Question
Gramps,
Can we ask and receive additional talents in addition to the ones the Lord has already blessed us with?
Ken
Answer
Ken,
Not only can we develop the talents we’ve already been given, but we can also seek—through faith, effort, and obedience—to receive additional gifts.
At the center of this belief is the understanding that God is a loving Father who intends for His children to progress eternally. We are not meant to remain as we are. The plan of salvation is a plan of growth, and talents—whether spiritual, intellectual, or practical—are part of that divine process.
The Savior’s parable of the talents offers a foundational teaching. In Matthew 25:14–30, servants are given different amounts according to their abilities. What matters most is not how many talents each receives, but what they do with them. The servants who act and multiply what they were given are praised. The Lord tells them, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant… thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things” (Matthew 25:21).
That promise—being made “ruler over many things”—suggests increase. It reflects a pattern seen throughout the gospel: when we are faithful with what we have, the Lord entrusts us with more.
Modern revelation makes this even more explicit. In Doctrine and Covenants 82:18, the Lord teaches, “every man may improve upon his talent, that every man may gain other talents, yea, even an hundred fold.”
That phrase—“gain other talents”—is key. It shows that growth isn’t limited to refining existing abilities. There is room, through divine help, to receive entirely new ones.
So how does that happen?
It begins with desire. The Lord invites us to actively seek gifts. In Doctrine and Covenants 46:8–9, we read: “Seek ye earnestly the best gifts… always remembering for what they are given.”
This isn’t passive. It’s an invitation to ask, to pursue, and to align our desires with God’s purposes. Similarly, the Savior taught, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find” (Matthew 7:7).
But desire alone isn’t enough. The gospel pattern always pairs asking with action. President Spencer W. Kimball emphasized this clearly:
“The Lord will not translate one’s good hopes and desires and ambitions into works. Each of us must do that for himself.” (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 20)
In other words, God honors our agency. He may open doors and provide opportunities, but we are expected to walk forward in faith. If we desire a talent—whether it’s teaching, writing, leadership, or even deeper compassion—we begin by trying. We act, we practice, and we improve. Over time, the Lord magnifies those efforts.
This principle is echoed by Henry B. Eyring, who taught:
“The Lord doesn’t give you a gift, and then leave you alone to develop it. He will help you.”
(“Help Them Aim High,” General Conference, October 2012 (paraphrasing))
That help often comes quietly—through opportunities, promptings, and gradual growth. Many people in the Church have experienced being called to do something they felt completely unprepared for, only to discover that the Lord strengthened them as they served.
There is also a deeper spiritual layer to talents. The scriptures teach that gifts of the Spirit are diverse and purposeful. Paul spoke of “diversities of gifts” (1 Corinthians 12:4), and the Book of Mormon expands this idea. Moroni taught:
“And I would exhort you… that ye lay hold upon every good gift” (Moroni 7:19).
That phrase—lay hold—suggests intentional effort. Spiritual gifts are not always passively received; they are often actively pursued. These gifts can include faith, discernment, charity, or the ability to testify with power—qualities that may not feel natural at first but can grow through righteous desire and practice.
Marvin J. Ashton taught something especially helpful on this topic:
“Let us review some of these less-conspicuous gifts: the gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice…”
(“There Are Many Gifts,” General Conference, October 1987)
This reminds us that talents aren’t always dramatic or visible. Many of the most powerful gifts are quiet—and available to anyone willing to seek them.
Another important doctrine is that growth doesn’t stop with mortality. Latter-day Saint theology teaches eternal progression—the idea that we continue to learn and develop beyond this life. Elder Neal A. Maxwell often spoke of this expansive view of growth:
What we insistently desire, over time, is what we will eventually become and what we will receive in eternity.
(“According to the Desire of [Our] Hearts,” General Conference, October 1996)
This perspective adds reassurance. Even if we feel limited now—by time, opportunity, or personal challenges—our efforts still matter. Every attempt to grow, every talent we try to develop, becomes part of our eternal progression.
At the same time, it’s important to stay grounded. Seeking additional talents is not about comparison or envy. God gives different gifts to different people for a reason. The goal is not to have all talents, but to become the person God intends us to be. As we focus on faithfulness rather than comparison, our desires become more aligned with His will.
So, can we ask for and receive additional talents?
According to Latter-day Saint theology, yes—with an important pattern. We ask with faith, seek earnestly, act diligently, and trust the Lord’s timing. As we do, He not only helps us refine what we already have, but often expands our abilities in ways we didn’t expect.
In the end, talents are less about personal achievement and more about becoming instruments in God’s hands. As we seek to serve Him and bless others, He is willing to help us grow—sometimes gradually, sometimes in surprising ways—into far more than we once thought possible.
Gramps
