Interesting Gifts of the Spirit

D.C. 46:15-16

15And again, to some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know the^adifferences of administration, as it will be pleasing unto the same Lord, according as the Lord will, suiting his ^bmercies according to the conditions of the children of men.

16And again, it is given by the Holy Ghost to some to know the diversities of operations, whether they be of God, that the manifestations of the ^aSpirit may be given to every man to profit withal.

These verses were never clear to me in the past but as a result of a lesson in EQ a couple months ago have become clearer. The different gifts of the Spirit may be listed in order of importance (I heard Elder Packer mention this once in a broadcast for missionaries - July 2004.). These are the 3^rd and 4^th verses, after having a knowledge and belief in the Savior, so they’re pretty important.

Knowing what to say to people at the right times to help them is so difficult. There are so many things that could be said. Having help in knowing the “differences of administration” or the different ways you can administer the gospel both by knowing correct programs and correct words is critical. Definitely requires the Spirit to know what to say to people according to the conditions they’re in (or as it says in the verse, “according to the conditions of the children of men”).

After leading a few organizations in the church, I’ve realized that marshaling resources is difficult. Having an idea of how to run the church (know the diversities of operations, whether they be of God, and how to implement the right ones) is a huge need. Running the church and recognizing how to do it better definitely requires the Spirit.

I now am starting to understand why these gifts of the Spirit are mentioned and what they are.

Have a good day.

LaDon

Church Organization and Meetings

Every once in a while I am reading in the scriptures and learn something about why the church has the programs or organizations it does in order to comply with the scriptures.

For instance, in Provo, young members of the BYU wards are called into as counselors in the Bishopric but are not made high priests like in every other ward I've seen (except for the LA singles ward where one of the counselors was made a high priest and one wasn't - both were single).

That's strange. Why is either option okay? D.C. 42:31 has the answer.

31And inasmuch as ye ^aimpart of your ^bsubstance unto the ^cpoor, ye will do it unto me; and they shall be ^dlaid before the ^ebishop of my church and his ^fcounselors, two of the elders, or high priests, such as he shall appoint or has appointed and ^gset apart for that purpose.

It's okay because God said so. Bishopric counselors can be ordained elders or high priests. That's completely consistent with scripture received 180 years ago. Very cool.

Another example I ran into today is D.C. 43:8.

8And now, behold, I give unto you a ^acommandment, that when ye are ^bassembled together ye shall ^cinstruct and ^dedify each other, that ye may know ^ehow to act and direct my church, how to act upon the points of my law and commandments, which I have given.

Two of the three hours of our Sunday meetings are classes in which normal members are asked to teach and anyone can comment. In addition we should talk about the scriptures which contain the law and commandments, which are the main source of most lessons. This is completely consistent with the above verse, which was also received 180 years ago. Very cool.

LaDon