Hello everyone! So if an Angel of God came to visit you, how do you think he/she would speak to you?
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So recently I gave a training on learning the tongue of Angels. We as children of God have a great power in the way we use words. I think I realized that at a young age, because I have always made a conscious effort to not get into bad habits of saying crude phrases or bad words. I never liked the feeling that I felt when I heard or said those things. Words have such a deeper impact on us than many of us think! Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, an Apostle of the Lord, realized this and was inspired to give a beautiful talk on "The Tongue of Angels".
When God created the World, He used words. He said, "Let there be light", and the light appeared. Elder Holland said, "Like all gifts 'which cometh from above' words are 'sacred, and must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit.'"
In the Bible, James explains how we can become "perfect" in this area of our lives. He said:
I may not have been the best at this when I was in school, but now all I can say is how important it is to me now to be so respectful and kind to my family and my peers. I love my family and cherish them, and want to be with them forever. I also love and respect my friends and those whom I work with. We should show our loved ones what they mean to us by the way we speak to them.
To give an example of the importance of words, as missionaries, we are literally representing the Savior, Jesus Christ. We are serving the children of God and teaching them the Gospel. Think about how crucial it is for us to be Christlike in our speech, to be pure in thought and word. If we want to have the Spirit to speak the words of Salvation, we have to speak with the tongue of Angels. Thus it should be with all children of God!
Maybe one may not be so bad at saying inappropriate words, but another way we can misuse the power of words is by how we speak about ourselves and others. I can tend to complain when I'm having a rough day and I definitely am not nice to myself... I realize I am not perfect in this aspect, but I know I can control my tongue and choose not to verbalize my thoughts. If my thoughts are pure and positive, so will be my words! I notice when I am positive when I speak, my confidence is stronger. I am happier. I am at peace with everyone! However the opposite, when I am being negative I feel burdened and feel a loss of purpose; even I can become physically sick. I know the Lord is pleased when we chose to share the light that comes from uplifting and loving words, and it allows Him to bless us.
"Let thya bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let b virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy c confidence wax strong in the d presence of God.." -Doctrine and Covenants 121:45
So, I have made it a goal to refine my speech and to not say bad things about myself, especially the phrase "I'm so fat". :) It will be a process, but I know the Lord made it possible for us to become perfect, even in this area of our lives.
So my friends, what are you going to do to purify your speech this week?
Read or watch all of Elder Holland's Talk below! It's amazing--well worth your time! Have a great day!
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2007/04/the-tongue-of-angels
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So recently I gave a training on learning the tongue of Angels. We as children of God have a great power in the way we use words. I think I realized that at a young age, because I have always made a conscious effort to not get into bad habits of saying crude phrases or bad words. I never liked the feeling that I felt when I heard or said those things. Words have such a deeper impact on us than many of us think! Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, an Apostle of the Lord, realized this and was inspired to give a beautiful talk on "The Tongue of Angels".
When God created the World, He used words. He said, "Let there be light", and the light appeared. Elder Holland said, "Like all gifts 'which cometh from above' words are 'sacred, and must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit.'"
In the Bible, James explains how we can become "perfect" in this area of our lives. He said:
"For in many things we a offend all. If any man b offend not inc word, the same is a d perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the a governor listeth.
Even so the tongue is a little member, and a boasteth great things. Behold, how great a b matter a little fire kindleth!
And the a tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell
...Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith a cursewe men, which are made after the b similitude of God.
Out of the same a mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be."
I love that. My brothers and sisters, these things ought not so to be! It is so true that what we say effects our spiritual and physical well being. I personally don't believe in the phrase "sticks and stones can break my bones but words will never hurt me". Just like how words can be uplifting and loving, they can also be offensive and abusive. They can lead to joy and confidence if used to strengthen and bless, or they can lead to depression and hate if used to break down and curse. There is opposition in all things, even words.I may not have been the best at this when I was in school, but now all I can say is how important it is to me now to be so respectful and kind to my family and my peers. I love my family and cherish them, and want to be with them forever. I also love and respect my friends and those whom I work with. We should show our loved ones what they mean to us by the way we speak to them.
To give an example of the importance of words, as missionaries, we are literally representing the Savior, Jesus Christ. We are serving the children of God and teaching them the Gospel. Think about how crucial it is for us to be Christlike in our speech, to be pure in thought and word. If we want to have the Spirit to speak the words of Salvation, we have to speak with the tongue of Angels. Thus it should be with all children of God!
Maybe one may not be so bad at saying inappropriate words, but another way we can misuse the power of words is by how we speak about ourselves and others. I can tend to complain when I'm having a rough day and I definitely am not nice to myself... I realize I am not perfect in this aspect, but I know I can control my tongue and choose not to verbalize my thoughts. If my thoughts are pure and positive, so will be my words! I notice when I am positive when I speak, my confidence is stronger. I am happier. I am at peace with everyone! However the opposite, when I am being negative I feel burdened and feel a loss of purpose; even I can become physically sick. I know the Lord is pleased when we chose to share the light that comes from uplifting and loving words, and it allows Him to bless us.
"Let thy
So, I have made it a goal to refine my speech and to not say bad things about myself, especially the phrase "I'm so fat". :) It will be a process, but I know the Lord made it possible for us to become perfect, even in this area of our lives.
So my friends, what are you going to do to purify your speech this week?
Read or watch all of Elder Holland's Talk below! It's amazing--well worth your time! Have a great day!
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2007/04/the-tongue-of-angels
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