The Articles of Faith Part 27

[672] Doc. and Cov. xlvi, 8-29.

[673] Doc. and Cov. xlvi, 11-26; see also I Cor. xii, 4-11.

=13. The Gift of Tongues and Interpretation.=--The gift of tongues const.i.tuted one of the first miraculous manifestations of the Holy Ghost unto the apostles of old. It was included by the Savior among the special signs appointed to follow the believer; "In my name," said He, "they shall speak with new tongues."[674] The early fulfillment of this promise in the case of the apostles themselves was realized on the succeeding Pentecost, when they, having a.s.sembled in one place, were filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak in strange tongues.[675] When the door of the Gospel was first opened to the Gentiles, the converts rejoiced in the Holy Ghost which had fallen upon them and which gave them utterance in tongues.[676] This gift with others manifested itself among certain disciples at Ephesus,[677]

on the occasion of their receiving the Holy Ghost. In the present dispensation, this gift, again promised to the Saints, finds frequent exercise. Its chief employment is in the function of praise rather than that of instruction and preaching; and this is agreeable to Paul's teaching, "For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men but unto G.o.d."[678] An unusual manifestation of the gift was witnessed on the occasion of the Pentecostal conversion of the Jews, already referred to, when the apostles addressing the mult.i.tude, were understood by all the diversified company, each listener hearing their teachings in his own tongue.[679] This special gift was here a.s.sociated with higher endowments of power; the occasion was one of instruction, admonition, and prophecy. The gift of interpretation may be possessed by the one speaking in tongues, though more commonly the separate powers are exercised by different persons.

[674] Mark xvi, 17.

[675] Acts ii, 4.

[676] Acts x, 46.

[677] Acts xix, 6.

[678] I Cor. xiv, 2.

[679] Acts ii, 6-12.

=14. The Gift of Healing= was exercised extensively in the dispensation of the Savior and His apostles; indeed, healing const.i.tuted by far the greater part of the miracles wrought at that time. By authoritative ministrations, the eyes of the blind were opened; the dumb were made to speak; the deaf to hear; the lame leaped for joy; afflicted mortals, bowed with infirmity, were lifted erect and enjoyed the vigor of youth; the palsied were made well; lepers were cleansed; impotence was banished; and fevers were a.s.suaged. In this, the dispensation of the fulness of times, this power is possessed by the Church, and its manifestation is of frequent occurrence among the Saints. Thousands of blessed recipients can testify to the fulfillment of the Lord's promise, that if His servants lay hands on the sick, they shall recover.[680]

[680] Mark xvi, 18; see also Doc. and Cov. lx.x.xiv, 68.

=15.= The usual method of administering to the sick is by the imposition of hands of those who possess the requisite authority of the priesthood;--this being agreeable to the Savior's instructions in former days,[681] and according to Divine revelation in the present day.[682] This part of the ordinance is usually preceded by an anointing with oil previously consecrated. The Latter-day Saints profess to abide by the counsels of James of old,[683] "Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him."

[681] The same; see also James v, 14, 15.

[682] Doc. and Cov. xlii, 43-44.

[683] James v, 14, 15.

=16.= Though the authority to administer to the sick belongs to the elders of the Church in general, some possess this power in an unusual degree, having received it as a special endowment of the Spirit.

Another gift, allied to this, is the power of exercising faith to be healed;[684] which is manifested in varying degrees. Not always are the administrations of the elders followed by immediate healings; the afflicted may be permitted to suffer in body, perhaps for the accomplishment of Divine purposes,[685] and in the time appointed of the Lord, His children pa.s.s through bodily death. But let the counsels of G.o.d be observed in administering to the afflicted; then if they recover, they live unto the Lord; and the a.s.suring promise is added that those who die under such conditions die unto the Lord.[686]

[684] Doc. and Cov. xlvi, 19; xlii, 48-51; see also Acts xiv, 9; Matt, viii, 10; ix, 28, 29.

[685] See instances of Job.

[686] Doc. and Cov. xlii, 44-46.

=17. Visions and Dreams= have const.i.tuted a means of communication between G.o.d and His children in every dispensation of the priesthood.

In general, visions are manifested to the waking senses, whilst dreams are given during sleep. In the vision, however, the senses may be so affected as to render the person practically unconscious, at least oblivious to ordinary occurrences, while he is able to discern the heavenly manifestation. In the earlier dispensations, the Lord very frequently communicated through dreams and visions, often-times revealing to His prophets the events of the future even to the latest generations. From the mult.i.tude of instances recorded, let us select a few. Consider the case of Enoch,[687] unto whom the Lord spake face to face, showing him the course of the human family until and beyond the second coming of the Savior. The brother of Jared[688] because of his righteousness was so blessed of G.o.d as to be shown all the inhabitants of the earth, both those who had previously existed and those who were to follow. Unto Moses the will of G.o.d was made known with the visual manifestation of fire.[689] Lehi received his instructions to leave Jerusalem[690] through dreams; and on many subsequent occasions the Lord communicated with this patriarch of the western world by visions and by dreams. The Old Testament prophets were generally so favored; e. g., Jacob the father of all Israel,[691] Job the patient sufferer,[692] Jeremiah,[693] Ezekiel,[694] Daniel,[695]

Habakkuk,[696] Zechariah.[697]

[687] Pearl of Great Price: Moses vi, 27-39.

[688] Ether iii.

[689] Exo. iii, 2.

[690] I Nephi ii, 2-4.

[691] Gen. xlvi, 2.

[692] Job iv, 12-21.

[693] Jer. i, 11-16.

[694] Ezek. i; ii, 9, 10; iii, 22, 23; viii; x.x.xvii, 1-10, etc.

[695] Dan. vii; viii.

[696] Hab. ii, 2, 3.

[697] Zech. i, 8-11; 18-21; ii, 1, 2; iv; v; vi, 1-8.

=18.= The dispensation of Christ and His apostles was marked by similar manifestations. The birth of John the Baptist was fore-told to his father while he was officiating in priestly functions.[698]

Joseph, betrothed to the Virgin, received through an angel's visit[699] tidings of the Christ yet to be born; and on subsequent occasions he received warnings and instructions in dreams concerning the welfare of the Holy Child.[700] The Magi, returning from their pilgrimage of worship, were warned in dreams of Herod's treacherous designs.[701] Saul of Tarsus was shown in a vision the messenger whom G.o.d was about to send to him to minister in the ordinances of the priesthood;[702] and other visions followed.[703] Peter was prepared for the ministry to the Gentiles through a vision;[704] and John was so favored of G.o.d in this respect that the book of Revelation is occupied by the record.

[698] Luke i, 5-22.

[699] Matt. i, 20.

[700] Matt. ii, 13, 19, 22.

[701] Matt. ii, 12.

[702] Acts ix, 12.

[703] Acts xvi, 9; xviii, 9, 10; xxii, 17-21.

[704] Acts x, 10-16; xi, 5-10.

=19.= Most of the visions and dreams recorded in scripture have been given to the chosen people through the ministering priesthood; but there are exceptional instances of such manifestations unto some, who, at the time, had not entered the fold. Such, for example, was the case with Saul and Cornelius; but in these instances the Divine manifestations were immediately preliminary to conversion. Dreams with special import were given to Pharaoh,[705] Nebuchadnezzar,[706]

and others; but it required a higher power than their own to interpret them; and Joseph and Daniel were called to officiate. The dream given to the Midianite soldier, and its interpretation by his fellow,[707]

betokening the victory of Gideon, were true manifestations; as also the dream of Pilate's wife,[708] in which she learned of the innocence of the accused Christ.

[705] Gen. xli; see other instances in Gen. xl.

[706] Dan. ii.

[707] Jud. vii, 13, 14.

[708] Matt. xxvii, 19.

=20. The Gift of Prophecy= distinguishes its possessor as a prophet,--literally, one who speaks for another; specifically, one who speaks for G.o.d,[709] It is distinguished by Paul as one of the most desirable of spiritual endowments, and its pre-eminence over the gift of tongues he discusses at length.[710] To prophesy is to receive and declare the word of G.o.d, and the statement of His will to the people.

The function of prediction, often regarded as the sole essential of prophecy, is but one among many characteristics of this divinely given power. The prophet may have as much concern with the past as with the present or the future; he may exercise his gift in teaching through the light of, and by the experience of preceding events, as in fore-telling occurrences. The prophets of G.o.d have ever been in special favor with Him, being privileged to learn of His will and designs; indeed, the promise is made that the Lord will do nothing except He reveal His secret purposes unto His servants, the prophets.[711] These chosen oracles stand as mediators between G.o.d and mortals, pleading for or against the people.[712]

[709] See note 2.