Tongues and Prophecy Compared

1 Corinthians 14:1-28; "Two of the gifts of the Spirit are speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues. (Moroni 10:15-16; D&C 46:24-25; 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28, 30; 14.) These gifts have been manifest among the saints in every age (Omni 25; Alma 9:21; 3 Nephi 29:6; Mormon 9:7), and they are desirable and useful in the Lord's work. 'Let the gift of tongues be poured out upon thy people, even cloven tongues as of fire, and the interpretation thereof,' the Prophet prayed at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple. (D&C 109:36.)

1 Corinthians 14:1-28; "Tongues and their interpretation are classed among the signs and miracles which always attend the faithful and which stand as evidences of the divinity of the Lord's work. (Mormon 9:24; Mark 16:17; Acts 10:46; 19:6.) In their more dramatic manifestations they consist in speaking or interpreting, by the power of the Spirit, a tongue which is completely unknown to the speaker or interpreter. Sometimes it is the pure Adamic language which is involved. Frequently these gifts are manifest where the ordinary languages of the day are concerned in that the Lord's missionaries learn to speak and interpret foreign languages with ease, thus furthering the spread of the message of the restoration. When the elders of Israel, often in a matter of weeks, gain fluency in a foreign tongue, they have been blessed with the gift of tongues.

1 Corinthians 14:1-28; "An ideal and proper use of tongues was shown forth on the day of Pentecost. By using this gift the apostles were enabled to speak in their own tongue and be understood by persons of many different tongues. (Acts 2:1-18.) Indeed, 'the gift of tongues by the power of the Holy Ghost in the Church,' as the Prophet said, 'is for the benefit of the servants of God to preach to unbelievers, as on the day of Pentecost. (Teachings, p. 195.) 'Be not so curious about tongues,' the Prophet also said. 'Do not speak in tongues except there be an interpreter present; the ultimate design of tongues is to speak to foreigners, and if persons are very anxious to display their intelligence, let them speak to such in their own tongues [that is, in the tongues of the foreigners].' (Teachings, pp. 247-248.)

1 Corinthians 14:1-28; "Caution should always attend the use of the gift of tongues. 'It is not necessary,' for instance, 'for tongues to be taught to the Church particularly, for any man that has the Holy Ghost, can speak of the things of God in his own tongue as well as to speak in another; for faith comes not by signs, but by hearing the word of God.' (Teachings, pp. 148-149.) 'If anything is taught by the gifts of tongues, it is not to be received for doctrine.' (Teachings, p. 229.) 'Speak not in the gift of tongues without understanding it, or without interpretation. The devil can speak in tongues; the adversary will come with his work; he can tempt all classes; can speak in English or Dutch. Let no one speak in tongues unless he interpret, except by the consent of the one who is placed to preside; then he may discern or interpret, or another may.' (Teachings, p. 162, 212.)

1 Corinthians 14:1-28; "Tongues and their interpretation are given for special purposes under special circumstances. There are a host of gifts that are far more important and in the use of which there is less chance for deception. The gifts of exhortation, of preaching, of expounding doctrine, of teaching the gospel—though not nearly so dramatic—are far greater and of more value than tongues. 'In the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also,' Paul averred, 'than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.' (1 Corinthians 14:19.)

1 Corinthians 14:1-28; "As with other spiritual gifts, tongues 'never will be done away,' as long as the earth remains in its present state, 'only according to the unbelief of the children of men.' (Moroni 10:19.) But in the ultimate perfect day the gifts pertaining to tongues 'shall cease.' (1 Corinthians 13:8.) Obviously in that final glorious day when the saints know all things (which includes a perfect knowledge of all languages) it will no longer be either necessary or possible to speak in tongues and give interpretation thereto." (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed., pp. 799-801.)

1 Corinthians 14:1; 1. Prophecy is greater than charity, because in order to prophesy a man must first have the pure love of Christ in his soul (which is charity), and then he must attune himself to the Holy Spirit so as to receive the spirit of revelation and of prophecy. Chiefly the gift of prophecy is to know by revelation from the Holy Ghost of the divine Sonship of our Lord. See Revelation 19:9b-10.

1 Corinthians 14:5; 5. Tongues and prophecy belong in and are found in the true Church.

1 Corinthians 14:16; 16. It is proper practice for the congregation to say Amen at the conclusion of a gospel sermon, thus signifying acceptance of and concurrence in what has been said.

1 Corinthians 14:19; 19. Suppose a speaker should say: "God is an exalted Man"—five simple words; would they not, as Paul reasons, be worth more than endless sermons in unknown tongues?

1 Corinthians 14:22-23; 22-23. See Acts 2:1-21.

1 Corinthians 14:26; 26. In testimony meetings, members of the congregation, in an orderly manner, are privileged to sing, testify, speak, or exhort, as the Spirit directs.