The New And Everlasting
Covenant Of Marriage
Written in the early 90’s, defines and explains the new and everlasting covenant of marriage from a doctrinal (not historical) perspective. Focuses largely on the teachings found in D&C 132. Discusses various ethical and doctrinal implications surrounding the practice of plural marriage past, present, and future. (NOTE: There are known doctrinal mistakes in this one that I haven’t taken the time to fix yet. Sorry about that. Most of it is pretty good though. ;^)
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The following is an excerpt from this manuscript:
INTRODUCTION
This work attempts to explain the new and everlasting covenant of marriage as found in the scriptures, especially section 132 of the Doctrine and Covenants. In doing so it discusses many issues which are not generally discussed in the church. This is not a historical treatise. It is intended to be a doctrinal approach to the subject. Basically, it is an attempt to determine what section 132 of the Doctrine and Covenants says and what it means.
It is the opinion of the author that D&C 132 is very difficult to understand in some places and that it is one of the most misunderstood passages of scripture in the church today. It isn’t difficult to figure out why such misunderstandings exist. The topics addressed in this revelation are generally quite troublesome for most people. Many of the teachings found in section 132, especially plural marriage, are contrary to the cultural norms of western civilization. Since most Latter-day Saints have grown up with these cultural standards, it is difficult for us to comprehend such radical contrasts to our lifestyle. Even though Latter-day Saints generally accept section 132 as a revelation from God, we usually tend to avoid discussions of its content. We also tend to avoid any kind of in-depth research into the topics revealed there. Some members of the church even view section 132 as an embarrassment to themselves and their religion. The end result is that many Latter-day Saints misunderstand much of the teachings the Lord has given to us in that section.
This work hopes to clear up some of those misunderstandings and shed more light on some of the doctrines and principles associated with celestial marriage. At the foundation of this work we will find the words of section 132 itself, as well as commentary on section 132 as given to us from the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, especially those who lived these laws. In this respect, this work is definitely an appeal to authority. It is the intent to discover what the Lord and his servants have said about these doctrines and then let the reader decide what to do about it. The topics discussed are sensitive issues. An effort will be made to deal with them appropriately and without giving offense - a tall order indeed.
When most people think of section 132, or the new and everlasting covenant of marriage, they usually think of temple marriage - the kind of marriage into which most “active” Mormons enter. I propose that D&C 132 may not be discussing temple marriage as we, the Latter-day Saints, normally think of it. I believe it discusses doctrines and ordinances which are higher than those associated with a simple temple marriage. In saying “simple temple marriage” I do not wish to demean or reduce the importance of temple marriage. I would never view such an important ordinance in that manner. By “simple” I merely refer to the marriage ceremony with which most Latter-day Saints are familiar - the one most of us have experienced if we were married in the temple. This paper will give support to the idea that temple marriage is part of the new and everlasting covenant of marriage but that they are not one and the same thing, and that plural marriage is a celestial principle, revealed and ordained by God.