Moroni 10:8-19

Moroni tells us we must not deny the gifts of God. “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water” (John 4:10).

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

“If thou wilt do good, yea, and hold out faithful to the end, thou shalt be saved in the kingdom of God, which is the greatest of all the gifts of God; for there is no gift greater than the gift of salvation” (D&C 6:13).

There are different ways the gifts are administered. God is responsible and works all in all. They are given that we might profit by them. “Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God” (1 John 4:2).

“Moroni exhorts us that ‘every good gift cometh of Christ’ (Moroni 10:18) … Moroni doubtless had immediate access to the Savior's teachings concerning the gifts of the Spirit and used them in the manner found in Moroni 10:8–17. The critic may admit that our explanation of the appearance of these teachings in this scripture is reasonable and logical enough, looking at it purely from the Book of Mormon standpoint. That is to say, the Book of Mormon is consistent within itself. However, most critics do not agree with the Book of Mormon contention that Christ did appear in person and teach on this continent. What then? We cannot, of course, force men to believe anything, whether fact or fancy. But we can point to the strong possibility that Paul was not the exclusive author of the ideas contained in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 concerning spiritual gifts. Isn't it reasonable to believe that the great apostle adapted an important body of teachings common to the early Christian Church to suit his needs in dealing with the Corinthians? It would seem to me that Jesus was far more likely to have been the original author of the doctrines concerning spiritual gifts than was Paul. According to this view the latter simply drew on the teachings of Jesus in much the same way that Moroni did. Paul and Moroni were expositors and teachers of a gospel common to both. Moroni, like Paul, might well have said, ‘Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ’ (1 Corinthians 11:1).”[1]

Moroni then lists the following gifts (see Moroni 10:9-16).

• ·        Teach the word of wisdom
• ·        Teach the word of knowledge
• ·        Exceedingly great faith
• ·        The gifts of healing
• ·        Work mighty miracles
• ·        Prophesy concerning all things
• ·        Beholding of angels and ministering spirits
• ·        All kinds of tongues
• ·        Interpretation of languages and of divers kinds of tongues

All gifts come through the Spirit of Christ. “[T]hey come unto every man severally, according as he will” (Moroni 10:17).

We are to remember all good gifts come from Christ.  “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17).

“For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more” (Luke 12:48).

“Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery [GR Elders]” (1 Timothy 4:14).

God is the same, never changing. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8). All gifts which are spiritual will never be done away with. The only way they will is through our lack of faith. “Because of your unbelief [GR little faith]: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Matthew 17:20).

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[1] Literary Problems in the Book of Mormon involving 1 Corinthians 12, 13, and Other New Testament Books, Sidney B. Sperry, Maxwell Institute website.