"And Every Tongue Sounds Praise to Thee" (1) by Ariane Williamson

My life has been greatly influenced by the gift of tongues. I have always loved and been enthralled by the art of language, whether it was learning songs in French from my mother, or watching Italian movies with my aunt. Sometimes I would hear my father singing hymns in Portuguese during Sacrament Meeting when he thought I wasn’t listening, and I fondly remember watching my grandfather haggle in Spanish with merchants at a Panamanian bazaar. Language has always come easily to me, English or otherwise, and although I didn’t know it until later, this scripture found in Doctrine and Covenants 46:24-26 had special meaning for me this summer: “And again, it is given to some to speak with tongues; and to another it is given the interpretation of tongues. And all these gifts come from God, for the benefit of the children of God.” I had an experience in which I was greatly benefited by this gift from God.

As I was preparing for my first year at BYU, I began having some troubles coming up with funds for college. Work was hard to come by because few businesses in my area were hiring, and those that were looking for workers were unwilling to allow for my busy schedule. I worked hard applying for over twenty scholarships, but all of my plans fell through when none of my applications were accepted. I was frustrated and began worrying that I wouldn’t be able to attend BYU for a full year. One day I came home from a bad day at school, only to find yet another rejection letter from a scholarship committee. I was crestfallen; running to my room, I fell to my knees in tears of disappointment and prayed desperately to my Father in Heaven to send me some comfort and guidance about what I should do. After I calmed down I had a strong feeling that I should go for a walk, so I did. When I came to the shopping center near my house, I saw a newly-built preschool that I had never noticed before. I went in and asked for an application, and when the owner was interviewing me, she asked if I spoke any foreign languages. I told her I spoke some French, and her face immediately lit up. To make a long story short, I got the job, and throughout the summer, I had wonderful experiences teaching young children French, sign language, and even some Spanish. I also taught French to the children of a Romanian family and even learned some Romanian along the way. I realized that Heavenly Father had blessed me with the knowledge of tongues to fulfill my needs and answer my prayers.

When we are baptized and confirmed members of the Church, we receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. I believe that it is from that moment we are called to be missionaries and spread the gospel. Nephi tells us that the Holy Ghost gives us this power: “Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost? Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost.”2 Perhaps we will not speak all the words of angels, but our words can definitely be guided by the Spirit. If we simply have the faith and courage to bear testimony of the gospel, we can have the Holy Ghost’s direction to “speak with the tongue of angels.”

However, we cannot be idle and expect merely our words to influence others and bear testimony for us. As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” (1 Corinthians 13:1) To me, this scripture means that we must develop Christ-like attributes such as charity to show others the effects of the Gospel in our lives. Paul is saying that we can trumpet our beliefs as much as we like, but we will be “as sounding brass” if we do not demonstrate charity for others, the way Jesus did. Christ spoke to many, and taught wonderful principles through his words and parables, but the mercy and love he showed convinced others of the truth of his words. As the old adage goes, “actions speak louder than words.”

One of my favorite scriptures is found in Romans 14:11: “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” In the Greek text, “confess” can be interpreted as to praise, or profess openly. This scripture is very powerful to me because it profoundly illustrates what will happen in the Second Coming of Christ: that every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ, our Redeemer. How wonderful that day will be! Until that time, however, we are beckoned to share the gospel with others through missionary work, at home or abroad. Joseph Smith said that “the purpose of the gift of tongues is to teach the gospel to others.”3 If we are so blessed to receive of the gifts of the Spirit, it is my hope and prayer that we will show our gratitude to God by using these sacred gifts to further His work.

1. “Come O, Thou King of Kings” Hymn #59
2. 2 Nephi 32: 2-3
3. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith