Section 129
Overview
Doctrine and Covenants Section 129, recorded in Nauvoo, Illinois in 1843, outlines Joseph Smith's 'three grand keys' for discerning the nature of heavenly messengers. The text establishes a unique Mormon ontology by asserting that angels are resurrected humans with bodies of flesh and bone, while 'spirits of just men made perfect' are unresurrected humans who inherit the same glory. To distinguish between these beings and demonic deceptions, Smith prescribes a physical test: offering to shake hands. A resurrected angel will shake hands and be felt; a righteous spirit will decline to move so as not to deceive, but will still deliver the message; the devil, appearing as an angel of light, will attempt to shake hands but will not be felt. This text is highly significant in Mormon theology as it formally conflates the species of angels and humans, emphasizes the physical embodiment of heavenly beings, and establishes sensory, esoteric rituals as the primary means of spiritual discernment.
Key Figures
- Joseph Smith: The Prophet and author who claims to reveal these esoteric keys for spiritual discernment.
- Jesus Christ: Quoted (via Luke 24:39) as the precedent for resurrected beings having flesh and bones.
- Angels: Defined here not as a distinct creation, but as resurrected humans with physical bodies.
- Spirits of just men made perfect: Righteous humans who have not yet been resurrected but reside in glory.
- The Devil: The adversary who attempts to deceive by appearing as an angel of light but lacks the physical substance to fake a handshake.
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Ontology of Angels
Assertion
Angels are resurrected humans who possess physical bodies of flesh and bones.
Evidence from Text
Angels, who are resurrected personages, having bodies of flesh and bones
Evangelical Comparison
In Mormon theology, as explicitly stated in D&C 129, angels and humans are the same species at different stages of eternal progression. An angel is simply a human who has died and been resurrected with a physical body of flesh and bone. In stark contrast, Evangelical Christianity, relying on the biblical witness, maintains that angels are a completely separate order of creation. Hebrews 1:14 describes angels as 'ministering spirits,' and Psalm 8:5 notes that humans were made 'a little lower than the angels.' Angels do not possess physical bodies of flesh and bone, nor are they glorified human beings.
Physical Discernment of Spirits
Assertion
Spiritual messengers can be tested for authenticity by offering to shake their hands and relying on physical sensation.
Evidence from Text
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.
Evangelical Comparison
D&C 129 introduces a mechanical, sensory-based epistemology for spiritual discernment. The believer is instructed to rely on the physical sensation of a handshake to determine the origin of a spiritual messenger. Evangelical Christianity rejects this methodology entirely, adhering to the biblical mandate in 1 John 4:1-3, which commands believers to 'test the spirits to see whether they are from God' by examining their doctrinal confession—specifically, whether they acknowledge that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. Biblical discernment is theological and scriptural, not tactile.
Limitations of Demonic Deception
Assertion
The devil will attempt to deceive by shaking hands but will fail because he lacks a physical body to be felt.
Evidence from Text
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.
Evangelical Comparison
The text asserts a specific limitation on Satan: if asked to shake hands, he is compelled to try, but his lack of a physical body will expose him. Evangelical theology views Satan as a highly intelligent, deceptive spirit who operates primarily through false doctrine, temptation, and twisting Scripture (as seen in the temptation of Christ in Matthew 4). There is no biblical precedent suggesting Satan is forced to comply with a physical handshake test, nor that his deceptions are easily thwarted by sensory checks. Relying on a physical test rather than the Word of God leaves a person highly vulnerable to actual spiritual deception.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
Mormonism conflates humans and angels into a single species and relies on physical, sensory tests for spiritual discernment. Evangelicalism maintains a strict distinction between humans and angels and relies solely on Scripture to test spirits.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap here is rooted in fundamental differences in ontology (the nature of being) and epistemology (how we know truth). D&C 129 explicitly teaches that angels are resurrected human beings with bodies of flesh and bone. This reflects the broader Mormon doctrine of eternal progression, which collapses the Creator/creature distinction and the distinctions between different orders of creation. In Evangelical theology, angels are a distinct, unembodied spiritual creation (Hebrews 1:14, Colossians 1:16). Humans do not become angels when they die or are resurrected; they remain glorified humans. Furthermore, the text's epistemology for spiritual discernment is entirely sensory and mechanical. By instructing believers to rely on a physical handshake to detect demonic deception, the text bypasses the biblical mandate for doctrinal discernment. 1 John 4:1-3 commands believers to test spirits based on their Christology. Relying on a physical test assumes that Satan is bound by arbitrary physical rules (i.e., he must offer his hand but cannot simulate touch), an assumption nowhere supported in Scripture. This shifts the believer's reliance from the objective truth of the Bible to subjective sensory experience and esoteric rituals.
For All Ages
Imagine angels and humans are like apples and oranges. In the Bible, God made apples (angels) as spirits, and He made oranges (humans) with physical bodies. They are totally different creations. But this text says that angels are just humans who have died and come back to life with physical bodies—like saying an apple is just an orange that grew up. Also, if a stranger comes to your door claiming to be from God, the Bible says you should listen to what they teach about Jesus to see if they are telling the truth. This text says you should try to shake their hand to see if they are real. Christians believe we must use God's Word, the Bible, to protect us from tricks, not secret handshakes.
Friction Points
Theology Proper / Anthropology
Conflates the species of angels and humans, asserting angels are resurrected humans with flesh and bones.
Sola Scriptura
Introduces extra-biblical, esoteric rituals (handshakes) as the primary means of spiritual discernment, superseding biblical doctrinal tests.
Demonology / Spiritual Warfare
Reduces spiritual warfare and demonic deception to a physical parlor trick, ignoring the biblical warnings about Satan's doctrinal and moral deceptions.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Angel"
In This Text
A resurrected human being possessing a physical body of flesh and bones.
In Evangelicalism
A distinct order of spiritual beings created by God, who do not possess physical bodies of flesh and bone.
"Spirits of just men made perfect"
In This Text
Righteous humans who have died but have not yet been resurrected, existing in a state of glory.
In Evangelicalism
The souls of redeemed believers who are currently in the presence of God in heaven, awaiting the final resurrection.
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: Implies a heavenly hierarchy where beings 'inherit the same glory' but exist in different states (resurrected vs. unresurrected).
How Attained: Not explicitly detailed in this text, though it assumes a progression toward resurrection and glory.
Basis of Assurance: Assurance in this specific context is based on possessing the 'keys' to avoid deception.
Comparison to Sola Fide: This text does not address justification by faith. However, its focus on esoteric knowledge and physical rituals for spiritual safety contrasts with the evangelical reliance on faith in Christ's finished work for ultimate spiritual security.
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- Offer him your hand
- Request him to shake hands with you
- Ask him to shake hands with you
Implicit Obligations
- Expect and be prepared for personal visitations from heavenly messengers or demons.
- Rely on Joseph Smith's esoteric 'keys' for spiritual safety.
- Trust physical senses over or alongside doctrinal evaluation when encountering the supernatural.
Ritual Requirements
- The act of offering a handshake serves as a ritualistic test of spiritual authenticity.
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- In 1 John 4:1-3, the Bible tells us to test the spirits by asking what they believe about Jesus. How does the handshake test in D&C 129 compare to the biblical test?
- If Satan is a master deceiver who can appear as an angel of light, why would he be forced to offer his hand if he knows it will give him away?
- Hebrews 1:14 describes angels as 'ministering spirits.' How do we reconcile that with the idea that angels have bodies of flesh and bone?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The desire for truth and protection from deception.
Evangelicals share this deep desire to know the truth and be protected from the enemy. We can bridge this by showing that God has given us the ultimate, infallible 'key' to discern truth: His written Word and the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
By teaching that demons can physically appear as angels of light and that safety relies on remembering and executing a physical handshake test, the text places the burden of spiritual protection squarely on the believer's performance and sensory perception. If a believer's senses fail them, they could be deceived by Satan. This creates an underlying anxiety about supernatural encounters.
The reliance on 'grand keys' and secret knowledge fosters a system where spiritual maturity is measured by access to hidden rituals (which culminates in the temple endowment) rather than simple faith and reliance on the clear teachings of Scripture.