A prearranged sign by which John the Baptist would recognize the Messiah (John 1: 32-34). Joseph Smith taught that the sign of the dove was instituted before the creation of the world as a witness for the Holy Ghost; therefore, the devil cannot come in the sign of a dove.

The Spirit of God descended like a dove, Matt. 3: 16. After Jesus was baptized, the Holy Ghost came down in the form of a dove, 1 Ne. 11: 27. I, John, bear record, and lo, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove, D&C 93: 15.