Doctrine & Covenants Lesson 46 (D&C 129–132)
November 6–12
ITEMS OF INSTRUCTION
Instruction from the Prophet is Revelation
● D&C 129–132 These four sections of the Doctrine and Covenants were recorded during 1843.
● D&C 129:headnote D&C 129 is identified as “instructions” but is also considered a revelation, as are sections 130 and 131.
● Sections not specifically identified as “revelations” can still be accepted as “the word of God” because they contain truths previously made known by revelation.
— D&C 68:2–4 Whatever is given by those in authority “when moved upon by the Holy Ghost” is “the word of the Lord.”
Discerning Divine Messengers
● D&C 129 Reveals truths about spirits and helps us detect good spirits from evil ones.
● D&C 131:7–8 The difference between tangible matter and what we call “spirit” is that the “spirit” is “fine or pure” and “can only be discerned by purer eyes.”
● D&C 129:1 Tangible beings from heaven are called “angels.” There are two types:
The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “He [Joseph Smith] explained the difference between an angel and a ministering spirit; [an angel has] a resurrected or translated body, with its spirit ministering to embodied spirits. [A ministering spirit is] a disembodied spirit, visiting and ministering to disembodied spirits. Jesus Christ became a ministering spirit (while His body was lying in the sepulcher) to the spirits in prison . . . After His resurrection, He appeared as an angel to His disciples.”1
● D&C 129:2 Even though a resurrected body is more highly purified than is our present mortal body, it can be felt.
Luke 24:39
● D&C 129:3 Other supernatural messengers include “spirits of just men made perfect.”
● D&C 129:4–7 To distinguish these various kinds of messengers, we should offer to shake hands.
— A spirit messenger from God will not shake hands with us because we can’t feel his hand.
— Spirit matter is too “fine nor pure” to be tangible to our physical bodies.
● D&C 129:8 The devil and his emissaries are also spirits.
— There are no messengers from Satan with tangible bodies
— Thus, the only messengers with tangible bodies are translated beings or those who were righteous and have been resurrected.
● D&C 50:30–33 Satan is required to depart when rebuked in the name of Jesus Christ by one holding the priesthood.
Correcting Misconceptions
● D&C 130–131 These instructions were given in Ramus, a town near Nauvoo where an important branch of the Church had been established.
The Prophet Joseph Smith said, [Sunday, 2 Apr. 1843] “At ten A. M. went to meeting. Heard Elder Orson Hyde preach. . . . Alluding to the coming of the Savior, he said, ‘When He shall appear, we shall be like Him, etc. He will appear on a white horse as a warrior, and maybe we shall have some of the same spirit. Our God is a warrior. (John 14:23) It is our privilege to have the Father and Son dwelling in our hearts, etc.’ We dined with my sister Sophronia McCleary, when I told Elder Hyde that I was going to offer some corrections to his sermon this morning. He replied, ‘They shall be thankfully received.’”2
● D&C 130:1 The Savior is “a man like ourselves” although much more glorified.
● D&C 130:3, 22–23 The concept that the Father and the Son will dwell in our hearts is false. The Father and the Son have tangible bodies of flesh and bone. The Holy Ghost, however, has a body of spirit and can “dwell in us.”
CONDITIONS IN THE CELESTIAL KINGDOM
● D&C 130:6–9 Describes in man’s language the transcendent glory of (1) the dwelling place of the angels and (2) “this earth, in its sanctified and immortal state.”
● D&C 130:10 Each inhabitant of the celestial kingdom will have a “white stone” that acts as a Urim and Thummim for that person.
● D&C 130:11 This white stone will have a “new name” on it. This new name is a symbolic key for that individual.
THE CIVIL WAR
● D&C 130:12–13 The Prophet predicts the precise place where the Civil War will start, and why.
THE SECOND COMING
● D&C 130:2 In the Millennium, we will enjoy the same relationships we have now, but they will be enhanced by the eternal glory we will have then.
● D&C 130:14–17 In the days of Joseph Smith, the Millerites and other religious groups professed to know the precise time of the Second Coming. The Prophet also sought an answer on this subject and received this answer. Why the specific age of 85 years was selected is unknown.
● D&C 49:7 The Lord told Joseph Smith to “trouble me no more on this matter” because the scriptures have declared that the exact
Matthew 24:36 time is known only by the Lord.
PRINCIPLES OF EXALTATION
● D&C 130:18–19 Whatever “intelligence” (knowledge and wisdom) we obtain in this life remains with us in the worlds hereafter.
● D&C 131:6 We cannot be saved in ignorance. “Ignorance” means the lack of a spiritual testimony, not lack of secular learning.
● D&C 130:20–21 All blessings are received by obedience to the laws upon which those blessings are predicated.
● D&C 131:1–4 Only in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom can one be exalted and have eternal “increase” (spirit posterity).
● 2 Peter 1:10, 16–19 Even though the Apostle Peter had been a personal witness of the Lord’s transfiguration and had heard the Father bear witness of the Son, he declares here that he now has “a more sure word of prophecy.”
● D&C 131:5 The “more sure word of prophecy” is knowing that you are sealed up to eternal life. This is achieved by revelation followed by a priesthood ordinance.
The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “Now, wherein could they have a more sure word of prophecy than to hear the voice of God saying, This is my beloved Son, etc. Now for the secret and grand key. Though they might hear the voice of God and know that Jesus was the Son of God, this would be no evidence that their election and calling was made sure, that they had part with Christ, and were joint heirs with Him. They then would want that more sure word of prophecy, that they were sealed in the heavens and had the promise of eternal life in the kingdom of God. Then, having this promise sealed unto them, it was an anchor to the soul, sure and steadfast. Though the thunders might roll and lightnings flash, and earthquakes bellow, and war gather thick around, yet this hope and knowledge would support the soul in every hour of trial, trouble and tribulation. Then knowledge through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the grand key that unlocks the glories and mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.”3
● D&C 132:49–50 The Lord sealed Joseph Smith up unto eternal life in 1831.
● D&C 132:50–53 Just what Joseph’s test was or from what Emma was to stay herself has never been revealed.
THE REVELATION ON ETERNAL MARRIAGE
The Context of this Revelation
● D&C 132:headnote Does not give the date when the revelation was received. This date refers to when it was recorded.
● As Joseph studied the life of Abraham and the teachings of Jesus, he must have had many questions come to mind, not only regarding Abraham’s having more than one wife but also on the very nature of the marriage relationship.
—Matthew 19:3–6 Marriage was designed by God and he blesses it.
—Matthew 22:23–30 Marriage is an ordinance that must be done in this world.
—Genesis 16:1–4 Abraham was commanded to take a second wife.
The New and Everlasting Covenant
● D&C 132:1–3 The Lord commands Joseph to be obedient to these principles
● D&C 132:4–6 Prior to the creation, the law by which we were to be governed in mortality was set down. It is unchanging. Blessings come only by obedience to it.
— Note the word “a” in verse 4 and “the” in verse 6.
— “The” new and everlasting covenant is the fulness of the gospel
— “A” new and everlasting covenant pertains to any of the eternal covenants such as eternal marriage or baptism.
President Joseph Fielding Smith said, “Each ordinance of the Gospel is a covenant which is new and everlasting. It is new and everlasting because it is divine truth and never grows old . . . This was said of baptism, and the Lord calls it ‘a new and an everlasting covenant, even that which was from the beginning.’ (D&C 22:1). It is so with all the covenants and obligations in the Gospel which pertain to salvation and exaltation of man . . . There are some members of the Church who seem to think that the new and everlasting covenant is the covenant of celestial marriage, or marriage for eternity, but this is not so . . . The Lord draws a distinction between a new and everlasting covenant and the new and everlasting covenant . . . It is plainly discernible that the new and everlasting covenant is the fulness of the Gospel.”4
President Brigham Young said, “Latter-day Saints enter the new and everlasting covenant when they enter the Church.”5
● D&C 132:7–8, 13–14 The conditions of the new and everlasting covenant.
— “Sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise” means:
President Joseph Fielding Smith said, “ORDINANCES SEALED BY SPIRIT. The Holy Spirit of Promise is the Holy Ghost who places the stamp of approval upon every ordinance: baptism, confirmation, ordination, marriage. The promise is that the blessings will be received through faithfulness. If a person violates a covenant, whether it be of baptism, ordination, marriage or anything else, the Spirit withdraws the stamp of approval, and the blessings will not be received. Every ordinance is sealed with a promise of a reward based upon faithfulness. The Holy Spirit withdraws the stamp of approval where covenants are broken (D&C 76:52–53; 132:7).”6
Eternal Marriage
● D&C 132:15–17 Marriage between a man and a woman performed by civil authority does not continue through eternity. The couple may live together during earth life with the Lord’s approval, but they have no marriage after death.
● D&C 132:18 Those who do not enter into celestial marriage will be angels and live singly and separately forever.
● D&C 132:19 (first 1/3 of the verse) The conditions of eternal marriage:
— According to the Lord’s word and law, and
— By the new and everlasting covenant.
— Sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, and
— By one anointed who has the power and keys of this priesthood.
President Joseph Fielding Smith said:
“When a man and a woman, in all sincerity, enter into a covenant of marriage for time and all eternity (and after they have ‘overcome by faith,’ and are ‘just and true’), the Holy Ghost—who is the Spirit of promise—bears record of or ratifies that sealing. In other words, he seals the promises appertaining to the marriage covenant upon them.
“Now the Lord has said: ‘But there is a possibility that man may fall from grace and depart from the living God; Therefore let the Church take heed and pray always, lest they fall into temptation; Yea, and even let those who are sanctified take heed also.’
“If one or both of these covenanting persons break that covenant by which they were sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, then the Spirit withdraws the seal and the guilty party, or parties, stand as if there had been no sealing or promise given. All covenants are sealed based upon faithfulness.
“Should a person endeavor to receive the sealing blessing by fraud, then the blessing is not sealed, notwithstanding the integrity and authority of the person officiating. Instead of a blessing they will receive a cursing, the heaviest of all. Therefore, a person who may deceive the bishop or any other officer, will stand condemned before the Lord, for he cannot be deceived and justice will be meted out to all.”7
● D&C 132:19 (last 2/3 of the verse) to 20 Promises to those who obey celestial marriage:
— They shall come forth in the first resurrection
— They shall inherit thrones, principalities, etc.
— They shall have a continuation of seed
— They shall become gods
— They shall dwell in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom.
● D&C 132:21–25 It is necessary to obey God’s law to achieve celestial glory.
● D&C 132:9 It was because of his obedience while in the world that Abraham received a great reward.
● D&C 132:30–32 The promise is given to us that if we are as faithful as was Abraham, we, too, can receive eternal life.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught:
“I am grateful that I belong to a church that values marriage and family. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are known throughout the world for having some of the finest marriages and families you can find. I believe this is, in part, due to the precious truth restored by Joseph Smith that marriages and families are meant to be eternal. Families are not just meant to make things run more smoothly here on earth and to be cast off when we get to heaven. Rather, they are the order of heaven. They are an echo of a celestial pattern and an emulation of God’s eternal family.
“But strong marriage and family relationships do not happen just because we are members of the Church. They require constant, intentional work. The doctrine of eternal families must inspire us to dedicate our best efforts to saving and enriching our marriages and families.”8
PLURAL MARRIAGE
Many confuse celestial marriage with plural marriage. They are not the same thing. Celestial marriage is a requirement for exaltation in the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom. This is marriage sealed for time and all eternity in the temples of our God. Plural marriage is not required for exaltation unless specifically commanded by God Himself. It functioned as a test of the faith of certain individuals in our dispensation.
● D&C 132:34–39 Abraham took plural wives only after he had received a revelation and commandment from God. Moses and David did also.
— David and Solomon sinned in taking plural wives because they took wives not given them by the Lord.
— Abraham followed a commandment from God, he was faithful to revelation, and the Lord considered him a righteous man. He has received his exaltation and he is a god [v. 37].
● Jacob 2:27–33 The Lord’s explanation of how and when plural marriage might be commanded.
Joseph Delays Implementation of Plural Marriage
● Because of the sensitive nature of the plural marriage aspects of the revelation, Joseph did not even record it until 1843, and he resisted implementing it out of fear.
President Joseph F. Smith said, “When that principle was revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, he very naturally shrank, in his feelings, from the responsibilities thereby imposed upon him; foreseeing, as he did in part, the apparently insurmountable difficulties in the way of establishing it, in the face of the popular opinion, the traditions and customs of many generations, the frowns, ridicule, slander, opposition and persecutions of the word. Yes, this man of God, who dared to meet the opposition of the whole world with bold and fearless front, who dared to dispute the religious authority and accumulated learning and wisdom of the age—who dared everything for the truth, and shrank not even from the sacrifice of his own life in testimony of his divine mission, shrank, in his feelings, from the weight of the responsibility of inaugurating and establishing this new innovation upon the established customs of the world. But he did not falter, although it was not until an angel of God, with a drawn sword, stood before him; and commanded that he should enter into the practice of that principle, or he should be utterly destroyed, or rejected, that he moved forward to reveal and establish that doctrine.”9
Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner said, “[Joseph said] the angel came ‘three times between the years of [18]34 and [18]42.’ Joseph endeavored to reason with the heavenly being, stating that the Book of Mormon taught that to take plural wives was ‘an abomination in the eyes of the Lord, and they were to adhere to these things except the Lord speak.’ But the angel declared: ‘Thus saith the Lord, the time has now come that I will raise up seed unto me as I spoke by my servant Jacob, as is recorded in the Book of Mormon.’”10
Eliza R. Snow said, “It was at [a] private interview . . . that the Prophet Joseph unbosomed his heart, and described the trying mental ordeal he experienced in overcoming the repugnance of his feelings, the natural result of the force of education and social custom, relative to the introduction of plural marriage. He knew the voice of God—he knew the commandment of the Almighty to him was to go forward—to set the example, and establish Celestial plural marriage. He knew that he had not only his own prejudices and prepossessions to combat and to overcome, but those of the whole Christian world stared him in the face; but God, who is above all, had given the commandment, and He must be obeyed. Yet the Prophet hesitated and deferred from time to time, until an angel of God stood by him with a drawn sword, and told him that, unless he moved forward and established plural marriage, his priesthood would be taken from him and he should be destroyed! This testimony he not only bore to my brother, but also to others . . . .”11
● As early as 1832, Joseph Smith told some of the brethren at Kirtland that in time plural marriage would become part of the doctrine and practice of the Church, because it was part of the restoration of the fullness of the gospel . . . embracing the covenants God had made with Abraham.12
● One of Joseph’s plural wives said that [Joseph] “said that the practice of this principle would be the hardest trial the Saints would ever have to test their faith.”13
President Joseph F. Smith said, “About this time, or subsequently, Joseph, the Prophet, intrusted this fact to Oliver Cowdery; he abused the confidence imposed in him, and brought reproach upon himself, and thereby upon the Church by ‘running before he was sent,’ and ‘taking liberties without license,’ so to speak, hence the publication, by O. Cowdery, about this time, of an article on marriage, which was carefully worded, and afterwards found its way into the Doctrine and Covenants without authority. This article explains itself to those who understand the facts, and is an indisputable evidence of the early existence of the knowledge of the principle of patriarchal marriage by the Prophet Joseph, and also by Oliver Cowdery.”14
Joseph Begins Teaching Plural Marriage
● Finally, on 12 July 1843, William Clayton, the Prophet’s scribe, recorded it at the Prophet’s request. Copies of the revelation were made by bishop Newell K. Whitney and Joseph C. Kingsbury.
● In 1852, when Elder Orson Pratt received the assignment from President Brigham Young to publicly declare the law of eternal and plural marriage, Brother Kingsbury’s copy was the source for D&C 132.
● Official Church records indicate the first plural marriage by the Latter-day Saints was performed at Nauvoo in 1841 when Joseph Bates Noble sealed Louisa Beaman to the Prophet Joseph.15
● As the members of the council of the Twelve returned from their missions to Great Britain in 1841, Joseph Smith took them one by one and taught them the doctrine. Some had more difficulty than others in accepting it.
President John Taylor said, “It was one of the greatest crosses that ever was taken up by any set of men since the world stood.”16
President Brigham Young said, “It was the first time in my life that I had desired the grave, and I could hardly get over it for a long time. When I saw a funeral, I felt to envy the corpse its situation, and to regret that I was not in the coffin.”17
Heber C. Kimball said, “[When I heard the Prophet teach the doctrine of plural marriage] the shock was similar to that of an earthquake . . . [The command] to take another wife, if it had been his death sentence he could not have felt worse.”18
Elder Orson Pratt became disillusioned with Joseph Smith and his rejection of the doctrine apparently was one of the reasons he and his wife were excommunicated from the Church at Nauvoo. Through further study Elder Pratt became converted to the doctrine, and he and his wife were re-baptized and at the April Conference of 1843 Elder Pratt was reinstated in the council of Twelve.19
William Law, with his arms around the neck of the Prophet, was pleading with him to withdraw the doctrine of plural marriage, which he had at that time commenced to teach to some of the brethren, Mr. Law predicting that if Joseph would abandon the doctrine, ‘Mormonism’ would, in fifty or one hundred years, dominate the Christian world. Mr. Law pleaded for this . . . with tears streaming from his eyes. The Prophet was also in tears, but he informed the gentleman that he could not withdraw the doctrine, for God had commanded him to teach it, and condemnation would come upon him if he was not obedient to the commandment. William Law became bitter, and soon he was excommunicated.20
HEBER C. KIMBALL’S ABRAHAMIC TEST
Elder Orson F. Whitney wrote:
“Before (the Prophet Joseph Smith) would trust even Heber with the full secret, however, he put him to a test which few men would have been able to bear. It was not less than a requirement for him to surrender his wife, his beloved Vilate, and give her to Joseph in marriage!
“The astounding revelation well-nigh paralyzed him. He could hardly believe he had heard aright. Yet Joseph was solemnly in earnest. His next impulse was to spurn the proposition, and perhaps at that terrible moment a vague suspicion of the Prophet’s motive and the divinity of the revelation, shot like a poisoned arrow through his soul.
“But only for a moment, if at all, was such a thought, such a suspicion entertained. He knew Joseph too well, as a man, a friend, a brother, a servant of God, to doubt his truth or the divine origin of the behest he had made. No, Joseph was God’s Prophet, His mouthpiece and oracle, and so long as he was so, his words were as the words of the Eternal One to Heber C. Kimball. His heart-strings might be torn, his feelings crucified and sawn asunder, but so long as his faith in God and the priesthood remained, heaven helping him, he would try and do as he was told. Such, now, was his superhuman resolve.
“Three days he fasted and wept and prayed. Then, with a broken and a bleeding heart, but with soul self-mastered for the sacrifice, he led his darling wife to the Prophet’s house and presented her to Joseph.
“It was enough the heavens accepted the sacrifice. The will for the deed was taken, and ‘accounted unto him for righteousness.’ Joseph wept at this proof of devotion, and embracing Heber, told him that was all that the Lord required. He had proven him, as a child of Abraham, that he would ‘do the works of Abraham,’ holding back nothing, but laying all upon the altar for God’s glory.
“The prophet joined the hands of the heroic and devoted pair, and then and there, by virtue of the sealing power and authority of the Holy priesthood, Heber and Vilate Kimball were made husband and wife for all eternity.”21
What About Us and Our Trials?
The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “You will have all kinds of trials to pass through. And it is quite as necessary for you to be tried [even] as . . . Abraham and other men of God . . , God will feel after you, and He will take hold of . . . and wrench your very heartstrings, and if you cannot stand it you will not be fit for an inheritance in the Celestial Kingdom of God.”22
PLURAL MARRIAGE WAS RESCINDED IN 1896
President Wilford Woodruff taught in 1896 in Utah that the Lord had withdrawn this practice among the Saints and it was not any more to be taught or practiced.
● D&C 132:41–44 Taking a plural wife without the Lord’s blessing and commandment is adultery.
● Today, we are expressly commanded not to live in plural marriage. It has been rescinded.
President Spencer W. Kimball said, “We warn you against the so-called plural marriage cults which would lead you astray. Remember the Lord brought an end to this program many decades ago through a prophet who proclaimed the revelation to the world.”23
● God’s laws are unchanging in an eternal sense. However, changing conditions during mortal’ moments may alter the requirements under which men live from time-to-time.
The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “The government of heaven is conducted—by revelation adapted to the circumstance in which the children of the kingdom are placed. Whatever God requires is right, no matter what it is, although we may not see the reason thereof till long after the events transpire.”24
Notes:
1. History of the Church, 4:425.
2. History of the Church, 5:323.
3. History of the Church, 5:388–389; Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 298.
4. Church History and Modern Revelation, 2:356.
5. Discourses of President Brigham Young, 247–248.
6. Doctrines of Salvation, 1:45.
7. Doctrines of Salvation, 2:98–99.
8. “In Praise of Those Who Save,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 77.
9. In Journal of Discourses, 20:29.
10. Mary Lightner, Address to Brigham Young University, 1905, BYU Archives and Manuscripts, Writings of Early Latter-day Saints, 1.
11. Biography and Family Record of President Lorenzo Snow, 69–70.
12. BYU Studies, vol. 15 (1974–1975), Number 4 – Summer 1975, 443.
13. Helen Mar Whitney, A Woman’s View: Helen Mar Whitney’s Reminiscences of Early Church History, 140.
14. In Journal of Discourses, 20:29.
15. Affidavits of Joseph Bates Noble, Church Historical Department; see also B. H. Roberts, A Comprehensive History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1965 ), 2:101-102.
16. In Journal of Discourses, 11:221.
17. In Journal of Discourses, 3:266.
18. Helen Mar Whitney, A Woman’s View: Helen Mar Whitney’s Reminiscences of Early Church History, 133.
19. Doctrinal Development of the Church During the Nauvoo Sojourn, 1839–1846 by T. Edgar Lyon, BYU Studies, vol. 15 (1974–1975), Number 4 – Summer 1975, 443.
20. Improvement Era 6 (May 1903): 507–510; Truman G. Madsen, Joseph Smith the Prophet, 112.
21. Life of Heber C. Kimball, 323–324.
22. As quoted by John Taylor in Journal of Discourses, 24:197.
23. In Conference Report, Oct. 1974, 5; or Ensign, Nov. 1974, 5.
24. History of the Church, 5:134–135.