“It Was Not He but It Was the Spirit of the Lord”

Joseph F. McConkie, Robert L. Millet

It is common among men to confuse the message with the messenger. Those on the Lord’s errand have no right to say anything save that which the Lord directs. Nor is it for mortals to edit God. No teacher of the gospel has the right to add to the commandments or to take from their number or message. We are to give as the Lord directs us to give and withhold as the Lord directs us to withhold. We are to teach with compassion, “reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy” (D&C 121:43).

Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 1

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