7/14/2017 - Section 50:1-20

July 14, 2017

Section 50:1-20

False Spirits, Satan’s Tactics, Hypocrites Exist, Power of Faithfulness and Endurance,

The historical background on this is quite interesting. P 107: “During all dispensations when the gospel has been on earth, Satan has devised ways to counterfeit revelation. 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things were entered into, calculated to bring disgrace upon the Church of God, to cause the Spirit of God to be withdrawn, and to uproot and destroy those glorious principles which had been developed for the salvation of the human family.’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) Elder Parley P Pratt was also a witness to these unusual operations: ‘All these things were new and strange to me, and had originated in the Church during the absence, and previous to the arrival of President Joseph Smith from New York.   Feeling our weakness and inexperience, and lest we should err in judgment concerning the spiritual phenomena, myself, John Murdock, and several other Elders, went to Joseph Smith, and asked him to inquire of the Lord concerning these spirits or manifestations.’ (Autobiography of Parley p Pratt, 61-62)

The preface to this section 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.”

This section contains Christ speaking to the concerns which Brothers Pratt, Murdock and others had asked the Prophet to inquire of the Lord. Christ then, in v 1-9, explains the realities of Satan and his followers and some of their methods. He also explains that there are hypocrites within the church who work to deceive others. And in the midst of His rather concerning explanation of the powers of darkness—which are real—He also gives us the directions that will keep us safe. V 5 “But blessed are they who are faithful and endure, whether in life or in death, for they shall inherit eternal life.” And Christ kindly expresses hope for those who are deceived. V 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.” I remember Wendy’s friend who when on a mission in South America and became a follower of a splinter faction there. Kami felt she had found a deeper truth with this woman. She was released from her mission and stayed with the woman for quite some time. It seems to me that it was at least a year later that she finally agreed to come back to her parents home in the USA, and after more time, she embraced the gospel again, married a good man, and went on with a good life. She was always a sweet and searching young woman who wanted to do good. She was sidetracked for some time, but through love and searching, she once again found stability in the true gospel principles and practices.

She followed the course that the Lord starts explaining in v 11: “Let us reason even as a man reasoneth one with another face to face.” And then in the following verses He explains how we should come to Him with our worries and our questions. We don’t have to be spiritual giants, we simply have to be sincere seekers: v 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.”

5/11/2021 – D&C 50:1-15

David Butler wrote about this section of the D&C indicating that “the problems we saw in section 46 continued and increased in the Kirtland area once all the leaders left on their missions. The “spiritual manifestations” were outlandish and inappropriate. The members of the Church were young in their faith, and they often showed their spiritual immaturity. Instead of blasting them from heaven, the Lord, in a sense, took their hands in His and reasoned with them until they understood. He slowly walked them through their own experience and education—as He always does. Eventually, their disposition began to match His.” This was growth gained through the direction of a loving parent. Haven’t we, as parents, gone through very similar instruction time as we’ve worked to raise our children?

The Lord starts this section with tender teaching: “Behold, verily I say unto you, that there are many spirits which are false spirits, which have gone fore in the earth, deceiving the world. And also Satan hath sought to deceive you, that he might overthrow you.” (v 2-3) He then gives the additional warning in v’s 7 “…I say unto you there are hypocrites among you, who have deceived some, which has given the adversary power.” And then He follows that by telling us the way we can live in a way that our thoughts and actions will bring us closer to Him and His peace: “Wherefore, let every man beware lest he do that which is not in truth and righteousness before me.” (v 9) And then He tells us that He is there to guide us and teach us: “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.” 

This isn’t the first time the Lord has worked to teach us. Long before this time, in Psalms 16:11 we learned: “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

I think I’ll stop here for today…because I want to go through this section slowly and carefully, that I, too, may benefit by this wonderful teaching time from the Lord.