f146719b_October_9__1843__Times_and_Seasons
[Smith Diary] what did they learn by coming to the spirits of just men made perfect? is it written. No! The spirits of just men are made ministering servants to those who are sealed unto life eternal. & it is through them that the sealing power comes down-- The spirit of Patriarch adam [Adams] now is one of the spirits of the just men made--and if revealed now, must be revealed in fire. and the glory could not be endured--Jesus shewed himself to his disciples and they thought it was his spirit. & they were afraid to approach his spirit. Angels have advanced higher in knowledge & power than spirits ¶ Judge Adams had some enemies, but such a man ought not to have had an enemy. I saw him first at springfield, when on my Way from Mo. to Washington. he sought me out when a stranger. took me to his house. encouraged & cheered me & give me money-- when men are prepared. they are better off to go home.-- [Burgess Record] A great many men suppose there is no difference between a spirit an angel and a spirit of a just man made perfect but Paul makes a distinction in the 12 chap of Hebrews he tells us that the hebrew church had come into the presence of God and Angels and to the spirits of just men made perfect The spirit of a just man made perfect if he made his appearance he would appear or be enveloped in flaming fire and no man in this mortal state could endure it, but an angel could come and appear as an other man for Paul says be careful to entertain an strangers for some have entertained Angels unawares. But to prove spirits view the Saviour after his resurrection when he appeared unto his diciples. they were afraid and thought they had seen a spirit but he convinces them of their mistake by teling them to handle him for says he a spirit has not flesh and bones as ye see me have. J Smith Prophet. [Times and Seasons] 
Spirits of Just Men - Reveal Endowment - Spirits and Angels The Hebrew church "came unto the spirits of just men made perfect, and unto an innumerable company of angels, unto God the Father of all, and to Jesus Christ the Mediator of the New Covenant;" but what they learned, has not been, and could not have been written. What object was gained by this communication with the spirits of the just, &c.? It was the established order of the kingdom of God--the keys of power and knowledge were with them to communicate to the saints--hence the importance of understanding the distinction between the spirits of the just, and angels. Spirits can only be revealed in flaming fire, or glory. Angels have advanced farther--their light and glory being tabernacled, and hence appear in bodily shape. ¶ Concerning brother James Adams, he remarked, that it should appear strange that so good and so great a man was hated. The deceased ought never to have had an enemy. But so it was, wherever light shone, it stirred up darkness. Truth and error, good and evil, cannot be reconciled. Judge Adams had been a most intimate friend.
October 9, 1843
Times and Seasons