mind," and my thoughts sometime take me in interesting directions. So, the other night I was laying in bed, hot, sweaty and unable to sleep (this is God's way of keeping middle-aged women in check) and I started thinking about psychics. I sometimes watch "Psychic Detectives" on Court TV in the 
afternoon while I am sewing. The psychics that are featured seem to be very normal, respectable people who volunteer their talents to police departments all around the country. In many cases, they are remarkably successful at providing useful clues to the police. They are definitely more "Allison DuBois" than "Madame Zelma."Obviously, in the world of psychics, there are a lot of frauds; "I see someone around you with an "R" in their name..." And there are a lot of unfortunate (and now broke) people who get duped into thinking that through psychics they can find answers to life's questions. But what about the psychics, or mediums, who appear to posses a genuine ability, and who don't seem to be exploiting, but rather helping the public?
How do we explain their abilities? Most, if not all, of us have experienced a premonition or a warning. We explain such occurrences as examples of the Holy Ghost operating in our lives to protect us and those we love. Is it possible that the Holy Ghost is also functioning in the lives of legitimate psychics who use their skills to help others? Perhaps their "gift" is to know how to call upon and discipline spiritual insights. The alternative explanations are either that they are very lucky guessers or perhaps there is a less benevolent force at work.
I have read and pondered D&C 46:8-26 many times. These verses hold out the promise that we are all entitled to specific gifts of the spirit, in order to help us to help others. I have identified the specific spiritual gifts with which I have been blessed and for which I am very grateful. Is it possible that some people have been given the gift of psychic awareness?
I know this all sounds a little nutty. It's something to think about, though. What do you think?
True gifts of the spirit are God's way of helping us help others. To each is given a spiritual gift or talent. It's incumbent upon us to develop and use to help others. He doesn't give those gifts to stand out or separate us from others. If that is our purpose, then we are mocking God. Of course there are counterfeits. Satan will use those counterfeits to incur pride, enmity, fear, etc. However, if we have a personal relationship with Christ, and we exercise faith, and we act in God's will, we can realize spiritual gifts. Many of these gifts can be tied to the priesthood, but they are free to all in their talents. Reading patriarachal blessings can help us understand our personal gifts, and how we can utilize them in our lives.
ReplyDeleteSuch deep blogs Mom. I'm impressed. I agree that some people have this as a spiritual gift. I have always reasoned it that most people are only using a small portion of the brain's God-given abilities. I think some people have the spiritual gift of being able to tap into other areas of the brain (a sixth sense). I don't think it's necessarily the Holy Ghost working in them (as that is given at baptism) but just a hightened ability to utilize the power of the mind. The exciting thing (I believe) is that after we are resurrected and have the full capacities of our physical bodies, I believe we may all have these type of abilities. There's my two cents.
ReplyDeleteBy the way....who designed that cute Reed Reunion logo?
ReplyDeleteI do believe there are people who have these very special abilities. I really don't know how they do it but I am fascinated by it. I would like to think that if these abilities are used to help and assist man kind it is a gift from the Spirit. I don't know though Satan sure can make things look authentic and genuine. Like you say it is something to ponder. Here is my question though... Why isn't this ever discussed in sunday school? I think it would be cause for an interesting discussion.
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