Keeping the Gifts Alive: A Thought on Continuing Revelation

Brothers and sisters, as we gather together—whether we’re in a dedicated Book Club session in HolyPlaces, or maybe just wrestling with scripture on our own in the quiet of our homes—the Spirit often guides us to deep theological waters. It’s exciting, isn't it? To feel the Spirit guiding our understanding of the covenants and the gifts we’ve been promised.

Lately, I’ve been pondering some discussions around the gifts of the Spirit, and it brought to mind a recent talk by Pastor David Guzik. It really got me thinking about the nature of revelation and how the Lord continues to work through His children today. It’s a topic that can divide, and it requires us to approach it with the humility of a returned missionary who knows how much we still have to learn.

The core idea that struck me was this: the gifts of the Spirit, those wonderful manifestations of divine power and help, were never meant to be limited to the Apostles, or restricted to a specific time period. The scriptures, especially when we look at the pattern of revelation, point to a continuous flow.

The Danger of Drawing Lines in the Sand

One of the arguments I heard echoed through the discussion was that certain miraculous gifts were only given to authenticate the Apostles. While I certainly agree that the signs and wonders were powerful confirmations of the early Church's message, to suggest that the *source* of those gifts—the Spirit of the living God—has been capped or retired is something we need to approach with caution. The Savior taught us that the Spirit continues to guide us, and the pattern of the early Church itself suggests a broader endowment.

It's easy, when we are so focused on the *how* of the miracles, to lose sight of the *why*. The Lord wants us to be disciples anywhere, all the time. Our calling isn't just for the MTC or for when we are assigned to a field; it's for the mundane, the challenging, and the quiet moments when we are simply trying to be Christlike.

This reminds me of something I learned while studying for my own mission prep. The best way to approach a difficult question isn't to have all the answers, but to have the right framework—the framework of scripture and the Spirit—to guide the conversation. If you’re wrestling with these deep theological questions, I highly recommend checking out the commentary on Romans 12 or 1 Corinthians 12 in LivingBook. The depth of scholarship there is incredible!

If this topic sparks curiosity for you, I encourage you to watch the full series. It’s a thoughtful dive into the topic, and it’s a great refresher on the breadth of the Spirit’s endowment.

As we continue to build our testimonies and strengthen our understanding of the restored gospel, remember that the Spirit is not a finite resource. He is the breath of God, and He continues to breathe upon the Church. Let’s keep studying, let’s keep sharing our testimonies, and let’s keep inviting others to come unto Christ.

If you want to dig deeper into scripture-discipleship with others, consider joining a Book Club or a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces this week. It’s a wonderful way to learn from your peers!

In the Spirit,

A Fellow Disciple