Mary Mother of God Spoke in Tongues

[prisonchaplain]

I am almost embarrassed to admit that, after over 40 years in Pentecost, over 20 as a minister, I had never come across the insight I heard yesterday--on Mother's Day.  My church had a guest speaker--a Presbyterian minister, who happened to be Pentecostal (okay--that was important in our church).  He pointed out Mary was in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost.  Scripture says they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and spake in tongues.  So, if this infilling of the Spirit is good enough for the Mother of God, is it not something we should pursue?

 

So, how does this play out in LDS spirituality?  Do folk speak of experiences with the Spirit.  I know that "led by the Spirit" is a common refrain.  Seeking confirmation from the Spirit is as well.  What of being filled?  And, what would be the result of such an experience?

 

In Protestantism there are a few ideas about this.  The main two are that the infilling of the Spirit is for power--to be witnesses.  The other, is that its power for holiness (sanctification).  A few even believe there are distinct experiences for each.

 

If nothing else, I'm reminded of Jesus promise that if we seek righteousness we will be filled.  Further, if we seek gifts from the Father, he'll not give us bad ones.

[Vort]

When I think of "filled with the Spirit", I think in terms of sanctification. Indeed, the protective influence of the Spirit is required to be in the presence of God, as many scriptural examples make clear. But being "filled with the Spirit" also betokens great power, both spiritual and physical, e.g. Laman and Lemuel quailing before Nephi. So I guess I would say both.

[theSQUIDSTER]

 

So, how does this play out in LDS spirituality?  Do folk speak of experiences with the Spirit.  I know that "led by the Spirit" is a common refrain.  Seeking confirmation from the Spirit is as well.  What of being filled?  And, what would be the result of such an experience?

 

In Protestantism there are a few ideas about this.  The main two are that the infilling of the Spirit is for power--to be witnesses.  The other, is that its power for holiness (sanctification).  A few even believe there are distinct experiences for each.

 

If nothing else, I'm reminded of Jesus promise that if we seek righteousness we will be filled.  Further, if we seek gifts from the Father, he'll not give us bad ones.

Being filled with the Spirit of the Lord is an essential part of being a true follower of Christ. I believe that most Christians, who are active and deeply committed to their faith, believe this and earnestly seek after what our Lord referred to as "living water." (John 4:10). We seek the spiritual nourishment that He has promised. But how do we find it? How will we know when we've found it?

Let me quote you one of my favorite scriptures that talks about experiencing the Spirit:

Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together. (Doctrine & Covenants 50:22)

For me, the most powerful spiritual experiences have always drawn me closer to others and increased my love and understanding for them. In contrast, when I have at times sought to gratify my own pride by choosing something for selfish reasons, I may feel smug and self-satisfied for a little while, but feel my love and understanding diminish a little.. In such moments, pleasureable though they may be I find myself dissatisfied .. still, thirsting for something.. When I come to myself (come to my spiritual senses) I realize that the experience was NOT an edifying one, and so, was probably more of the "arm of flesh" at work rather than the Spirit of the Lord working through me. That's when I know it's time for me to hit my knees, apologize to my Father and then get up and go apologize to whoever I've pushed away... usually a family member or friend.

[Traveler]

I am almost embarrassed to admit that, after over 40 years in Pentecost, over 20 as a minister, I had never come across the insight I heard yesterday--on Mother's Day.  My church had a guest speaker--a Presbyterian minister, who happened to be Pentecostal (okay--that was important in our church).  He pointed out Mary was in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost.  Scripture says they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and spake in tongues.  So, if this infilling of the Spirit is good enough for the Mother of God, is it not something we should pursue?

 

So, how does this play out in LDS spirituality?  Do folk speak of experiences with the Spirit.  I know that "led by the Spirit" is a common refrain.  Seeking confirmation from the Spirit is as well.  What of being filled?  And, what would be the result of such an experience?

 

In Protestantism there are a few ideas about this.  The main two are that the infilling of the Spirit is for power--to be witnesses.  The other, is that its power for holiness (sanctification).  A few even believe there are distinct experiences for each.

 

If nothing else, I'm reminded of Jesus promise that if we seek righteousness we will be filled.  Further, if we seek gifts from the Father, he'll not give us bad ones.

 

This event recorded in Acts chapter is of great interest to me.  I have come to realize that many call themselves Pentecostals based on their understanding of this scripture and the events being replicated in their expressions of faith.  But this appears to me that the understanding of Pentecost is disconnected from the power of the event that is expressed beginning in verse 6.  Not just a strange tongue but that everyone individual present heard the utterances in their own tongue to which they were born. 

 

I do not know of any other documentation of this event taking place as described in Acts chapter 2.  There are claims but in my checking (attempts to validate) - there were not multiple individuals hearing in their own native tongue.   There is also the sound of the rushing of wind.

 

I have no doubt of the great spirituality of Mary nor or her obvious presents at many most sacred moments.  I do wonder and have concern at efforts to counterfeit that which is divine as per the example of the false priests opposing Moses before pharaoh.

[Finrock]

Good afternoon prisonchaplain! I hope you've been well. :)

 

I also associate being filled with the spirit with sanctification. I believe that in the Book of Mosiah, in the Book of Mormon the experience that the people of King Benjamin experienced was one of being spirit filled and consequently sanctified. I believe that that this experience is associated with being baptized by fire or our spiritual rebirth. In other words, I believe in being born again and being filled with the spirit is an indicator that this event has occurred in your life.

 

1 And now, it came to pass that when king Benjamin had thus spoken to his people, he sent among them, desiring to know of his people if they ^abelieved the words which he had spoken unto them.

2 And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty ^achange in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do ^bevil, but to do good continually.

3 And we, ourselves, also, through the infinite ^agoodness of God, and the manifestations of his Spirit, have great views of that which is to come; and were it expedient, we could prophesy of all things.

4 And it is the faith which we have had on the things which our king has spoken unto us that has brought us to this great knowledge, whereby we do rejoice with such exceedingly great joy.

5 And we are willing to enter into a ^acovenant with our God to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days, that we may not bring upon ourselves a ^bnever-ending torment, as has been spoken by the ^cangel, that we may not drink out of the cup of the wrath of God.

6 And now, these are the words which king Benjamin desired of them; and therefore he said unto them: Ye have spoken the words that I desired; and the covenant which ye have made is a righteous covenant.

7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the ^achildren of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are ^bchanged through faith on his name; therefore, ye are ^cborn of him and have become his ^dsons and his daughters (Mosiah 5).

 

-Finrock

[Blackmarch]

To be given spirit so as to be able to exercise the will and power of god in his name, this can manifest as any number of gifts/miraculous occurence bith written and unwritten. This is one reason why the gift of the holy ghost isso important.

[prisonchaplain]

This event recorded in Acts chapter is of great interest to me.  I have come to realize that many call themselves Pentecostals based on their understanding of this scripture and the events being replicated in their expressions of faith.  But this appears to me that the understanding of Pentecost is disconnected from the power of the event that is expressed beginning in verse 6.  Not just a strange tongue but that everyone individual present heard the utterances in their own tongue to which they were born. 

 

I do not know of any other documentation of this event taking place as described in Acts chapter 2.  There are claims but in my checking (attempts to validate) - there were not multiple individuals hearing in their own native tongue.   There is also the sound of the rushing of wind.

 

I have no doubt of the great spirituality of Mary nor or her obvious presents at many most sacred moments.  I do wonder and have concern at efforts to counterfeit that which is divine as per the example of the false priests opposing Moses before pharaoh.

 

See the following for a discussion of whether tongues were to be generally understood as foreign languages or as unknown: http://enrichmentjournal.ag.org/top/Holy_Spirit/200702.cfm

[Average Joe]

Heber C. Kimball remembered he and Brigham Young visiting a group Mormons who spoke in tongues. Brigham and Heber were baptized shortly thereafter, and it was Brigham Young who introduced Joseph Smith to speaking in tongues. With the prophet's endorsement (including his singing in tongues), the practice spread...Speaking in tongues became an integral part of 19th century Mormon spirituality...The frequency of the gift slowed and eventually those who commonly spoke in tongues died off. Sometimes, manifestations of the gift in the 20th century were regarded with suspicion. Eventually church materials would define the gift of tongues primarily as the ability for missionaries or others to learn languages to preach the gospel. (read more here).

 

Prayer is often a method used in the Book of Mormon to bring about being filled with the spirit/sanctified: 

 

Lehi, as he went forth prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart, in behalf of his people… And it came to pass that…he was filled with the Spirit of the Lord. (1 Nephi 1:5 & 12).

 

And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul...And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed... And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away. (Enos vs 4-6)

 

Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God. (Helaman 3:35)

Edited May 12, 2015 by Average Joe