Commentary for Doctrine and Covenants: Sections 49 - 50

 

Section 49

Background Information 

This revelations directs Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt, and Leman Copley to visit the Shakers in North Union, Ohio. Copley was a former member of the Shakers but "still retained ideas that the Shakers were right in some particulars of their faith", according to JS' history. This visit was not the first contact between the the Mormon and the Shakers. In the previous fall, Oliver Cowdery and his missionary companions made initial contact with the Shakers. Although there was some uneasiness between the leadership of the Shakers and the Church of Christ, the Shakers and the Mormons "continued on friendly terms." 

Upon receiving the revelation, Rigdon, Pratt, and Copley immediately departed for the Shaker settlement at North Union -- approximately 18 miles from Kirtland, Ohio. 

Section

1 Hearken unto my word, my servants Sidney, and Parley, and Leman; for behold, verily I say unto you, that I give unto you a commandment that you shall go and preach my gospel which ye have received, even as ye have received it, unto the Shakers [the knowledge Rigdon, Pratt, and Leman obtained is to be imparted to the Shakers]. 2 Behold, I say unto you, that they [the Shakers] desire to know the truth in part, but not all, for they are not right before me and must needs repent. 3 Wherefore [because the Shakers don't desire to know the full truth, the Lord sent Rigdon, Pratt, and Copley], I send you, my servants Sidney and Parley, to preach the gospel unto them.

• Verse 1: The Shakers

One commentator provided the following overview about The Shakers: 

• The following is a brief review of this interesting people: The Shakers began as a break-off from the Quakers. The Quakers, or Society of Friends, had been founded in England in the 1640s, the founders believing that the scriptures were only a portion of God’s revelation and that new revelation was to be expected. Two English Quakers, James and Jane Wardley, stated that God’s spirit of revelation was frequently manifest to them in Quaker meetings by means of a violent shaking of their bodies. They broke off from the Quakers, and their group became nicknamed the Shaking Quakers.
• The Shaking Quakers or Shakers gave equal place to women and men in church organization and predicted that since Christ had first appeared in the form of a man, his second appearance would be in the form of a woman. When a woman named Ann Lee (married name Ann Stanley) joined their group, the Wardleys became convinced that she fulfilled this prediction. She was a pious woman who had suffered greatly, especially in childbearing, since all four of her children died as infants. She also had suffered as a wife, as her husband eventually deserted her. Because of this suffering, many in this small sect, in addition to the Wardleys, came to believe that Ann Lee was the Messiah whose return they were awaiting.
• They actually believed that God was both male and female. The scriptural basis for this belief was Genesis 1:27, “In his own image . . . created he them” (both male and female). God, they believed, first made his appearance in the form of a male, Jesus Christ. In Ann Lee, the female principle of God was made manifest, and in her the promise of the Second Coming was fulfilled. The Shakers also believed that even angels and spirits are both male and female—that is, have dual natures.
• They believed that Christ’s kingdom upon the earth began with the establishment of the Shaker Church. From the days of the ancient apostles the Lord had sent no one to preach until the Shakers were raised up to call in the elect in a new dispensation. Thus, they believed that the Millennium had begun with the ministry of Ann Lee.
• Mother Ann, as she came to be called, believed that sexual relations were at the root of most all the evils in the world. She therefore advocated celibacy for both men and women, even though she herself had been married and given birth to four children (who had all died at birth).
• After severe persecution in England, Mother Ann claimed to have received a revelation directing her to America in 1774 to establish the Church of the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing—the Shakers’ official name. By 1831 their membership had peaked at between five and ten thousand. There were about eighteen Shaker communities in the United States, and all were known for their piety, order, and industry. Their numbers remained this strong, due to a few converts and hundreds of civil war orphans whom they claimed, until 1874, and then it began to decline. Today only a handful of very old Shakers remain. The only active community that exists is located at Sabbath day Lake, Maine.
• Practices and Beliefs of the Shakers
• The ruling authority of the Shakers was vested in a committee—usually four persons, two females and two males.
• Private ownership of property was eliminated, and several communal groups (called united orders) were established throughout the United States. They believed in separation from the world and group ownership of possessions. Ostentation, luxury, and private ownership of property were regarded as sinful and un-Christian.
• Confession was all that was necessary for forgiveness of sins. Thus the outward ordinances, baptism and the laying on of hands, were unnecessary and had ceased with the apostolic age. Their confessions were given openly.
• It was possible for people to live without sin.
• Although the Shakers did not forbid marriage, they believed that those who lived a celibate life abided a higher law. They referred to celibacy as “the cross,” probably having metaphorical reference to the cross some chose to bear.
• Pork was forbidden in their diet, and many ate no meat.
• The resurrection consisted of the restoration or raising of the spirit but not the physical body.
• Their dress and manners remained similar to those of the Society of Friends, the Quakers. They were also hard working farmers reminiscent of the Amish. They made beautiful furniture which is highly prized even today. In general they believed in a strong work ethic. They invented many useful industrial tools.
• They were called Shakers because of their ceremonies. They would sing, dance, clap their hands in regular time, hold hands, embrace, form circles, shake, and shout peculiar things. The women would spin around for minutes without stopping. Men would touch only other men, and women would touch only other women.
• They lived in dormitories and ate in a dining hall. Men were kept strictly separate from the women, however.
• They were pacifists.
• They believed that the need for physical ordinances such as baptism had ceased with the ancient apostles.
• Sickness and disease were regarded as sins against God.
• There are some interesting parallels between the Shakers’ beliefs and Mormonism: They believed in continuous revelation, and they had a Book of Moses. They denied the doctrine of the trinity. Ann Lee had spiritual spectacles that she put on so she could read documents. They had holy anointings, a united order, Melchizedek priesthood, and Aaronic priesthood. Important men in U.S. history allegedly appeared to Ann Lee including John Adams, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson. They believed in a mother in heaven. They believed that the time had come for the New Jerusalem to be built, and they laid out the ground where the temple would stand. They collected and printed their own hymns. They were temperance people and avoided tobacco, alcohol, tea and coffee. They had a roll of parchment of John the Revelator
• Verse 2: Know the Truth in Part 
• As seen above, some of the Shakers beliefs were true, others were false. This fact teaches an important principle -- truth is found everywhere. It is foolish for us to disregard the teaching of someone simply because they are not a member of the LDS faith. Although the person may possess false beliefs, it doesn't mean that all his beliefs are false. It's very possible that admits the false beliefs, the person possesses truth. Our responsibility is to test the putative truth. The scriptures have outlined how we can test whether something is from God or not
• Alma: Does the teaching cause your bosom to swell? Is the teaching delicious. 
• Moroni: Does the teaching lead you to do good? That is, does it lead to your improvement. Does it make a you a better person -- more humble, patient, kind, loving, righteous, etc
• Doctrine and Covenants Section 50: Do the teaching edify you? 
• Although those who have received the full gift of the Holy Ghost are in a greater position to discern truth, we all, regardless if we've been baptized of fire, possess the light of Christ. The Light of Christ is given to everyone that they may discern good from evil. The advice above is therefore applicable to all. 
• As we listen to putative truth, we should weigh that truth with the light that is within us. We should evaluate whether the truth edifies, whether we become better because of it, or whether the putative truth is delicious and causes our bosom to swell. As we engage in this practice, we'll be able to sift through the false and true -- preserving the true aspects to ourselves. 
• Truth is everywhere and possess by everyone -- albeit in degrees. Some possess very little others possess an abundance -- some of whom are holy men that we aren't aware of (see verse 8) Our liberty is to collect all the truth we can so that we may be benefited and that others, though our imparting, may be benefited as well. 

4 And my servant Leman shall be ordained unto this work [to preach the gospel to the Shakers], that he may reason with them, not according to that which he has received of them, but according to that which shall be taught him by you my servants; and by so doing I will bless him, otherwise he shall not prosper [The Lord commands Copley to teach (or reason) his former congregation from what he's learned from the elders of the church and what he learned from the Shakers]. 

• Verse 4: Reason With Them
• Although we don't need to logicians or theologians to share the gospel, we are to employe reason when we share the gospel. According to the 1828 Webster's Dictionary, "to reason" means to "convince or persuade by argument." The Lord will often teach by reasoning with us. In fact, in section 50, we'll read the Lord's reasoning for how we avoid deception from false spirits. The Lord's servants also employ reasoning to teach gospel truth. Paul's letters to the church members employ reasoning to persuade the church to correct teachings. Likewise, the Lord in his ministry reasoned with the scribes as well as the prophets in the Old Testament. 
• Verse 4: Prosper
• The word prosper is a bit vague. When referring to the individual, it refers to spiritual growth. When referring to a group, it refers to spiritual growth but also the growth in its numbers. 
• 24 And it came to pass that in this same year there was exceedingly great prosperity in the church, insomuch that there were thousands who did join themselves unto the church and were baptized unto repentance. 25 And so great was the prosperity of the church, and so many the blessings which were poured out upon the people, that even the high priests and the teachers were themselves astonished beyond measure. 26 And it came to pass that the work of the Lord did prosper unto the baptizing and uniting to the church of God, many souls, yea, even tens of thousands.

5 Thus saith the Lord; for I am God, and have sent mine Only Begotten Son into the world for the redemption of the world [the Father is speaking], and have decreed that he that receiveth him shall be saved, and he that receiveth him not shall be damned— 6 And they have done unto the Son of Man even as they listed; and he has taken his power on the right hand of his glory, and now reigneth in the heavens, and will reign till he descends on the earth to put all enemies under his feet, which time is nigh at hand— 7 I, the Lord God, have spoken it; but the hour and the day no man knoweth, neither the angels in heaven, nor shall they know until he comes.

8 Wherefore, I will that all men shall repent, for all are under sin, except those which I have reserved unto myself, holy men that ye know not of. 9 Wherefore, I say unto you that I have sent unto you mine everlasting covenant, even that which was from the beginning [the everlasting covenant was around in the beginning, starting from Adam]. 10 And that which I have promised I have so fulfilled, and the nations of the earth shall bow to it [the everlasting covenant]; and, if not of themselves, they shall come down, for that which is now exalted of itself shall be laid low of power. [The nations can either except the everlasting covenant freely or will accept after being humbled by the end times destruction] 11 Wherefore, I give unto you a commandment that ye go among this people [the Shakers], and say unto them, like unto mine apostle of old, whose name was Peter: 12 Believe on the name of the Lord Jesus, who was on the earth, and is to come, the beginning and the end; 13 Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, according to the holy commandment, for the remission of sins; 14 And whoso doeth this shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of the hands of the elders of the church.

• Verse 8: Holy Men Ye Know Not Of
• Interestingly enough, it appears that there are holy men in the world who are not members of the Mormon church -- if they were, then JS would've known about them. The LDS church is the Lord's temporal church used to spread His gospel message to the world. But the LDS church is separate and distinct from the heavenly church -- called the Church of the Firstborn. The encyclopedia on Mormonism states: 
• Even as the first principles and ordinances, including baptism in water and the reception of the Holy Ghost, constitute the gate into the earthly Church of Jesus Christ, so higher ordinances of the priesthood constitute the gate into the Church of the Firstborn. To secure the blessings that pertain to the Church of the Firstborn, one must obey the gospel from the heart, receive all of the ordinances that pertain to the house of the Lord, and be sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise in the Celestial Kingdom of God (D&C 76:67, 71, 94;77:11;78:21;88:1-5; TPJS, p. 237).
• When persons have proved themselves faithful in all things required by the Lord, it is their privilege to receive covenants and obligations that will enable them to be heirs of God as members of the Church of the Firstborn. They are "sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise" and are those "into whose hands the Father has given all things" (D&C 76:51-55). They will be priests and priestesses, kings and queens, receiving the Father's glory, having the fulness of knowledge, wisdom, power, and dominion (D&C 76:56-62; cf. 107:19). At the second coming of Jesus Christ, the "general assembly of the Church of the Firstborn" will descend with him (Heb. 12:22-23; JST Gen. 9:23; D&C 76:54, 63).
• One interpretation of this verse, then, is that there are holy men on the earth who are not formal members of the LDS Church (i.e., their names are not on the membership records), but who are members of the Church of the Firstborn. However, other church leaders have provided their interpretations: 
• Orson F. Whitney: 
• The Lord needs such men on the outside of his Church, to help it along. They are among its auxiliaries, and can do more good for the cause where the Lord has placed them, than anywhere else. And the same is true of the priesthood and its auxiliaries inside the Church. Hence, some are drawn into the fold and receive a testimony of the Truth; while others remain unconverted—for the present; the beauties and glories of the gospel being veiled temporarily from their view, for a wise purpose. The Lord will open their eyes in his own due time. God is using more than one people for the accomplishment of his great and marvelous work. The Latter-day Saints cannot do it all. It is too vast, too arduous, for any one people.
• Bruce R. McConkie: 
• During his mortal ministry Christ said, “Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom” (Matthew 16:28; Mark 9:1; Luke 9:27). Commenting on this verse, Bruce R. McConkie said: “It is apparent that on a previous occasion, of which we have no present scriptural record, Jesus taught his disciples the truths about the doctrine of translation and promised that some of them would continue to live on earth until his Second Coming. John the Beloved is the only known one of these disciples who has continued to live without tasting death (John 21:20-24). Until the identity of any others is revealed, we have no way of knowing who they are or what mission they have been able to perform because of their translation.”
•  This ties into the point I made in verse 2 about truth being found everywhere. Throughout our life we may interact with these holy men, who possess greater truth than we, and not even know it. As the writer of Hebrews teaches: "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13: 2). And as explained in last week's post, the working of God are mysterious and vast. Who is on "his-side" might not be readily discernible to the naked eye. The apostles learned this lesson when the encountered a man, who not not formally associated with their group, doing healing and miracles in Jesus' name (see Mark 9:39: And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part.)

15 And again, verily I say unto you, that whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto man [The Lord directly addresses the Shaker's false teaching regarding celibacy]. 16 Wherefore, it is lawful that he should have one wife, and they twain shall be one flesh, and all this that the earth might answer the end of its creation [the end of creation if fulfilled through marriage]; 17 And that it [creation] might be filled with the measure of man, according to his creation before the world was made. 18 And whoso forbiddeth to abstain from meats, that man should not eat the same, is not ordained of God [referring to those who teach that meat is forbidden to eat, does not refer to those who prefer not to eat meat]; 19 For, behold, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which cometh of the earth, is ordained for the use of man for food and for raiment, and that he might have in abundance.

20 But it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin. 21 And wo be unto man that sheddeth blood or that wasteth flesh and hath no need [It is a sin to kill animals for mere sport] 22 And again, verily I say unto you, that the Son of Man cometh not in the form of a woman, neither of a man traveling on the earth [Lord corrects another false teaching of the Shakers about how the Lord will appear]. 23 Wherefore, be not deceived [the teaching that Christ will come in the form of a woman is a deception], but continue in steadfastness, looking forth for the heavens to be shaken, and the earth to tremble and to reel to and fro as a drunken man, and for the valleys to be exalted, and for the mountains to be made low, and for the rough places to become smooth—and all this when the angel shall sound his trumpet [Christ's second coming won't occur until the heavens are earth are shaken "to and fro", causing the terrain of the land to be radically transformed].

• Verse 20: Possess That Which is Above Another
• As one commentator pointed out: 
• "It was never intended by God that one human being should have more of the earth’s bounty than another. The celestial law is equality through consecration and stewardship. Division into rich and poor classes is the result of living in the fallen world -- the world in which Satan rules. The result is that the rich believe that they are superior to the poor and deserve better treatment simply because they are rich. And the poor experience trials of poverty, starvation, exposure, disease, while being classed as inferior to other more economically prosperous groups.  One reason why the “world lieth in sin” is that we generally prefer and sustain Babylon’s economic systems based on competition motivated by self-interest rather than Zion’s economic system based on cooperation motivated by compassion. The law of consecration is a higher law that will remove poverty and promote the welfare for those who abide by it. 
• But what of the inevitable consequence that those who labor diligently in this life tend to accumulate more material riches than those who lack the same industry? Do those who work hard and accumulate more commit sin? Should they give away all of their “extra” accumulations? It seems likely that among a people not practicing the law of consecration, the Lord tolerates the disparity because we live at a lower law. But before He comes, those who expect to inherit Zion will have to live the higher law or be cast out." 

24 But before the great day of the Lord shall come, Jacob shall flourish in the wilderness, and the Lamanites shall blossom as the rose. 25 Zion shall flourish upon the hills and rejoice upon the mountains, and shall be assembled together unto the place which I have appointed. 26 Behold, I say unto you, go forth as I have commanded you; repent of all your sins; ask and ye shall receive; knock and it shall be opened unto you. 27 Behold, I will go before you and be your rearward; and I will be in your midst, and you shall not be confounded. 28 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, and I come quickly. Even so. Amen.

• Verse 24: Before the Great Day of the Lord Shall Come
• Three events must occur before the Lord comes:
• Jacob (possibly referring to the Jews) will flourish in the wilderness 
• This has couple of different interpretations. Wilderness could be used metaphorically or literally. If the former, then Jacob could refer to the remnant of the house of Israel who are thriving wherever they are at (wilderness referring to places outside of Zion, the promised land) . However, if the latter meaning (the literal one), then the meaning could refer to Jews who are thriving in the land of Palestine. 
• One commentator made the following observation: In less than 25 years, the actual development of Palestine, agriculturally, commercially and intellectually, is the marvel of history. The Jews in Palestine, as the Latter-day Saints in America, have, literally, turned a desert into a garden. They have brought money, knowledge, idealism, and the type of people settled there is the best human material available for the building up of a country. Of the 400,000 Jews in Palestine about 10,000 are said to be immigrants from America. They have contributed much, particularly through investments, toward development of the orange groves, shipping and commercial companies and industries.
• Lamanites will blossom as a rose
• Who are the Lamanites? There are varying classification. But it is clear that JS and the early church understood this term to refer to the Native Americans. 
• In speaking to the Thompson saints (i.e., those from Coleville living in Thompson, Ohio), the Lord instructs them to travel to Missouri, "unto the boarders of the Lamanites." 
• 7 Wherefore, go to now and flee the land, lest your enemies come upon you; and take your journey, and appoint whom you will to be your leader, and to pay moneys for you. 8 And thus you shall take your journey into the regions westward, unto the land of Missouri, unto the borders of the Lamanites. 9 And after you have done journeying, behold, I say unto you, seek ye a living like unto men, until I prepare a place for you. (Doctrine and Covenants 54) 
• Given that the Lord is communicating to the Saints through their understanding of their terms and knowledge, then the term Lamanites would refer to the Native Americans. Thus before the Lord comes, the Lamanites are to "blossom as a rose" And just as a rose needs to grow from a seed into a blooming and beautiful flower, so too will be the trajectory of the Lamanites. 
• How and when this happens is left to the wisdom and timing of the Lord, but it's something that we should be looking for -- as it is a sign, among many others, of the Lord's second coming. 
• Zion will flourish upon the hills 
• Notable is that Lord uses the same term (flourish) to describe the Jacob and Zion. As explained in other posts, SLC is not Zion. Zion has not yet been established. But when it does, it will flourish and then will the Lord come. Thus Zion precedes the coming of the Lord to the world (not to be confused with the Lord appearing in Adam-ondi-Ahman (which is a deep rabbit hole I would get into -- yet). 

Afterward

The presiding elder of the Shakers, Ashbel Kitchell, recorded the the missionary efforts in great detail. The following is an excerpt taken from the Joseph Smith Papers explaining what transpired: 

"[Kitchell] reported that the group “tarried all night, and in the course of the evening, the doctrines of the cross and the Mormon faith were both investigated.” The next day, 8 May, Pratt arrived from Kirtland, and the Mormon delegation spoke to congregated Shakers after their morning Sabbath meeting. Rigdon reportedly declared to the congregation that “he had a message from the Lord Jesus Christ to this people” and explained to his hearers that it was a written message. When he obtained leave of the Shakers, he commenced to read aloud, apparently verbatim, this revelation (section 49). 

According to Kitchell, the Mormon preachers—Rigdon, Pratt, and Copley—asked permission to hear how the congregated Shakers felt about their message. Kitchell wrote that his people indicated “they were fully satisfied with what they had, and wished to have nothing to do with either them or their Christ.— On hearing this Rigdon professed to be satisfied, and put his paper by; but Parley Pratt arose and commenced shakeing his coattail; he said he shook the dust from his garments as a testimony against us, that we had rejected the word of the Lord Jesus.” 

After this contentious exchange, Pratt departed immediately for Kirtland, while Rigdon stayed for supper before departing and Copley spent the night in North Union. This encounter apparently fulfilled Pratt’s commission to preach to the Shakers because a revelation dated the following Monday assigned Pratt a different missionary companion and directed him to “go forth among the Churches & strengthen them by the word of exhortation. 

Copley returned shortly thereafter to North Union and asked to be readmitted into the Shaker society. Kitchell and Copley then went to Copley’s farm in Thompson and confronted the Mormons who had recently settled there from Colesville, New York, at Copley’s invitation. Copley reportedly ordered the Mormons off of his land. Following the failed attempt to convert the Shakers at North Union, Mormon missionary interactions with Shakers were apparently rare.  

Section 50 

Background Information 

As we learned in section 30, Oliver Cowdery and his companions converted members of the Campbellite congregation, led by Sidney Rigdon. After the converts were baptized into the Church, several leaders, such as Edward Partridge and Sidney Rigdon, departed Ohio to visit JS in New York. Thus the new converted church members in Ohio were left without an experienced leader until John Whitmer arrived in January 1831. Upon his arrival, Whitmer noted with dismay that “the enemy of all righteous had got hold of some of those who profesed to be his followers, because they had not sufficent knowledge to detect him in all his devices.” 

Likewise, when Parley P. Pratt returned from his missionary work in Missouri in Spril 1831, he was also concerned with the "new and strange" behavior her saw in the church, remarking that "As I went forth among the different branches, some very strange spiritual operations were manifested, which were disgusting, rather than edifying. Some persons would seem to swoon away, and make unseemly gestures, and be drawn or disfigured in their countenances. Others would fall into ecstacies, and be drawn into contortions, cramp, fits, etc. Others would seem to have visions and revelations, which were not edifying, and which were not congenial to the doctrine and spirit of the gospel. In short, a false and lying spirit seemed to be creeping into the Church.”

Such displays did not go unnoticed in the surrounding community. The Painesville Telegraph reported, “Immediately after Mr. R[igdon] and the four pretended prophets left Kirtland, a scene of the wildest enthusiasm was exhibited, chiefly, however, among the young people; they would fall, as without strength, roll upon the floor, and, so mad were they that even the females were seen in a cold winter day, lying under the bare canopy of heaven, with no couch or pillow but the fleecy snow.”

After JS arrived in Ohio in February 1831, he worked to curtail what he perceived to be excessive  spiritual behaviors among the believers. In early March he wrote to his brother Hyrum that he had been “ingageed in regulating the Churches here as the deciples are numerous and the devil had made many attempts to over throw them it has been a Serious job but the Lord is with us and we have overcome and have all things regular.”5 A revelation a few days later urged church members to walk “uprightly before me . . . that ye may not be seduced by evil spirits or doctrines of Devils or the commandments of men for some are of men & others of Devils Wherefore beware lest ye are deceived.”

The problem of discerning between appropriate and inappropriate behaviors apparently continued for several months. When John Whitmer described the 9 May revelation featured here in his later history, he provided this setting for it:

Some had visions and could not tell what they saw, Some would fancy to themselves that they had the sword of Laban, and would wield it as expert as a light dragoon, some would act like an Indian in the act of scalping, some would slide or scoot and [on] the floor, with the rapidity of a serpent, which the[y] termed sailing in the boat to the Lamanites, preaching the gospel. And many other vain and foolish manoeuvers that are unseeming, and unprofitable to mention. Thus the devil blinded the eyes of some good and honest disciples. . . . These things grievd the servants of the Lord, and some conversed together on this subject, and otheers came in and we were at Joseph Smith Jr. the seers, and made it a matter of consultation, for many would not turn from their folly, unless God would give a revelation, therfore the Lord spake to Joseph

Consequently this revelation was given to church to instruct the elders of the church how they could discern between true and false spirits. 

Section

1 Hearken, O ye elders of my church [this revelation is addressed to the elders], and give ear to the voice of the living God; and attend to the words of wisdom which shall be given unto you, according as ye have asked and are agreed as touching the church, and the spirits which have gone abroad in the earth [this revelation comes on the heels of the elders asking the Lord for wisdom concerning the false spirits abounding]. 2 Behold, verily I say unto you, that there are many spirits which are false spirits, which have gone forth in the earth, deceiving the world. 3 And also Satan hath sought to deceive you, that he might overthrow you.

4 Behold, I, the Lord, have looked upon you, and have seen abominations in the church that profess my name. 5 But blessed are they who are faithful and endure, whether in life or in death, for they shall inherit eternal life. 6 But wo unto them that are deceivers and hypocrites, for, thus saith the Lord, I will bring them [the hypocrites] to judgment. 7 Behold, verily I say unto you, there are hypocrites among you, who have deceived some, which has given the adversary power; but behold such [those who were deceived by the hypocrites] shall be reclaimed [the Lord will call back from error those members who were deceived]; 8 But the hypocrites shall be detected and shall be cut off [the Lord will identify and remove the hypocrites who are causing the members to stumble], either in life or in death [the Lord will cut the hypocrites off either while they are alive or dead], even as I will; and wo unto them who are cut off from my church, for the same are overcome of the world.

9 Wherefore, let every man beware lest he do that which is not in truth and righteousness before me [Receiving false spirit will lead to deception, which leads to accepting falsehood. Falsehoods are antithetical to truth]. 10 And now come, saith the Lord, by the Spirit, unto the elders of his church, and let us reason together, that ye may understand; 11 Let us reason even as a man reasoneth one with another face to face. 12 Now, when a man reasoneth he is understood of man, because he reasoneth as a man; even so will I, the Lord, reason with you that you may understand [The Lord reasons so the elders can understand the instruction].

13 Wherefore, I the Lord ask you this question—unto what were ye ordained? 14 To preach my gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth . 15 And then received ye spirits which ye could not understand, and received them to be of God; and in this are ye justified? 16 Behold ye shall answer this question yourselves; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto you; he that is weak among you hereafter shall be made strong.

17 Verily I say unto you, he that is ordained of me and sent forth to preach the word of truth by the Comforter, in the Spirit of truth, doth he preach it by the Spirit of truth or some other way? 18 And if it be by some other way it is not of God [The Lord lays out an important principle: when teaching the gospel, one is either teaching by the Spirit or not]. 19 And again, he that receiveth the word of truth, doth he receive it by the Spirit of truth or some other way? 20 If it be some other way it is not of God. 21 Therefore, why is it that ye cannot understand and know, that he that receiveth the word by the Spirit of truth receiveth it as it is preached by the Spirit of truth? 22 Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together. 

• Verses 17-23: Some Other Way
• Truth is conveyed through teaching and hearing. The person teaching has the obligation of teaching by the Spirit, otherwise the teaching is not of God. The hearer also has the obligation to use the Spirit to discern truth from falsehood. When the teacher and hearer are teaching by and receiving the Spirit, will 1) understand each others; 2) be edified; and 3) rejoice. 
• Both components are required for truth to be disseminated. The teacher must teach by the Spirit and the hearer must receive by the Spirit. If one of these components is lacking, there is a greater likelihood of deception. 

 23 And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness. 24 That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day. 25 And again, verily I say unto you, and I say it that you may know the truth, that you may chase darkness from among you; 26 He that is ordained of God and sent forth, the same is appointed to be the greatest, notwithstanding he is the least and the servant of all.

• Verse 23: That Which Does Not Edify
• JS taught: A person may profit by noticing the first intimation of the spirit of revelation; for instance, when you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas, so that by noticing it, you may find it fulfilled the same day or soon. Those things that were presented unto your mind by the Spirit of God, will come to pass; and thus by learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation, until you become perfect in Christ Jesus. (TPJS, 151) 
• Verse 23: Darkness and Light 
• John 3: 16-21 -- For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
• Doctrine and Covenants 93: 29-31; 36-37 -- Man was also in the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be. All truth is independent in that sphere in which God has placed it, to act for itself, as all intelligence also; otherwise there is no existence. Behold, here is the agency of man, and here is the condemnation of man; because that which was from the beginning is plainly manifest unto them, and they receive not the light. And every man whose spirit receiveth not the light is under condemnation.... The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth. Light and truth forsake that evil one.

27 Wherefore, he [He that is ordained of God and sent forth] is possessor of all things; for all things are subject unto him, both in heaven and on the earth, the life and the light, the Spirit and the power, sent forth by the will of the Father through Jesus Christ, his Son. 28 But no man is possessor of all things except he be purified [sanctified] and cleansed [justified] from all sin. 29 And if ye are purified and cleansed from all sin, ye shall ask whatsoever you will in the name of Jesus and it shall be done [Because the person's will is aligned with God's]. 30 But know this, it shall be given you what you shall ask; and as ye are appointed to the head, the spirits shall be subject unto you.

• Verse 28: Purified and Cleansed 
• Scholars have pointed out that the Levitical law addresses with three spiritual conditions: 1) unclean, 2) clean, and 3) holy (sanctified). Due to the fall, we come into the world unclean. Although as infants and children, we sin ignorantly, we are still unclean -- because we acculturate the false teachings of the world in our lives. The Levitical law used ritual to teach the Israelites what they were to do in their inner lives. The Lord, in his mercy, used physical symbols to teach them what He required of them to receive salvation. 
• These symbols represent the stages all must pass through in order to receive all the Father has -- and to become a possessor of all things. Cleansing occurs through repentance. Purification occurs through refinement. 
• While we may have been ordained to the Melchizedek priesthood, the operative power of the priesthood does not have power until we have been cleansed and purified. This is the state that Enoch or Nephi, along with some elders of the early church (during the June Conference at Issac Morley's farm, where the office of the High Priest was revealed) reached, which gave them the sealing power to bind heaven and earth. 

31 Wherefore, it shall come to pass, that if you behold a spirit manifested that you cannot understand, and you receive not that spirit, ye shall ask of the Father in the name of Jesus; and if he give not unto you that spirit, then you may know that it is not of God. 32 And it shall be given unto you, power over that spirit; and you shall proclaim against that spirit with a loud voice that it is not of God— 33 Not with railing accusation, that ye be not overcome, neither with boasting nor rejoicing, lest you be seized therewith. 34 He that receiveth of God, let him account it of God; and let him rejoice that he is accounted of God worthy to receive. 35 And by giving heed and doing these things which ye have received, and which ye shall hereafter receive—and the kingdom is given you of the Father, and power to overcome all things which are not ordained of him— 36 And behold, verily I say unto you, blessed are you who are now hearing these words of mine from the mouth of my servant, for your sins are forgiven you.

• Verse 31: Spirit Manifested That You Cannot Understand 
• Although unclear what the Lord mean by "spirit manifesting", the Lord is likely referring to instances where spirits, in some form or another, reveal themselves. This revelation was received due to the spiritual behaviors witnessed by elders of the church. Thus the likely meaning, given this context, refers to spiritual encounters -- often referred to as the paranormal. 
• As we learn in verse 2, many false spirits have gone forth through the world deceiving people. These false spirits are everywhere. As we engage in the acquisition of truth, we are bound to encounter a variety of experiences since truth is often paired with falsehood (see Moses 1). Some of those experiences will be within the spiritual realm, where we'll have to discern whether the spiritual experiences are from God or not. This can occur in dreams, visions, and experiences with others. But as we learn in this section, not all spiritual experiences are from God. 
• For instance, the devil appeared to Korihor has an angel of light. The members in Kirtland were visited by false spirits which caused confusion and disorder. But just because we don't understand the experience, doesn't mean that it's not from God. For instance, Nephi did not understand his father's dream. The prophets likely would not have understood their visions if not for an interpretation. 
• When we experience a spirit, we should ask the Lord whether or not the Spirit that been manifested to us if from Him or not. 
• On this, JS taught: 
• We may look for angels and receive their ministrations, but we are to try the spirits and prove them, for it is often the case that men make a mistake in regard to these things. God has so ordained that when He has communicated, no vision is to be taken but what you see by the seeing of the eye, or what you hear by the hearing of the ear. When you see a vision, pray for the interpretation; if you get not this, shut it up; there must be certainty in this matter. An open vision will manifest that which is more important. Lying spirits are going forth in the earth. There will be great manifestations of spirits, both false and true. (TPJS, 161) 

37 Let my servant Joseph Wakefield, in whom I am well pleased, and my servant Parley P. Pratt go forth among the churches and strengthen them by the word of exhortation; 38 And also my servant John Corrill, or as many of my servants as are ordained unto this office, and let them labor in the vineyard; and let no man hinder them doing that which I have appointed unto them— 39 Wherefore, in this thing my servant Edward Partridge is not justified; nevertheless let him repent and he shall be forgiven. 40 Behold, ye are little children and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. 41 Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me; 42 And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost.

43 And the Father and I are one. I am in the Father and the Father in me; and inasmuch as ye have received me, ye are in me and I in you. 44 Wherefore, I am in your midst, and I am the good shepherd, and the stone of Israel. He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall. 45 And the day cometh that you shall hear my voice and see me, and know that I am. 46 Watch, therefore, that ye may be ready. Even so. Amen.