CHAPTER XIV. EFFORT TO OVERWHELM THE CHURCH BY FALSEHOOD - SUNDRY REVELATIONS LEADING TO DOCTRINAL DEVELOPMENT.

False reports and foolish stories about the Church spread, among which is a story about "Mormonism in China," concerning a great earthquake in Pekin that a young "Mormon" girl had predicted.  Simonds Ryder, a Campbellite preacher, joins the Church.  Roberts notes that "His surrender caused an excitement almost equal to that which followed the fall of Rigdon." (p. 158)

Joseph Smith receives more revelations, revelations about the temple in Jerusalem, the Jews, the last days, the love of men waxing cold, an overflowing scourge, standing in holy places, the parable of the fig tree, the cleaving in twain of the Mount of Olives, the Savior appearing to the Jews, and the following important verse:

"For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day." (D&C 45:57)

A revelation on the gifts of the Holy Ghost is received. Each and every gift is for the edification and the benefit of those who love and serve God, or those who seek so to do.  The Lord reasons with his saints and teaches them what it means to teach and learn by the Spirit:

"Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together.

And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness.

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." (D&C 50:22-24)

Parely P. Pratt records much of the background to these revelations, such as the attempt to preach the Gospel among the Shaking Quakers.  Pratt also sheds light on the manner in which Joseph Smith received and dictated revelations:

"Elder Parley P. Pratt; in his Autobiography, referring to this revelation, for he was present when it was given—indeed it was obtained chiefly at his own and Elder John Murdock's solicitation—takes occasion to relate how this and other revelations were given through the Prophet. "Each sentence," says he, "was uttered slowly and very distinctly, and with a pause between each, sufficiently long for it to be recorded by an ordinary writer in long hand. This was the manner in which all his written revelations were dictated and written. There was never any hesitation, reviewing, or reading back, in order to keep the run of the subject; neither did any of these communications undergo revisions, interlinings or corrections. As he dictated them so they stood, so far as I have witnessed; and I was present to witness the dictation of several communications of several pages each."—Aut. Parley P. Pratt, pp. 65-66. This statement of Elder Pratt's is true in a general way, and valuable as a description of the manner in which revelations were dictated by the Prophet; and needs modifying only to the extent of saying that some of the early revelations first published in the "Book of Commandments," in 1833, were revised by the Prophet himself in the way of correcting errors made by the scribes and publishers; and some additional clauses were inserted to throw increased light upon the subjects treated in the revelations and paragraphs added, to make the principles or instructions apply to officers not in the Church at the time some of the earlier revelations were given. The addition of verses, 65, 66 and 67 in sec. 20 of the Doctrine and Covenants, is an example."