By TONIA ANDRUS
tonia@du2.byu.edu
Our ability to communicate is one of the qualities that distinguishes us as human beings and links us to our Father in Heaven, said Professor Randall L. Jones in the Tuesday Devotional.
Professor Jones spoke of the power of language, the miraculous process of communicating, and the influence communication has on ourselves and others. He identified five negative uses of language and encouraged listeners to engage in positive language.
'Language is a gift of God to help us experience this earthly life,' said Jones. Much of our enjoyment, entertainment, and education comes through language, he said.
Jones said how someone uses words determines the ability to fulfill your role as a member of the human race. He said words can be used to lift as well as destroy.
Jones identified five language danger zones: negative speech, gossip, dishonesty, profanity, and verbal abuse.
Negative speech is infectious and destructive. He said Laman and Lemuel, of the Book of Mormon, made a hard journey much more difficult with their negative speech, and that even Lehi was influenced to speak negatively.
Gossip injures both the speaker and the person spoken of, said Jones.
'Keep in mind the sanctity of truth and the consequences of dishonesty,' said Jones. He said in today's world, many people dissemble, or hide the truth.
Profanity reveals a soiled mind and a limited vocabulary, said Jones. `Adult language' is not a sign of maturity, but of immaturity.
Jones spoke of the dangers of verbal abuse. He said broken spirits heal slower than broken bones. Jones said research shows that many of those who abuse verbally don't even realize it is abuse, and that the abused often begin to believe the words and that they deserve the abuse.
Most of us will wander into these areas (of language danger zones) sometimes in our lives, said Jones. He said to focus on the good use of words to help avoid these areas.
It is good to tell people to have a nice day, but even better to say things to help them have a nice day, Jones said.
'Tell people you love them,' Jones said.
Don't withhold expressing compliments or gratitude, said Jones. It is a sign of maturity, he said.
'We are what we say and what we hear or read,' Jones said. What we allow ourselves to be exposed to effects us, he said.
Jones said we should expose ourselves to the scriptures, hymns, and the words of prophets in General Conference. Another source of uplifting language is literature, he said.
'Don't waste time on that which detracts from the Spirit instead of nourishing it,' Jones said.
'Watch your language; it is a tool more powerful than you can imagine,' said Jones.
Louisa Austin, 18, a freshman from Newbern, Tenn., majoring in marketing communications, said she learned how words can influence others from the devotional. Austin said she has noticed that the Tuesday devotional messages help her.
'It's always what I need in the week,' she said.
Sara Chipman, 20, a junior from Las Vegas, Nev. majoring in audiology, said she enjoyed watching the speech being signed in sign language.
'Brother Jones used long streams of synonyms. The interpreters signed many of the words, and then signed `and all the rest',' Chipman said.
Chipman said she thought it was interesting because Jones was speaking on the miracle of language and communication while his spoken words were signed.