D&C 50 was given in
response to Joseph Smith’s inquiry about various spiritual manifestations and
phenomena among the new members in Kirtland. The strange and indecorous nature
of these things caused members to wonder what was of God and what was fake.
6 But
wo unto them that are deceivers and hypocrites, for, thus saith the Lord, I
will bring them 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 shall be reclaimed;
8 But
the hypocrites shall be detected and shall be cut off, either in life or in
death, 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. (D&C 50:6-9)
This gives us part of the answer from
the Lord—there were some members who were faking spiritual manifestations, and
their performance was deceiving others and giving Satan power. There were also false manifestations (from a source not of God).
The Church’s publication, “Revelations
in Context” has a chapter called “Religious Enthusiasm Among Early OhioConverts,” and it gives some historical perspective on how the religious culture
of the day contributed to the problem.
As part of the Second Great Awakening,
people thirsted for more from religion than was in their churches, so there was
a surge in religious zeal, and revival meetings were part of that, with great
interest in spiritual manifestations. People responded to preaching
passionately, with prophesying, shouting, crying, dancing, shaking, rolling,
etc. Christians at large were divided over these manifestations—some were
suspicious and others saw them as genuinely from God. The Mormon message about
spiritual gifts appealed to many people who were taught in Ohio.
The story of Levi Hancock can help
illuminate the problems and worries these manifestations created in the church.
Levi heard news of the Mormon missionaries, and a bare recitation of what they
were preaching gave him a wonderful feeling such that he decided to go listen
because he could feel it was the truth. He was baptized, but he and the other
converts in Kirtland were soon left without experienced leadership. They had no
experience in the church, few Books of Mormon, and no exposure to Joseph
Smith’s previous revelations about church order. Some started to introduce
elements of enthusiastic worship.
Then three elders of the Church came,
and their manner of doings in worship services was very strange (See the linked
article for more details). Levi was perplexed and worried he was not as pure as
them because they seemed honest and sincere, but Levi’s manifestations were
very different from theirs.
So we see one problem with false (wrong
sourced) or faked manifestations is that they make sincere and worthy members
feel insecure about their own spiritual status and worthiness. When this sort
of thing persists and isn’t corrected, it causes sincere members to expect
manifestations of a false type and overlook the true manifestations. That is
exactly what Satan would like. He would love church members to miss the true
manifestations and look for something else so he can suggest all sorts of
crazy, dramatic, non-edifying things and have people accept them
uncritically. He would also like
to convince members it is okay to pretend they had a manifestation when they
haven’t. And the more dramatic, the better, especially if it is to prove how
pure and Spirit-led they are and increase their status and reputation in the
church. The lie Satan would tell is, “There’s no way anyone can tell whether
you are faking it or telling the truth. They are predisposed to think you’re
telling the truth anyway, so go ahead.”
Thus, the above verses directly address
the issue of hypocrites pretending to spiritual manifestations. The Lord knows
who is faking it or pretending and who is not. He warns that hypocrites will be
detected, which crushes Satan’s lie of “no one can tell.” The Lord also warns
hypocrites they will be cut off and brought to judgment. Someone who prefers to
pretend to spiritual manifestations or listens to manifestations from a false source will definitely miss the real ones that
would guide and warn them. Eventually they will do something so obviously wrong
they must be corrected and receive discipline, but by then it may be very
difficult for them to humble themselves and repent, since they will have built
their self esteem, worth, and ego on their “enhanced spirituality.” That’s what brings them to be cut off
from the church, if they can’t humble themselves.
What about those who were fooled by the
hypocrite and false manifestations? Verse 7 says, “such shall be reclaimed.”
The rest of D&C 50 gives helpful principles about how the Spirit preaches
the truth, edifies, brings light, is understandable, and many other principles
to help increase discernment so that members can chase darkness away.
Verse 9 has a warning for everyone to
beware, lest they do something “not in truth and righteousness.” Thus we are to
be completely honest and upright and never to pretend to spiritual
manifestations and share nothing that does not shed light and edify. We may
have manifestations that are for our own edification alone and which are not
meant to be shared.
Having had some experience with these things, I am personally grateful for these verses.
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