D&C 50

The asked His leaders a very significant question -

"...unto what were ye ordained?" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 50:13)

So there is no misunderstanding, He immediately answers -

"To preach my gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 50:14)

Much like Alma taught to be the responsibility of the High Priesthood -

"...thus being called by this holy calling, and ordained unto the high priesthood of the holy order of God, to teach his commandments unto the children of men, that they also might enter into his rest—" (Book of Mormon Alma 13:6)

But in teaching His commandments, it must be done by the Spirit. The Savior asked -

"...he that is ordained of me and sent forth to preach the word of truth by the Comforter, in the Spirit of truth, doth he preach it by the Spirit of truth or some other way?" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 50:17)

He again answers -

"...if it be by some other way it is not of God." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 50:18)

This same process extends to those being taught as the Lord asks -

"...he that receiveth the word of truth, doth he receive it by the Spirit of truth or some other way?" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 50:19)

Again the Lord answers His own question -

"If it be some other way it is not of God." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 50:20)

The Lord then provides this great "litmus" test -

"Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 50:22)

All teaching is to be done in this manner. President Joseph Fielding Smith taught -

"There is no saying of greater truth than ‘that which doth not edify is not of God.’ And that which is not of God is darkness, it matters not whether it comes in the guise of religion, ethics, philosophy or revelation. No revelation from God will fail to edify." (Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:201–2.)