Do Not Be Deceived by Evil Spirits or Doctrines of Devils
Doctrine and Covenants 46:7–8
7 But ye are commanded in all things to ask of God, who giveth liberally; and that which the Spirit testifies unto you even so I would that ye should do in all holiness of heart, walking uprightly before me, considering the end of your salvation, doing all things with prayer and thanksgiving, that ye may not be seduced by evil spirits, or doctrines of devils, or the commandments of men; for some are of men, and others of devils.
8 Wherefore, beware lest ye are deceived; and that ye may not be deceived seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given . . .
President Marion G. Romney said:
“Some of these counterfeits are crude and easily detected, but others closely simulate true manifestations of the Spirit. Consequently, people are confused and deceived by them. Without a key, one cannot distinguish between the genuine and the counterfeit. . . .
“Without attempting an exhaustive discussion of this question, I shall take the liberty to suggest three simple tests which, if applied, will prove of great value in making the distinction.
“First, determine whether the alleged supernatural manifestation is edifying. If it is not, then it is not of God because spiritual gifts are given for the edification of God’s people. . . . (1 Corinthians 14:26–33). . . .
“Second—this pertains particularly to purported supernatural healings—find out whether the purported healer follows the divinely established procedure . . . (Mark 6:5, 12–13, laying on of hands; James 5:14–15, anointing with oil). . . .
“Third, find out whether the worker of the purported miracle has himself received the gift of the Holy Ghost through the prescribed ordinances. If he has not, then his works, whatever they may be, are not the manifestations of the Holy Spirit. . . .
“Now, righteous men, bearing the holy priesthood of the living God and endowed with the gift of the Holy Ghost, who are magnifying their callings—and such are the only men upon the earth with the right to receive and exercise the gifts of the spirit—will do so circumspectly and in all humility. They will not spectacularly advertise their divine power nor boast about it. Neither will they display it for money. Of this you may be sure.”
(In Conference Report, Apr. 1956, 70–72.)
