Prayer and thanksgiving can be protective armor. (D&C 46-48)

46:7

What are the benefits of being thankful? How good is it truly? Does being thankful simply make us more pleasant to be around or more positive? “But ye are commanded in all things to ask of God, who giveth liberally; and that which the Spirit testifies unto you even so I would that ye should do in all holiness of heart, walking uprightly before me, considering the end of your salvation, doing all things with prayer and thanksgiving, that ye may not be seduced by evil spirits, or doctrines of devils, or the commandments of men; for some are of men, and others of devils.”

“Prayer and thanksgiving” flow from having the right perspective that all gifts come from God. Whether we are healthy, wealthy, or wise. If our feet are firmly planted in that truth, there are some benefits. What are the benefits?

What this verse says about not being “seduced by evil spirits, or the doctrines of devils, or the commandments of men.” How can prayer and thanksgiving protect us from being seduced by anything or anyone who is teaching doctrines of devils or commandments of men?

I could go a lot of directions here… I’ll just say that an attitude of prayer and thanksgiving comes from HUMILITY. We understand that what blessings we have come from God - not from our own genius or work ethic. When we depart from humility, we start thinking that we can figure out things on our own. If we begin to be prideful, that is when - if something doesn’t make sense to us - we start relying on our superior logic. We may start to think that we are more logical and wise than the leaders of the church. If we can’t figure out a policy, we may question the policy. And, this questioning can start us on the path of apostasy. We may watch a YouTube video or a podcast that asks questions or pokes holes in our testimony. We can listen to a man’s “commandments” or statements as fact.

But, if we remain humble and fully exercise our ability to be prayerful and thankful, we won’t be so quick to be seduced by evil spirits, doctrines of devils or the commandments of men. In the temple, we learn about how Satan attempted to seduce Adam and Eve using the philosophies of men mingled with scripture. This is still happening and Satan has lots of mortal minions doing his work for him. We also learn in the temple the apostasy that can result from a little false doctrine.

46:8-9, 11-12

“Wherefore, beware lest ye are deceived; and that ye may not be deceived seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given.” We must understand why gifts are given to anyone. While it is true that they are never given to give us an advantage over others - they are given to bless us certainly. I think primarily, our gifts are given in order to bless others and build the kingdom of God.

The Lord states that they are meant for the benefit of those who follow him. “For verily I say unto you, they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do; that all may be benefited that seek or that ask of me, that ask and not for a sign that they may consume it upon their lusts.” I am glad that the Lord clarified that gifts aren’t just given to those who are perfect at keeping the commandments. He also includes those who “seeketh so to do.” I’m in that latter group.

It’s also interesting that he also clarifies that gifts are not meant to be consumed “upon our lusts.” In other words, I probably shouldn’t be praying for money or power or popularity. Those are the things that I could argue that I lust for. A good rule of thumb is to ask whether the gift you are praying for will put your in a position to better bless others. “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.”

46:15-16

There are some interesting phrases in these verses. “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.”

First, what does “differences of administration mean?” I believe it to mean that the Lord can guide his church in different ways, depending on:

• Needs of the people

• Cultural or temporal context

• Inspiration given to different leaders

We shouldn’t have heartburn when things change. This gift allows someone to recognize that God’s work can be done in different ways and still be correct - even if it’s different from what they’ve seen before. It’s a spiritual sensitivity to divinely approved variety in leadership, governance, or church operations. This church isn’t cookie-cutter where one solution that works with one person will work with another.

46:17-18

“And again, verily I say unto you, to some is given, by the Spirit of God, the word of wisdom another is given the word of knowledge, that all may be taught to be wise and to have knowledge.” These are two different gifts. But what’s the difference?

Let’s first talk about the word of wisdom. This is the spiritual gift of wisdom - the ability to offer wise counsel, often in situations requiring spiritual discernment. It’s more than being smart or experienced; it’s having God-given insight into what is right or best in a given moment. This gift often helps in leadership, decision-making, or giving comfort and direction to others. I think Bishops are given the gift of wisdom as part of their calling.

The word of knowledge is different. This is the ability to receive divinely revealed truth or understanding of things as they really are. This may include:

• Knowing doctrine or gospel principles clearly.

• Understanding scriptures deeply.

• Recognizing eternal truths beyond one’s own learning.

  
  

The phrase “that all may be taught to be wise and to have knowledge” shows that those who receive this gift are meant to share it - teaching and uplifting others, not hoarding it for themselves. Again, no gift is given to primarily elevate the receiver of the gift. Christ was blessed with all spiritual gifts and he used those, full-time to bless and uplift others.

Here’s a helpful chart. :)

46:28, 30

All gifts are given by the Spirit. It is impossible to receive a gift that the Spirit doesn’t want you to receive. “And it shall come to pass that he that asketh in Spirit shall receive in Spirit; He that asketh in the Spirit asketh according to the will of God; wherefore it is done even as he asketh.”

In other words, if we are aligned with the Spirit and the will of God, what we ask for will be granted. The challenge is, we may not know the will of God and may not be perfectly aligned with the Spirit in all things - especially those things that are very complicated or a part of our mortal journey.

For example, back when I was fired in 2008, I prayed that I would find another job quickly. I didn’t. That fact led me to opening my own photography studio - which has been a blessing in many ways. I could have been bitter about not getting another job. I could have thought that it should be God’s will that I am able to provide for my family. But God’s plan was better than what I was asking. This is an example of a complicated ask.

I provided a picture and asked Chat GPT to create an image of me praying and this is what it did. I think it looks EXACTLY like me! ;)

There are other asks that are much less complicated and we are very likely to be aligned with the Spirit and God’s will. For example, before I started writing, I prayed that the Spirit would help me understand the scriptures that I’m reading this morning. I know God wants me to. I know the Spirit is willing. That ask is a simple ask and I have seen that blessing this morning.

I guess I’m saying that the more significant or complicated the ask, please realize that God may have another plan and his will may be to not grant what you ask. Or, it may be a challenge relating to someone’s agency. Every day, I pray that my children will return to the gospel. I know it’s a righteous ask. I know it’s God’s will. However, God will not disrespect their agency. However, I also pray that I could be inspired about how to interact and speak with them that will be a good influence on them. This is a righteous ask that is aligned with the Spirit and God’s will. If I ask in faith, I will receive that blessing.

48:4-5

“It must needs be necessary that ye save all the money that ye can, and that ye obtain all that ye can in righteousness, that in time ye may be enabled to purchase land for an inheritance, even the city.” A point I would like to make with this is that the families were asked to “save all the money that ye can.” The result of that saving would be to purchase a “city!” That seems like a large goal. The Lord could have just figured out a way to grant them a city. But, instead, he wanted them to save all that they could. This is a pattern of God. He wants us to do everything that we can. We are to offer our small loaves and fishes and he will multiply our efforts.

“The place is not yet to be revealed; but after your brethren come from the east there are to be certain men appointed, and to them it shall be given to know the place, or to them it shall be revealed.” I love that the early Saints were so faithful! They didn’t have all of the answers. They didn’t see the big picture. Yet, they stepped forward in faith. They didn’t assume to know the will of God and certainly weren’t so narcissistic as to support that they were owed a complete explanation. God doesn’t need to explain himself and rarely does. He shouldn’t need to. In this way, he helps us develop our faith.