Everyone has Talents

Friend November 2018 “What’s on Your Mind” Someone who feels talentless asks the Friend magazine how they can find something they are good at.

The Friend responds by saying that God has given everyone talents. “Here are just a few of the gifts Heavenly Father might have given you. Circle the ones you have already. Underline ones you might want to practice. What others can you think of?”

Friend March 2022 “Overcoming Your Challenges” President Dallin H. Oaks discusses the challenges he faced growing up, such as having his father die when he was seven, or being bullied and made fun of by other kids because he couldn’t spell or do math very well. Heavenly Father and Dallin’s family helped him, he found things he was good at, and things got better. President Oaks wants the children to know that Heavenly Father will help them and to not give up because we all have different gifts. (Coloring page “I Can Overcome Challenges”)

Spiritual Gifts/Talents

1 Kings CHAPTER 3

Solomon loves the Lord and keeps His commandments—The Lord appears to Solomon and promises him a wise and an understanding heart—He judges between two harlots and determines who is the mother of a child.

“Lesson 31: The Wisdom of King Solomon,” Primary 6: Old Testament  Lesson includes great questions and lesson and story ideas

Attention Activity

Ask the children to name things they would ask for if they knew they could ask Heavenly Father for anything and he would give it to them. Write the children’s ideas on the chalkboard.

Show the children some waterproof items that could represent worldly goods, such as a piece of jewelry, a coin, a pretty rock, and so on. Put the items in a large pitcher or container as you talk about them and discuss how some people spend most of their efforts accumulating material goods. Then add some water to the container to represent good deeds or spiritual gifts as you discuss the kind deeds we can do and the spiritual gifts we can develop, such as helping a family member or friend, gaining a testimony, being honest, or having an understanding heart. Pour the contents of the container through a strainer into another container. Explain that the first container represents someone’s life, the strainer represents death, and the second container represents life after death. Discuss how we cannot take material goods with us when we die, but we do take with us the spiritual gifts we have developed and the good deeds we have done.

Ask the children which of the items on the chalkboard represent things that could last forever and if they would like to change anything they named before. Tell the children that they are going to learn about someone who was able to ask God for one thing, and he chose an eternal, spiritual gift instead of a temporary, earthly one.

Write knowledge, wisdom, and an understanding heart on the chalkboard. Discuss the meaning of each one. Explain that knowledge is learning gained through study or experience; wisdom is using what we have learned in the best way to make right choices; and an understanding heart enables us to know how others feel.

Have the children find the book of Proverbs in their Bibles. Explain that most of these proverbs (wise sayings) were written by Solomon, and because of his great wisdom, these sayings can help us today. (See the lesson link for a list of some of the wise sayings found in Proverbs.)

Two Women, One Baby

Heavenly Father gives me spiritual gifts.

Moroni 10:8–20

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 “Moroni 10: “Come unto Christ, and Be Perfected in Him”

Moroni described the gifts that God gives to His children when they have faith in Him.

Write the numbers 9 through 16 on separate pieces of paper, and wrap each paper like a gift. Let the children take turns unwrapping the gifts. (or put all the papers in one gift box and let the children take turns picking a paper from the box) As they do, read together verses from Moroni 10:9–16 that correspond with the numbers, and help the children identify each spiritual gift. Explain that these are gifts Heavenly Father gives His children so we can help each other and do His work.

Tell the children about spiritual gifts you have noticed that Heavenly Father has given them, such as the gifts of faith, wisdom, testimony, kindness, and the ability to learn. Let the children talk briefly about favorite gifts they have received.

Ensign December 2020 “Family Study Fun”

Use this activity to talk more about Moroni 10:18 (“every good gift cometh of Christ”).

1. Ahead of time, wrap a Book of Mormon with many layers of wrapping paper or colored cellophane. Tell your family you’ll share clues about what’s inside this gift.
2. As you share each clue (for example, “This teaches us about Jesus Christ”), invite a family member to take off a layer of paper and guess what’s inside.
3. If someone guesses correctly, continue unwrapping and take turns sharing truths about the Book of Mormon.

Discussion: Once the book is unwrapped, end by reading Moroni 10:18 together. What can your family do to share the gift of the gospel with others?

Ensign December 2020 “How Can I Seek Spiritual Gifts”

Friend March 2017 “What Are Your Spiritual Gifts?” This activity from the Friend can help family members learn about their own spiritual gifts.

Scripture Stories Coloring Book: Pearl of Great Price “7th Article of Faith: Spiritual Gifts” Match each picture to its spiritual gift.

Heavenly Father Blesses Me with His Gifts.

Doctrine and Covenants 46:13–26

Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 46–48”

In Kirtland, many of the new members that Parley P. Pratt and the other missionaries had baptized had plenty of zeal but little experience or direction in how to live the gospel. They had been drawn to the restored gospel by the promise of marvelous manifestations of the Spirit. Soon, some unusual expressions of worship—including falling to the ground or writhing like a snake—were introduced into their Church meetings. Many found it hard to discern which manifestations were of the Spirit and which were not. Seeing the confusion, Joseph Smith prayed for help. The Lord revealed that spiritual manifestations are real and clarified what they are—gifts from a loving Heavenly Father, “given for the benefit of those who love [Him] and keep all [His] commandments” (Doctrine and Covenants 46:9).

Doctrine and Covenants Stories “Chapter 20: Gifts of the Spirit” Images and video

(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 46–48”) If possible, show objects or pictures that represent each gift. Pause occasionally to ask the children how these gifts could bless someone.

Write on pieces of paper some of the spiritual gifts found in Doctrine and Covenants 46:13–26 and Articles of Faith 1:7, and hide them around the room. Invite each child to find one of the papers and search the verses to find where that gift is mentioned in the scriptures. Then read together Doctrine and Covenants 46:8–9, 12. Why does Heavenly Father give us spiritual gifts?

Friend May 2021 “What Are Your Gifts?” Spiritual gifts are blessings or abilities that God has given to each of His children.

Doctrine and Covenants Coloring Book “Gifts of the Spirit”

Friend May 2021 “Scripture Time Fun for Little Ones” Read Doctrine and Covenants 46:11. Then help your little ones fill in the blank: “I am good at …” Help them recognize their talents and spiritual gifts.

Friend May 2021 “Scripture Time Fun” Talent Time:

• Sing “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, 78–79).
• Heavenly Father gave each of us spiritual gifts (see Doctrine and Covenants 46:11–26). That means He gave us special talents. Everyone is unique and important to Heavenly Father!
• Think about what gifts you have. Then put on a family talent show! Share the gifts Heavenly Father has given you with others.

Latter Day Kids “Spiritual Gifts” Videos and lesson ideas

Heavenly Father has blessed me with spiritual gifts. (Jr)

1 Corinthians 12:4, 7–12

Ask the children to draw a picture of a favorite gift they have received. Explain that Heavenly Father gives us spiritual gifts to strengthen our faith and help us bless others. Share with the children some of the spiritual gifts described in 1 Corinthians 12:7–11. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 Corinthians 8–13” )

Write a note for each child, describing a spiritual gift you have seen in him or her (or you could invite parents to write these notes). Put the notes in envelopes. Allow the children to open the envelopes, and help them read about their spiritual gifts. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 Corinthians 8–13” ).

Cut out cards. Give one card to each parent to fill out. The name of the child goes on the top line.

Easy, Peasy, and Fun “Printable Gift Box”

Semigloss Design “Gift Card Holder Template – Free Printable Template”

Friend March 2017 “What Are Your Spiritual Gifts?” This activity from the Friend can help family members learn about their own spiritual gifts.

I have spiritual gifts. (Sr)

1 Corinthians 12:4, 7–12, 31; 13:1–8

Ask the children to write on the board the spiritual gifts they find in 1 Corinthians 12:7–11; 13:2. Invite them to find any additional gifts mentioned in Moroni 10:8–18 and Doctrine and Covenants 46:13–26.

See Gospel Principles “Chapter 22: The Gifts of the Spirit” for a description of the different gifts and ideas on how they could be used.

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The Red Crystal has black and white copies that the children could fill out.

“Write the gifts named in Moroni 10:9-16 on strips of paper, and put them in a gift box. Write the numbers 9 through 16 on the board, and invite the children to take turns picking a paper from the box and matching it to the verse number on the board. What do we learn about these gifts from verses 8 and 17-18?”

(Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 46–48”) If possible, show objects or pictures that represent each gift. Pause occasionally to ask the children how these gifts could bless someone.

Share with them some additional spiritual gifts mentioned by Elder Marvin J. Ashton: “The gift of asking; the gift of listening; … the gift of avoiding contention; … the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; … the gift of caring for others; … the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony” (“There Are Many Gifts,” Ensign, Nov. 1987, 20). Invite the children to talk about the spiritual gifts they see in each other. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 Corinthians 8–13” )

After reading these verses together, consider giving everyone a piece of paper with the name of another family member (or classmate) at the top. Ask everyone to list the spiritual gifts they notice that person has. You could then pass the papers in a circle until everyone has had a chance to write about each family member’s gifts. Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 “1 Corinthians 8-13”

Before class, ask the parents of the children in your class about the gifts they see in their children, or think about the children’s gifts yourself. Tell the children about these gifts. Invite the children to write down one way they will use their gifts to bless someone this week. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 Corinthians 8–13” )

One truth you might recognize is that the Lord gives each member of His Church at least one spiritual gift to bless others with. New Testament Seminary Student Manual (2023) “1 Corinthians 12”

Friend March 2017 “What Are Your Spiritual Gifts?” This activity from the Friend can help family members learn about their own spiritual gifts.

Cut out cards. Give one card to each parent to fill out. The name of the child goes on the top line.

Could put the card in one of the below boxes or envelopes.

Easy, Peasy, and Fun “Printable Gift Box”

Semigloss Design “Gift Card Holder Template – Free Printable Template”

Share different situations in which people could use a spiritual gift from 1 Corinthians 12:7–10. Invite the children to identify the spiritual gifts that could be used in each situation. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 Corinthians 8–13” )

See Gospel Principles “Chapter 22: The Gifts of the Spirit” for description of the different gifts and ideas on how they would be used.

Friend December 2006 “The Gifts and Fruits of the Spirit” When a child finds one of the words have them tell how they could use that gift.

Heavenly Father Gives Me Gifts to Bless Others.

Ponder what your spiritual gifts are—and how you can use them “for the benefit of the children of God” (verse 26).

Give a child something that can be shared, like a piece of bread or two toys. Ask the child to share what you have given him or her with another class member. Explain that Heavenly Father gives us gifts, and He wants us to use them to help others. Tell the children about a time when you were blessed because someone shared his or her spiritual gifts.

Help the children list on the board the gifts of the Spirit mentioned in Doctrine and Covenants 46. As each gift is listed, talk about how that gift can be used to bless others. The descriptions in “Chapter 20: Gifts of the Spirit” (Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 77–80) can help. Tell the children that they each have spiritual gifts. Encourage them to ask Heavenly Father to help them recognize their gifts and how they can use them to help others. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 46–48”)

Elder Robert D. Hales: “These gifts are given to those who are faithful to Christ. They will help us know and teach the truths of the gospel. They will help us bless others. They will guide us back to our Heavenly Father” (“Gifts of the Spirit,” Ensign, Feb. 2002, 16).

Ponder why it is important that you “always [remember] for what they are given” (verse 8). How can these truths help you “not be deceived”? (verse 8).

See also Gospel Topics, “Spiritual Gifts,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Doctrine and Covenants 82:18–19

18 And all this for the benefit of the church of the living God, that every man may improve upon his talent, that every man may gain other talents, yea, even an hundred fold, to be cast into the Lord’s storehouse, to become the common property of the whole church—

19 Every man seeking the interest of his neighbor, and doing all things with an eye single to the glory of God.

What can each family member do to “improve upon his [or her] talent” and “gain other talents”? It might be fun to have a family talent show. Think of ways to include talents that aren’t easily displayed (such as spiritual gifts; see Doctrine and Covenants 46:11–26). How can we use our talents and share the things we have to bless our family and neighbors? What does it mean to use our talents “with an eye single to the glory of God”? (Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 ” Doctrine and Covenants 81–83″)

Friend December 2022 “Talent Match”

Friend December 2022 “Gifts to Share” Sometimes we don’t value or share our gifts. Maybe we are afraid that they are not as perfect as we would like. But if we don’t share our gifts, we miss a chance to bless God’s children. We miss a chance to feel God’s love.

Family night talent show ideas Friend May 2016

Develop Your Talents

I can use the gifts God has given me.

Matthew 25:14–30

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 Young children are discovering their gifts and abilities. Help them understand that these gifts and abilities come from Heavenly Father.

• Bring several coins to use as you tell the parable of the talents, found in Matthew 25:14–30. You could ask three children to represent the three servants. Explain that in Jesus’s day, talents referred to money, but today talents can mean our gifts and abilities.

For the Strength of Youth February 2023 “The Talents” Parable of the talents

• Ask the children to name ways their parents, siblings, teachers, or friends have helped them. What talents do these people have that help them serve others?

Red Crystal

• Write a small note to the children telling each of them about the gifts or abilities you notice in them. As you share with each of the children the gifts you see in them, encourage them to improve their gifts and use them to serve others.

Friend December 2022 “Gifts to Share” Sometimes we don’t value or share our gifts. Maybe we are afraid that they are not as perfect as we would like. But if we don’t share our gifts, we miss a chance to bless God’s children. We miss a chance to feel God’s love.

Friend December 2022 “Talent Match”

Friend May 2021 “What Are Your Gifts?” Spiritual gifts are blessings or abilities that God has given to each of His children.

New Testament Coloring Book “Parable of the Talents”

“Lesson 26: Parable of the Talents,” Primary 7: New Testament 

1. Ask the children to name as many talents as they can think of; list the talents on the chalkboard as they are mentioned. Encourage the children to include character traits such as being a good listener, loving others, being cheerful, and so on.
2. Give the children each a piece of paper and a pencil and ask them to make a list of their own talents. Tell them not to let others in the class see the list. Then ask the class members to each name a talent for every other child in the class. As each child’s talents are mentioned, suggest that the child add to his or her list any talents identified by the other children that are not already on the list. Then ask the following questions:

See additional story ideas at Talents

New Testament Stories “The Talents”

Latter Day Kids “The Parable of the Talents” Lesson ideas

For the Strength of Youth February 2023 “The Talents” Parable of the talents

Friend March 2019 “What’s on Your Mind” A boy writes the Friend and says that his friends think that the things he likes to do are “girl” stuff. He wants to know if it’s true. The Friend responds by saying, “There’s not one list of talents for girls and another one for boys. Our interests and talents make us unique.” Activity: Use the clues to fill out the chart to find out what each person is interested in.

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 51–57”

• Hide the words “faithful,” “just,” and “wise” around the room. Invite the children to find the words in the room and then find them in Doctrine and Covenants 51:19. Read the verse together, and talk about what it means to be a steward. “A person who takes care of the affairs or property of another. That which a steward cares for is called a stewardship. All things on earth belong to the Lord; we are His stewards. We are accountable to the Lord.” (“Steward, Stewardship” in the Guide to the Scriptures).
• Tell the children about William W. Phelps, who was a newspaper publisher before hearing the gospel and moving to Kirtland. Ask the children to read Doctrine and Covenants 55:1–4 and list what God wanted William to do. Which of these things can apply to all of us, and which are specific to William because of his talents? Ask the children to identify talents they see in each other, and discuss how they can use those talents to serve God and His children.

How did the Lord use William Phelps’s abilities as a writer and printer? (for example, see the author index in the hymnbook for a list of hymns he wrote). Maybe family members could talk about the talents and abilities they see in each other. How can our talents contribute to God’s work? Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 51–57”

Make a list of your talents! You could ask your friends and family for ideas too. How can you use the talents Heavenly Father gave you to help bless others? You may wish to read some of the below stories to see how others used their talents to help others.

Jesus Christ can help me be strong.

Ether 12:23–27

As children get older, they become more aware of their weaknesses. Use these verses to teach them how the Savior can make “weak things become strong” (Ether 12:27).

• Describe for the children a task that would require a lot of physical strength to accomplish. Invite them to share examples of things they aren’t strong enough to do now. How could we become strong enough to accomplish these tasks? Explain that we also have spiritual work to do, but we sometimes feel spiritually weak. Moroni felt this way about his writings on the plates (Ether 12:23–25). Read Ether 12:27 to the children. What did the Lord promise those who feel weak?
• Share an experience in which the Savior helped you or someone you know do something that was hard. Testify to the children that if they seek His help, Jesus can help them be strong, even when they feel weak.
• Invite the children to draw a picture of something weak and something strong. Then invite them to add to their drawing some words and phrases from Ether 12:23–29 that teach them about how the Savior can help us turn our weakness into strength. Encourage the children to think about a weakness they might have and then seek the Savior’s help to become strong.

Why does the Lord give us weakness? What is our part in making “weak things become strong”? What is the Savior’s part?

“Weak Things Stronger.” In this Friend article, Parker learns that he doesn’t have to be perfect and that the Savior is there to help him.