Brigham Young Speaks in Tongues Before Joseph Smith — The Prophet Receives the Gift Himself

In September 1832, Heber C. Kimball, Brigham Young, and Joseph Young traveled to Kirtland, Ohio to visit Joseph Smith. During their time together, a remarkable outpouring of the gift of tongues occurred.

Heber C. Kimball recorded:

"In September, 1832, Brothers Brigham and Joseph Young and myself went to Kirtland, Ohio. We saw Brother Joseph Smith and had a glorious time, during which Brother Brigham spoke in tongues, this being the first time Joseph had heard the gift. The Prophet rose up and testified that it was from God. The gift then fell upon him, and he spoke in tongues himself."

Joseph Smith's own history (History, 1838–1856, volume A-1, Joseph Smith Papers) corroborates and expands the account, recording that both Brigham Young and John P. Greene spoke in tongues — "which was the first time I had heard this gift among the brethren; others also spoke, and I received the gift myself. Brother Joseph Young."

This event marks the first time Joseph Smith personally witnessed and then himself exercised the gift of tongues — a significant milestone in the early Restoration's pentecostal outpouring of spiritual gifts.