To seek the gifts of the Spirit through faith, humility, and devotion to righteousness, Elder McConkie has written, “is not to be confused with sign-seeking. The saints are commanded to ’covet earnestly the best gifts.’ (1 Corinthians 12:31.) But implicit in this exhortation is the presumption that those so seeking will do so in the way the Lord has ordained.
For instance, the gift of testimony is obtained through a course of desire, study, prayer, and practice. Indeed, whenever a person abides the law entitling him to receive a gift, that gift is then freely bestowed upon him.” (Mormon Doctrine, p. 715.) See also commentary on Moroni 10:8-17.
“They Searched the Scriptures”
One of the effects of teaching the gospel by the power of the Spirit is a desire on the part of listeners to search the scriptures. “And it came to pass after [Alma] had made an end of speaking unto the people [of Ammonihah] many of them did believe on his words, and began to repent, and to search the scriptures” (Alma 14:1). In speaking of the work of Paul the Apostle, Luke wrote: “And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:10-11.)