Mormons define "gifts of the Spirit" as spiritual blessings from the Holy Ghost. Church official Lane Johnson explains that "to say that a person is 'spiritual' is to say that gifts of the Spirit are manifest in him."
Mormons believe in the reality of spiritual gifts being given to men and women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) today.
Who Receives Spiritual Gifts and Why?
Doctrine & Covenants 46: 26, a modern book of scripture in the LDS church, says that "all these gifts come from God, for the benefit of the children of God." Mormons believe when people are baptized and confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they are eligible to receive gifts of the Holy Spirit to use for their own spiritual development or to help others when the Lord sees fit.
Elder Johnson says that as long as LDS church members remain worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost they are entitled to spiritual gifts, but "where disobedience and unrighteousness enter in, the Spirit withdraws and spiritual gifts are lost."
Mormonism and Gifts of the Spirit in the 7th Article of Faith
Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, explained Mormon doctrine in 13 points called the Articles of Faith. The seventh talks about some of these gifts of the Spirit: "We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth."
- Gift of Speaking in Tongues – When the Lord blesses people with the ability to speak a language they have not learned. This is usually because of a need to communicate the gospel in a foreign language with no interpreter present, like what happened at Pentecost in Acts 2. Mormons believe that LDS missionaries in other countries today may experience the gift of tongues to help them teach the gospel.
- Gift of Interpretation of Tongues – Basically, the gift of tongues in reverse. For a period of time, people may be able to understand a language that they haven't learned for the sake of understanding a spiritual message.
- Gift of Prophesy and Visions – Communications from God about things in the past, present, or future that were previously unknown to a person. Prophets prophesy for the entire LDS church. Individuals may receive revelations to govern their own lives, but never for the church or its leaders. President Joseph Fielding Smith also explains that people with the real gift of prophecy "will not receive any revelation that does not agree with what the Lord has said in the scriptures."
- Gift of Healing – Those who are sick or hurt can request a priesthood blessing. Someone with the priesthood puts a drop of consecrated oil on the person's head, puts their hands on their head, and gives a blessing of healing and/or comfort as they are inspired to give. When it is God's will, Mormons believe that people may be miraculously healed after a priesthood blessing.
Other Gifts of the Spirit in Mormon Beliefs
Elder Johnson explains that "in the most basic sense any increase in light that an individual experiences may be regarded as a spiritual gift gifts." This includes gifts not mentioned above such as the gifts of faith, discernment, testimony, miracles, wisdom, knowledge, and compassion, to name just a few.
For more on the role of the Holy Spirit in the LDS religion, see Mormonism and the Holy Ghost.
Satan Can Imitate the Holy Spirit's Gifts
It is believed that the devil can imitate the gifts of tongues, prophecy, visions, healing, and other miracles. In Exodus 7: 8-22, Moses saw firsthand Satan imitating genuine gifts of the Holy Spirit. Mormons are advised to pray for the Holy Spirit's gift of discernment to help them know whether something is from God or the devil.
Mormons believe that all baptized and confirmed LDS church members are entitled to various gifts of the Spirit, as long as they remain worthy to receive them. There are many spiritual gifts in Mormon doctrine which are given at various times to various people for a higher purpose.
See the complete Articles of Faith series to learn more about Mormon beliefs.
Sources:
Lane Johnson, “How to Receive Spiritual Gifts,” Ensign, December 1975.
Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation. Bookcraft: 1960. Chapter 3, verse 203.
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