Gifts

Old Testament New Testament Book of Mormon Statements of Belief

Origins of the Topic

What gifts does God give people?

There are some denominations that believe that God still gives gifts to people, yet some denominations believe that God no longer gives people gifts.

Commentary: The one statement that resolves if God still gives people gifts can be found in 3 Nephi 11:9, "For I am the Lord, I change not;" If God does not change, then if he has given gifts before, he continues to give gifts now.

Old Testament

Discernment is a gift - Key Verse -
1 Kings 3:9-11 [9] Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? [10] And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. [11] And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;

Discernment is a gift - Key Verse - Key Scripture

1 Kings 3:9-11
[9] Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
[10] And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
[11] And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;

Prophesy and visions are gifts - Key Verse -
2 Chronicles 9:29 Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer against Jeroboam the son of Nebat?

Understanding (wisdom) and visions are gifts - Key Verse -
2 Chronicles 26:5 And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper.

Visions are a gift - Key Verse -
Ezekiel 1:1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.

Visions are a gift - Key Verse -
Ezekiel 8:3-4 [3] And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy. [4] And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, according to the vision that I saw in the plain. Commentary: See the topic about glory.

Visions are a gift - Key Verse - Key Scripture

Ezekiel 8:3-4
[3] And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy.
[4] And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, according to the vision that I saw in the plain.

Commentary: See the topic about glory.

Prophesy and visions are gifts - Key Verse -
Ezekiel 13:16 To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord God.

Knowledge, wisdom, and visions are gifts - Key Verse -
Daniel 1:17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

Prophesy and visions are gifts - Key Verse -
Hosea 12:9-10 [9] And I that am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast. [10] I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.

Prophesy, dreams, and visions are gifts - Key Verse -
Joel 2:27-28 [27] And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed. [28] And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

New Testament

Prophesy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, ruling, and mercy are gifts - Key Verse -
Romans 12:6-8 [6] Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; [7] Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; [8] Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Prophesy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, ruling, and mercy are gifts - Key Verse - Key Scripture

Romans 12:6-8
[6] Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
[7] Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
[8] Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Gifts are given through the Spirit. Wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophesy, discernment, tongues, and interpretation of tongues are all gifts - Key Verse -
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 [7] But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. [8] For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; [9] To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; [10] To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: [11] But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

Gifts are given through the Spirit. Wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophesy, discernment, tongues, and interpretation of tongues are all gifts - Key Verse - Key Scripture

1 Corinthians 12:7-11
[7] But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
[8] For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
[9] To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
[10] To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
[11] But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

Healing, helping, governing, and diversity of toungues are gifts - Key Verse -
1 Corinthians 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Book of Mormon

Interpretation of languages is a gift - Key Verse -
Omni 1:35 And it came to pass in the days of Mosiah, there was a large stone brought unto him, with engravings on it; and he did interpret the engravings, by the gift and power of God.

Prophesy, revelation, ministering of angels, speaking with tongues, and interpreting languages are gifts - Key Verse -
Omni 1:44 And believe in prophesying, and in revelations, and in the ministering of angels, and in the gift of speaking with tongues, and in the gift of interpreting languages, and in all things which are good:

Interpretation of languages, being a seer, revelation, and prophesy are gifts - Key Verse -
Mosiah 5:72-77 [72] Now Ammon said unto him, I can assuredly tell thee, O king, of a man that can translate the records: for he has wherewith that he can look, and translate all records that are of ancient date: and it is a gift from God. [73] And the things are called interpreters; and no man can look in them, except he be commanded, lest he should look for that he ought not, and he should perish. [74] And whosoever is commanded to look in them, the same is called seer. [75] And behold, the king of the people who is in the land of Zarahemla, is the man that is commanded to do these things, and who has this high gift from God. [76] And the king said, that a seer is greater than a prophet. [77] And Ammon said, that a seer is a revelator, and a prophet also; and a gift which is greater, can no man have, except he should possess the power of God, which no man can; yet a man may have great power given him from God.

Interpretation of languages, being a seer, revelation, and prophesy are gifts - Key Verse - Key Scripture

Mosiah 5:72-77
[72] Now Ammon said unto him, I can assuredly tell thee, O king, of a man that can translate the records: for he has wherewith that he can look, and translate all records that are of ancient date: and it is a gift from God.
[73] And the things are called interpreters; and no man can look in them, except he be commanded, lest he should look for that he ought not, and he should perish.
[74] And whosoever is commanded to look in them, the same is called seer.
[75] And behold, the king of the people who is in the land of Zarahemla, is the man that is commanded to do these things, and who has this high gift from God.
[76] And the king said, that a seer is greater than a prophet.
[77] And Ammon said, that a seer is a revelator, and a prophet also; and a gift which is greater, can no man have, except he should possess the power of God, which no man can; yet a man may have great power given him from God.

Prophesy, revelation, speaking with tongues, preaching, the Holy Ghost, and translation are gifts - Key Verse -
Alma 7:31 And having the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and also many gifts; the gift of speaking with tongues, and the gift of preaching, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the gift of translation:

Revelation, prophesy, gifts, tongues, healings, and the Holy Ghost are gifts - Key Verse -
3 Nephi 13:59 Yea, wo unto him that shall deny the revelations of the Lord, and that shall say, The Lord no longer worketh by revelation, or by prophecy, or by gifts, or by tongues, or by healings, or by the power of the Holy Ghost;

Revelation, prophesy, gifts, healing, speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongues are gifts - Key Verse -
Mormon 4:66-67 [66] And again I speak unto you, who deny the revelations of God, and say that they are done away, that there are no revelations, nor prophecies, nor gifts, nor healing, nor speaking with tongues, and the interpretation of tongues. [67] Behold I say unto you, He that denieth these things, knoweth not the gospel of Christ; yea, he has not read the scriptures; if so, he does not understand them.

Revelation, prophesy, gifts, healing, speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongues are gifts - Key Verse - Key Scripture

Mormon 4:66-67
[66] And again I speak unto you, who deny the revelations of God, and say that they are done away, that there are no revelations, nor prophecies, nor gifts, nor healing, nor speaking with tongues, and the interpretation of tongues.
[67] Behold I say unto you, He that denieth these things, knoweth not the gospel of Christ; yea, he has not read the scriptures; if so, he does not understand them.

Gifts come from God. The Spirit of God, teaching, great faith, healing, miracles, prophesy, seeing angels and ministering spirits, tongues, and interpretation of languages are gifts. - Key Verse -
Moroni 10:8-12 [8] And again I exhort you, my brethren, that ye deny not the gifts of God, for they are many; and they come from the same God. [9] And there are different ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the same God who worketh all in all; and they are given by the manifestations of the Spirit of God unto men, to profit them. [10] For behold, to one is given by the Spirit of God, that he may teach the word of wisdom; and to another, that he may teach the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; and to another exceeding great faith; and to another, the gifts of healing by the same Spirit. [11] And again, to another, that he may work mighty miracles; and again, to another, that he may prophesy concerning all things; and again, to another, the beholding of angels and ministering spirits; and again, to another, all kinds of tongues; and again, to another, the interpretation of languages and of divers kinds of tongues. [12] And all these gifts come by the Spirit of Christ; and they come unto every man severally, according as he will.

Gifts come from God. The Spirit of God, teaching, great faith, healing, miracles, prophesy, seeing angels and ministering spirits, tongues, and interpretation of languages are gifts. - Key Verse - Key Scripture

Moroni 10:8-12
[8] And again I exhort you, my brethren, that ye deny not the gifts of God, for they are many; and they come from the same God.
[9] And there are different ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the same God who worketh all in all; and they are given by the manifestations of the Spirit of God unto men, to profit them.
[10] For behold, to one is given by the Spirit of God, that he may teach the word of wisdom; and to another, that he may teach the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; and to another exceeding great faith; and to another, the gifts of healing by the same Spirit.
[11] And again, to another, that he may work mighty miracles; and again, to another, that he may prophesy concerning all things; and again, to another, the beholding of angels and ministering spirits; and again, to another, all kinds of tongues; and again, to another, the interpretation of languages and of divers kinds of tongues.
[12] And all these gifts come by the Spirit of Christ; and they come unto every man severally, according as he will.

Statements of Belief

- No Found or Stated Position

- Consistent with Scripture

- Partially Consistent with Scripture

- Inconsistent with Scripture

Anabaptism

Anglican

Assyrian Church

Church of Christ

Church of Jesus Christ (Restoration Branches)

(Utah) Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Community of Christ

Eastern Orthodox

Islam

Jehovah's Witnesses

Judaism

Lutheran

Methodist

Pentecostal

Presbyterian

Roman Catholic

Seventh-Day Adventist Church

Southern Baptist Convention

Anabaptism -

Anglican -

Assyrian Church -

Church of Christ -

Church of Jesus Christ (Restoration Branches) -

Epitome of Faith: We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, etc.

Commentary: Belief that all of the gifts identified in the scriptures still occur is consistent with the scriptures.

(Utah) Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints -

Spiritual Gifts: Spiritual gifts are blessings or abilities given by God to His children through the power of the Holy Ghost. Gifts of the Spirit are given to bless and benefit those who love the Lord and seek to keep His commandments. (See D&C 46:9.)...Each faithful member of the Church has at least one spiritual gift, and the Lord encourages His children to "seek...earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given" (D&C 46:8). The scriptures teach of many gifts of the Spirit:

Commentary: Commentary: That people still receive spiritual gifts is consistent with the scriptures.

Community of Christ -

Eastern Orthodox -

Islam -

Jehovah's Witnesses -

Judaism -

Lutheran -

Methodist -

Pentecostal -

About Christian Living: As Christians, we are to love God and others. We should live a holy life inwardly and outwardly and worship God joyfully. The supernatural gifts of the Spirit, including healing, are for the church today. (See Mark 12:28-31; II Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14; I Corinthians 12:8-10.)

Commentary: That gifts are for the church today is consistent with the scriptures.

Presbyterian -

Roman Catholic -

Seventh-Day Adventist Church -

Fundamental Beliefs - Spiritual Gifts and Ministries: God bestows upon all members of His church in every age spiritual gifts which each member is to employ in loving ministry for the common good of the church and of humanity. Given by the agency of the Holy Spirit, who apportions to each member as He wills, the gifts provide all abilities and ministries needed by the church to fulfill its divinely ordained functions. According to the Scriptures, these gifts include such ministries as faith, healing, prophecy, proclamation, teaching, administration, reconciliation, compassion, and self-sacrificing service and charity for the help and encouragement of people. Some members are called of God and endowed by the Spirit for functions recognized by the church in pastoral, evangelistic, apostolic, and teaching ministries particularly needed to equip the members for service, to build up the church to spiritual maturity, and to foster unity of the faith and knowledge of God. When members employ these spiritual gifts as faithful stewards of God's varied grace, the church is protected from the destructive influence of false doctrine, grows with a growth that is from God, and is built up in faith and love. (Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:9-11, 27, 28; Eph. 4:8, 11-16; Acts 6:1-7; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; 1 Peter 4:10, 11.)

Commentary: Gifts bestowed in every age is consistent with the scriptures.