The Tongue of Angels

Nephi taught that after our baptism by water, "then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel" (2 Nephi 31:13).  He used this same phrase again when his people had questions about his teachings: "Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost? Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ" (2 Nephi 32:2-3).  One book I listened to suggested that to speak with the tongue of angels meant ultimately to be with the heavenly angels in a state of exaltation, and certainly that might be part of what Nephi was saying here.  But he also seemed to be suggesting that we would speak with the tongue of angels in this life.  But how do we do that? 

               One way in which we might speak with the tongue of angels is simply to spread the gospel as missionaries.  For example, the Lamanite converts of the sons of Ammon saw their missionaries as angels: "For they were treated as though they were angels sent from God to save them from everlasting destruction" (Alma 27:4).  One of these converts, Anti-Nephi-Lehi, also declared that "in his mercy he doth visit us by his angels, that the plan of salvation might be made known unto us as well as unto future generations," which seems to be a reference again to these missionaries, though certainly heavenly angels could have also been involved (Alma 24:14).  Alma saw the essence of an angel as one who shares the gospel powerfully: "O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!" (Alma 29:1)  Mormon also taught that the duty of angels is to teach the gospel to the children of men: "Behold, he sent angels to minister unto the children of men, to make manifest concerning the coming of Christ; and in Christ there should come every good thing" (Moroni 7:22).  Helaman similarly declared to his sons, "He hath sent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringeth unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls" (Helaman 5:11).  One of the major roles of angels is to preach the gospel by teaching the conditions of repentance to the children of men, and surely part of our developing the "tongue of angels" is to be one who opens their mouth to testify of the principles of the gospel. 

               A second way in which I believe we might speak with the tongue of angels is, as Elder Holland put it, to use words “filled with faith and hope and charity, the three great Christian imperatives so desperately needed in the world today.”  As we study the actual words that we have from angels in the scriptures, I believe we do see that they speak with love and hope and in an edifying, faith-filled manner.  For example, the angel said to Mary in the most noble language, “Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women” (Luke 1:28).  To Alma the angel said with great hope, “Blessed art thou, Alma; therefore, lift up thy head and rejoice, for thou hast great cause to rejoice; for thou hast been faithful in keeping the commandments of God” (Alma 8:15).  When Elijah was depressed and ready to die under the juniper tree, “An angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.”  He said a second time, with a meal ready for Elijah, “Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee” (1 Kings 19:7).  The angel showed great love and hope towards Elijah.  Surely using this kind of tender language is at least in part what it means for us to speak with the tongue of angels, “With such words, spoken under the influence of the Spirit, tears can be dried, hearts can be healed, lives can be elevated, hope can return, confidence can prevail.”