Heber C. Kimball Preaches to Swiss Immigrants in Their Own Language Through the Spirit (May 1836)

In May 1836, while traveling eastward on a mission, Heber C. Kimball and his wife Vilate experienced a remarkable manifestation of the gift of tongues.

Vilate records: "On the 10th of May, 1836, my husband again went east on a mission, and I made a visit to my friends in Victor, where Heber and I met, and after spending a few days, returned to Ohio, journeying to Buffalo, where a magistrate came forward and paid five dollars for our passage to Fairport."

While traveling by ship to Fairport (likely on Lake Erie), they encountered a group of Swiss immigrants. Vilate explains:

"The passengers were chiefly Swiss immigrants. After sitting and hearing them some time, the Spirit of the Lord came upon my husband so that he was enabled to preach to them in their own language, though of himself he knew not a word of their language."

Heber had no natural knowledge of the Swiss language, yet through the power of the Holy Ghost, he was granted the ability to preach the gospel to these Swiss-speaking immigrants in their native tongue.

Vilate notes the positive response: "They seemed much pleased, and treated him with great kindness."

This miracle demonstrates the reality of the gift of tongues as a manifestation of the Holy Ghost, enabling apostles and Church members to preach the gospel across language barriers for the gathering of the elect.