| Greater Things > Books > A New Testament: A Mighty Change for a New World | by Sterling D. Allan |
> Part I: Gospel/Doctrine of Christ > New Heart and New Tongue |
|
A New Heart and the New Tongue
| Greater Things > Lexicon of Life > tongues | ||
|
As can be seen in many of the examples above, a common feature accompanying the receipt of the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost is the enabling of one to "speak with the tongue of angels," or with "a new tongue." (2 Ne. 31:13,14.) Mormon declared that speaking "with new tongues" is among the signs that "follow them that believe" (Morm. 9:24), and "he that denieth these things knoweth not the gospel of Christ; yea, he has not read the scriptures; if so, he does not understand them" (Morm. 9:8).
The specific gift of speaking with tongues, commonly associated with foreign languages, is given to "some" (D&C 46:24) but not all, "for all have not every gift given unto them" (46:11).
However, the "new tongue," or "the tongue of angels" associated with the receipt of the Holy Ghost appears to have a different manifestation; and is, in at least one sense, an inseparable bestowal accompanying the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost. One thus filled has not only the desire, but now also the glorified ability to "shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel." (2 Ne. 31:13.)
Perhaps we could ascribe this new tongue to what enabled the people of king Benjamin to speak "with one voice" (Msh. 4:2) at the time when "the Spirit of the Lord came upon them," giving them "a remission of their sin" (Msh. 4:3). Shortly thereafter, as "they all cried with one voice," they said, "We, ourselves, also, through the infinite goodness of God, and the manifestations of his Spirit, have great views of that which is to come; and were it expedient, we could prophesy of all things." (Msh. 5:3.)
The new tongue may also be viewed as evidence of a new heart, for "a good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh." (Luke 6:45.)
After this marvelous transforming event has taken place, speaking with the tongue of angels itself serves a continuing means by which we may "press forward, feasting upon the words of Christ." (2 Ne. 31:20.) Nephi equates speaking "with the tongue of angels" with speaking "by the power of the Holy Ghost," or speaking "the words of Christ;" and "the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do." (2 Ne. 32:2,3.)
When one speaks by the power of the Holy Ghost, it matters not whether he be man or angel, for his words will be the words of Christ, which is the language of the angels of God. "And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation." (D&C 68:4.)
Hence, "the scattered remnants are exhorted to return to the Lord from whence they have fallen; which if they do, the promise of the Lord is that he will speak to them, to give them revelation." (D&C 113:10.) "For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do. Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more doctrine given until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh." (2 Ne. 32:5,6a.) At that point, "when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do." (2 Ne. 32:6b.)
See also "Tongues" and "fire" in the Greek New Testament Lexicon
<-- Previous | Greater Things home | MIGHTY CHANGE - Contents | Next --> |
Additional Commentary from e-mail
From: NaBerTown@aol.com
To: Baptism_of_Fire@topica.com
Date: Friday, September 03, 1999 8:51 PM
Subject: Baptism_of_Fire Gift of TonguesTo me the "gift of tongues" has been greatly confused by modern day Christianity. In the JST of the Bible, 1 Corinthians 14:2 he translates "an unknown tongue" as "another tongue." That would signify that speaking in tongues is more akin to speaking in "another language." Paul's explanation also adds clarification to the difference and importance between "tongues" and "prophesy." Still in chapter 14, in verse 22 Paul explains which is more important.
What does all this have to do with your question? Simply this, yes in the early days of our Church there were instances of people speaking in tongues. Those manifestation ended when false spirit began showing up imitating the "gift of tongues." Recognize that with speaking in tongues an interpretation MUST, of necessity be given or no one is edified. Consequently, the Gift of Tongues are as follows:
 | 1) one speaks in another language where little or no training was given (MTC). |
| 2) one understand another language where NO training in that language was given (I have heard that President Spencer W. Kimball acquired that once). |
| 3) one prays in another language, yet NO words are uttered as the Spirit knows our needs and communicates then, "with groanings which cannot be uttered" (Romans 8:26). I have personally had that happen to me and I testify that it is true. |
Jose.
