The Gift of Tongues

A spiritual gift may take many forms. When it comes to the Gift of Tongues, it is to be understood in its highest form as the ability to perfectly communicate a message to the receiver who comprehends it without error or misunderstanding. The message is composed of light (intelligence) and truth. The Gift of Tongues precludes any misunderstandings, miscommunication, misinterpretation, and instead perfectly transmits the intent, context, and message of the communique in such a way that the receiver loses nothing. 

It is easy to miscommunicate. As Mark Twain said, “The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. ‘tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.”

 

God speaks to you in your language. He chooses the right words. There is no loftiness, pride, or haughtiness. When you are speaking, He intently listens. He does not interrupt you; even should you meander. He uses phrases and expressions common to you. When He does this, it is a condescension on His part. 

 

Other times, He may elevate you towards Him. In this, when He speaks, there is more than just words being communicated. His spirit elevates your mind to comprehend infinite bits of data so that your understanding is perfect (i.e., you comprehend what He wanted and intended to communicate to you without any error – this is the Gift of Tongues). As your spiritual eyes transfigure to discern all that is being shown, your entire soul submerges into this completely immersive experience. No IMAX with motion seats and hundreds of surround sound speakers can compete. It might lead one to fall to the earth and take hours to regain strength. Or another’s heart to stretch as wide as eternity and his yearning make eternity shake. Or you lose inhibition as you shout for joy in His name. 

 

Alma desired this gift, to have a voice of an angel, with not only the volume to be heard but more importantly- to be understood. In scripture this is typically expressed by being heard “in your heart.” This is the Gift of Tongues taking the message and ensuring you comprehend the truth. If your “heart is hard” you cannot be the beneficiary of this gift, just as the ancient Israelites completely missed the types of Christ in the wilderness (a symbol being communicated) “because of the hardness of their hearts” (RE Alma 16:32). 

 

A “hard heart” (unbelief, slothful, stubborn, obstinate, neck made of iron, brows made of brass) or “soft heart” (as a child- submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things, even as a child to the Father) can greatly determine the degree to which the Gift of Tongues can bless your life.