D&C 131

THE DOCTRINE AND COVENANTS

SECTION 131

Instructions by Joseph Smith the Prophet, given at Ramus, Illinois, May 16 and 17, 1843. HC 5: 392—393.

1—4, Celestial marriage is essential to exaltation in the highest heaven; 5—6, How men are sealed up unto eternal life; 7—8, All spirit is matter.

[ Verse 1-4 add to D&C 76:50-70. Those verses deal with exaltation in the celestial kingdom but they left something out that is added here and then in 132 and that's marriage. ] 1 IN the celestial glory [ Or the Celestial kingdom proper. The word “celestial” means “heavenly” ] there are three heavens or degrees; [ The reference is that there are various levels within the celestial kingdom. The top most level requires one to have received the new and everlasting covenant of marriage as will be discussed in verse 2. But, this is not necessary to gain access to the Celestial Kingdom alone as unmarried ministering angels will be present there also, cf. D&C 132:16-17. Thus, this passage must be referring very specifically to three additional degrees within the Celestial Kingdom proper. While the topmost degree is defined, and the lowest degree can be inferred as relating to celestial quality persons who were not eternally married, there remains the question as to what the middle degree of the celestial kingdom is composed of. ]

2 And in order to obtain the highest, [ Degree in the celestial kingdom. Celestial marriage is not a pre-requisite to enter the celestial kingdom but rather it is the essence of what that kingdom entails. You have to enter together, as partners, it is not just checking a box, it is more than just having been married. It is because of what you will be required to do as a partnership. Elder Mark E. Petersen at a priesthood leadership meeting one day drew a big circle on the whiteboard - back when they used to visit and teach from the whiteboard. In the middle of the circle he then drew two lines all way through the circle. He noted that this is the celestial kingdom, and asked who resides in the upper portion of the Celestial kingdom. He took information from the priesthood brethren. The correct answers where what is mentioned here. He then asked who dwells in the middle portion of that kingdom? Then he asked who dwells in the lower portion of that kingdom, what are their qualifications to reside there? He took the answers and then he drew a really big question mark in the lower two quadrants and simple said "You apparently know something I don't. But of course that is because I'm just an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ". So it punctuated that fact that we should not speculate. ] a man [ Mankind - OR a woman. A couple, upon being sealed, enters into the patriarchal “order of the priesthood.” Each spouse, equal in all things and responsibilities, holds this most important priesthood together as a patriarch and matriarch to their family. They have entered into “this order of the priesthood, meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage.” There can be no patriarch without a matriarch and each has separate responsibilities in this order of father and mother. This is the same priesthood that Adam and Eve were blessed with before the fall (Gen. 1:28).1 It is the same priesthood that they had after the fall, with divided responsibilities in mortality. This “order of the priesthood” is the order of heaven and inherent in the couple who have been sealed together, with the same commission in life as our first parents was given in the Garden of Eden. The main responsibility of this patriarchal priesthood, which the married couple jointly holds, is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of their children, by instruction and ordinance. ] must enter into This order of the priesthood [ This "order of the priesthood” is connected to the marriage and sealing ordinance of a husband and wife. This sealing is the entrance or gate into that "order of the priesthood” or the "patriarchal priesthood". The sealed couple becomes a patriarch and matriarch to their family and posterity. Anciently, to become the birthright son, one must not only be sealed to a matriarch but also have the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood (the inherent authority of Christ) to function as the ‘prophet, priest and king’ (outside the direct family line) for all his father’s posterity when a worthy patriarch may be absent. Can a man do this by himself? note that temple marriage is an order in the Melchezideck priesthood. Specifically the Patriarchal order of the Priesthood. Symbolically referenced at the altar of the temple when a man and a woman are sealed together. As referenced by the grip as well. ] [ Meaning the new [ The word new in this context means that this covenant was newly restored in our dispensation. (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-and-church-history-seminary-teacher-manual-2014/section-6/lesson-138-doctrine-and-covenants-131?lang=eng) ] and everlasting covenant [ Another name for the new and everlasting covenant of marriage is the patriarchal priesthood, They have to be sealed. Why? Because the two become God. The two are God. That's why when God created man, the scripture says: “God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Gen 1:27). God is two people—it's just that simple. God—that celestial couple, that deity—has decided to be called “Father.” There is no better way to convey the idea to mortals who are organized in families. There is no better way to convey the concept that God is a loving, kind, protective, providing, and caring Father. A father embraces all those things. ‘Mother’ somewhat conveys that concept, but does not quite express the level of protection and the provision that the term ‘father’ does. So God, composed of two people, decided to be called “Father.” The two are actually God. They are Eloheim. The new and everlasting covenant of marriage is the order of the patriarchal priesthood. The matriarch holds the same priesthood as does the patriarch. In a general sense what is the new and everlasting covenant? It is the gospel in it's fullness. "Now there is a clear-cut definition of the new and everlasting covenant. It is everything the fulness of the gospel. So marriage properly performed, baptism, ordination to the priesthood, everything else every contract, every obligation, every performance that pertains to the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise according to his law here given, is part of the new and everlasting covenant. (Doctrines of Salvation, 1:158)" How is it new? It is new every time it is revealed anew following a period of apostasy. How is it everlasting? It is not new to God it has been with him forever - everlasting. It is everlasting in the sense that it is God’s covenant and has been enjoyed in every gospel dispensation where people have been willing to receive it. It is everlasting in the fact that it is eternal in nature. Here we are talking about a specific ordinance of the new and everlasting covenant which is what? Marriage What is unique about this ordinance? There are only two ordinances in the church that are done in the name of the Father son and the Holy Ghost - they are Baptism and Marriage Sealing. All covenants between God and man are part of the everlasting covenant.- It is the gospel as it stands in that dispensation here the marriage for eternity is added as part of the new and everlasting covenant, Those who enter into these promises receive the same blessing as Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and so forth. What is the significance of this being done in the name of the Father son and the Holy Ghost? Just as we witness and join with all three in baptism we as do so with our respective husband or wife over the altar, this new covenant forms a new unit in the church with each covenant made - Elder Dallin Oaks Mar 1, 2008 Jordan River Temple marriage ceremony. Where else in the bible does it talk about new and everlasting covenant?.

I will establish my covenant between me and you: Gen. 17:7;
He shall have the covenant of an everlasting priesthood: Num. 25:13;
The people changed the ordinances and broke the everlasting covenant: Isa. 24:5; ( D&C 1:15; )
I will make an everlasting covenant with you: Isa. 55:3; ( Jer. 32:40; )
It shall be an everlasting covenant: Ezek. 37:26;
The Lord made a new covenant, and the old passed away: Heb. 8:13;
Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant: Heb. 12:24; ( D&C 76:69; )
This is a new and an everlasting covenant: D&C 22:1;
I have sent my everlasting covenant into the world: D&C 45:9; ( D&C 49:9; )
The Lord sent the fulness of his gospel, his everlasting covenant: D&C 66:2; ( D&C 133:57; )
In order to obtain the highest degree in the celestial kingdom, a man must enter into the new and everlasting covenant of marriage: D&C 131:1–2;
The new and everlasting covenant was instituted for the fulness of the Lord’s glory: D&C 132:6, 19;] of marriage];

3 And if he [ Who? Men and women need to receive the Patriarchal priesthood in order to obtain The Highest degree of the Celestial kingdom. Who? Man/Woman ] does not, he cannot obtain it. [ Why? Because the Patriarchal priesthood (order) is only for those who are patriarchs/matriarchs; those sealed as a family unit. The order of the Patriarchal priesthood that is formed when we are married in the temple of God. It is witnessed by the patriarchal grip in the sealing process. Since this will be the order of government and rule in the celestial kingdom. See D&C 107:41 . ]

4 He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase. [ See D&C 132: 19-20. ]

5 (May 17th, 1843.) The more sure word of prophecy [ The more sure word of prophecy means a man's knowing he sealed up unto eternal life in two ways and here they are: #1) Revelation can come from a just man made perfect on the other side of the veil who comes and tells you, it can come from the holy ghost who whispers to you that you've earned a place it can come from a resurrected being who is sent to tell you; #2) The spirit of prophecy through the power of the holy priesthood that deals with the presence of God in the second anointing. What Is “the More Sure Word of Prophecy”? Elder Bruce R. McConkie said: “Those members of the Church who devote themselves wholly to righteousness, living by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God, make their calling and election sure. That is, they receive the more sure word of prophecy, which means that the Lord seals their exaltation upon them while they are yet in this life. Peter summarized the course of righteousness which the saints must pursue to make their calling and election sure and hen (referring to his experience on the Mount of Transfiguration with James and John) said that those three had received this more sure word of prophecy. (2 Pet. 1.) . . . “Those so favored of the Lord are sealed up against all manner of sin and blasphemy except the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost and the shedding of innocent blood. That is, their exaltation is assured; their calling and election is made sure, because they have obeyed the fulness of God’s laws and have overcome the world.” (Mormon Doctrine, pp. 109–10; see also D&C 132:17, 26; Notes and Commentary for D&C 76:53.) ] means a man’s knowing that he is sealed up unto eternal life, by revelation and the spirit of prophecy, through the power of the Holy Priesthood. [ Which is also known as what? Having one's calling and election made sure. Let's look at phase one of that knowledge. So we might ask ourselves what are the requirement here again? 1) Be sealed up unto eternal life, 2) by revelation and the spirit of prophecy, 3) Through the power of the Holy priesthood. Think about the temple ordinances we are sealed eternally to each other, by those who hold the proper authority to do so, when you receive the acknowledgement through the spirit (revelation) that you are worthy to enter the temple - see D&C 121 - when your confidence is strong in the presence of God. The spirit of revelation is having the holy ghost with us. The Book of Revelation 19:10 defines the spirit of prophecy as the testimony of Jesus. What is one of the first questions asked in your temple recommend interview? Requirements for Making Calling and Election Sure ? 1:Hunger and thirst after righteousness 2:Live by every word of God 3: Be thoroughly proved by the Lord 4:Be determined to serve God at all hazards 5:Be devoted wholly to righteousness ]

6 It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance. [ Ignorance of the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ (Doctrines of Salvation volume 1 page 290-291). Ignorance of what? You will not be saved in ignorance that you will be saved, you believe in God enough that you know that it is he that will save you. A man cannot be saved without the knowledge that there is a God - ignorant that there is a God, that Jesus is the savior the one who atoned for our sins - it is this knowledge that is required in order for us to be saved - if we are ignorant of this we cannot be saved. See D&C 132:4 Just because we did not know that we needed to make a covenant in the new and everlasting covenant does not excuse us from it. It is required in order to obtain the highest degree of the celestial kingdom. All will have the chance to accept that work done for them, and all will have to make the choice to accept or not - there is no middle ground - no ignorance. Why can man not be saved in ignorance? In order for the atonement to be in effect we have to belive in the Savior, that he lives, that he has the power to atone. Without that belief in him he cannot save us. How Important Is Knowledge? The Prophet Joseph Smith stated: “A man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge, for if he does not get knowledge, he will be brought into captivity by some evil power in the other world, as evil spirits will have more knowledge, and consequently more power than many men who are on the earth. Hence it needs revelation to assist us, and give us knowledge of the things of God.” (History of the Church, 4:588.) So the term ignorance in the sense of deliberate ignorance and not any kind of honest or inadvertent lack of knowledge. For example, consider Joseph Smith’s use of the term in the following: "There are a great many wise men and women too in our midst who are too wise to be taught; therefore they must die in their ignorance, and in the resurrection they will find their mistake. Many seal up the door of heaven by saying, so far God may reveal and I will believe. All men who become heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ will have to receive the fulness of the ordinances of his kingdom; and those who will not receive all the ordinances will come short of the fullness of that glory, if they do not lose the whole." (Teaching of the Prophet Joseph Smith, page 309). ]

7 There is no such thing as immaterial matter. All spirit is matter, [ So a spirit has form, substance, and mass. Spirits are composed of matter, only the matter that makes up our spirit is of a finer nature than that which composes our physical bodies. A revelation given to Joseph Smith in May 1833 revealed that “the elements are eternal” (D&C 93:33). Here in verse 7 & 8, Joseph also broke down the conceptual barrier between material matter and spirit, declaring them to be the same thing, only in different states. A year earlier in the Times and Seasons, Joseph taught: “The body is supposed to be organized matter, and the spirit by many is thought to be immaterial, without substance. With this latter statement we should beg leave to differ—and state that spirit is a substance; that it is material, but that it is more pure, elastic, and refined matter than the body;—that it existed before the body, can exist in the body, and will exist separate from the body when the body will be moldering in the dust; and will in the resurrection be again united with it.” In the same discourse he added, “the spirits of men are eternal.” Times and Seasons, 1 April 1842, p. 745, JSP. ] but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes; [ Who would that be then? Those eyes that have received the more sure word of prophecy, those eyes that are in tune with the nature of God. ]

8 We cannot see it; [ Unless we have been purified. Just because we cannot see it does not mean that it is not there either. Aura around others in near death experience. ] but when our bodies are purified we shall see that it is all matter. [ And when our bodies have been purified we will be able to see this matter (or the spirits who's make up is of the fine or pure material). When we have received the more sure word of prophecy we will be able to see them, with pur natural eyes. While we are in the process of becoming able to do so we can feel them, know that they are there, see them through dreams - but to look at them we must become changed to the point that are bodies are pure. Remember our spirit is often more pure than our body - the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. It is when our body has become pure. ]

[ Historical Material Pertaining to Doctrine & Covenants 131 Excerpt from History of the Church. Except a man and his wife enter into an everlasting covenant and be married for eternity, while in this probation, by the power and authority of the Holy Priesthood, they will cease to increase when they die; that is, they will not have any children after the resurrection. (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, volume 5, page 391) Excerpt from Journal of Discourses The increase of those who are exalted in that kingdom will endure for ever; and the bringing forth of children will not be attended with sorrow, pain and distress as it is here: these evils have come in consequence of the fall of man and the transgression by him of God’s holy laws. (Orson Pratt, Journal of Discourses, volume 15, page 320.) Excerpt from Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith Section 131 consists of a variety of doctrinal statements made by Joseph Smith while visiting members of the Church in Ramus, Illinois. The Prophet’s personal scribe, William Clayton, accompanied him on this occasion and preserved Joseph Smith’s remarks in his personal diary On 16 May 1843 Joseph Smith, William Clayton, George Miller, Eliza Partridge, Lydia Partridge, and Lorin Walker traveled to visit the Saints in Ramus. The Prophet and William Clayton spent the evening with Benjamin F. Johnson and the others at the home of William G. Perkins. Before retiring, the Prophet gave Benjamin F. Johnson and his wife some instructions on priesthood, which included verses 1-4 of section 131. Putting his hand on the knee of William Clayton, the Prophet said, “Your life is hid with Christ in God, and so is many others.” Addressing Benjamin F., Joseph said: Nothing but the unpardonable sin can prevent him [Clayton] from inheriting eternal glory for he is sealed up by the power of the priesthood unto eternal life having taken the step which is necessary for that purpose.” The Prophet continued, Except a man and his wife enter into an everlasting covenant and be married for eternity while in this probation by the power and authority of the Holy priesthood they will cease to increase when they die (ie. they will not have any children in the resurrection, but those who are married by the power & authority of the priesthood in this life & continue without committing the sin against the Holy Ghost will continue to increase & have children in the celestial glory. The unpardonable sin is to shed innocent blood or be accessory thereto. All other sins will be visited with judgement in the flesh and the spirit being delivered to the buffetings of satan until the day of the Lord Jesus.... Prest J. said that the way he knew in whom to confide, God told him in whom he might place confidence. He also said that in the celestial glory there was three heavens or degrees, and in order to obtain the highest a man must enter into this order of the priesthood and if he dont he cant obtain it. He may enter into the other but that is the end of his kingdom he cannot have increase. The following morning, 17 May 1843, the Prophet preached from the first chapter of 2 Peter, when verses 5-6 were recorded, At 10 [a.m.] Prest. J. preached on 2nd Peter ch 1. He shewed that knowledge is power & the man who has the most knowledge has the greatest power. Also that salvation means a mans being placed beyond the powers of all his enemies. He said the more sure word of prophecy meant, a mans knowing that he was sealed up unto eternal life by revelation & the spirit of prophecy through the power of the Holy priesthood. He also showed that it was impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance. Paul had seen the third heavens and I more. Peter penned the most sublime language of any of the apostles. In the evening of the same day, the Prophet went to hear Samuel A. Prior, a Methodist preacher. At the close of the preacher’s remarks, Joseph Smith offered some corrections that included verses 7-8: P.M. pres. J. attended the City council & afterwards rode out with B.F. Johnsons family. In the evening we went to hear a Methodist preacher lecture. After he got through Pres. J. offered some corrections as follows. The 7th verse of Chapter 2 Genesis ought to read God breathed into Adam his spirit or breath of life, but when the word “ruach” applies to Eve it should be translated lives. Speaking of eternal duration of matter he said. There is no such thing as immaterial matter. All spirit is matter but is more fine or pure and can only be discerned by purer eyes We cant see it but when our bodies are purified we shall see that it is all matter. The gentleman seemed pleased & said he should visit Nauvoo immediately. (Lyndon W. Cook, The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith) ]