Friday, June 22, 2018

Marion G. Romney on Discerning True vs. Counterfeit Spiritual Gifts


In his April 1956 General Conference address, Marion G. Romney discussed how one can discern genuine spiritual gifts from counterfeit versions thereof:

The Prophet Joseph having recited some of the workings of evil spirits in his day, said:

A man must have the discerning of spirits before he can drag into daylight this hellish influence and unfold it unto the world in all its soul-destroying, diabolical, and horrid colors; for nothing is a greater injury to the children of men than to be under the influence of a false spirit when they think they have the spirit of God. Thousands have felt the influence of its terrible power and baneful effects. Long pilgrimages have been undertaken, penances endured, and pain, misery and ruin have followed in their train; nations have been convulsed, kingdoms overthrown, provinces laid waste, and blood, carnage and desolation are habiliments in which it has been clothed. (History of the Church, Vol. IV, p. 573.)

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.

Paul, writing to the Corinthian saints concerning spiritual gifts, instructed them to "let all things be done unto edifying." And of those who would speak in tongues he said, "If there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; . . ." And as to prophecy he added, ". . . the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace. . . . (1 Cor. 14:26-33.) He compared the speaking in tongues without a clear interpretation thereof to a trumpet giving forth an uncertain sound, at which no one would know whether to prepare for the battle. "There are," he wrote, . . . So many kinds of voices in the world,...

Therefore, if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. (1 Cor. 14:8-11.)

That the saints of the infant Church in this dispensation be not deceived, the Lord pleaded with them to keep in mind that the purpose of spiritual gifts was to benefit those who loved him and kept his commandments. They were not to be given as signs to those who would consume them upon their lusts.

Second -- this pertains particularly to purported supernatural healing -- find out whether the purported healer follows the divinely established procedure, that Is, does he do as Jesus did when he laid his hands upon the sick and healed them (See Mark 6:5) and as his apostles did when, at his direction, they "went out, and preached that men should repent.

"And . . . cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them." (Ibid., 6:12-13.) The pattern which prevailed in the Apostolic Church, and which has been prescribed anew by revelation in this day (D & C 42:43-44), is set out by James as follows:

Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if be have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. (James 5:14-15.)

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. This is a key test because, as we have already pointed out, the gifts of the spirit are given by the power of the Holy Ghost. Without the gift of the Holy Ghost, the manifestations of his gifts may not be enjoyed. The Prophet Joseph Smith states this foundation doctrine as follows:

We believe in the gift of the Holy Ghost being enjoyed now, as much as it was in the Apostles' day; we believe that it [the gift of the Holy Ghost] is necessary to make and to organize the priesthood, that no man can be called to fill any office in the ministry without it; we also believe in prophecy, in tongues, in visions, and in revelations, in gifts, and in healings; and that these things cannot be enjoyed without the gift of the Holy Ghost. (History of the Church, Vol. V, p. 27.)

Thus one who has never received the gift of the Holy Ghost cannot possibly work miracles by his power.

Now, we know that there is but one way to obtain the gift of the Holy Ghost. That way is through the prescribed ordinances of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Apostle Paul's procedure emphasizes the indispensability of these ordinances. Coming to

. . . Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Conference Report, April 1956, p.72
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. (Acts 19:2-6.)

These gifts of the spirit they could not possibly have exercised until after they had received the gift of the Holy Ghost through compliance with the proper ordinances. Such has been the procedure for receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost from the days of Father Adam. We quoted at the beginning of these remarks the procedure by which he received it. That procedure was precisely the same as that followed by Paul in bestowing it. Such will always be the procedure, for God established it. Said the Prophet Joseph,

Baptism is a holy ordinance preparatory to the reception of the Holy Ghost; it is the channel and key by which the Holy Ghost will be administered.

The gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, cannot be received through the medium of any other principle than the principle of righteousness, for if the proposals are not complied with it is of no use, but withdraws. (History of the Church, Vol. III, p. 379.)


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. (Conference Report, April 1956, pp. 71-72)