Question
Dear Gramps,
Tonight, for the first time, I read your column. You seem to have great insight. I have a question for you, but some explanation will have to be given first.
Since the age of two I have experienced many things that the world would look at as paranormal. I have seen spirits many times and even heard a choir of spirits (angels?). My mother and sister also heard this. We were cleaning our ward building and went to find out who was there. When we opened the door to the Relief Society room the music stopped; we realized we had interrupted, excused ourselves, and went about our business.
I have always been open to the fact that I have an ability to see what others don’t. There has only been one time when the spirits had an evil feeling about them, and I was given a blessing. I have glimpses into the future, I knew the exact moment my father passed away, and the list goes on. The whole thing is getting very tiring; I am weary. I am physically ill at this time and dealing with my daily duties as a mother of three, and a wife, and at home, and at church, and being ill as well. It is getting to be a bit much. My father had many experiences of this type, and there is a great-aunt in our family history that was considered a healer. This comes from a family with roots back to the coming into the Utah Valley, the first group with Brigham Young. I am very active in the Mormon Church. I have a strong testimony. I guess all this leads up to the question: should I be concerned with this ability to see what others can’t? Does this come under what is considered discernment? How open should I be with talking to others about this? I just recently told my husband of ten years. I had said bits and pieces and then one day I just let it all out, giving instances that he could pinpoint so I had proof for him. He told me I should consider it a gift, but to be careful, and prayerful. But I am getting very weary. Knowing things before others is at times very difficult, because I don’t know if I should tell a person something I know of them, or just let it go. My mind gets tired with all the information constantly flowing in. I guess I am asking an impartial person to get another insight.
Thank you,
K.
Answer
Dear K.
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.
To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world.
To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful.
And again, to some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know the differences of administration, as it will be pleasing unto the same Lord, according as the Lord will, suiting his mercies according to the conditions of the children of men.
And again, it is given by the Holy Ghost to some to know the diversities of operations, whether they be of God, that the manifestations of the Spirit may be given to every man to profit withal.
And again, verily I say unto you, to some is given, by the Spirit of God, the word of wisdom.
To another is given the word of knowledge, that all may be taught to be wise and to have knowledge.
And again, to some it is given to have faith to be healed;
And to others it is given to have faith to heal.
And again, to some is given the working of miracles;
And to others it is given to prophesy;
And to others the discerning of spirits.
And again, it is given to some to speak with tongues;
And to another is given the interpretation of tongues.
And all these gifts come from God, for the benefit of the children of God (Doctrine and Covenants 46:11-26).
It appears that your wise husband could have been referring to the word of the Lord in the scripture quoted above. He seems to be understanding and loving, and has given you some good counsel.
You and others in your family have an ability not enjoyed by all. But others have abilities not enjoyed by you. The gifts of the spirit with which you have been blessed have also been given to numbers of other people. Unfortunately, I am not one of them, but some members of my wife’s family have been so blessed.
You seem to be troubled by how to use these unusual abilities. First, you might consider that they are gifts of the spirit. If so, they have been given to you for the benefit of the children of God. If this is so, then, rather than being troubled you could be thankful.
You also seem concerned with how to use your gift. I might offer a few suggestions for your consideration. First, some general principles. God’s kingdom on the earth is under the direction and under the inspiration of priesthood authority. If you receive any impressions that are contrary to the scriptures, to the pronouncements of the Brethren, or to any local priesthood leaders, you may recognize that these particular impressions are not from the Lord and should be rejected out of hand. I would imagine, however, that the nature of your insights have to do more with individuals and their concerns rather than with doctrinal or procedural matters.
If your insights put you in a position to help others in any way, you would have a special opportunity to bless their lives. Here is where great tact and judgement should be exercised. It would probably be a good idea not to reveal the source of your knowledge. First, many won’t believe it; secondly, some may look upon you as some kind of an authority and tend to swing their allegiance from God’s official representatives to another source of inspiration. I imagine that there may be a strong tendency to do so on the part of some people. So you might look on your gift as a guide for your own life and as an opportunity to bless the lives of others. However, you might consider the gift so sacred that you would not reveal it others. We pray that the Lord may continue to bless you, to give you peace of mind and to point the way for reasonable, appropriate, and practical applications of your special abilities.
Gramps
