False Spirits

In the heading of D&C 50 it states: “….The Prophet states that some of the elders did not understand the manifestations of different spirits abroad in the earth, and that this revelation was given in response to his special inquiry on the matter. So-called spiritual phenomena were not uncommon among the members, some of whom claimed to be receiving visions and revelations.”

To understand what exactly this revelation was referring to, I did some further research into what these “So-called spiritual phenomena” were. I discovered a few of the reports from the church history that some of the members were reporting. In the D&C Student Manual on Section 50 it describes:

“The Prophet Joseph Smith observed: Soon after the Gospel was established in Kirtland, and during the absence of the authorities of the Church, many false spirits were introduced, many strange visions were seen, and wild, enthusiastic notions were entertained: men ran out of doors under the influence of this spirit, and some of them got upon the stumps of trees and shouted, and all kinds of extravagances were entered into by them; one man pursued a ball that he said he saw flying in the air, until he came to a precipice, when he jumped into the top of a tree, which saved his life; and many ridiculous things were entered into, calculated to bring disgrace upon the Church of God, to cause the Spirit of God to be withdrawn, and to uproot and destroy those glorious principles which had been developed for the salvation of the human family.” ( History of the Church, 4:580.)
John Whitmer wrote: “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 on the floor with the rapidity of a serpent, which they termed sailing in the boat to the Lamanites, preaching the gospel. And many other vain and foolish maneuvers that are unseeming and unprofitable to mention. Thus the devil blinded the eyes of some good and honest disciples. I write these things to show how ignorant and undiscerning children are, and how easy mankind is led astray, notwithstanding the things of God that are written concerning his kingdom.” (“Church History,” Journal of History, Jan. 1908, p. 55.)”

I am sure that most people that read this would agree that these are just plain weird things to do! Yet, I have to wonder why these good, sincere people were so confused as to follow these “phenomena.” I think that a part of the answer has to do with the way the church was begun and the way revelation is really given.

This is my opinion: Could it be that human nature has a big role in their believing these things? Consider the fact that the entire Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is founded on miraculous things. From the visions and revelations of the prophets of old; to the more recent (at the time) appearance of God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ to the boy Joseph Smith. I would not be surprised, as silly as it sounds, to learn that a large part of the reason they believed these false spirits was because they wanted “fantastic” spiritual experiences of their own. They misunderstood the doctrine of being led by the Holy Ghost and Satan could have used this to confuse the saints.

Let’s look at how this applies to us. The principles that were taught in section 50 clarified “that there are many spirits which are false spirits, which have gone forth in the earth, deceiving the world. (D&C 50:2)” Although there are a few stories here and there about wild visions and obviously uninspired experiences today; the most common way we are led away is probably through messages in the media and other mediums in the world around us. The lesson the Lord wanted the people to learn then and wants us to learn now is best summed up in verses 23 and 24. It states, “And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness. That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light growth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.”

The lessons of the Doctrine and Covenants are for us to use today. If we take this lesson into our lives, we will be able to judge wisely and know if something is of God and edifies.