“God has given each of us one or more special talents. Socrates made the famous statement, “The unexamined life is not worth living” (“Apology,” The Dialogues of Plato, trans. Benjamin Jowett, Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1952, p. 210). It is up to each of us to search for and build upon the gifts which God has given. We must remember that each of us is made in the image of God, that there are no unimportant persons. Everyone matters to God and to his fellowmen.”

Elder Ashton, There Are Many Gifts, Oct. 1987

Winter semester is winding down at BYU-I. Last week in REL 275: Teachings and Doctrines of The Book of Mormon, we talked about faith and we started with two principles:

• Mark 16: 17 – Signs [aka miracles] follow those that have faith
• Moroni 10: 24-25 – If you are not seeing miracles and God’s power, it is because of unbelief ( or a lack of faith)

We also went into two other ideas:

• D&C 46: 7-9 – We are supposed to ask for the gifts of God. These gifts help us and those around us. (I invite you to read these verses carefully, looking for more meaning!)
• President Russell M. Nelson – pretty much every talk that he has given since becoming the President of he Church. Including the quote below:

“Every woman and every man who makes covenants with God and keeps those covenants, and who participates worthily in priesthood ordinances, has direct access to the power of God. Those who are endowed in the house of the Lord receive a gift of God’s priesthood power by virtue of their covenant, along with a gift of knowledge to know how to draw upon that power.

The heavens are just as open to women who are endowed with God’s power flowing from their priesthood covenants as they are to men who bear the priesthood. I pray that truth will register upon each of your hearts because I believe it will change your life. Sisters, you have the right to draw liberally upon the Savior’s power to help your family and others you love.”

Russell M. Nelson, “Spiritual Treasures,” Oct. 2019.

Thanks for going through that little set-up before I get to the Throwback Thursday Talk for today. In both of my classes, I had them study the gifts that Moroni talks about in Moroni 10: 8-18. We wrote principles and asked questions about the verses. They came up with some amazing questions. One of my favorites was: how do I know what some of my gifts are?

The students (they’re so insightful!) suggested (in no particular order):

• Prayer and fasting to know
• Ask people that love you what they’ve noticed
• Look at how you naturally “give” to the world, what talents do you use
• Read your Patriarchal Blessing and look at other blessings
• Think about what you would like to develop (we’re supposed to “seek after the best gifts” D&C 46:8)
• Look at the different callings you have had. Are there any patterns? (Have you been called to the same types of callings repeatedly?)
• And then I showed them the talk, Elder Marvin J. Ashton, There Are Many Gifts, Oct. 1987. It’s an oldie but a goody!

I invite you to study it. If you would like, please tell me in the comments your thoughts, insights, or questions. I’d love to hear them! I know that there are so many gifts that God wants to give His children. I know that because I’m a mom! I plan out the Christmas gifts that I give my children. I plan out things that they’ve asked for, things that they need, and special surprises just specifically for them – because I know that it will make them happy and bless their lives. Why would a loving Heavenly Father be any different?

Dig into your gifts! They are there to bless you, the people around you and even the whole world!

Hope you have a wonderful Thursday 😁❤