Discourse, 26 December 1841, as Reported by Willard Richards

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Discourse, 26 December 1841, as Reported by Willard Richards
Source Note

JS, Discourse, [
Nauvoo
Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....
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, Hancock Co., IL, 26 Dec. 1841]. Featured version copied [ca. 26 Dec. 1841] in JS, Journal, 26 Dec. 1841, in Book of the Law of the Lord, p. 39; handwriting of
Willard Richards
24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...
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; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Revelation, 19 Jan. 1841 [D&C 124].

Historical Introduction
On the evening of Sunday, 26 December 1841, JS delivered a discourse in
Nauvoo
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, Illinois, on the gift of tongues. The New Testament records instances of and teachings related to speaking in other tongues and identifies speaking in tongues as one of various spiritual gifts.
1
See, for example, Acts 2:4; and 1 Corinthians 12:1.
Although he had at times encouraged speaking in tongues as a means of worship and revelation, in
Nauvoo
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, JS regularly asserted his preference for tongues as a tool to preach the gospel.
2
See Historical Introduction to Minutes, 22–23 Jan. 1833; and Discourse, between ca. 26 June and ca. 2 July 1839.

The occasion for this discourse was a public meeting of the Saints held at JS’s home. JS’s brother
Hyrum Smith
9 Feb. 1800–27 June 1844. Farmer, cooper. Born at Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vermont. Son of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack. Moved to Randolph, Orange Co., 1802; back to Tunbridge, before May 1803; to Royalton, Windsor Co., Vermont, 1804; to Sharon, Windsor Co...
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, the
church
The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...
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patriarch
An ecclesiastical and priesthood office with the authority to give inspired blessings, similar to the practice of Old Testament patriarchs. JS occasionally referred to patriarchs as “evangelical ministers” or “evangelists.” Joseph Smith Sr. was ordained as...
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, and
Brigham Young
1 June 1801–29 Aug. 1877. Carpenter, painter, glazier, colonizer. Born at Whitingham, Windham Co., Vermont. Son of John Young and Abigail (Nabby) Howe. Brought up in Methodist household; later joined Methodist church. Moved to Sherburne, Chenango Co., New...
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, president of the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Members of a governing body in the church, with special administrative and proselytizing responsibilities. A June 1829 revelation commanded Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer to call twelve disciples, similar to the twelve apostles in the New Testament and ...
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, preached on faith and spiritual gifts. Then JS preached a sermon on the dangers and benefits of speaking in tongues. JS began by reading from 1 Corinthians chapters 13 and 14, in which Paul wrote that charity and prophecy were greater than speaking in tongues. JS warned against the unreliability of tongues, given that the devil also could speak in foreign tongues, and in turn emphasized that tongues should be used for preaching in foreign lands. He concluded by discussing 1 Corinthians 14:27—“If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret”—and emphasizing the importance of individuals hearing the gospel in their own native tongues.

Willard Richards
24 June 1804–11 Mar. 1854. Teacher, lecturer, doctor, clerk, printer, editor, postmaster. Born at Hopkinton, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Son of Joseph Richards and Rhoda Howe. Moved to Richmond, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, 1813; to Chatham, Columbia Co...
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recorded the discourse in JS’s journal entry of 26 December 1841, probably copying from notes. Richards kept JS’s journal on his behalf in the Book of the Law of the Lord.
Footnotes
[1]
See, for example, Acts 2:4; and 1 Corinthians 12:1.
[2]
See Historical Introduction to Minutes, 22–23 Jan. 1833; and Discourse, between ca. 26 June and ca. 2 July 1839.
Asterisk (*) denotes a "featured" version, which includes an introduction and annotation.
*Discourse, 26 December 1841, as Reported by Willard Richards
Journal, December 1841–December 1842 History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842] “History of Joseph Smith”
Page 39
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President Joseph read the 13th. chap of 1st corinthians and a part of the 14 chap, and remarked that the gift of Tongues was necessary in the
church
The Book of Mormon related that when Christ set up his church in the Americas, “they which were baptized in the name of Jesus, were called the church of Christ.” The first name used to denote the church JS organized on 6 April 1830 was “the Church of Christ...
View Glossary
; <but> That if satan could not speak in tongues he could not tempt a Dutchman, or any other nation, but the English, for he can tempt the Englishman, for he has tempted me, & I am an Englishman;
1
In a summer 1839 sermon, JS explained similarly, “The Devil can speak in Tongues. The Adversary will come with his work, he can tempt all classes Can speak in English or Dutch.” (Discourse, between ca. 26 June and ca. 4 Aug. 1839–A.)
but the Gift of Tongues, by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the church, is for the benefit of the servants of God to preach to unbelievers, as on the days of Pentecost,
2
See Acts chap. 2. In the summer of 1839, JS stated that tongues “were given for the purpose of preaching among those whose language is not undertstood as on the day of Pentecost.” (Discourse, between ca. 26 June and ca. 2 July 1839.)
when devout men from evry nation shall assemble to hear of the things of God. let the <
elders
A male leader in the church generally; an ecclesiastical and priesthood office or one holding that office; a proselytizing missionary. The Book of Mormon explained that elders ordained priests and teachers and administered “the flesh and blood of Christ unto...
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> preach to them in their own Mother tongue. whither it is German, French, Spanish or Irish. or any other. & let those interpret who understand the tongue <Language> spoken. by in their mother tongue. & this is what the Apostle meant. in 1s[t] corinthians 14:27. [p. 39]
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Editorial Title
Discourse, 26 December 1841, as Reported by Willard Richards
ID #
735
Total Pages
1
Print Volume Location
JSP, D9:46–47
Handwriting on This Page
Willard Richards
Footnotes
[1]
In a summer 1839 sermon, JS explained similarly, “The Devil can speak in Tongues. The Adversary will come with his work, he can tempt all classes Can speak in English or Dutch.” (Discourse, between ca. 26 June and ca. 4 Aug. 1839–A.)
[2]
See Acts chap. 2. In the summer of 1839, JS stated that tongues “were given for the purpose of preaching among those whose language is not undertstood as on the day of Pentecost.” (Discourse, between ca. 26 June and ca. 2 July 1839.)