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HonoraDominum
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:banghead: :banghead: :banghead:There are two things going on through this section.
Joseph Smith was, naturally, confused about the fact that these men were apparently justified before God, despite entering into a practise that all religious teachers he had contact with taught vehemently against. The Lord explains that their wives were given from Him, and were given for the express purpose of fulfilling the promise made to Abraham; and that Abraham was counted as righteous because he abode in the law he was given.
The Lord reveals a new covenant to Joseph Smith; specifically described as new. Joseph is not told to enter into the same covenant as Abraham, but is told that the new (and everlasting) covenant brings the same promises as made to Abraham.
Nowhere does the section make any connection that claims polygamy is essential. It states that living by the laws God gives to us is what is essential. God gave commandment to Abraham and others to take a plurality of wives, to fulfil His purposes for His children here on earth.
“God” reveals a new covenant, that he then says is the same covenant as he made with Abraham. Then “God” lays out that covenant that he made, that Abraham is to have multiple wives. Then “God” says take the same covenant as Abraham. Then “God” says specifically that taking multiple wives is not sinful.
And this is interpreted as temple marrage?! No!
In D&C 132:4, it states:
4 For behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory.
Then Brigham Young states:6 And as pertaining to the new and everlasting covenant, it was instituted for the** fulness of my glory**; and he that receiveth a fulness thereof must and shall abide the law, or he shall be damned, saith the Lord God.
The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy.
(Journal of Discourses, vol. 11, p. 269)
Also, on LDS.org, it states that on July 12, 1835 that “Joseph Smith received D&C 132, a revelation about the eternal marriage covenant, while in the presence of his brother Hyrum Smith and William Clayton, recorder. (History of the Church, 5:500–7)” What LDS.org does not do is directly quote History of the Church Vol. 5, pp. 500-501: ““Wednesday, 12 – I received the following revelation… Revelation on the Eternity of the Marriage Covenant, including the Plurality of Wives. Given through Joseph, the Seer, in Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, July 12, 1843.””Now if any of you will deny the plurality of wives, and continue to do so, I promise that you will be damned.
(Journal of Discourses, vol. 3, p. 266)
The official church doctrine also neglected to publish this little bit of conversation, in the introduction to Volume 5:
“On the morning of the 12th of July, 1843; Joseph and Hyrum Smith came into the office…** 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 it 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.’ … Joseph then said, ‘Well I will write the revelation and we will see.’…
“Hyrum then took the revelation to read to Emma. Joseph remained with me in the office until Hyrum returned. When he came back, Joseph asked him how he had succeeded. Hyrum replied that he had never received a more severe talking to in his life, that Emma was very bitter and full of resentment and anger.
“Joseph quietly remarked, ‘I told you you did not know Emma as well as I did.’ Joseph then put the revelation in his pocket, and they both left the office.
"The revelation was read to several of the authorities during the day. Towards evening Bishop Newel K. Whitney asked Joseph if he had any objections to his taking a copy of the revelation; Joseph replied that he had not and handed it to him. It was carefully copied the following day by Joseph C. Kingsbury. Two or three days after the revelation was written Joseph related to me and several others that Emma had so teased, and urgently entreated him for the privilege of destroying it, that he became so weary of her teasing, and to get rid of her annoyance, he told her she might destroy it and she had done so, but he had consented to her wish in this matter to pacify her, realizing that he knew the revelation perfectly, and could rewrite it at any time if necessary.”
Emma Smith apparently did not like the idea of plural marriage, and Joseph Smith told her she could destroy the revelation about it. However, as we can see, that clearly did not make a difference as one of Smith’s disciples had already conveniently made a copy. Also? That was kind of a sneaky thing for Joseph Smith the husband to do. But I digress.
- History of the Church, Introduction to v. 5, pp. XXXII-XXXIII
Every evidence found in the early discourses of the church point that D&C 132 referred to the “new and everlasting covenant” being about plural marriage. Period, end of story. Any change to this doctrine is whitewashing the truth, lying about what is plainly spelled out for all to see in history journals and even canon scripture.