In Order to Obtain the H ighest

Doctrine & Covenants Section 131-132

From the 76th section vision we learn that there are three degrees of glory to which the majority of mankind will eventually become heirs: Celestial, Terrestrial, Telestial. (See also I Corinthians 15:40-42; II Corinthians 12:2)

Our understanding of the Celestial glory is further broadened by the information contained in Section 131. We learn:

There are three heavens in the Celestial glory. (See D&C 131:1)

Eternal marriage is a pre-requisite for an inheritance in the highest heaven. (See D&C 131:2-3)

Only in the highest heaven will it be possible for eternally married people to have the blessings of eternal increase (children). (See D&C 131:4)

The Prophet Joseph Smith explained “the more sure word of prophecy” as follows:

After a person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins, and is baptized for the remission of his sins and receives the Holy Ghost, . . . then let him continue to humble himself before God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and living by every word of God, and the Lord will soon say unto him, Son, thou shalt be exalted. When the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that the man is determined to serve Him at all hazards, then the man will find his calling and his election made sure, . . . (TPJS, p. 150)

The Lord said ". . . he will give unto the faithful line upon line, precept upon precept; . . ." (D&C 98:12) True to His word, He has provided continued revelation to the church that bears His name.

The marvelous and eternal truths revealed in this revelation are an illustration of the Lord's keeping His promise. Knowledge which saves souls is knowledge that comes from God. Anyone who hopes for an eternal inheritance within the environments of the Gods, must first righteously apply the revealed truths that save.

Section 132

William Clayton reports in his journal the following:"On the morning of the 12th of July, 1843, Joseph and Hyrum Smith came into the office in the upper story of the ‘brick store,' on the bank of the Mississippi River. They were talking on the subject of plural marriage. Hyrum said to Joseph, 'If you will write the revelation on celestial marriage, I will take and read it to Emma, and I believe I can convince her of its truth, and you will hereafter have peace.' Joseph smiled and remarked, 'You do not know Emma as well as I do.' Hyrum repeated his opinion and further remarked, 'The doctrine is so plain, I can convince any reasonable man or woman of its truth, purity or heavenly origin,' or words to their effect. Joseph then said, 'Well, I will write the revelation and we will see.' He then requested me to get paper and prepare to write. Hyrum very urgently requested Joseph to write the revelation by means of the Urim and Thummim, but Joseph, in reply, said he did not need to, for he knew the revelation perfectly from beginning to end. (Historical Record, Vol. 6, pp. 225-226)

1. Significant Dates Pertaining to this Revelation:

June 1831 The Law of Plural Marriage was received as early as this date

12 July 1843 The Revelation was Recorded (D&C 132)

6 October 1852 The Revelation announced to the public

6 October 1890 The Law of Plural Marriage was revoked (Official Declaration 1)

2. The Principle and Practice of Plural Marriage Plural marriage has been sanctioned by the Lord. At

various times in certain dispensations, the Lord has commanded that this principle should be put into practice. (See D&C 132:34-39; Bible, Genesis 25:1-6;Genesis chaps. 29 & 30; II Samuel 12:7-8) On other occasions, He has forbidden this practice. (See B of M, Jacob 2:27-30)

In this dispensation of the fulness of times, the Lord has revealed that He would " . . . gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; . . ." (Bible, Ephesians 1:10; see also Bible, Acts 3:20-21) The practice of plural marriage is part of the restoration of all things spoken of by the Lord.

Those who righteously obeyed this law did so by divine decree. (See D&C 132:3-14, 58-66)

3. Revocation of Plural Marriage One of the fundamental truths that is evident in the functioning and

operation of the kingdom of God is that the Lord commands and revokes as He sees fit. (See D&C 56:4; 58:30-33; 124:49) Any commandment or revocation of a commandment given by the Lord for His people will be revealed through the mouth of His living prophet. (See D&C 21:1-6; 28:2; 43:1-7; 90:1-4; 107:91; 124:45-46, 125-126)

The Lord revealed to the Prophet Wilford Woodruff that the practice of plural marriage should cease in that no additional plural marriages would be sanctioned by the Lord. An official statement was issued by the church in 1890 entitled the Manifesto that announced the revocation of the practice of solemnizing plural marriages. Based upon the divine principle of common consent (see D&C 26:2), this manifesto was presented to and sustained by the membership of the church. (See D&C, Official Declaration-1; see also Excerpts From Three Addresses by President Wilford Woodruff Regarding the Manifesto which follow Official Declaration-1)

“What is the fullness of the everlasting gospel? It is the plan of salvation- the Father’s eternal plan to save his children. It is the fall of Adam… and the ransoming power of the Son of God…

“It is all of the laws, rites, and ordinances; all of the truths, powers, performances; all of the keys, priesthoods, and privileges which bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

“It is the atonement of Christ, the redemption of man the [resurrection] and the wonder and glory of eternal life.

“It is faith, repentance, baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost.

“It is eternal marriage, eternal lives, eternal exaltation. It is to be one with the Father and the Son and to reign with them forever and ever.”

Bruce R. McConkieEnsign, April 1980, p. 21

Includes:The Fullness of the Everlasting GospelPlan of Salvation—The Plan of HappinessAll Covenants of the GospelIncludes Temple CovenantsThe New and Everlasting Covenant of

MarriageOrder of the SonFullness of Melchizedek Priesthood – D&C

124:28Patriarchal OrderOrder of Family GovernmentOrder of EnochAbrahamic CovenantAdamic CovenantPatriarchal Covenant

“The new and everlasting covenant is the fullness of the gospel. It is composed of all covenants… that are sealed upon members of the Church by the Holy Spirit of Promise.

“Marriage for eternity is a new and everlasting covenant. Baptism is also a new and everlasting covenant, and likewise ordination to the priesthood, and every other covenant… which embraces all things.”

Joseph Fielding SmithAnswers to Gospel Questions 1:65; DCSM p. 46

Marriage for Mortality Limited to mortal life and does

not extend beyond the grave No claim upon any marriage

relationships in the resurrection Angels to those who have

received higher degrees of exaltation. (See D&C 132:16-17)

Such a law of marriage is not of the Lord. (See D&C 132:15)

Celestial Marriage (See D&C 132:19; 131:1-4) The Lord’s law of marriageEternity of companionship

beyond mortality The promise of eternal

increaseCome forth in the first

ResurrectionEternity of Family

relationships

CONDITIONS: Proper authority—The power to bind a man and woman in wedlock

for time and eternity is vested in one man upon the earth, the Lord's prophet. (See D&C 132:7)

Worthiness—Men and women obtain access to the eternal powers of the Lord under His law of marriage only when they comply with certain standards of personal worthiness.

Holy Spirit of Promise—When the above two conditions are complied with, the Holy Ghost puts a stamp of approval upon the marriage ordinance (See D&C 132:7, 19)

PROMISES: Sealed up to eternal life—A husband and wife who are true and

faithful to their celestial marriage covenants will eventually have their calling and election made sure.. (See D&C 132:19; See also 131:5-6)

Blessings of eternal life—To have eternal lives is to experience life like unto God. A continuation of the seeds (children) will be forever. All that God has shall be given unto them. (See D&C 132:19-24)

(Oct. 5, 1843.) (Oct. 5, 1843.) ““In the afternoon, In the afternoon, rode to the prairie to show some of rode to the prairie to show some of the brethren some land. Evening, the brethren some land. Evening, at home, and walked up and down at home, and walked up and down the streets with my scribe. Gave the streets with my scribe. Gave instructions to try those persons instructions to try those persons who were preaching, teaching, or who were preaching, teaching, or practicing the doctrine of plurality practicing the doctrine of plurality of wives; for, according to the law, of wives; for, according to the law, I hold the keys of this power in the I hold the keys of this power in the last days; for there is never but one last days; for there is never but one on earth at a time on whom the on earth at a time on whom the power and its keys are conferred; power and its keys are conferred; and I have constantly said no man and I have constantly said no man shall have but one wife at a time, shall have but one wife at a time, unless the Lord directs otherwiseunless the Lord directs otherwise””

(History of Church 6:46).

““Some of you will Some of you will understand when I tell you understand when I tell you that some of these good that some of these good women who have passed women who have passed beyond have actually been beyond have actually been anointed queens and anointed queens and priestesses unto God and priestesses unto God and unto their husbands, to unto their husbands, to continue their work and to continue their work and to be the mothers of spirits be the mothers of spirits in the world to come. The in the world to come. The world does not understand world does not understand this–they cannot receive it–this–they cannot receive it–they do not know what it they do not know what it means, and it is sometimes means, and it is sometimes hard for those that ought hard for those that ought to be thoroughly imbued to be thoroughly imbued with the spirit of the with the spirit of the gospel–even some of us, to gospel–even some of us, to comprehend, but it is trucomprehend, but it is true.e.””

(Gospel Doctrine, 461)

No indication is given here or elsewhere about what the Lord had commanded the Prophet Joseph to offer to his wife, but the context seems to suggest that it was a special test of faith similar to the great test of Abraham's faith when the Lord commanded him to sacrifice Isaac. Beyond that, it is useless to speculate, for the record is silent; however, Emma was given additional counsel from the Lord, including commandments to "receive all those that have been given to her husband" (D&C 132:52) to obey the voice of the Lord (see vs. 53), to "abide and cleave unto" the Prophet (vs. 54), and to forgive him of his trespasses (see vs. 56). Warnings against rejecting these commandments and promises for keeping them were also given by the Lord.

•Emma and Joseph were sealed

Celestial marriage is ordained of God. Husbands and wives are assured the continuation of their marriage relationship beyond this life, provided they will enter into and live the Lord's law of celestial marriage. By so doing, they will receive all the blessings promised to Abraham.