[teach the word of knowledge]: We have a separation between wisdom and knowledge. Where wisdom emphasizes the things of God, knowledge emphasize learning. Just as one may have a gift to teach the things of God, one may have the gift of teaching the understanding that comes from the sciences of man. Information may come from either source, and both may be true. The gift here is in the teaching, not in the possession of either type of understanding. We may all understand both, but the gift of teaching is given to fewer.
Reference: This phrase comes from 1 Corinthians 12:8 where it follows the gift of teaching the word of wisdom, just as it does here. The similarity of language and precise paralleling of terms confirms the source model for the current text.
“Teach the Word of Wisdom”
It is a gift of the Spirit to be able to teach “the word of wisdom.” This “word of wisdom” is not the section of the Doctrine and Covenants that is commonly referred to by that title. It is, rather, the teaching of wisdom. Of course, in the definition of the Lord, wisdom always refers to teaching the correct principles of the gospel.
Exodus 35:31
31 And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;
The spirit of God comes to us and may fill us with wisdom and understanding. While that does not preclude the wisdom of the world, it is the Godly wisdom that is most important. It is therefore a gift that one may be able to teach such wisdom. There are many who are called to teach, and when we find that certain individual blessed with the gift of God to teach us wisdom, we understand both the difference that such a gift makes in what we what we hear from that teacher, but even more importantly, the difference it makes in our lives. One who can truly teach the wisdom of God does not give us information, but inspires our transformation into a better person.
Reference: Verses 9-16 are clearly influenced by Paul’s catalogue of the gifts of the Spirit from 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. This verse cites a gift of teaching “the word of wisdom,” which gift is found in the same phrasing in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.
The referenced passages are:
1 Corinthians 12:8-11
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.