."
Paul
H. Dunn
Conference Report, April 4, 1969
(1/18/99)
"The gift and power of discernment in this world of contention
between the forces of good and the power of evil is essential
equipment for every son and daughter of God."
Stephen
L Richards
Conference Report, April 1950, p.163
(1/19/99)
"There is no doubt, speaking of the people as a whole, that we are
greatly improving in the sight of God. But although this is
undoubtedly the case, I am convinced there are persons among us
endowed with spiritual gifts and susceptible of cultivation that could
be exercised, if they chose, to a far greater extent than they are,
and who could move much faster in the ways of holiness and get much
nearer to the Lord. But the spirit which attends the things of this
world is operating upon them to that extent that they do not increase
those spiritual powers and blessings; they do not place themselves in
that close relationship to the Lord that it is their privilege."
Lorenzo
Snow
"Teachings of Lorenzo Snow", p.130-131
(1/20/99)
"Because faith is wanting, the fruits are. 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, &c. 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. Faith has been wanting,
not only among the heathen, but in professed Christendom also, so that
tongues, healings, prophecy, and prophets and apostles, and all the
gifts and blessings have been wanting."
Joseph
Smith
"History of the Church", 5:218
(1/21/99)
"I know that there are no gifts, no graces, no authority, which
were possessed in the days of the Savior by his apostles which are not
possessed today by the people of God."
Heber
J. Grant
General Conference, October 1917
(7/8/04)
"Everything is given by God. All talent, creativity, ability, insight,
and strength comes from him. In our own strength we can do nothing, as
Ammon admitted to his brother. (See Alma
26:10-12 .) When we seek
the praise of man more than the praise of God, it will become easy to
fall." - Marvin J. Ashton, " Neither
Boast of Faith Nor of Mighty Works ,"
Ensign, May 1990, p. 67
12/31/05
"Because our purpose here on earth has not changed, nor will it ever,
our Father steadily and regularly supplies additional gifts to make our
world safe and strengthen our wise use of agency. Think about the gift
of prayer—opportunities to be heard and understood. Think about the gift
of the Holy Ghost, who will show us all the things that we should do
(see 2 Ne. 32:5).
Think about sacred covenants we have made, the scriptures, priesthood
and patriarchal blessings. Think about the ultimate gift of the
Atonement and its reminder in the sacrament that blankets us with love
and hope and grace. These gifts help us use our agency wisely to return
back to our heavenly home, where 'eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,
neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath
prepared for them that love him' (1
Cor. 2:9)." - Sharon G. Larsen, "Agency—A
Blessing and a Burden," Ensign (CR), November 1999, p.11
7/16/07
"A few years ago a prominent university professor joined the Church.
When I asked him to speak before a group of New York businessmen and to
explain why he had joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, he said to these men, 'I'll tell you why I joined this church. I
came to a time in my life when my heart told me things that my mind did
not know. Then it was that I knew the gospel was true.'
"When we understand more than we know with our minds, when we understand
with our hearts, then we know that the Spirit of the Lord is working
upon us." - Harold B. Lee, "Stand Ye in Holy Places," p. 92
12/27/07
"As
the Prophet Joseph indicated, this is our day and time. I believe the
future holds greater blessings for mankind than ever before. I rejoice
in this great outpouring of spiritual knowledge, when 'the
earth [is being] filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,
as the waters cover the sea.' (Hab.
2:14.) Knowledge and intelligence are
dropping 'as the gentle
rain from heaven' (William
Shakespeare, 'The Merchant of Venice,' act 4, scene 1, 185. See also
Deut. 32:2.) to
bless all of our lives. We should seize every opportunity to move
forward in faith, looking beyond the year 2000 into a future bright
with hope, acknowledging that all good gifts come by divine
providence. With such increased knowledge comes a higher
responsibility. If we work hard, wisely manage our personal
stewardships, and live providently, the Lord will prosper us in our
use of this heightened knowledge to advance His holy work."
- James E. Faust, "This
Is Our Day," Ensign
(CR), May 1999, p.17
3/1/09
"Gifts
and talents that we don't use and share seem to diminish. It seems
true that the more we serve, the more we are able to serve. Our
service muscles increase in size and usefulness. The use phenomenon is
a lot like the law of the harvest: We reap what we sow. We can't pick
a tomato or a carrot if we never planted and cared for a seed. We
can't expect to become more holy if we never plant the seeds of
spirituality."
- Mary Ellen Edmunds, "Love Is a Verb,"
p.107
10/19/09
“I shall mention only one more gift. It is personal to each one, and
it is priceless. It is the gift of the testimony of Jesus, that inner
conviction and assurance which will come to each person who truly and
humbly seeks it. It is a manifestation of the spiritual in man and a
demonstration of his dual nature. It does not come by rationalizing
alone, but it is not inconsonant with reason when the nature of man is
understood. No gift of the Master brings more satisfaction to the
soul. I am sure I voice the sentiments of countless thousands who
worship with us this day when I thank God for this priceless gift of
testimony.” - Stephen L Richards, “Where Is
Wisdom?” p. 322
6/5/10
"Do not be
disappointed if you have read and reread and yet have not received a
powerful witness. You may be somewhat like the disciples spoken of in
the Book of Mormon who were filled with the power of God in great glory
'and they knew it not' (3 Nephi 9:20)." - Boyd
K. Packer, "The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus
Christ—Plain and Precious Things, Ensign (CR), April 2005
6/13/10
"The really serious
challenges in life require not so much temporal resources but the gifts
of the Spirit. Among such challenges might be the sickness, suffering,
or death of a loved one; a rebellious and disobedient family member;
false accusations; and other severe disappointments. During such trials
we need increased faith, inspiration, comfort, courage, patience, and
the ability to forgive. These blessings can be poured out of the windows
of heaven." - Ronald E. Poelman,
"Tithing: A Privilege," Ensign (CR), May 1998, p. 78
5/1/12
Moses’s, Alma’s, and Joseph Smith’s lives were all changed by
encounters with the divine. These experiences strengthened them to
remain faithful to the Lord and His work throughout their lives
despite overwhelming opposition and subsequent difficult trials.
Our experiences with the divine may not be as direct or dramatic nor
our challenges as daunting. However, as with the prophets, our
strength to endure faithfully depends upon recognizing, remembering,
and holding sacred that which we receive from above. - Paul B.
Pieper, "To Hold Sacred," Ensign (CR) May 2012
1/24/13
The gifts that pertain to the gospel of Jesus Christ can only be
obtained by obedience to the truth; and can only be retained by a
faithful adherence to the commandments of God; and in order that
these may be multiplied upon the people, they must be appreciated
by those upon whom they are bestowed. When our hearts are filled
with thanksgiving, gratitude, and praise to God, we are in a fit
condition to receive additional blessings, and to have more of the
outpouring of His Holy Spirit. When we see the deliverances that
He vouchsafes to us, and appreciate those deliverances, we are in
a fit condition to receive additional strength, power, and
salvation, because we acknowledge His hand in all the blessings we
receive, and in all the circumstances which surround us. - George
Q. Cannon, "Journal of Discourses," 26 vols., 11:331
7/18/14
The sick are healed, the eyes of
the blind are opened, the ears of the deaf are unstopped, the lame
are made to walk. The gift of tongues blesses our missionaries and
others the world over. The gifts of wisdom and knowledge are
evidenced by the leadership of our people everywhere. Devils are
cast out, spirits are discerned, the gift of faith is demonstrated
on every side. Many mighty miracles give evidence that this is
indeed his church, the church of Jesus Christ. All the gifts and
powers and blessings that have always identified Christ’s church are
with the Church today. - James A.
Cullimore, “Gifts
of the Spirit,” Ensign (CR) November 1974
9/7/14
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. - Marvin J.
Ashton, “There
Are Many Gifts,” Ensign (CR) November 1987