Question
Gramps,
We know the “spirit of prophecy” is the testimony of Jesus. Is the “gift of prophesy” the same thing as the spirit of prophecy, or is there a difference?
Amy
Answer
Amy,
The spirit of prophecy and the gift of prophecy are synonymous in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The spirit of prophecy is a gift from God given through personal revelation; otherwise known as the spirit (gift) of revelation. In light of this, we can interchange spirit and gift, because prophecy is a gift from God.
The scripture provided, Revelation 19:10,
“and of they brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony is the spirit of prophecy.”
A testimony is received through spirit of revelation. Revelation that Jesus is the Christ, in and of itself, if also a prophecy. When we bear witness of Jesus Christ and His second coming, we are prophesying of an event to come. We know that revelation is received to the heart and mind of the receiver from the Holy Ghost — the Spirit of God.
In our Doctrine and Covenants, section 46, we are informed every person is given a gift from God: “For all have not every gift unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.” We read later in this section (vs. 22), “And to others it is given to prophesy ” (the spirit of prophecy).
The spirit of prophecy is a spiritual gift which can be interchanged in our language and writing: the spirit of prophecy or the gift of prophecy. This also can be said for the spirit of revelation or the gift of revelation.
However, if we desire to be pedantic, one might say the “gift of prophecy” is solely an individual who has received the ability to prophesy (as a gift of the spirit) in contrast to another who has been given a different gift (let’s say healing).
Gramps
