“Angelic Handshake Test” in The Book of Adam and Eve (cf. D&C 129)

 

[Book 1] Chapter LXV

 

After this Satan, the hater of all good, took the form of an angel, and with him two others, so that they looked like the three angels who had brought to Adam gold, incense, and myrrh.

They passed before Adam and Eve while they were under the tree, and greeted Adam and Eve with fair words that were full of guile.

But when Adam and Eve saw their Comley mien, and [heard] their sweet speech, Adam rose, welcomed them, and brought them to Eve, and they remained all together; Adam's heart the while, being glad because he thought concerning them, that they were the same angels, who had brought him gold, incense, and myrrh.

Because, when they came to Adam the first time, there came upon him from them, peace and joy, through their bringing him good tokens; so Adam thought that they were come a second time to give him other tokens for him to rejoice withal. For he did not know it was Satan; therefore did he receive them with joy and companied with them.

Then Satan, the tallest of them, said, "Rejoice, O Adam, and be glad. Lo, God has sent us to thee to tell thee something."

And Adam said, "What is it?" Then Satan answered, "It is a light thing, yet it is a word of God, wilt thou heart it from us and do it? But if thou hearest not, we will return to God, to tell H word."

And Satan said again to Adam, "Fear not, neither let a trembling come upon thee; dost not thou know us?"

But Adam said, "I know you not."

Then Satan said to hi," I am the angel who brought thee gold, and took it to the cave; this other one is he who brought thee myrrh [when thou wast] on the top of the mountain, and who carried thee to the cave.

But as to [the other angels] our fellows, who bare you to the cave, God has not sent them with us this time; for He said to us, "You suffice."

So when Adam heard these words he believed them, and said to these angels, "Speak the word of God, that I may receive it."

And Satan said unto him, "Swear, and promise me that thou wilt receive it."

Then Adam said, "I know not how to swear and promise."

And Satan said to him, "Hold out thy hand, and put it inside my hand."

Then Adam held out his hand, and put it into Satan's hand; when Satan said unto him, "Say, now-so true (lit. as indeed) as God is living, rational, and speaking, who raised the heavens in the space, and established the earth upon the waters, and has created me out of the four elements, and out of the dust of the earth-I will not break (lit. foul) my promise, nor renounce my word." And Adam swore thus.

Then Satan said to him, "Lo, it is now some time since thou camest out of the garden, and thou knowest neither wickedness nor evil. But now God says to thee, to take Eve who came out of thy side, and to wed her, that she bear thee children, to comfort thee, and to drive from thee trouble and sorrow; now this thing is not difficult, neither is there any scandal in it to thee."

 

Chapter LXVI

 

But when Adam heard these words from Satan, he sorrowed much, because of his oath and of his promise, and said, "Shall I commit adultery with my [flesh and my] bones, and shall I sin against myself, for God to destroy me, and to blot me out from off the face of the earth?

"Since, when at first, I ate of the tree, He drove me out of the garden into this strange land, and deprived me of [my] bright nature, and brought death upon me. If, then, I should do this, He will cut off my life from the earth, and He will cast me into hell, and will plague me there a long time.

"But God never spoke the words thou hast told me; and ye are not God's angels, nor yet sent from Him. But ye are devils, come to me under the false appearance of angels. Away from me; ye cursed of God!"

Then those devils fled from before Adam. And he and Eve arose, and returned to the Cave of Treasures, and went into it.

Then Adam said to Eve, "If thou sawest what I did tell it not; for I sinned against God in swearing by His great name, and I have placed my hand another time into that of Satan." Even, then, held her peace, as Adam told her.

Then Adam arose, and spread his hands unto God, beseeching and entreating Him with tears, to forgive him what he had done. And Adam remained thus standing and praying forty days and forty nights. He neither ate nor drank until he dropped down upon the earth from hunger and thirst.

Then God sent His Word unto Adam, who raised him up from where he lay, and said unto him, "O Adam, why hast thou sworn by My name, and why hast thou made agreement with Satan another time?"

But Adam wept, and said, "O God, forgive me, for I did this unwittingly; believing they were God's angels."

And God forgave Adam, saying to him, "Beware of Satan."

And He withdrew His Word from Adam.

Then Adam's heart was comforted; and he took Eve, and they went out of the cave, to make some food for their bodies.

But from that day Adam struggled in his mind about his wedding Eve; afraid as he was to do it, lest God should be wroth with him.

Then Adam and Eve went to the river of water, and sat on the bank, as people do when they enjoy themselves.

But Satan was jealous of them; and would destroy them. (The Book of Adam and Eve, Also Called The Conflict of Adam and Eve with Satan [trans. S.C. Malan; London: Williams and Norgate, 1882], 84-87)