The Gift of Tongues
Doctrine and Covenants 46:24
24 And again, it is given to some to speak with tongues . . .
Elder Robert D. Hales said:
“We are told by prophets in this dispensation that revelation for the direction of the Church will not be given through the gift of tongues. The reason for this is that it is very easy for Lucifer to falsely duplicate the gift of tongues and confuse the members of the Church.
“Satan has the power to trick us as it pertains to some of the gifts of the Spirit. One in which he is the most deceptive is the gift of tongues. Joseph Smith and Brigham Young . . . explained the need to be cautious when considering the gift of tongues.
“‘You may speak in tongues for your own comfort, but I lay this down for a rule, that if anything is taught by the gift of tongues, it is not to be received for doctrine’ (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 229).
“‘Speak not in the gift of tongues without understanding it, or without interpretation. The devil can speak in tongues’ (Teachings, 162).
“‘The gift of tongues is not . . . empowered to dictate . . . the Church. All gifts and endowments given of the Lord to members of His Church are not given to control the Church; but they are under the control and guidance of the Priesthood, and are judged of by it’ (Discourses of Brigham Young, comp. John A. Widtsoe [1941], 343).”
(“Gifts of the Spirit,” Ensign, Feb. 2002, 14–15.)
