If an Angel or spirit appears offer him your hand; if he is a spirit from God he will stand still and not offer you his hand. 2 If from the Devil he will either shrink back from you or offer his hand, which if he does you will feel nothing, but be deceived.
¶ A good Spirit will not decieve.
¶ Angels are beings who have bodies and appear to men in the form of man.
1. Clayton's book was his attempt to print Smith's teachings at Nauvoo. Brigham Young vetoed the effort.
2. Assuming the date is correct, this is at least the third time up to this point that this instruction has been delivered. See sermon of 27June39 and notes there.