DC 50 Intro: SECTION 50
Revelation given to the elders of the church through Joseph Smith, Jr., May 1831, at Kirtland, Ohio. Some of the elders who returned from their missions in order to share in the June conference (D. and C. 44) reported that they had been embarrassed by strange and unedifying spiritual manifestations which were experienced among the congregations of the Saints. Joseph sought the Lord for guidance, and the following revelation as given him.
1a Hearken, O ye elders of my church, 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.
1b 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: and also Satan hath sought to deceive you, that he might overthrow you.
2a Behold, I the Lord have looked upon you, and have seen abominations in the church that professes my name; but blessed are they who are faithful and endure, whether in life or in death, for they shall inherit eternal life.
2b But woe unto them that are deceivers, and hypocrites, for thus saith the Lord, I will bring them to judgment.
3a Behold, verily I say unto you, There are hypocrites among you, and have deceived some, which has given the adversary power, but, behold, such shall be reclaimed;
3b but the hypocrites shall be detected and shall be cut off, either in life or in death, even as I will, and woe unto them who are cut off from my church, for the same are overcome of the world;
3c wherefore, let every man beware lest he do that which is not in truth and righteousness before me.
4a And now come, saith the Lord, by the Spirit, unto the elders of his church, and let us reason together, that ye may understand: let us reason even as a man reasoneth one with another face to face:
4b 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: wherefore I, the Lord, asketh you this question, Unto what were ye ordained?
4c To preach my gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter, which was sent forth to teach the truth: and then received ye spirits which ye could not understand, and received them to be of God, and in this are ye justified?
