Talents

I have been watching a lot of Jordan Peterson videos on Youtube lately. I really like how he tries to be encouraging to people who are trying to change their lives for the better. It made me think about a talk that I wrote back in March 2010 that I still have saved on my computer thankfully. I thought the talk was about encouragement but it was really about developing talents. It was just fun for me to go back and read it again. This may be my longest post EVER but I know you can get through it. ;)

General Conference Quotes to the Priesthood and Relief Society Nov 2008: 

Twenty years ago, President Ezra Taft Benson shared reports from bishops and stake presidents that some members “are turning down calls to serve claiming they are ‘too busy’ or they ‘haven’t got time.’ Others accept such callings, but refuse to magnify those callings.”

President Benson went on to say, “The Lord expects each of us to have a calling in His Church so that others may be blessed by our talents and influence.”
Oddly enough, often the root cause of both of these tendencies—seeking to lead or seeking to hide—may be the same: selfishness. Lift Where You Stand President Dieter F. Uchtdorf Nov 2008

You may think you don’t have talents, but that is a false assumption, for we all have talents and gifts, every one of us. The bounds of creativity extend far beyond the limits of a canvas or a sheet of paper and do not require a brush, a pen, or the keys of a piano. Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before—colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter.

What you create doesn’t have to be perfect. So what if the eggs are greasy or the toast is burned? Don’t let fear of failure discourage you. Don’t let the voice of critics paralyze you—whether that voice comes from the outside or the inside.
If you still feel incapable of creating, start small. Try to see how many smiles you can create, write a letter of appreciation, learn a new skill, identify a space and beautify it. Happiness, Your Heritage President Dieter F. Uchtdorf Nov 2008

I wanted to speak today about developing our talents vs. discovering our talents. I think that we need to be careful in thinking that there are a certain number of talents that we possess that we are limited to developing. I think that we have a tendency to limit our abilities when in reality our talents and abilities are limitless. It is a topic that has been on my mind a lot over the last few months, and this is a collection of some of my thoughts.

Hard Work

President Hinckley True to the Faith: I recently read a book titled No Shortcuts to the Top. It is the story of Ed Viesturs. Ed has climbed Mount Everest six times and has reached the summits of the world’s highest mountains without the use of supplemental oxygen. When asked how he did it, he said, “It is just hard, hard work.” To accomplish his feat, Ed actually had to climb one mountain twice. The first time, he was forced to turn back just a short distance from the top and did not feel that he could honestly claim the summit.

An article in a recent issue of Fortune magazine indicated that we will achieve greatness only through an enormous amount of hard work over many years. . . . The good news is that [our] lack of a natural gift is irrelevant—talent has little or nothing to do with greatness. . . .. . . Nobody is great without work.
An article in a recent issue of Fortune magazine indicated that we will achieve greatness only through an enormous amount of hard work over many years. . . . The good news is that [our] lack of a natural gift is irrelevant—talent has little or nothing to do with greatness. . . .. . . Nobody is great without work. [Geoffrey Colvin, “What It Takes to Be Great,” Fortune 154, no. 9 (30 October 2006): 88]

Overcoming our doubts and fears.

This may be our biggest obstacle to get started. Sometimes we need to push ourselves to overcome our fears, step out of your comfort zone. At a time when I had a hard time speaking or teaching in church I came across the story of Moses when God called him to deliver the children of Israel from bondage. Moses kept telling the Lord that he couldn’t lead the people and he didn’t believe that the people would believe that he had spoken to the Lord. Time and again the Lord told him that he could do it and he showed him the powers that He (God) possessed.

Exodus 4:10 And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.
11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?

Perhaps Moses would have had a better argument if he had been born without a mouth. I was struck with the reality that God had already given me everything that I needed to teach his gospel. I had a mind, I had a mouth and an able body. Although the Lord had already given me the things I needed, to do what was asked of me, I let my irrational fears overcome me.

Have faith in the Lords promises

While some abilities come easier to some than others we need to be careful when we say things like, “That just isn’t a talent I have been blessed with.” In so saying we can halt our progression in gaining that talent.

Weakness into strengths. Ether 12:27-28

27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
28 Behold, I will show unto the Gentiles their weakness, and I will show unto them that faith, hope and charity bringeth unto me—the fountain of all righteousness.

The humility the Lord is talking about isn’t the Humility that says I can’t do anything. It is the humility that says I can do all things with the help of the Lord. Don’t mistake humility for lack of trying. Perhaps we don’t want to seem proud, and because of that we hide our talents.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Marianne Williamson

Speak with those who have talents you desire to possess. Don’t shy away from them. They will usually be happy to tell you about the path they took to gain the talent they possess. Encourage and don’t discourage others to develop their talents

Some of you may not feel like you have been blessed with the talent for public speaking. For some of you the thought of being up here at the pulpit petrifies you. You will probably enjoy this next story.

Story Jim Wallace “Faith Works” page 280 speaking up and Stepping out…

A big part of being human is being reluctant to speak up and step out. Moses isn’t the only one who had that problem. Here is where we really do need one another.

I recall the night when I preached for the first time at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, the home of Martin Luther King, Jr. I was there for the first annual Peace and Justice Service on the anniversary of his birthday. But because that church had such a rich history, I was intimidated. When I thought about all the people who had preached from that august church’s pulpit, it just got worse. As I began to preach, I could just feel how timid and nervous I was.

But after a few moments I began to get some unexpected help from down in the front row on the left side of the church. An old man began to respond to my preaching by calling back, C’mon now, son, keep comin’, preach it now, yes well, keep goin’, that’s right, yessir, talk, sir, tell the truth, keep on now, that’s right,” and so on. I started to relax, to breathe deeply, and to remember the things that I wanted to say, and began to really preach. The more I got going the more he got going. “Now you’re talkin’, preach it, yes, well, oh mercy, amen!” That old man literally drew the sermon out of me. It is known as the “call and response,” and it is the accepted style of preaching and “listening” in black church. When the preacher speaks, he or she gets a response from the congregation. “Can I get a witness?” says the preacher, and the church erupts. “Somebody say amen!” the preacher exclaims from the pulpit, and somebody always does.

A rhythm and cadence gets going between the preacher and the congregation, and the sermon gets better and better. I love to preach in black churches. Any good preacher will tell you that black churches bring out their very best. When you are finished you don’t feel as if you’ve just talked to passive listeners, you never have to wonder what people thought. And you won’t have to guess whether they understood what you were saying. You and the congregation have been in dialogue; you have been in relationship. Often the most vocal of the responders inhabits what gets called the Amen corner of the church. It’s the corner of the church you can always look to for a hearty “Amen” when you need one.

Well, my amen corner at Ebenezer served me well. When I finished, I felt exhausted but very satisfied that I had said what I wanted to say. I quickly came down from the pulpit and rushed over to the gentleman who had helped me so much and, really, made the sermon come to life. I thanked him profusely and told him that I couldn’t have preached the sermon without him. “Oh that’s alright, young man,” he said. “I’ve raised up many a preacher in my day!” At that moment, it all felt very human to me. Sometimes we do need other people to help us speak out.

I am not suggesting that we change our form of worship, but I am suggesting that we support and encourage others to develop their talents. I would go so far as to say that in our day and age it isn’t necessarily a lack of resources that keeps us from developing our talents but a lack of encouragement. Some people have overcome insurmountable odds because someone believed in and encouraged them. We need to praise them when they share them. I think that we also can become elitists where we only want THE BEST whether it be art/ music/ theater /dance. We need to make sure that we never forget to praise the smallest of efforts made.

Perhaps we aren’t surrounded by our own personal cheerleaders. At one point in my life I was training for a half marathon. Running isn’t a talent I was born with. It was something that I have had to work on. One day I was at the gym and according to my training schedule I needed to run 9 miles.


This was going to be accomplished on the treadmill. I had just finished my 8th mile and I wasn’t looking forward to the last. All of a sudden I heard a voice in my head. It said, “You go girl! You are amazing! You can do it.” It caught me so off guard that I just started to laugh out loud. It definitely made that last mile more bearable. We need to listen to those thoughts in our heads that are encouraging and not discouraging.

Brother Hawks. Blue burrito story.

When I was 7 years old, my school teacher was Mrs. Apple. I thought that was funny because she had curly red hair. One day in class, each of us was given a slab of clay. We were told that we were going to learn the art of ceramics. Mrs. Apple told us we should pick something to make that had strong personal meaning to us. I decided to make a burrito.

In only a few minutes, I was finished and I could not be happier with the results. I painted it blue, which really isn’t the right color for a burrito, but I really liked what I had made.

When Mrs. Apple visited my table she said, “What is it?” I thought to myself, “Is that a trick question?” I told her it was a burrito. She looked at it again and said with a smile, “Richard, You’ve done well and I think that you are capable of doing even better!” I could tell that she was pleased and probably wanted one for herself.

I knew she was right, too. I had done well and I knew that I was capable of doing even better.  

Let us not play the role of the critic. We need to look for the beauty and ability in everyone and remember that they are children of God.

President Gordon B. Hinckley said: “I am not asking that all criticism be silenced. Growth comes of correction. Strength comes of repentance. Wise is the man who can acknowledge mistakes pointed out by others and change his course.

What I am suggesting is that each of us turn from the negativism that so permeates our society and look for the remarkable good among those with whom we associate, that we speak of one another’s virtues more than we speak of one another’s faults.”
What I am suggesting is that each of us turn from the negativism that so permeates our society and look for the remarkable good among those with whom we associate, that we speak of one another’s virtues more than we speak of one another’s faults.” (Ensign, Apr. 1986, pp. 3–4.)

Recognize the hand of God in blessing us with talents and abilities

D&C 59: 21 And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments. 

I was thinking about this scripture as I watched the Olympics. The Olympics are always so inspiring. It is always inspiring to me when I see the contenders give thanks to God for their talents and abilities. I believe it was the men’s marathon I was watching when I saw a guy who finished in the top three kneel down to pray after finishing a marathon. I can only assume that he was praying to give thanks to God for letting him have that wonderful moment in history. I am especially inspired by those athletes who do recognize his hand in their lives

Parable of the talents. Matt. 25: 14-29 

14 ¶ For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.

19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

28 Take therefore the talent from him and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

The blessings given to those who magnify their talents aren’t just given additional talents they are made ruler over many things and they are able to enter into the joy of the Lord. The Lord needs leaders in his church.

Body of Christ-1 Corinthians Chapter 12 We need to allow everyone the opportunity to develop their talents, and work together in harmony to build up the kingdom. We need each other and this ward is an incredible place for us to develop our talents.

Seek the best gifts and seek them to build up the kingdom of God

The irony of this is that, although we may make a difference in the lives of those we help, we who give charitable service are often the ones who benefit the most. When we sacrifice our time, talents, and resources for the sake of others, we refine our character and thereby become more fit for the kingdom. The Savior said the poor would always be with us (see John 12:8). And it is a good thing too because we cannot become exalted without them. We need the poor as much as the poor need us. As we open our hearts to those in need—whether they be poor or discouraged or grieved or in distress—and as we give of ourselves to lift their burdens, our problems seem a little smaller. We grow in spirit. We grow in peace. We grow in joy. As we “lift up the hands which hang down” (D&C 81:5), the light within us grows a little brighter and illuminates the way before us. Two Guiding Lights By Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles once said, “Above all talents … , chief among all endowments—stands the talent for spirituality” (The Millennial Messiah [1982], 234).

Can I have it all?

In this life we probably won’t attain perfection and gain every talent. Not having everything brings us together. Keeps us humble and makes us turn to the Lord. At the same time we need not limit ourselves.

It is my testimony that the Lord wants us to have it all. He wants us to attain perfection. It is something that we need to strive for and set goals that will propel us forward. We don’t need to wait till there is a need for us to develop a new talent, we can begin to develop talents right now and use them to bless the lives of others and move us closer to perfection. It is my testimony that the Lord has blessed us with many gifts and talents that can and should be multiplied. I know that as we look to him and ask for his guidance our talents can be multiplied to bless the lives of many others; in doing so we can build up his kingdom and move on towards Eternal Life.