"Spiritual Gifts"

Within each mortal being, deep down in the caverns of their soul,
A fertile garden of talents hidden, divine seedlings wait to grow!

Planted by loving hands, into to the rich soil of one's heart,
A Heavenly Father's desire, the greatest of blessings to impart!

Inspiring gifts of the Spirit, patiently positioned to one day emerge.
Nurtured by faith, cultivated with truth, and rooted in His sacred word.

The Light of Life, he warms the plant, illuminating the way.
Each child's talents grow into blossoms, to dawn a future day.

Obedience leads to undiscovered abilities, that spring forth to manifest!
A flowering witness of God goodness, His miracles reverently expressed!

For each of God's children are sacred, endowed with specific gifts!
Fruits to inspire those around us. To lead, to love, and to lift!

"Know that thou art My special child, a masterpiece one of a kind!
I sent thee here with powers, to guide and heal the blind!"

"So use wisely thy endowment given, adore Me through service today!
And show your gratitude more fully, by sharing thy gifts in My way!"

POET'S COMMENTS

So many gifts and talents God has given to mankind! They can be found in music, in writing, in art, in medicine, in technology, in designing, in growing, in learning, in creating new things. A diversity of skills and abilities have been given to mortals to enhance this life experience. Some of those greater gifts are expressed in the New Testament.

"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 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: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will." (1Corinthians 12:7-11)

The shared poem conveys a number of ideas about spiritual gifts. The seeds of deity planted within each soul are cultivated and nourished by living the gospel of Jesus Christ. As one keeps their covenants, divine and innate abilities germinate and sprout sometimes without expectation. Continued devotion to God, manifested by faith and good works, allows what once was a seedling to flourish into a strong and sturdy plant. The plant produces beautiful blossoms that later bear delicious fruit for others to enjoy.

Is not the whole process spectacular? A seedling sprouts, grows to a plant, produces gorgeous flowers, and then bears tasteful fruit! Can you envision the colors of the flowers, the delightful taste of fruit! Such is the experience of perfected talents and gifts! These seedlings within each one of us can be developed, illuminated, amplified, and magnified into their perfect form. Once the gift is polished and perfected, it is an inspiration to many with whom it is shared.

When the gift brings forth a plentiful harvest, what happens if it is not shared? The fruits of the gift are spoils, few are edified, and many lose blessings that could have comforted, healed, testified, guided, restored. The endowments which God bequeaths His children are not for self-indulgence, nor personal profit. All bestowed gifts are given with the purpose of testifying of God, and bringing His children back into His kingdom. They are to shared openly.

"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. 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." (Moroni 10:8)

"As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 4:10-11)

When Heavenly Father's children serve Him with all their heart, might, mind, and strength; the seedlings of deity (spiritual gifts) grow. These purest of virtues and strengths, become part of the spiritual character of that person forever. Heavenly Father's children are molded into princes and princesses for time and all eternity! They become perfect, as God is perfect.

May we all expand, enlarge, amplify, and magnify those godly gifts given to each one of us individually, and thereby perfect ourselves while perfecting others!