I will now share my understanding of the verses in Section 132, in context with other scriptures, and the whisperings of the spirit I have felt while studying it. I do not claim these to be doctrine, which must come from other sources, they are only my thoughts, feelings and understandings of what the verses truly mean, which I find perfectly consistent with the core principles of truths already discussed.
Verse 1-3:
--From these verses we learn that the revelation came about, like many of the others in D&C, because the prophet had inquired of the Lord concerning the matter. Joseph was also told to prepare his heart for the answer, and to be ready to follow the instructions that the Lord would give to him, reaffirming the eternal truth that once we know a truth from God we are accountable for that light which we have received. When we learn that the New and Everlasting Covenant of marriage is required for exaltation then, if we are to have exaltation, we must abide by that law, which point is clarified in the verse 4. It is helpful here to remember that just because Section 132 later speaks of plural marriage, it is not all about plural marriage, the doctrines taught with that section actually move between Eternal Marriage, Plural Marriage, and other related doctrines. It is essential to determine what teachings given apply to which doctrines to fully understand the section.
Verse 4-6:
--These teachings are speaking of the New and Everlasting Covenant of Marriage, which is a reaffirmation of what the Lord had taught a few months prior… that in order to enter the highest degree of the Celestial kingdom one had to be sealed within that covenant. (D&C 131). It explains Paul’s declaration that “in the Lord,” neither is the man without the woman, nor the woman without the man. God’s glory is bound up in the blessing of eternal lives, which blessings cannot be enjoyed outside the holy order of eternal marriage. The damnation spoken of is NOT a punishment by God, but a factual statement of consequences. Those who chose not to enter into the New and Everlasting Covenant of marriage will not be able to progress further, and so are damned or stopped as to their progression.
Verse 7.
--This doctrine of the Holy Spirit of Promise moves beyond marriage and applies to all ordinance of the gospel. Each ordinance must be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise or they are of no lasting effect. It is a reminder that the keys of the eternal sealing are only held by one individual at a time, who is the prophet of the church, though the power under those keys can be, and are, delegated to sealers across the world. On October 5, 1843, about three months after Section 132 was recorded, the Prophet Joseph was seeking to correct many who were twisting and corrupting the doctrine of Plural marriage and stated; “I hold the keys of this power in the last day, for there is never but one on the earth at a time on whom the power and its keys are conferred; and I have constantly said no man shall have but one wife at a time, unless the Lord directs otherwise.” The later portion of his declaration will come into play as the revelation in Section 132 moves to the doctrine of plural marriage.
Verse 8-14.
--In this sense the Lord’s use of the term destroyed clearly means to make of no effect, to render invalid. The end state of ordinances that are not sealed up is that they will be as nothing, or destroyed.
Verse 15-18.
--This is more on what the Lord had previously taught with regard to the Law of Celestial marriage in the New and Everlasting Covenant of marriage in D&C Section 131, and uses the interesting terminology of those who are sealed as being “enlarged,” another reference to the work and glory of God as it is tied up in the concept of eternal lives. On one occasion as a Chaplain I was asked by a young LDS girl, who had chosen to marry and Soldier not of our faith, to use the words “for time and all eternity” in the marriage ceremony I was to perform for them. As the Lord points out here, and as I explained to her, my saying the words would have been meaningless, even though they both desired to covenant for all eternity, the only way that could be done is as the Lord had directed, and through the power of his Key holder of that power.
Verse 19-27.
--These verses outline the doctrine of having one’s calling and election made sure. That is a topic for another blog, as it requires a detailed analysis of many scriptures related to it. In short, it refers to a status wherein a person is sealed up unto exaltation, and as long as they do not commit the unpardonable sin, (that is becoming a son or daughter of perdition), they will be saved. Joseph, and therefore Emma, had their calling and election made sure, which is a powerful comfort for me, as I am certain Emma will be an heir to exaltation and eternal life, notwithstanding her difficulties after the prophets’ death. In fact, her life after His martyrdom and her disaffection with church, is to me an indication of what it means to be turned over to the buffeting of Satan, but in the end the promised day of redemption came for her, as it will for all whose calling and election is made sure.
Next: The Law of the Holy Priesthood (Plural Marriage) D&C 132: 28-51