A national lecturer frequently asks his audiences if they can go for twenty-four hours without saying any unkind words about, or to, anybody.

He usually has a few who will raise their hands and say "yes," but most in the audiences usually admit that they cannot.His response is typically: "Those who can't answer `yes' must recognize that you have a serious problem. If you cannot go for twenty-four hours without drinking liquor you are addicted to alcohol. If you cannot go for twenty-four hours without smoking you are addicted to nicotine. Similarly, if you cannot go for twenty-four hours without saying unkind words about others, then you have lost control over your tongue." (Joseph Telushkin, Imprimis, January 1996.)

Are harsh words as damaging as alcohol or tobacco? Think about it. Some of the worst pains we suffer come from words - cruel words, ego-destroying criticism, excessive anger, sarcasm, public or private humiliation, hurtful nicknames, betrayal of secrets, rumors or malicious gossip.

As we mature in the gospel it is so important that we learn to master our tongues and watch carefully the words we speak.

Unfortunately, this is not a new problem, but is an age-old concern. In New Testament times the Apostle James recognized the damage done by evil words when he wrote:

"For in many things we offend all, If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

"Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

"Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

"Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

"And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

"But the tongue can no man tame: it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." (James 3:2-6, 8.)

In a similar vein the Apostle Paul wrote to his beloved friend Timothy: "But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

"And their word will eat as doth a canker. . . ." (2 Tim. 2:16-17.)

To his Nephite followers the great King Benjamin recognized the importance of our words when he said:

"And finally, I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them.

"But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not." (Mosiah 4:29-30.)

As the prophet Alma taught Zeezrom to repent he told him:

"For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us. . . ." (Alma 12:14.)

How vital it is that we choose our words wisely and well. Gossiping, tale-bearing, rumor mongering and evil speaking of others have no place in the life of a true Latter-day Saint.

Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord said emphatically:

"Thou shalt not speak evil of thy neighbor, nor do him any harm." (D&C 42:27.)

As equally serious as the evil words we may speak against others is the growing problem of profanity and vulgarity. Movies, television, modern books and magazines, and video tapes are filled with base and crude language. The frequent repetition of bad language is dulling the sensibilities of so many to the extent that they think nothing of profaning Diety or speaking smutty words using vulgar terms, even about sacred things. Such language is growing in epidemic proportions. Adults and young people alike are being infected by this disease, which ultimately will destroy them unless they change their ways.

It behooves us all to refine our language and remember what has been ringing through the ages from Mt. Sinai:

"Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." (Ex. 20:7.)

Any unholy or impure language mocks God and will ultimately bring His wrath upon us.

Let us all speak kind words to each other!