-- Jul 31, 1864
[Brigham Young Sermon] In my remarks this afternoon I wish to address strangers, as well as the Saints; ... Again we read of certain ones, who had been baptized to John's baptism, who were baptized again by Paul, '"and when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them, and they spake with tongues and prophesied.'" This is the Gospel we believe in and practice, now judge ye for yourselves whether we have the Bible to sustain us in this practice of the ordinances of the Gospel. I say let God be true, if it makes every man a liar. Now the inquirer asks, '"is not the Holy Ghost given to others, as well as to members of your Church?'" I would answer yes, in some instances; but in such cases they receive it through grace, not through obedience to the ordinances. ... The gifts of the Gospel are given to strengthen the faith of the believer;'"'"They shall speak with new tongues,'" saith Jesus. The stranger who is ignorant of our history inquires:'"'"Have you the gift of tongues in your Church?'" Yes, and were I to permit it now, hundreds of the Elders and the sisters would rise up in this congregation and speak in new tongues, and interpret as well as the learned of the age; but I do not permit it. Does the gift of prophesy exist with us? This fact is so evident and plain that it appears to us almost a loss of time to talk about it.... (1)
-- Nov 6, 1864
[Brigham Young Sermon] ... In my reflections I foresee a time, when we shall be able to communicate with each other easier and with much more pleasure and satisfaction than we now do; but we will then use a different language... Although the language that we now speak is as good as any language that has yet come to our knowledge, still it is very meagre, and limited in its range and power, and though it is a good medium at ordinary times, yet it comes very far short of being such a medium, as man needs to convey thoughts, when he is inspired by the power of God, through the gift of the Holy Ghost, and is full of the revelations of Jesus... It is written '"Therefore, wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy... For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent...'" When a man rises up to speak in the name of the Lord, and is filled with the light, and the intelligence and power which cometh from God, his countenance alone will convey more, to those who are inspired by the same spirit, than can possibly be conveyed, by the words of any language now used by mankind. ..... -- SLC Bowery [Journal of Discourses... Liverpool, England, 1853-86... 10:353-357; Deseret News... Also Deseret Evening News, Deseret News Weekly, Deseret News Semi- Weekly, and Deseret News Extra, Salt Lake City]. (1)
-- 1-Aug 10, 1865
[Brigham Young Sermon] .... every president, bishop, elder, priest, teacher, deacon and member standing in his order and officiating in his standing and degree of priesthood as ministers of the words of life, as shepherds to watch over departments and sections of the flock of God in all the world, and as helps to strengthen the hands of the Presidency of the whole church. A sister who receives the gift of tongues is not thereby empowered to dictate her president, or 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. ... (1)
-- Aug 26, 1866
[Brigham Young Sermon] Pres. B. Young delivered a very instructive discourse on various principles of the gospel, teaching the Saints on the gift of tongues and other gifts promised to believers, and showing how the Christian world profess a belief in the bible, but refuse to obey its teachings. -- Salt Lake City (1)
-- Jul 11, 1869
[Brigham Young Sermon] ... Jesus set in his Church, according to Paul's words to the Corinthians, firstly apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Again I will ask the question: has there been any revelation from heaven that God has taken these gifts out of His Church; and if so through whom and when? .... When I look at the economy of heaven my heart leaps for joy, and if I had the tongue of an angel, or the tongues of the whole human family combined, I would praise God in the highest for His great wisdom and condescension ... (1)
Endnotes:
1 - The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009)
LDS History Chronology: Speaking in Tongues
Mormon History Timeline: the gift of Tongues
http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/
