D&C Sections 46–48
Broad Historical Setting (Early 1831)
By early 1831, the Church was undergoing massive transition. Joseph Smith and key leaders had recently relocated to Kirtland, Ohio (as commanded in D&C 37), and by February–March, many Saints from New York were following. Many Saints had established farms and homes. The Lord asked them to sell these properties quickly, often at a loss. Resources were scarce, tensions were high, and people were unsure what the “gathering” really meant in terms of land, settlement, and support.
The Saints in Kirtland were new converts from the missionary efforts to the Lamanites. These Ohio Saints included former Campbellite converts (e.g., Sidney Rigdon’s group), who brought with them enthusiastic, emotional forms of worship—including dramatic spiritual manifestations (visions, speaking in tongues, etc.) that sometimes veered into fanaticism or confusion.
These conditions sparked doctrinal, practical, and leadership questions—now addressed in each section.
D&C 46 – Who Should Be Allowed in Church Meetings & Spiritual Manifestations
Underlying Issue
Some Church leaders had started restricting access to meetings, fearing disruption. The Kirtland area had a strong Shaker and spiritualist influence, and many new members were bringing with them extreme practices—including people barking, convulsing, or claiming revelations in the name of the Spirit. There was genuine confusion: How do we discern real spiritual gifts from false ones? Should nonmembers even be allowed in our meetings?
The Lord’s Answer
- vv. 1–2: Lead meetings by the Spirit.
- vv. 3–6: Meetings are to be open—so all may feel the Spirit and learn truth.
- vv. 7–8: Spiritual gifts are real, diverse, and God-given—but must be sought earnestly and used wisely.
- vv. 9–10: Given for the benefit of those who love me and keep my commandments.
What Is a Spiritual Gift?
A spiritual gift is a divinely bestowed ability or capacity given through the Holy Ghost to bless and build the Church and help individuals fulfill their divine potential. It is a power of heaven, an endowment.
Doctrine and Covenants 46:11–12
“For all have not every gift given unto them; 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.”
From the teachings of the prophet Joseph Smith: all may receive the Holy Ghost, but not all receive the same manifestations or abilities through that gift. Some gifts are invisible or unrecognized by others (e.g. wisdom, discernment, knowledge). People tend to fixate on outward signs, particularly speaking in tongues or healings.
Spiritual Gifts Can Be Given and Taken Away
“The rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven… but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.”
Through the receipt of sacred covenants and authorized ordinances, you will be empowered with the powers of heaven. However, these gifts, covenants and blessings are based upon your faithfulness. If you act in a manner unworthy of them, you may lose them… until you repent.
A List of Spiritual Gifts
From D&C 46:10–27 and 1 Corinthians 12:1–20
- To know that Jesus is the Christ — To believe on the testimony of another
- The word of wisdom — The word of knowledge
- Faith to be healed — Faith to heal
- Working of miracles — The power to prophesy
- The discernment of spirits — To speak with tongues — To interpret tongues
- Compassion — Happiness — Charity (love)
How to Gain a Spiritual Gift
- Attain to the receipt of the Gift of the Holy Ghost. When an individual is confirmed he is told to “Receive the Holy Ghost”—demonstrating that you must seek it before you will receive it. Faithfully obey God’s commandments.
- Select the gift you desire—remembering for what they are given. Charity is the greatest of all the gifts of God. Prophecy (the testimony of Jesus Christ). Discernment—an understanding of what is around you.
- Do it—Do the things that a person who has that gift would do. If you desire Charity, be charitable (Moroni 7:44–48). If you desire Prophecy, learn of Jesus Christ and testify of what you have learned. If you desire Discernment, seek unto it, pray for it, listen to the Holy Ghost, and progress in this.
As we attend the Temple and receive the Holy Ghost, God will empower us with the gifts of the spirit. Through this process—as we obtain the attributes of God—He will in His own due time and in His own way perfect us. Come unto Christ and be perfected in Him (Moroni 10:32–33).