D&C 50

Of the 46th section of the Doctrine and Covenants, I blogged on the meaning of being "in the Spirit" and asking only that which is the will of God. It is in the 50th section the Lord again talks of being in the Spirit and the importance of teaching by the Spirit. The Lord again reasons with us what it means to be worthy to be in the Spirit -

"...if ye are purified and cleansed from all sin, ye shall ask whatsoever you will in the name of Jesus and it shall be done." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 50:29)

"But know this, it shall be given you what you shall ask..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 50:30)

As we strive to be worthy of and receive the Spirit, the Lord tells us that there are many spirits or influences that we may experience. He again teaches or as he said reasons with us -

"Wherefore, it shall come to pass, that if you behold a spirit manifested that you cannot understand, and you receive not that spirit, ye shall ask of the Father in the name of Jesus; and if he give not unto you that spirit, then you may know that it is not of God." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 50:31)

In my own words or understanding, this suggests that if we experience a spirit, or and influence, or an action of another that we feel uncomfortable about or unsure, we must ask the Father in the name of the Savior and will let us know of this influence or action is according to the ways of the Lord. I've recently experienced such influences of others and in this case came to the conclusion it was not the Lord's way. The question would then arise, what should one do in this situation? The Lord responds -

"...it shall be given unto you, power over that spirit; and you shall proclaim against that spirit with a loud voice that it is not of God—
33 Not with railing accusation, that ye be not overcome, neither with boasting nor rejoicing, lest you be seized therewith." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 50:32 - 33)

How we react then has as much to do with the process as the influence itself. The Lord later stated -

"No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 121:41 - 42)

The Spirit testifies that these words are true.