Discerning of Spirits

One of the spiritual gifts identified by the apostle Paul in his first epistle to the Corinthians is “discerning of spirits” (1 Corinthians 12:10). Moroni omits it from his parallel list, replacing it with “the beholding of angels and ministering spirits” (Moroni 10:14). But it is included in the list of spiritual gifts in Doctrine and Covenants 46.

President George Q. Cannon explained the meaning of this gift:

One of the gifts of the Gospel which the Lord has promised to those who enter into covenant with Him is the gift of discerning of spirits—a gift which is not much thought of by many and probably seldom prayed for; yet it is a gift that is of exceeding value and one that should be enjoyed by every Latter-day Saint. . . .

Now, the gift of discerning of spirits not only gives men and women who have it the power to discern the spirit with which others may be possessed or influenced, but it gives them the power to discern the spirit which influences themselves. They are able to detect a false spirit and also to know when the Spirit of God reigns within them. In private life this gift is of great importance to the Latter-day Saints. Possessing and exercising this gift they will not allow any evil influence to enter into their hearts or to prompt them in their thoughts, their words or their acts. They will repel it; and if perchance such a spirit should get possession of them, as soon as they witness its effects they will expel it or, in other words, refuse to be led or prompted by it. 

Gospel Truth: Discourses and Writings of President George Q. Cannon, comp. Jerreld L. Newquist (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1974), 1:198–99

President Stephen L. Richards offered the following explanation:

I believe that this gift when highly developed arises largely out of an acute sensitivity to impressions—spiritual impressions, if you will—to read under the surface as it were, to detect hidden evil, and more importantly to find the good that may be concealed. The highest type of discernment is that which perceives in others and uncovers for them their better natures, the good inherent within them.

Conference reports of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; 1950-1959, April 1950, 163

Commenting on both of these explanations, Elder David A. Bednar identified four capabilities we can receive through this gift:

1. The ability to detect hidden error and evil in others
2. The ability to detect hidden error and evil in ourselves
3. To find and bring forth the good that may be concealed in others
4. To find and bring forth the good that may be concealed in ourselves

(See “Quick to Observe,” Brigham Young University Devotional Address, 10 May 2005.)

I particularly like those last two. It’s relatively easy to find fault with others and with ourselves. Sometimes it’s more difficult to recognize the good. We may need help from the Spirit of the Lord in order to fulfill the admonition we have received from President Russell M. Nelson: “‘If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy’ that we can say about another person—whether to his face or behind her back—that should be our standard of communication” (“Peacemakers Needed,” General Conference, April 2023, italics in original).

Today, I will seek for the gift of discernment of spirits. I will strive to recognize errors and to magnify goodness in others and in myself.