Moroni's Last Message

As I have pondered what I would tell me children and all of my posterity if I only had a small space and time to leave them a message; I considered what would my message be?

As we read in Moroni and imagine him in such a vulnerable and disheartening position, as he says, " And I Moroni will not deny the Christ; wherefore I wander withersoever I can for the safety of mine own life, " we can take great joy in our hearts and glory in our God that Moroni's life being spared; yet all alone; was not in vain; but succeeded to be a great and marvelous work of the Lord; thus allowing us to drink deeply in His ways; and His words.

As we know that Moroni supposed that he had no more time to write ( Moroni 1:4 ),

It was a beautiful moment for me upon realization that my small message, to my posterity; would not have varied at all from Moroni's message.

This beloved Moroni left us his testimony of the organization of the one and only true church. Jesus Christ's church. He did not simply testify of Christ one more time. Moroni left us the message that His God; and Jesus Christ; that did in fact come visit his people; left them with a specific authority; organization and order to follow.

Although I have no doubt that the specific prayers and the manner in which ordinances are to be performed can be revealed to our modern day prophets. And although I have no doubt that in the alternative scenario of Moroni not being given extra time to write this order and these prayers; that they would still have been revealed to modern prophets; the very fact that this is what Moroni felt impressed to leave as his last writing- teaches us an eternal truth about our God;  the truth that He is indeed a God of authority, order and unity.

I appreciate the fact that we also have examples after Jesus Christ was crucified and resurrected; He did in fact as well teach His apostles in the New Testament that He is a God of authority and order. One example is in Acts chapter 19; we witness Paul upon meeting disciples; ask if they had received the Holy Ghost? Finding that they were not given the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands; Paul then baptized them, and " Paul laid his hands upon them...." ( vs.6 ) Thus the ordinance was performed properly.

I deeply appreciate and understand how vital it is in God's Kingdom in heaven and on earth; to have the correct authority and order when performing ordinances.

A certain experience that I had last May deepened my understanding of just how thankful that I should be, to be a part of His holy order; His kingdom and church upon the earth.

My Father-in-law whom was Catholic passed away suddenly last May. Upon arriving at my Catholic Mother-in-law's home it was heart wrenching to feel the absence of the order of His kingdom. I knew the scenario would have been much different among His Latter Day Saints.

I watched the family pace around for hours waiting for a Priest, instead of having a blessing being given by a Home Teacher. I watched phone calls, tears, more phone calls, and great absence of family prayer and communion with God. My heart almost burst in sadness upon the arrival of the Priest. There were little words of God; mostly funeral planning.

Lastly, upon my desire to thank this Priest for his services for our family; after the funeral, as he began to question me; I felt the desire to question him and I asked what he believed happened to infants whom died with out baptism? He then proceeded to tell me that his own church made a great error in committing all infants to baptism; because they lose the accountability that baptism is supposed to bring on. He explained to me although he is a Priest of the Catholic Church; that he disagreed with this practice....

Thus we see again the words left by Moroni and instruction that those to be baptized should , " truly have repented of all their sins " ( Moroni 6:2 ) ringing even truer in our ears; despite the fact that it already had. Of course an infant is not even in need, nor can be held accountable for the commitment brought on by baptism.

We are so greatly blessed in this restored gospel. I am eternally thankful for His love and mercy towards me and our church. I am thankful for every sacrifice that has been made and that will be made to maintain the proper authority and order of His church on the  earth.

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

By Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them

 Ether 4:12 states, " And whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me; for good cometh to none save it be of me. I am the same that leadeth men to do all good; he that will not believe my words; will not believe me- that I am.... "

In the Oct. 2014 talk given by Neil F. Marriot, called " Let your Light Shine", her words echo that of this scripture that I love so much. In her talk she explains that as we truly are following Jesus Christ; what the results in our lives  will be. She says, " You carry a circle of influence with you wherever you go. it is felt by the people around you- from your family to the contacts in your cell phone and from your friends on social media, to those seated right next to you tonight. You are vibrant, enthusiastic beacons in an ever-darkening world as you show through the way that you live your lives, that the gospel is a joyful message." 

The words of our beloved prophet also mentioned in this talk also ring true to this statement, as he said, 

" If you want to give a light to others, you have to glow yourself. " Thomas S. Monson

There is hardly a more favorite principle of mine in this gospel; because I love Him so very much, I would like to bring others to Him and the great joy that He brings me. As I live my life happy and as I follow the spirit; it becomes evident to those that I associate outside of my faith that this gospel that I love is good. 

Although my husband may not believe the doctrines and history of my church; he can not deny that it is good; and that fact is the reason that he allows me to raise my children in it, despite his lack of respect or interest in it. 

I do hope that someday all of those that I associate with that are not of my faith will know why my faith makes me so happy, and how I am able to be a strength to others in their lives. I hope they will one day see that it never had anything to do with me personally; it only has to do with Him. It was never me; it was always Him; because He and His spirit are the ones persuading me to do good. 

The title to this very book, that this writing will be part of is called, " By Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them." This book that I am writing is for my posterity. I hope that in the end of my life; as I watch them from above, that they will know whom He is; because my actions and behaviors will be so apparently linked to Him; because I am His. 

The Savior knew that there would be many that would profess to be of Him, and so He left this same message in the New Testament as well. As He was asked how to know if someone is a false prophet or how to know if they are of Him He says in Matthew 7:16-20 :

" Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of a thorn or figs of a thistle? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree can not bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bringeth forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. " 

To my Posterity, 

As you this book will soon come to a close, I ask you to consider if these truths, principles and doctrines have persuaded you to do good? Or have they made your heart happy? Have they made you consider how you could live your life in a better way? If so, I would ask you to make it a goal to bring forth your own good fruit through His church- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and continue to leave the great joy that comes from the Book of Mormon within the very blood of your children through making and keeping temple covenants. 

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

                                                                                                                                Love, 

                                                                                                                                       Emily Turano 

Faith in His Atonement

As I read in Ether this week I felt deeply impressed about how forgiving the Lord is unto us His children. As we read Ether 2:14 it says, " And it came to pass at the end of four years that the Lord came again unto the Brother of Jared and stood in a cloud and talked with him for the space of three hours the Lord did  talk with the brother of Jared and chastened him because he remembered not to call upon the name of the Lord. " 

As the Lord did surely chasten The Brother of Jared for three hours straight; we witness how hurtful it can be to the Lord when we do not pray unto Him; and how strongly He desires to be close to us. 

In my own life, I make many errors that do require some chastening from the Lord; but the most beautiful principle that we witness here in these verses is that the Lord did forgives us all right away.

As the Brother of Jared did " repent of the evil which he had done " ( vs. 15 )  , we have the example that the Lord does forgives us the moment we repent with sincerity of heart. 

Some of my favorite quotes about repentance come from the well-known talk " His grace is Sufficient " by Brad Wilcox :

" The repenting sinner must suffer for his sins, but this suffering has a different purpose than punishment or payment. It's purpose is change." ( Elder Dallin H. Oaks, The Lord's Way 1991, 223)

" Our works, such as repentance and keeping the commandments do not save us, but they are requirements set by the Savior to help transform us."

" The miracle of the atonement is not just that we can go home, but that miraculously we can feel at home there."

" Grace is not a booster engine that kicks in once our fuel supply is exhausted, rather it is our constant energy source. It is not the light at the end of the tunnel but the light that movies through the tunnel. Grace is not achieved somewhere down the road. it is achieved right here and right now. " 

I would like to remember that even after a three hour chastening session with the Lord; it was only shortly after that the Brother of Jared saw His finger due to his great faith. 

I would like to remember that when I do sin, as we all do; if I have appropriately repented of my sins and if my heart has changed; then I am forgiven right away; thus the only thing standing between me and the Lord at that point is my ability to have faith in the atonement that He so lovingly has given me. 

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ.Amen. 

Obtaining the Light For our Lives

As we read about The Brother of Jared being commanded to build barges, we see the the Lord told him to build them     " according to the instructions of the Lord." ( Ether 16:2 )

The manner and order after which they were built can be likened to our own lives, and the ways that we have been given instructions on how to build our lives and when we do follow His instructions, just like these barges, we will be prepared against the  " waves of the sea, and the winds which have gone forth and the floods which shall come." ( Ether 2:25 )

The Lord instructed for these barges to be small; even when it may seem that a larger barge is better choice. We can liken this to our own instructions to be meek and humble, and not after the worldly success, but humble, and strong within.  ( D&C 32:1 , Proverbs 31: 29-31, 1 John 4:5 )

The barges were " light upon the water " which can be likened to our lives when we follow the instructions that He has given for our lives, as he says, " take my yoke upon you, that your burdens may be light. ( Matthew 11:29-30 )

The barges were " exceedingly tight " even that they would " hold water like unto a dish". The bottom was " tight " and the top was " tight " and the door was " tight". Likewise, in our lives we must prepare to not let evil seep into our thoughts, hearts or homes being " tight like unto a dish" through our daily prayers, scripture study, service in our callings and community, temple worthiness and attendance, etc. ( Helaman 5:12 )

The Lord instructed the way for those inside the barge to get the air that they needed, likewise in His church He has provided the way for us to get what we need to survive. Some examples are the Priesthood, modern day prophets, the scriptures and revelation both personal and for the church. 

The Lord said that he would steer the barges to get them to the promised land; likewise in our own lives He has asked us to allow Him to steer us; we must have faith; submitting to His will. 

 Lastly, the Lord left obtaining the light up to the Brother Of Jared as the Lord said, " What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels ? " 

The Lord surely could have come up with the plan for the Brother of Jared, but just like the Lord wanted to bless The Brother of Jared to have the chance to be blessed for his faith; and obtain a glorious blessing because of it; the Lord desires to also bless us for our faith; as we step forward in faith just as the Brother of Jared did in presenting faith with the stones that he presented; as we show faith in our lives, we will obtain light and truth as our gift. ( Ether 12:1 , D&C 98:1 )

Like the Brother of Jared saw Jesus Christ, we can too. We may not see Him physically but as we are provided with light in our own lives; and thus we become His vessels, taking these truths to others, and we are surrounded by Him, in the safety of His barges as we follow His instructions. 

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

 

Being Left in the Dark?

 There are many times in our lives when we may feel as the Brother of Jared did as he was so specifically told how he should build the barges and told that he would be taken to the place that the Lord wanted him to be.

In our lives sometimes we may feel like we are following the exact instructions that the Lord has given us; such as being worthy temple recommend holders, serving faithfully in our homes, callings, work, and communities to be His servants in our actions; yet we sometimes may feel as if He isn't directing us on one particular question that we may have; and it can seem as if we are getting in a boat in the dark; although we trust He can get us there; we wonder what else we can do to be comforted, directed, or taught in one area or another?

we can learn a great lesson about these feelings that all of us are prone to have as we read these verses in Ether 2

22 And he cried again unto the Lord saying: O Lord, behold I have done even as thou hast commanded me; and I have prepared the vessels for my people, and behold there is no light in them. Behold, O Lord, wilt thou suffer that we shall cross this great water in darkness?

23 And the Lord said unto the brother of Jared: What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels? For behold, ye cannot have windows, for they will be dashed in pieces; neither shall ye take fire with you, for ye shall not go by the light of fire.

 24 For behold, ye shall be as a whale in the midst of the sea; for the mountain waves shall dash upon you. Nevertheless, I will bring you up again out of the depths of the sea; for the winds have gone forth out of my mouth, and also the rains and the floods have I sent forth.

25 And behold, I prepare you against these things; for ye cannot cross this great deep save I prepare you against the waves of the sea, and the winds which have gone forth, and the floods which shall come. Therefore what will ye that I should prepare for you that ye may have light when ye are swallowed up in the depths of the sea?

In these scriptures we learn that the Lord although He does give very direct instructions on many things in our lives that pertain particularity to us through personal revelation; there will be some areas that He may not need to give us specific instruction on; or there may be some questions that we may need to wait to gain the answer to them. Sometimes He wants us to figure things out on our own in order for us to grow and gain faith in the abilities that He has given us; and sometimes He desires for us to come to Him with our own plan showing forth faith in prayer that we can be diligent in seeking after His council. Yet, in some circumstances it may not matter at all what we are worried about in the grand scheme of things. All of these things can be revealed to us through recognizing how the spirit speaks to us, 

I love the example that we have here of the Brother of Jared being moving forward in faith when he felt worried that he was going to be left in the dark. I love the example that he brought his own idea to the Lord and the Lord blessed him because of his faith. The Lord wants and needs us to gain faith in our own ability to choose for ourselves; and that is one of the reasons that we came here to this earth, and yet He has not left us alone even at the same time that He does want us to choose for ourselves. The entire process is beautiful to me. 

D&C 58:26

26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.

As we become more like Him, we naturally begin to conduct our daily actions and activities the way that He would, thus we likely will need to be commanded less by direction of the spirit, and instead we then begin to feel the spirit not to be led but with us as we are doing His work that comes so naturally to us. 

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

God's Compassion

In Ether 1:35 we can come to understand whom our Father in Heaven is with greater depth. 

I love the scriptures that have been left with us that witness of His endless compassion for us His children.

As we read we learned of the great tower which the people were building and because f the Lord's desire for the people to grow through a trial, he changed their language, causing them to not be able to speak unto one another. With knowledge that that The Brother of Jared was favored of the Lord, we learn that as he was asked to pray by his brother , the Lord, " had compassion upon Jared; therefore he did not confound the language of Jared; and Jared and his brother were not confounded. " ( Ether 1:35 )

It is true that we learn in James 5:16 that , " The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." 

I have great faith in the Lord answering the prayers said by a righteous person ; on behalf of those they love first because I have witnessed prayers being answered in this way; time and time again. Also, I have a added faith from the scripture examples of this principle that we have been left in the scriptures. 

Some of my favorite examples that exemplify the Lord's compassion for His children are:

After the earth flooded Enoch witnessed that the Lord had surely wept. Enoch asked how this is possible and the Lord explained, 

" Behold these thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mine own hands, and I gave unto them their knowledge, in the day that I created them; and in the garden of Eden, gave I unto man his agency. " ( Moses 7:28 )

When Alma, whom was the father of Alma the younger, and the church members prayed for help because Alma and the sons of Mosiah were persecuting the church, we see their prayers were answered,  " And again, the angel said, Behold the Lord hath heard the prayers of His people, and also the prayers of His servant Alma, who is thy father; for he has prayed with much faith concerning thee that thou mightest be brought to the knowledge of the truth; therefore for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of His servants might be answered according to their faith." ( Mosiah 27:14 )

When Moses lacked confidence before the Lord about his ability to speak unto the people; as he felt slow of speech, the Lord reminded Moses that He could help anyone as he said, " Who made man's mouth". But having compassion upon Moses, his anger was kindled and He said that Moses could go unto Aaron, and ask for his help; for this would make Aaron happy. " And the Lord said unto him, who hath made man's mouth, or who maketh the dumb or the deaf or the seeing or the blind? Have not I thee Lord? Now therefore go and I will be thy mouth and teach thee what thou shalt say. And he said, " O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send, and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know he can speak well, And behold also he cometh forth to meet thee and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. And thou shalt speak unto him and put words in his mouth, and I will be with his mouth , and I will teach you what you should do." ( Exodus 4:11 )

When Jesus Christ came to visit the Nephites as he was about to depart, " Jesus cast His eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were in tears, and did look steadfastly upon Him as if they would ask Him to tarry a little longer with them. And He said unto them, Behold my bowels are filled with compassion towards you." Then Jesus proceeded to stay and heal and bless their sick. ( 3 Nephi 16:5-6 )

There are many more examples in the scriptures of our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ hearing and answering the prayers of the righteous; this strengthens my own faith. 

The very fact that we have the Book of Mormon today is due to the Lord's compassion towards His children in ancient times. 

As Enos prayed all night and the Lord answered saying, " Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive it in the name of Christ, ye shall receive it." ( Enos 1:15 ) Enos then asks the Lord to preserve their record to come forth later to their people. The Lord said unto him, " Thy fathers have also required of me this thing; and it shall be done unto them according to their faith; for their faith was like unto thine. " ( Enos 1:18 )

Many miracles have happened in my life due to righteous individuals praying for me. There have been many times that only the Lord could have known a concern of mine or a struggle that I was having; as I prayed unto Him about my struggles or concerns He has answered me through scriptures, a person and my thoughts. 

I have witnessed Him helping others that I have prayed for. 

One example was a time when my older brother was in Boot Camp for the Marines He was doing long hikes and strenuous activities on injuries that he should not have continued to exercise on. Upon receiving the news that he may be taken out of the camp and have to start all the way over, my family began to pray and fast for him. He witnessed to us that all of his pain did go away as he was able to finish his training without beginning over. 

I think that a lesson to remember about our Heavenly Father's compassion is that He always wants us to pray; and to pray for others along with our needs. 

" Therefore, Ask and ye shall receive; knock and it shall be opened unto you; for he that asketh receiveth, and unto him that knocketh it shall be opened. " ( 3 Nephi 27:29 )

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ.Amen. 

Spiritual Passport

In the Oct. 2014 conference, Elder Packer gave a talk called, " The Book ". In this talk he explains that he and his wife had recently traveled to other countries and they had to prepare their passports and other documents. He explained how they obtained shots, medical exams, visas and stamps.

He said in this talk, " Qualifying for exaltation is like entering another country, we must each obtain our spiritual passport. We do not set the requirements, but individually we must meet all of them."

My family experiences the affects of one of our family members literally not being be prepared to meet the requirements of traveling into another country this past Christmas. As our family met up at the Dallas airport, ready to fly to Mexico and enjoy a Christmas on the beach together; our excitement quickly left upon presenting our passports to board the plane to Mexico. My twenty-year old nephew, although he had been told all that he needed to do in order to be ready for the trip; had forgotten a key part that he was told; but did not listen too. He brought his wallet passport which only allows to travel into another country by boat; not airplane. This was devastating to be going on a trip and having to leave my husband's brother's son all alone at the airport, only to know that he would be missing out on this fun trip for the next few days as he would have to get a new passport in Dallas, where was not currently living. 

I can not imagine what it will be like if we end up having to leave some of our family behind in the eternities because they have not properly prepared; however; it is only up to them. Ultimately we can not force anyone to prepare themselves.   

I can not imagine how hard it must have been for Mormon as he explains his sadness so many times for the consequences that he knows were going to come to his people that refused to repent; and do all that properly prepares us to receive the Lords help, guidance and eternal life. As Mormon states in Mormon 2:15, 2:27, and 2:19 as he says, " and wo is me because of their wickedness; for my heart has been filled with sorrow because of their wickedness, all my days; nevertheless I know that I shall be lifted up at the last day."

As Mormon literally beheld that the people were in open rebellion against God, he did much work of patience, charity and enduring to the end with these people; as he continually prepared them to battle ; yet wishing, yet watching them never make an ounce of progression in terms of their spiritual preparations; the preparations that could have allowed them to be spared. 

The greatest lesson that we learn from these chapters in 4 Nephi and Mormon are that although these people finally had the fulness of the gospel that Jesus Christ Himself had organized for these people; the church or the organization is only part of the way that we gain exhaltation; the church organization is a requirement; but so is a fully converted and repentant heart. 

Elder Packard stated it best when he said, 

" As explained in the church handbook, in fulfilling it's purpose to help individuals and families qualify for exhaltation the church focuses on divinely appointed responsibilities. These include helping members live the gospel or Jesus Christ, gathering Israel through missionary work, caring for the poor and needy, and enabling salvation of the dead by building temples and performing vicarious ordinances and all other laws, commandments and ordinances are required and not option through the atonement of Christ and by doing each of these we are adding required stamps to our spiritual passports." 

My own insights to this example that Elder Packard gave are the comparison that although one may have paid the price for the initial passport; it is still up to them to bring it; save money for their trip; pack correct clothing, do the necessary research, thus obtaining proper ordinances is vital but not all inclusive of obtaining exhalation. 

Allan F. Packer states, " The church helps but can not do it for us. Qualifying for exaltation becomes a quest of a lifetime." 

These things I have pondered about have also reminded me of the example of Lehi's group leaving Jerusalem. Just as Lehi was able to facilitate Divine direction about what direction that his family should flee into, and that fact that they should; and just as Nephi was able to receive divine revelation on how he should build a boat and instruct his brothers on how they should build it; even as they entered the boat; it was still up to them to gain their testimony and to be fully converted; and not only believing after they had been chastised by angels of God. 

Just as we are provided all that we need in the gospel to obtain exhaltation, even after we are baptized we still must be on our knees daily in true, Godly sorrow repentance. We still must go to church weekly to take the sacrament. It is up to us to not only be sealed in the temple to our spouse but to also be continually worthy to hold a current recommend and continue to go back to the temple with them often. 

In my own life I can feel a daily need for me to remember these things as I try daily to be a positive influence on those around me. I am reminded that no matter how worthy that I try to be of the spirit, and no matter how many opportunities that I try to provide for my husband and children to feel of the spirit; it is still up to them to have a humble, soft, and open enough heart to allow more light to shine; thus providing real truth. 

I am thankful for the example of Mormon being patient and loving; and the fact that He knew despite these people's rebellion and unbelief; He knew that God was with him personally. 

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Partakers of the Heavenly Gift

 In our reading assignment for this week  we learn of one of the great blessings that come to all of us by being members of His church. 

The blessing that I am speaking of is the promise of obtaining spiritual gifts; after having taken covenants upon ourselves through baptism.          ( Moroni 10:9 & 1 Corinthians 12:8 )

As we see these people in a great state of peace we learn that they are partakers of the heavenly gift. ( 4 Nephi 1:3 )

That heavenly gift is the Holy Ghost; whom facilitates us receiving gifts of the spirit; gifts that are all necessary and part of achieving the happiness that exists in God's kingdom. 

As we see there were miracles; as the word miracle means "wonder" or "wonderful works" we witness the spiritual gifts being given for the order and strengthening of the church ( D&C 46:10 ), and we get a clear picture of what becoming one with each other means; a phrase used to describe God's kingdom. 

Bruce R. McConkie stated in his book , A New Witness For The Articles of Faith pg.270:

" Indeed every faithful member of Christ's church has the promised blessing of spiritual gifts. These gifts are infinite in number and endless in their manifestations because God Himself is infinite and endless, and because the needs of those who receive them are as numerous, varied and different as there are people in the kingdom."

As each of us, as worthy members of His church, are blessed with our own individual gifts of the spirit; unlike any other persons; together we become whole; not a single one lacking because where one person lacks in any given area; there will be another brother or sister to help fill that void; completing us all. 

We learn this truth as also taught by the Apostle Paul as he taught us in the New Testament in 1 Corinthians 12:13-27:

 12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

 14 For the body is not one member, but many.

 15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?

 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.

 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:

 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it.

 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

Through this we learn that in the absence of any gift or particular person whom could be blessed with that gift; we are all at a loss as members of His church. When one member suffers; we all suffer; and when one member is honored; we are all honored.

 The body hath need of every member that all may be edified together that they system may be kept perfect. ( D&C 84: 110 )

As there began to be a division among the people, there were " none that were righteous " ( 4 Nephi 1:46 ) and the end result was that the spirit could not longer dwell with this people and thus their spiritual gifts were taken from these people; as we read :

" The work of miracles and healing did cease because of the iniquity of the people, and there were no gifts from the Lord and the Holy Ghost did not come upon any because of their wickedness and unbelief." ( Mormon 1: 13-14 ) 

In my own life I have felt the strength of other church member's spiritual gifts lifting me up numerous times. Through teachers gift to teach; the counsel from a Bishop; the act of charity of a Relief Society Sister: added strength to my testimony as I hear a testimony born; through the sweet spirit of a child that touches my heart with joy; through the gift of music as I hear the choir; and I could go on and on......

My hope is that I will be able to follow the counsel given by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:31 as he says, " Covet earnestly the best gifts." 

Which means that I need to ask in prayer for spiritual gifts. I hope that I can share the gifts that I have already been given as well; in order to help perfect the saints; as they perfect me. 

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.