The Gift of Tongues is Real
During the first few weeks of our mission, two of our elders asked President Chipman and I to come participate with them in a lesson. They were teaching a young couple with two small children the importance of marriage which is necessary for baptism. I hesitated to go because at that time, I found Spanish completely overwhelming, so I wondered if there was any purpose for me attending, but Dave asked me to join him.
I remember the drive over distinctly as we carefully wandered through the confusing narrow streets of Arequipa by ourselves hoping that we would survive. We learned that stop signs and lanes in Peru are only a suggestion and drivers use their horns as much as they do their gas pedals. Stray dogs and crowds of bolting people were around nearly every corner. When we got to the right vicinity, we parked our car and met the Elders so that we could walk over to the home together.
The Elders climbed the steep stairs to the front door and knocked. Soon it was opened, and we were warmly greeted as we climbed into what felt like a tree house. We were seated in the tidy front room across from the couple who held their two small children in their arms. They seemed genuinely happy that we would come to share a discussion.
We started with a prayer and then the Elders gave a simple short lesson on the importance of marriage while Dave translated for me. As the lesson finished, the husband started asking questions of us and as he spoke, I was super surprised that I was able to understand nearly every word he spoke without anyone translating for me. He described himself as an intellectual and one who believed in science over religion. He saw marriage as a way for men to control other men and asked why things needed to be done in a formal manner before God - especially if God knew everyone’s heart.
The conversation went along in this manner and my mind was full of ideas of what I could say, but I couldn’t speak the language, so I just sat and listened. Finally, I interrupted the conversation and asked Dave if he would translate for me. I told the husband that God used science and natural processes for all of his creations, including the beautiful abundant Earth which was a loving gift for mankind because we needed to have a place to gain experiences and to learn. I then explained that God wants to gather all of his children to return and live with him again after we die. In order to do this, He has organized us into families that are linked together through generations so no one would be lost or forgotten. He wants us to unite and make solemn promises to each other so that we can come before Him to make more covenants as a united family unit and be saved together. As I explained this, the man listened intently and seemed to appreciate what was said. Soon it was time for us to leave and the family felt like good friends.
As we drove home, I was excited about how easy it was for me to understand during the discussion. I felt confident that I would be able to learn Spanish soon. Unfortunately, I was mistaken. It was as if I lost my superpower because it didn’t take long for me to realize I still could not understand most of what was being said around me. Although I was disappointed, I was grateful for my short, inspired moment and I gained a testimony that the gift of tongues was real when God allows it.
A few days later we were happy to learn that the couple set a wedding date and soon after they were baptized. We look forward to joining them when they are sealed as a family in the Arequipa Temple next year.
