Doctrine and Covenants, Connected
Doctrine and Covenants 129 Three grand keys
On February 9, 1843, Joseph Smith gave this instruction in Nauvoo, Illinois. William Clayton's report preserves it. The section describes how the feel of a handshake can distinguish an angel with a resurrected body from a spirit, and how a deceptive appearance differs from both. It calls these tests “three grand keys” for recognizing whether a message comes from God.
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Doctrine and Covenants 129
- There are two kinds of beings in heaven, namely: Angels, who are resurrected personages, having bodies of flesh and bones—
- For instance, Jesus said: Handle me and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
- Secondly: the spirits of just men made perfect, they who are not resurrected, but inherit the same glory.
- When a messenger comes saying he has a message from God, offer him your hand and request him to shake hands with you.
- If he be an angel he will do so, and you will feel his hand.
- If he be the spirit of a just man made perfect he will come in his glory; for that is the only way he can appear—
- Ask him to shake hands with you, but he will not move, because it is contrary to the order of heaven for a just man to deceive; but he will still deliver his message.
- If it be the devil as an angel of light, when you ask him to shake hands he will offer you his hand, and you will not feel anything; you may therefore detect him.
- These are three grand keys whereby you may know whether any administration is from God.
Read Doctrine and Covenants 129 on the official scripture site
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Data version: D&C Connected v1 · built 2026-10-15 · conference through 2026-10