Elizabeth Ann Whitney's gift of tongues in the Nauvoo Temple

Elizabeth Ann 'Mother' Whitney (1800–1882) was renowned throughout her life for her vocal talent and her lifelong gift of inspirational singing in tongues, which was often accompanied by interpretation. While this spiritual gift was manifested in the Nauvoo Temple, its origin is traced to a September 14, 1835, patriarchal blessing meeting, most likely held in the partially completed Kirtland Temple in Ohio. During this meeting, the Church patriarch Joseph Smith Sr. gave Elizabeth a blessing, promising her the 'gift of singing inspirationally.' Joseph Smith Jr. further encouraged her, telling her that if she would rise upon her feet while in a meeting, she would receive the pure language—the language Adam and Eve used in the Garden of Eden—and that she would never lose the gift if she used it wisely. Elizabeth acted on this instruction immediately, standing and commencing a song in tongues, which was subsequently interpreted by Parley P. Pratt. This event was a significant instance of the charismatic discourse common in early nineteenth-century Mormon tradition. Years later, Wilford Woodruff, in a journal entry dated February 3, 1854, reflected on this gift, describing her singing as 'as near heavenly music as anything I ever heard.'

Fuller account of this event (as retold in Gift of Tongues - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints):

At a meeting in 1835, Elizabeth Ann Whitney received a blessing from Church patriarch Joseph Smith Sr., in which she was promised the “gift of singing inspirationally.” During the meeting, Whitney arose and began singing in an unknown language. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Parley P. Pratt interpreted her song for other hearers. “In ancient days there lived a man,” the song began, “Amidst a pleasant garden, Where lovely flowers immortal bloom’d, And shed around a rich perfume; Behold, his name was Adam.” Joseph Smith Sr. believed Whitney sang in the pure language of heaven.