The Lord has promised to give His children gifts to strengthen their weaknesses, Elder Marvin J. Ashton told several thousand college-aged students at a Sigma Gamma Chi/Lambda Delta Sigma fireside.
Speaking Sept. 10 in the Tabernacle on Temple Square, Elder Ashton of the Council of the Twelve said, "It's a sad day in the life of an individual when they convince themselves of an attitude that says: `I just don't have very much going for me.'"God in His wisdom makes spiritual gifts possible that can and will make the difference in both accomplishment and happiness."
Everyone can rise above their current circumstances, Elder Ashton explained. "I am disheartened and disturbed when I hear people of our day avoiding the blessings and challenges of life by indicating to self, associates and family that, `I'm sorry, but that's just the way I am.' This is an attitude that not only brings complacency but also a lack of progress and is a prime cause for unhappiness.
"No one has to be content with the status quo. . . . For our purposes at this time, there are no reasons for failure or traits of continuing downgrading just because an associate or family member has taken these routes in the course of life. We need to make up our minds we are going to take ourselves the way we are, and with God's help add to our gifts and abilities.
"Miraculous powers are available and promised to those who will seek the gifts that are available from God to His children who humbly approach His throne on a continuing basis for strength and powers above and beyond those that are natural to the individual," the apostle counseled.
Citing Doctrine and Covenants Section 46 as the source, Elder Ashton expounded on some of the gifts available to seeking individuals: the faith to be healed, the faith to heal, the spirit of discernment, the spirit to prophesy, to speak with tongues and interpretation of tongues.
Seeking after these gifts is essential, Elder Ashton counseled. He quoted Pres. George Q. Cannon, who, almost a century ago, spoke on the same topic:
" '[God] wants His Saints to be perfected in the truth. For this purpose He gives these gifts, and bestows them upon those who seek after them, in order that they may be a perfect people upon the face of the earth, notwithstanding their many weaknesses, because God has promised to give the gifts that are necessary for their perfection.' "
Elder Ashton ended his address by challenging all in attendance to resolve that, " `That's just the way I am' will not be used as a crutch or excuse for lack of progress, but rather we will use God's gifts and the example and strengths of others to better live today and hold on to principles that are eternal."
