What I get from this is that when first written, the words of the hymn were sung to several different tunes depending on the occasion. Eventually, the hymn was published, and the tune it was published with became what we sing today. Apparently futbalmaven thinks the truth is not for common consumption, so no idea why he/she was so cryptic about it.

Early printings of the hymn contain text only, although tune names were given twice in the church newspaper, the Messenger and Advocate. The January 1836 issue of the Messenger and Advocate specifies the tune American Star.[4] On the other hand, the March 1836 issue specifies the different tune Hosanna when it was sung for the dedication service of the Kirtland Temple.[5] At least four tunes have been associated with the hymn since it was written, including: The American Star, Hosanna, and Assembly (also known as Paraclete).[6] While these tunes were likely familiar to many of the members of the church at the time, there is some ambiguity today as to how these tunes were sung. Karen Lynn Davidson has stated that some believe Assembly to be another name for the Hosanna tune used at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple.[7]

J. C. Little and G. B. Gardner published an unofficial hymnal in 1844 in Bellows Falls, Vermont, which is the first Latter Day Saint hymnal to include any music. "The Spirit of God," is included as the very first hymn[8] and it is set to the same tune used today—although the notes in the refrain differ slightly from modern editions, and it contained only soprano and bass instead of the four parts typical of modern editions.