As children of our Father in Heaven, we all have gifts and talents, given purposefully to each of us to help others come unto Christ (D&C 46:11-12). Because of this purpose, we have been commanded to share these talents so that we may glorify God (Matthew 5:16). But how do we know when and how to share them? We certainly don't want to misuse them, but we also don't want to be like the servant who hid his talent and had it taken away from him (Matthew 25:24-28). Based on my understanding of the scriptures, when it comes to sharing our talents, here are some questions we should ask ourselves:
1. Am I using my talent to build the Lord's Kingdom? - This requirement does not mean that you should only use your talent in religious contexts. To me it means to live your life in ways that encourage others to want to know more about the Gospel which you represent. Here in the Boston Singles Wards is a sister missionary who has an amazing singing voice. Before coming to Boston, she was a member of Gladys Knight's band and had been Gladys Knight's assistant choir director for years. Because the beauty and strength of her testimony resonate through her vocal chords, she can and has built the Kingdom of God in powerful ways that extend beyond her missionary service. Anyone who hears her sing can't help but be touched by the Spirit, thus persuading them get to know her as a person. This alone provides her with opportunities to share the Gospel, whether on the mission or on tour.
2. Does using my talent enrich my life, or does it cause disruption? - As difficult as it can be to follow the promptings of the Spirit, the Lord will not prompt us to use our talents in ways that disrupt our daily lives. In the seminary video that portrays the First Vision, we see the Prophet Joseph working in the field when he finally realizes how to best heed the counsel of James to seek wisdom from God. Note that Joseph did not immediately drop to his knees and start praying, randomly leaving his chores unfinished. Instead, he carefully designated a particular time and place to visit later on (JSH 1:14). This would enable him to approach the Lord in the right mindset--free from the distractions of the world. I believe this played an important role in preparing Joseph for the magnificent and life-changing experience that would ensue. And so it is with sharing our talents. While we may feel prompted at a given time, we need not assume that we must drop everything and neglect other things that are also good in the Lord's sight. Inspiration often comes when it does so that we may prepare ourselves for when the time does come to act. The Lord will always prepare us beforehand to accomplish the commandments He has given us (1 Nephi 3:7).
3. Does using my talent allow me to keep the Commandments? - I first started writing this post on a Sunday morning, and I truly felt inspired to address this topic. But I eventually had to stop and get ready for Church, remembering that no matter how inspired I may have felt, the Lord would not require me to break the Sabbath. We must remember that the Spirit can only dwell within us when we are striving to keep the Commandments. Rather than prevent us from keeping God's Commandments, the sharing of our talents should help us and others keep them.
4. Does using my talent promote love or incite confrontation? - When acting on spiritual promptings, we should always remember that the Gospel is not one of aggression or contention. True principles are not to be enforced, but defended. In the Book of Alma, Captain Moroni was a gifted soldier, but he did not wage war on the Lamanites in an effort to enforce true Gospel principles on them. Instead, he armed the Nephites in defense of their land and freedom after the Lamanites had waged war on them (Alma 44:1-2, 54:13). While we are certainly commanded to teach and share truth with those who have yet to come unto Christ, we should abide by the fruits of the Spirit when doing so (Gal. 5:22).
The gifts and talents our Father gives us are infinite, without which we could not fulfill His Plan and help others come unto Christ. I am grateful for the gifts with which He has blessed me, as well as the gifts He has blessed others with that have benefited me and strengthened my testimony. I know that if we strive to keep the Commandments and remain sensitive to the Spirit, we need not worry about missing those opportunities to share our talents in ways that are pleasing unto Him.
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