Sabbath Devotional :: The Power of Words

power of words - Mormon Women for Ethical Government — Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash.

In many Native American creation stories, and indeed, in our own creation story, the world comes into being in part because the Creator spoke the words to create it. Genesis tells us that “God said, Let there be light: and there was light” (Genesis 1:3). Jacob taught that “by the power of his word, man came upon the face of the earth, which earth was created by the power of his word” (Jacob 4:9). God cannot lie (Ether 3:12). All his words must be fulfilled (D&C 1:38). Just as his word created the earth, it can cause the earth to pass away, the rough places to be made smooth, and the smooth places to be broken up (1 Nephi 17:46).

Words are powerful. They are the instruments of creation and can be a force for destruction, of relationships, families, communities, and societies. They can bring a soothing balm to a wounded soul, or they can inflict deep and lasting pain. I have been told in some Native cultures that speaking is like a kind of giving birth — bringing something new into the world.

That power of creation is a great responsibility — and a great opportunity.

I have often heard mothers counsel their children struggling to manage deep emotions or to resolve conflict to, “use their words.” Mothers know it is an essential human skill to learn to communicate effectively to pass through difficult moments and to seek to have your needs met, rather than lashing out or throwing a tantrum.

How are we using our words in this era of deep divisions and vitriol? Are we creating (birthing, in a sense) greater peace and wisdom? Are we wielding our words as weapons of wounding? Is the object of them to injure, or to bless? Might we emulate the Great Creator, as peacemakers, in smoothing the rough places or breaking up the smooth places where appropriate?

Pulitzer Prize winner N. Scott Momaday, a Kiowa writer, described a world where words were growing cheap because they were so prolific and multiplied. Being so surrounded and assaulted by the sheer volume and multiplicity of words in a print culture, he said, (much less a digital culture!) was causing us to forget the power inherent in words, especially in sacred words.

Let us be a force for good words, using language that lifts, edifies, and enlightens. Where we find vitriol, hate, and lies, let us speak civility, love, and truth. Where others tear down, let us build up. Let our words, like the Savior’s, create beauty. Let our words, like the Savior’s, be bold and true. Let our words, like the Savior’s, set at liberty the captive and bind up the broken-hearted.