Seek Ye Earnestly the Best Gifts

Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “But covet earnestly the best gifts” (1 Corinthians 12:31). Other translations say “earnestly desire” or “eagerly desire” instead of “covet” suggesting that Paul was inviting us not to covet others’ gifts but to sincerely seek for ourselves spiritual gifts. He said to them as well, “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy…. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues” (1 Corinthians 14:1, 39). We should desire spiritual gifts in general and seek in particular for the gift of charity and the gift to prophesy. This is consistent with the Lord’s invitation in our dispensation: “Wherefore, beware lest ye are deceived; and that ye may not be deceived seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given.” We should seek out spiritual gifts, earnestly desiring to develop abilities that will help us to do the work of the Lord and bless the lives of others. He continued, “For verily I say unto you, they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do; that all may be benefited that seek or that ask of me, that ask and not for a sign that they may consume it upon their lusts” (Doctrine and Covenants 46:8-9). We should seek them “for the intent to do good,” just as Jacob taught his people that they should seek riches in order to serve others (Jacob 2:19). The Lord invites us to ask Him for these gifts, and of course the very word implies that they are not earned or achieved simply through our efforts—they are bestowed by Him to them who ask and seek and knock.

                In this same revelation about spiritual gifts the Lord said this: “For there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby” (Doctrine and Covenants 46:11-12). We have all been given at least one spiritual gift, and I think that should give us reason to see others differently. Every person we meet has been given a spiritual gift from God that will undoubtedly be different than ours. And so, we should remember that as we interact with them, realizing that even if we don’t see it, they have the ability to serve and bless and do good in the world in ways we may not. And our goal should be to help others develop and use and serve with the gifts that they have been given. Moroni similarly wrote, “And all these gifts come by the Spirit of Christ; and they come unto every man severally, according as he will. And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that every good gift cometh of Christ” (Moroni 10:17-18). Spiritual gifts “come to every man” and they are granted according to our wills or as we desire them. Of course, there may be some who fail to fully use and develop their gifts, and to this the Lord would say, “For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:33). There are many times that our children receive gifts, only to forget about them shortly thereafter and never really use them. Other times they get something that they simply love and use all of the time. My mom many years ago made blankets for her grandchildren, and my daughter came to love those blankets from a very early age. She would demand her “string blanket” when she slept, accepting nothing else. Eventually she somehow passed that love of these particular blankets to her younger sister who now similarly will demand her “flower blanket” (same blanket, new name) when she sleeps. Those blankets have been used and used and used again, and I think that’s how the Lord wants us to treat the gifts He has given us. They are not to be hid or set aside—we are to “let [our] light so shine” through our gifts so “that all may be profited thereby” (3 Nephi 12:16, Doctrine and Covenants 46:12).