Here’s why it seems like Mormons put more emphasis on the Book of Mormon. In many cases scriptures in the B of M and the Bible are nearly identical. For some reason, the B of M language is almost always clearer. This might be because it was translated in the 1800′s instead of the 1600′s. The language is just simpler than the King James. Also, reading it is such an extreme spiritual experience, we just love it.

We do believe in the gift of tongues. All of the charismatic gifts are present in the Church and we experience miracles daily. However, the gift of tongues is one that is easy for Satan to mimic. We do not believe in talking in gibberish or babbling. The gift of tongues, as it was manifest at Pentacost by the apostles of Christ, is to increase understanding through the power of the Holy Ghost to bring people to Christ. Thus, several thousand people at the Feast of Weeks heard the gospel in their own tongue and they were converted. This is not what’s being done in pentacostal churches. Is understanding increased when people get up and speak “prayer talk”? This is the test. Speaking in tongues is manifest among our missionaries who teach in foreign countries. Through fasting and prayer and humility, they become fluent at light speed. Many organizations have come to Utah to try to figure out how this is done, but they can’t find anything special in our language-teaching methods in the Missionary Training Center. It’s the gift of tongues.