This is a General Conference Odyssey post for the April 2007 Saturday morning session of conference.

I remember hearing Elder Holland give his talk entitled, “The Tongue of Angels.” It left me with a wary spirit, but beautiful hope.

A Wary Spirit Because:

It made me think about the first several meetings of the Relief Society when Joseph Smith spent considerable time telling the women to stop their gossiping. He said, “Put a double watch over the tongue.” And again, “The tongue is an unruly member–hold your tongues about things of no moment,–a little tale will set the world on fire.”

While studying about the Relief Society, I was surprised to learn that several Relief Societies, over a period of time, were asked to disband by their bishops. It seems the women were bickering and gossiping over one another and they were forbidden to gather together until they could prove they could get along. Today, that would never happen, would it?

Sadly, I’ve heard way too many women, in several different Relief Societies, share feelings of isolation, not feeling unified with her sisters. Gossip may feel like more of a cold shoulder in our day.

A Beautiful Hope Because:

A favorite story about John Taylor brings me hope and joy every time I think of it. Apparently, two men, very good friends, had an argument. They decided a visit to President John Taylor would decide the matter. As they sat in his office, he asked them if they would mind if he sang a hymn before they began their meeting. John Taylor had a beautiful voice, one that gave great comfort to Joseph and Hyrum in Carthage Jail. As he finished the hymn, he asked to sing another. At the conclusion, he asked to sing another, and another after that. Finally, he looked at the two men, ready to hear them out. With tears in their eyes, they said there was no problem and left the office wiping their eyes and arms around each other.

One of my favorite scripture passages is “To sing the song of redeeming love.” Elder Holland quotes Nephi, who said, “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.” When I listen to the truths spoken so profoundly in General Conference, I sometimes feel to sing the song of redeeming love. Our prophets speak with the tongue of angels, heralding the good news of the gospel by way of the Holy Ghost. And, oh, how my spirit sings.

May we remember Elder Holland’s closing invitation:

“So, brothers and sisters, in this long eternal quest to be more like our Savior, may we try this. By offending not in word, or more positively put, by speaking with a new tongue, the tongue of angels. Our words, like our deeds, should be filled with faith and hope and charity, the three great Christian imperatives so desperately needed in the world today. 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.”