The Gift of Tongues Bestowed by Him
There are so many truths taught in scripture that I can hardly begin to comprehend them all. Living up to those standards is another level of impossibility, especially when I try to depend on my own strength. Replicating the miracles of the Bible is even an additional tier beyond following and applying gospel principles, but I’m not sure we are called to repeat everything that was done by the disciples of Christ. Some things, sure. But, for example, we are not called to be martyred for Christ, but to die unto self for Him.
I’ve never thought the burden was laid on me, as a Christian, to heal someone or to raise someone from the dead. Paul even taught in his first letter to the Corinthians (chapter 12) that different people are given different gifts.
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledgeby 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.
One of those gifts that I never thought to understand was the grift of tongues. I’d heard that some people at different times were able to communicate with others for purposes that glorified God, but I couldn’t name a single specific example of that being applied, until I was trying to share the gospel with two young Japanese exchange students while serving as a full time missionary and disciple of Christ.
A lovely family that served so many in our local congregation – I think it was the Edmond Second Ward – had invited us to dinner at their house. They had to exchange students living with them that had just arrived days before. We enjoyed our meal and then retired to the living room. The husband and wife had asked us to prepare to share a lesson with the family and we were more than happy to do so.
The lady explained that the exchange students, Akiko Fujimori and Yuka Chicada, couldn’t speak much English at all, but perhaps they could pick up some of the key points. Please forgive me if I’ve spelled their names wrong; it’s been many years now. I had introduced myself to them upon arrival, and they were kind and receptive, but didn’t speak. As I began sharing the lesson, I felt comfortable that I could speak directly to the two young ladies as I share my understanding of who our Father in Heaven is, and who His son, Jesus Christ, is. The Spirit of God filled the room as I testified of these basic truths that I had shared a thousand times before.
To be clear, this isn’t and wasn’t about me. This was the presence and blessing of God Almighty, whom in His sovereign will, chose to bless us with His spirit that night.
Akiko and Yuka seemed to light up as I testified of the wonder of Jesus as our Savior. For the first time since we had arrived, they both looked intently interested. I was grateful for their apparent engagement, but didn’t think more of it. Then Akiko asked a question about who Jesus was. I understood her question as clearly as anyone speaking in my own Alabama dialect, but she was speaking her language.
I answered her, not even thinking about translation or language barriers, but focusing on the message. Jesus is the Son of God who was born of the Virgin Mary, in a small town called Bethlehem in Israel some 2000 before. He lived a perfect life and set a perfect example in how we should live. Then He chose to allow himself to suffer for all of our sins and was crucified on a Roman cross in Jerusalem. He died on that cross, fulfilling all justice for His followers who have no way to pay the price of our own sins. Then he was buried in a tomb and a large rock rolled in front of the tomb. Three days later He took up His body and made it perfect – no longer mortal, but resurrected and made perfect. Jesus rose from death, and because He rose, we too will be resurrected and will be able to live with Him in heaven.
Akiko and Yuka were moved by this testimony of eternal truth – the promise of salvation through the Son of God who died for us. I was moved just sharing it. The family whose home we were in were moved to tears despite hearing these truths many times before themselves.
Yuka asked a question about whether this salvation and resurrection was available to her too. She had no selfishness in her question; just wanting to be a part of this promise.
I explained that Jesus taught that all are called to repent and turn to Him.
John 1: 11-13: He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons [and daughters] of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Tears filled their eyes and flowed down my cheeks as we shared in the joy of His promise and the hope in Him. They both asked several more questions and the Holy Ghost testified of the truths we shared. I confess that this was a bit overwhelming to me, a simple kid from Alabama sitting in a home in Washington and sharing the Gospel of Salvation with these two young ladies from Japan.
I asked both Yuka and Akiko if they wanted to learn more, and offered to visit as often as they like to teach them the simple and beautiful principles of the Gospel. They were both delighted to hear more, though Akiko seemed more ready to jump in than Yuka. I asked the man whose living room we were in if he would pray and thank the Lord for the blessing we had enjoyed in sharing there.
After his prayer, we stood and I turned to the girls. They both said something, but I didn’t understand any of it. Instantly, it occurred to me what had just happened. My mind was racing trying to figure it out, but it wasn’t about figuring anything out. Almighty God had blessed us with the gift of tongues, and we understood one another in every way for ahis glory. I didn’t speak Japanese and they didn’t speak English. The Spirit of God translated our words and blessed us with the ability to understand one another perfectly.
We returned several more times to share, and each visit was filled with the love of God. Of course, being an LDS missionary, I invited Akiko and Yuka to be baptized, but both were under 18 and their parents back home in Japan wouldn’t be able to give permission so easily. Unhindered, my missionary companion and I loved visiting and sharing.
At no other time in my life, before or since, have I experienced the gift of tongues. I’m not sure I’ve been in a situation where it was needed. I didn’t ask for it that evening in that families home, but Heavenly Father saw fit to give us that gift for His glory. How humbled was I to experience such a blessing, not of myself or anything I could have done, but by and through God, who is mighty to save.