How BYU-Pathway students discovered their spiritual gifts, and how you can too
Growing up, Natalyn Shumway from California, USA, struggled to read and often wondered whether she could succeed in school. But as she returned to education later in life and enrolled in BYU-Pathway Worldwide , she discovered that some of her greatest abilities had been there all along.
“I love to let people know I see them and listen to them,” she said. “I simply want to help make others happy. I know this is a gift from my Father in Heaven.”
Like Natalyn, many students discover that the spiritual gifts God has given them aren’t always easy to recognize at first.
What spiritual gifts really are
It's easy to notice the talents that earn recognition: good grades, leadership positions, artistic ability, or professional success. But some of the most powerful abilities God has given you are less outward-facing. These are spiritual gifts that help us serve others.
The Lord taught:
As a BYU-Pathway student, you may already be using spiritual gifts without realizing it — by encouraging a classmate who is struggling, helping organize group projects, or recognizing someone's efforts in a discussion board or during a gathering. These gifts may not appear on a resume, but they matter deeply to God.
How your gifts can bless others
Comparing ourselves to others can make it harder to recognize the gifts God has given us.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles offered a powerful reminder: “You are anything but ordinary. You are gifted.”
Before joining BYU-Pathway, Charles Crankson from Ghana struggled to see the gifts he already had. “I thought I was not intelligent enough to fit in and that I didn’t have a single talent,” he said.
However, as Charles worked through his first PathwayConnect courses using only a smartphone, he noticed other students facing similar obstacles. He began creating WhatsApp groups where students could ask questions, find support, and encourage one another. Those efforts eventually helped thousands of students succeed.
Charles discovered that God had already given him gifts he could use to bless others, and his challenges helped reveal those gifts.
Discover your gifts through action
After meeting many members around the world, Elder Uchtdorf shared a list of spiritual gifts he has noticed in them. Some of them were: showing compassion, being a peacemaker, helping others feel they belong, and much more. Your gifts may look different, but they are just as important. “Our gifts magnify and multiply only when we put them to use,” he taught.
One way to discover your spiritual gifts is by acting first. Charles experienced this when he didn’t wait until he felt qualified to help others. He simply started serving fellow students, and his gifts became clearer.
As you participate in your courses, gatherings, and daily life, pay attention to how you naturally help others. Or consider asking a close friend or family member what gifts they see in you. Their answer may reveal a spiritual gift you hadn’t considered.
Through education, service, and faith, God can help you develop your gifts and strengths in ways you may not expect.
As you explore certificates and degrees , which one might help you discover the gifts you already have to grow and help others?
Contributor: Joslynn Jensen