Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, May 9, 1831. Joseph Smith’s history 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.
1–5, Many false spirits are abroad in the earth;
6–9, Wo unto the hypocrites and those who are cut off from the Church;
10–14, Elders are to preach the gospel by the Spirit;
15–22, Both preachers and hearers need to be enlightened by the Spirit;
23–25, That which doth not edify is not of God;
26–28, The faithful are possessors of all things;
29–36, The prayers of the purified are answered;
37–46, Christ is the Good Shepherd and the Stone of Israel.
    1 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.
    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 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.
    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.
    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.
    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.
    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.
    27 Wherefore, he 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 and cleansed 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.
    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.
    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.
    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.

Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Thompson, Ohio, May 20, 1831. At this time the Saints migrating from the eastern states began to arrive in Ohio, and it became necessary to make definite arrangements for their settlement. As this undertaking belonged particularly to the bishop’s office, Bishop Edward Partridge sought instruction on the matter, and the Prophet inquired of the Lord.
1–8, Edward Partridge is appointed to regulate stewardships and properties;
9–12, The Saints are to deal honestly and receive alike;
13–15, They are to have a bishop’s storehouse and to organize properties according to the Lord’s law;
16–20, Ohio is to be a temporary gathering place.
    1 HEARKEN unto me, saith the Lord your God, and I will speak unto my servant Edward Partridge, and give unto him directions; for it must needs be that he receive directions how to organize this people.
    2 For it must needs be that they be organized according to my laws; if otherwise, they will be cut off.
    3 Wherefore, let my servant Edward Partridge, and those whom he has chosen, in whom I am well pleased, appoint unto this people their portions, every man equal according to his family, according to his circumstances and his wants and needs.
    4 And let my servant Edward Partridge, when he shall appoint a man his portion, give unto him a writing that shall secure unto him his portion, that he shall hold it, even this right and this inheritance in the church, until he transgresses and is not accounted worthy by the voice of the church, according to the laws and covenants of the church, to belong to the church.
    5 And if he shall transgress and is not accounted worthy to belong to the church, he shall not have power to claim that portion which he has consecrated unto the bishop for the poor and needy of my church; therefore, he shall not retain the gift, but shall only have claim on that portion that is deeded unto him.
    6 And thus all things shall be made sure, according to the laws of the land.
    7 And let that which belongs to this people be appointed unto this people.
    8 And the money which is left unto this people—let there be an agent appointed unto this people, to take the money to provide food and raiment, according to the wants of this people.
    9 And let every man deal honestly, and be alike among this people, and receive alike, that ye may be one, even as I have commanded you.
    10 And let that which belongeth to this people not be taken and given unto that of another church.
    11 Wherefore, if another church would receive money of this church, let them pay unto this church again according as they shall agree;
    12 And this shall be done through the bishop or the agent, which shall be appointed by the voice of the church.
    13 And again, let the bishop appoint a storehouse unto this church; and let all things both in money and in meat, which are more than is needful for the wants of this people, be kept in the hands of the bishop.
    14 And let him also reserve unto himself for his own wants, and for the wants of his family, as he shall be employed in doing this business.
    15 And thus I grant unto this people a privilege of organizing themselves according to my laws.
    16 And I consecrate unto them this land for a little season, until I, the Lord, shall provide for them otherwise, and command them to go hence;
    17 And the hour and the day is not given unto them, wherefore let them act upon this land as for years, and this shall turn unto them for their good.
    18 Behold, this shall be an example unto my servant Edward Partridge, in other places, in all churches.
    19 And whoso is found a faithful, a just, and a wise steward shall enter into the joy of his Lord, and shall inherit eternal life.
    20 Verily, I say unto you, I am Jesus Christ, who cometh quickly, in an hour you think not. Even so. Amen.