Sometime in November you can expect a Sunday School lesson/discussion on D&C 132. Come Follow Me lists the date as Nov 16, but it may be a different date.

This lesson involves Sections 129-132. Depending on the teacher, 132 might not be covered.

Old Arguments Laid Out First

Here’s how the 132 content is first brought up in the lesson:

“Sometimes God may ask us to do things that seem uncomfortable and unreachable. For many early Saints, plural marriage was one such commandment. It was a severe trial of faith for Joseph Smith, his wife Emma, and almost everyone who received it. To make it through this trial, they needed more than just favorable feelings about the restored gospel; they needed faith in God that went far deeper than that. The commandment no longer stands today, but the faithful example of people who lived it still does. And this example inspires us when we are asked to make our own “sacrifices in obedience” (D&C 132:50).”

— Come Follow Me p 272

I find several things questionable about this opening paragraph. I’m pulling out a few of the statements to consider.

Uncomfortable?

“Sometimes God asks us to do things that seem uncomfortable…”

Uncomfortable is a meaningful word choice to describe how those being asked to live this principle might feel. A man being asked to break his wife’s heart by taking subsequent wives should feel uncomfortable, to say the least (Jacob 2:35). A wife being threatened with destruction if she doesn’t sanction her husband taking other wives would likely feel uncomfortable also (D&C 132:64). No doubt everyone will feel some level of discomfort.

Did this start with Joseph?

“It was a severe trial of faith for Joseph Smith, his wife Emma, and almost everyone who received it.”

With the internet providing so much new information about our history, how can we say for certain that Joseph taught and practiced this principle? .

A News Release: It Started with Joseph

On July 30, 2025 the Church posted a news release stating that three new pages were added to Topics and Questions. One was on Plural Marriage.

There was nothing new in this recent Church posting on Plural Marriage, but there should have been. There should be answers for the many sources that are raising questions about the history we’ve been taught. I’ll mention two that seem the most obvious.

What about the October 5, 1843 Journal Entry?

For years now, we’ve been aware of the October 5, 1843 journal entry. I’m terrible with dates, but I have this date memorized because those questioning whether Joseph pushed polygamy have brought it up so often. Yet, to my knowledge, the church hasn’t. In this entry Willard Richards wrote Joseph’s words:

“… and gave instruction to try those who were preaching teaching or preaching the doctrine of plurality of wives. on this Law, Joseph forbids it. and the practice thereof—No man shall have but one wife.”

After Joseph’s death his words were changed and those changed words made it into the Manuscript History of the Church.

The new wording became:

“Gave instructions to try those persons who were preaching, teaching, or practicing the doctrine of plurality of wives; for according to the law I hold the keys of this power in the last days, for there is never but one on 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.”

Above is the draft where the original wording is changed. Links and images for the orginal copy, this draft copy, and the final copy are posted here.

I would like to see a news release answering why they changed the meaning of Joseph’s words long after his death in the Oct 5, 1843 journal.

Was the Revelation being Edited 22 Days Before its Release?

Another cause for doubt is the recent finding indicating that the revelation that would become 132 was edited or written as late as 1852 shortly before it was announced August 29, 1852 at a special conference in Salt Lake. Yet Brigham reported having it locked in his desk for many years.

This was brought to light in this Still Mormon video, explained in this Rob Fatheringham video, and summarized clearly in this Sunday Musings video.

From the Church History Catalogue, this page shows “ex” and “Aug 7 52” faintly at the bottom of the page, which has been rotated to be more easily read

In older manuscript traditions, the term "exemplar" refers to the text from which a later manuscript was copied, which might explain the “ex”. The August 7 date was 22 days before this revelation will be announced. Corrections from this document, which is in Willard Richard’s handwriting, made it into the final copy made by Joseph Kingbury.

Again, a better news release would answer what these findings mean. Did Joseph even write this polygamy revelation and, if he did, why it was being edited just before it was released?

Not the Droids You’re Looking For

Instead, of answers to these questions, the message I got from the Church’s news release was:

These aren’t the answers you’re looking for.

No longer stands today?

“The commandment no longer stands today…”

Does this commandment no longer stand today? Section 132 is in our scriptural cannon.

3 Therefore, prepare thy heart to receive and obey the instructions which I am about to give unto you; for all those who have this law revealed unto them must obey the same.
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.

Also, men can be sealed to more than one wife in the temple as our two top leaders and many other men have done. Rather than saying the commandment no longer stands, perhaps a more accurate statement would be:

The commandment stands today, but leaders have decided to override God (that is, the god in Section 132) and not require that we live this principle on earth. However, it will be part of the eternities. While it is no longer a physical commandment, it remains an eternal spiritual commandment.

Sacrifices in Obedience?

“And this example inspires us when we are asked to make our own ‘sacrifices in obedience.’ (D&C 132:50)

Here’s verse 50 that is referenced:

50 Behold, I have seen your sacrifices, and will forgive all your sins; I have seen your sacrifices in obedience to that which I have told you. Go, therefore, and I make a way for your escape, as I accepted the offering of Abraham of his son Isaac.

Isaac Was Not Sacrificed

This story of Abraham’s test found in Exodus 22 is called the “binding of Isaac” in Hebrew, rather than the “sacrifice of Isaac.” Isaac was bound, but he was never sacrificed.

Abraham was surrounded by cultures that sacrificed children. Human sacrifice was a common practice. Some Bible scholars believe this dramatic story was given to emphasize that God forbids human sacrifice. This post has more details.

Women Are Sacrificed

While Issac was not sacrificed in this Old Testament story, what about women under the law described in Section 132? No, they were not killed, but weren’t their lives and happiness sacrificed? (Btw, the data shows everyone is harmed under this lifestyle, but women are the ones treated harshly in Section 132).

As multiple wives, women who believed what they were told about this many-wives doctrine went against their God-given nature. They desired, but were denied, a husband who would cleave unto them alone. They were denied a father who would solely invest in their children. Similar to the sad stories in the Old Testament, multiple wives in the early church were robbed of God’s plan for marriage and families.

…and Sacrificed Eternally

However, women who believe in Section 132 have a unique challenge—something that was not part of what Old Testament polygamous wives and concubines endured. Latter-day women who believe D&C 132 believe they will eternally be multiple wives. For many women, this is viewed as an eternal sacrifice. The possibility of eternal plural marriage is only a modern fate, not an Old Testament fate. The Bible never presents anything like an eternal polygamy principle like Section 132.

Should Abraham’s Example Inspire Us to be Obedient?

“And this example inspires us when we are asked to make our own ‘sacrifices in obedience.’ (D&C 132:50)

Implied in this sentence, and directly stated in Section 132, is that Abraham’s obedience should inspire us to be obedient and particularly obedient to the law of having many wives and concubines. Here’s verse 50:

50 Behold, I have seen your sacrifices, and will forgive all your sins; I have seen your sacrifices in obedience to that which I have told you. Go, therefore, and I make a way for your escape, as I accepted the offering of Abraham of his son Isaac.

Here’s the problems I see with comparing Abraham’s obedience to a church member’s obedience.

Abraham did not Sacrifice Issac. Whereas Section 132 requires the sacrifice of women. (Everyone is harmed but women are singled out in this section). Verse 50 mentions an escape, but all will be sacrificed to the god of Section 132.
This trial given to Abraham would impact his family only. Abraham did not tell his neighbors or anyone that they should sacrifice their children. (Abraham did not sacrifice his son. God abhors human sacrifice). On the other hand, Section 132 says one on the earth at a time holds the keys to this power and this individual tells everyone, including those outside of his family, to make the sacrifice of living polygamously.
Abraham heard directly from God and was told what he should do. In contrast, those obeying the sacrifice of plural marriage are trusting a man who claims to have this power and speak for god.

Abraham’s trial is compared to the sacrifice of polygamy, but the comparison doesn’t go very deep. Abraham did not sacrifice his son; he was only asked to contemplate this sacrifice. This trial only impacted himself and his family. God spoke to Abraham directly.

The trial of plural marriage requires that members go through with the sacrifice: sacrifice women and live polygamy. The sacrifice impacts not just one family, but the entire community. It requires that members trust a man who claims to have the power and may claim to speak with god.

Exaltation Clues in 132?

“But God has revealed a few precious clues, and many of them are found in D&C 130-132”.

Nephi says we need to verify truths across multiple sources in the scriptures.

2 Nephi 11:2-3 I write more of the words of Isaiah, for my soul delighteth in his words. For I will liken his words unto my people, and I will send them forth unto all my children, for he verily saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen him.
3 And my brother, Jacob, also has seen him as I have seen him; wherefore, I will send their words forth unto my children to prove unto them that my words are true. Wherefore, by the words of three, God hath said, I will establish my word. Nevertheless, God sendeth more cwitnesses, and he proveth all his words.

There are multiple scriptures that testify of this need for multiple witnesses. Joseph’s words had to be proven by Sidney Rigdon. God tells Sydney:

D&C 35:23 And inasmuch as ye do not write, behold, it shall be given unto him to prophesy; and thou shalt preach my gospel and call on the holy prophets to prove his words, as they shall be given him.

When Joseph was prophesying, Sidney was to call on the holy prophets—use the scriptures—to prove that what Joseph said was true. If we want to establish the truth of any teaching or commandment, it must be rooted in the scriptures, relying upon the Lord and His wisdom and not on the wisdom of man.

In Acts 17, Paul and Silas are sent from Thessalonica to Barea. Because the Bareans searched the scriptures to verify truth, they were considered noble.

10And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

When Pres. Reagan was negotiating with the then Soviet Union for Nuclear Disarmament, he used a Russian proverb to describe what needed to be done: Trust, but Verify. That can apply to what we are told by men. Whatever exaltation clues are in Section 132, I haven’t seen them verified through other scripture.

Obey What Law?

“God Blesses People who Obey His Laws.”

What is the D&C 132 Law?

This refers to verses 20-21

D&C 132: 20 Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them.
21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye abide my law ye cannot attain to this glory.

Then verses 5, but we’ll include 6.

D&C 132:5 For all who will have a blessing at my hands shall abide the law which was appointed for that blessing, and the conditions thereof, as were instituted from before the foundation of the world.
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.

So we need to obey the law to attain to this glory of becoming gods and we need to obey the law, in general, which was appointed for that blessing. What is the law in Section 132?

A House of Confusion With Some Clues

Ironically, D&C 132:8 says god’s house is not a house of confusion, but D&C 132 is confusing and has resulted in confusion. Even the scholarly experts admit Section 132 is an extraordinarily complicated text.

First, here’s some things I understand:

Outside of 132, covenants in scripture have nothing to do with marriage.
I also recognize that Section 132 might be based on another document or revelation Joseph received that had nothing to do with plural marriage.
The 1886 revelation supposedly received by Pres. John Taylor only uses the word new and everlasting covenant because during that time it was understood this meant many wives or polygamy. This was additional rational for fundamentalist groups to continue living polygamy. It went hand and hand with Section 132.
Church leaders today have explained THE new and everlasting covenant is the fullness of the gospel and A new and everlasting covenant is covenants and ordinances within it. They stress that eternal monogamous marriages provide the same blessings as plural marriages, so plural marriage is not required (which is much different than what was taught previously).

Regardless of what current church leaders say, or what this document originally said, or what other scriptures or documents say, Section 132 is the document in our cannon. I want to understand what this document says. I’m not claiming to have definitive answers, but we are given clues.

I wrote in this post that the first 4 verses seem to be the thesis statement that tell us this whole essay/section is about justifying many wives and concubines. Verse 1 says that since Joseph asked about having many wives and concubines, verse 2 says “I will answer thee as touching this matter.” Then look at 3 and 4.

3 Therefore, prepare thy heart to receive and obey the instructions which I am about to give unto you; for all those who have this law revealed unto them must obey the same.
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.

Verse 3 tells Joseph to prepare to receive and obey this answer to the question. Verse 4 reveals the name of the answer as to how to have many wives. The law is “the new and everlasting covenant” that specifically justifies polygamy.

More Clues from 132

29 of the 66 verses in 132 have the word “law.” You can look at all of them, but I’m looking at the worse offenders so we can see some of the things allowed by this law.

34 God commanded Abraham, and Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham to wife. And why did she do it? Because this was the law; and from Hagar sprang many people. This, therefore, was fulfilling, among other things, the promises.

The law mandated that Sarah give her slave, Hagar, to her husband for sex.

37 Abraham received concubines, and they bore him children; and it was accounted unto him for righteousness, because they were given unto him, and he abode in my law; as Isaac also and Jacob did none other things than that which they were commanded; and because they did none other things than that which they were commanded, they have entered into their exaltation, according to the promises, and sit upon thrones, and are not angels but are gods.

The law sanctioned Abraham having concubines, which was referred to as a righteous endeavor.

54 And I command mine handmaid, Emma Smith, to abide and cleave unto my servant Joseph, and to none else. But if she will not abide this commandment she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord; for I am the Lord thy God, and will destroy her if she abide not in my law.

The law dictates that Emma accept polygamy and cleave to her husband while he has other wives or she will be destroyed.

61 And again, as pertaining to the law of the priesthood—if any man espouse a virgin, and desire to espouse another, and the first give her consent, and if he espouse the second, and they are virgins, and have vowed to no other man, then is he justified; he cannot commit adultery for they are given unto him; for he cannot commit adultery with that that belongeth unto him and to no one else.
62 And if he have ten virgins given unto him by this law, he cannot commit adultery, for they belong to him, and they are given unto him; therefore is he justified.

Here it is called the law of the priesthood, but I think it is still the new and everlasting covenant, which justifies men marrying virgins (10 or more is fine). We’re assured that even though it sounds like it’s adultery, it’s not. He is justified because these virgins are his possessions.

64 And again, verily, verily, I say unto you, if any man have a wife, who holds the keys of this power, and he teaches unto her the law of my priesthood, as pertaining to these things, then shall she believe and administer unto him, or she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord your God; for I will destroy her; for I will magnify my name upon all those who receive and abide in my law.
65 Therefore, it shall be lawful in me, if she receive not this law, for him to receive all things whatsoever I, the Lord his God, will give unto him, because she did not believe and administer unto him according to my word; and she then becomes the transgressor; and he is exempt from the law of Sarah, who administered unto Abraham according to the law when I commanded Abraham to take Hagar to wife.

Here the law—referred to as the law of Sarah—which is perhaps a part of the overall law demands that a wife administer unto her husband and facilitate him having other wives. This is a unique license for evil.

It’s Against God’s Law

The Answering Atheists series by 119 Ministries covers the question of whether the Bible endorses polygamy. The video provides compelling answers to the many arguments used to support polygamy, but I was most impressed with what they explained about Leviticus 18:18.

18 Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her life time.

Using the Hebrew of “take a wife to her sister” and comparing it with other Bible passages, they show how this was an idiom meaning “one to another.” Rather than just sisters, this verse applies to all women who will always be vexed as plural wives. They provide much more detail and their explanation for Leviticus 18:18 begins here.

Remember the Come Follow Me Lesson says we are blessed when we obey. It sends us to verses that say we must obey the law. I believe the law in Section 132 is the new and everlasting covenant that allows for the principle and doctrine of having many wives and concubines. 132’s explanation for the law is contrary to God’s law.

Who Facilitates this Exaltaion?

“What do you think it means for a marriage relationship to be by the Lord”?

According to the Harper Book cited in this post, verse 7 provides an overview to answer the question of whether there will be marriage in the afterlife and under what terms. of what is of what laid out in there verses. This list might answer the Come Follow Me question.

Any kind of marriage agreement is temporary unless a covenant is made
It must be sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise
And sealed by one man on earth at a time with the authority

Of course, each of these 3 points are only described in 132 and nowhere else in scripture.

Only One Man on the Earth

I found the last point of interest. What is highlighted in red is where we get that wording.

7 And verily I say unto you, that the conditions of this law are these: All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, of him who is anointed, both as well for time and for all eternity, and that too most holy, by revelation and commandment through the medium of mine anointed, whom I have appointed on the earth to hold this power (and I have appointed unto my servant Joseph to hold this power in the last days, and there is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred), are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead.

That wording sounds like the wording that was changed to the October 5, 1843 journal entry.

From what I understood from this explanation of the history drafts, George A. Smith with Thomas Bullock as clerk would have started making changes to this section of the journal sometime after April 10, 1854.

At least 10 years after Joseph’s death the wording was changed. This gave us wording that showed up in Section 132:

“never but one on earth at a time on whom the power and its keys are conferred”

Learning that there was another copy of this document that was being edited as late as 1852, and that those edits made it into the final copy. Perhaps we can also assume that these edits from the Oct 5, 1843 journal entry also made it into the final polygamy revelation that would become Section 132.

The Only One

In John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

I 2 Nephi 9:41

O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name.

My reading of the Bible and Book of Mormon never provides for one man on the earth with special keys to confer anything, let alone plural marriage and exaltation. Except for Section 132, the scriptures I read confirm that only the Savior gets us back to God.

We were asked to read Verse 14 to consider what it means for a marriage relationship to be “by the Lord”?

D&C 132:14 For whatsoever things remain are by me; and whatsoever things are not by me shall be shaken and destroyed.

Perhaps, as this verse says, something not by Him (like Section 132) will be destroyed.

The Standard vs the Exception?

“Marriage between one man and one woman is God’s standard of marriage. However, there have been times when God has commanded His children to practice Plural Marriage."

Section 132 says that Isaac was also a polygamist even though there is not record of him being one. At least this Come Follow Me section left him out.

Jacob 2: 27 forbids multiple wives. Verse 30 is not the loophole we were taught which is obvious to me now yet the Church still hangs onto an impossible interpretation that god sometimes allows this abomination that breaks the hearts of his daughters. It was also the reason he brought them out of Jerusalem to raise a righteous seed in His way—monogamy. The Book of Mormon condemns polygamy everywhere.

Here’s an interesting example of another place that has caused confusion. In Jacob 3:5 it says:

5 Behold, the Lamanites your brethren, whom ye hate because of their filthiness and the cursing which hath come upon their skins, are more righteous than you; for they have not forgotten the commandment of the Lord, which was given unto our father—that they should have save it were one wife, and concubines they should have none, and there should not be whoredoms committed among them.

However, in the original 1830 Book of Mormon it says that the Lamanites have not forgotten the commandment given to our fathers (plural fathers), implying the patriarchs, to have only one wife. That was changed in the ——— edition to the singular father, implying it was only a commandment given to Lehi for the Nephites.

But in Jacob 2:31, we are told the Lord as seen the sorrow of His daughters as a result of polygamy in ALL the lands of His people.

31 For behold, I, the Lord, have seen the sorrow, and heard the mourning of the daughters of my people in the land of Jerusalem, yea, and in all the lands of my people, because of the wickedness and abominations of their husbands.

God does not command polygamy and there are no exceptions. Only Section 132 celebrates and commands that men have many wives and concubines.

Teach the Children this?

In an earlier post I shared my concerns about the Scripture Stories for Children on the Church’s website. It’s titled Plural Marriage, Faith to obey a law from the Lord, even when it’s hard.

Since it’s under the Come Follow Me material, I’ll mention this again. I understand the church wants to inoculate children to this disturbing teaching. However, this is a complex topic that many adults have difficulty understanding. I don't see how primary age children would be able to sort this out.

If parents want to teach their young children about alternative forms of marriage—to embrace a polygamous, gay, or transgender lifestyle—they are free to do so. But no one should be allowed to teach these concepts to the children of others, especially without parental consent.

I’ve worried about the things my grandchildren might learn in public schools. Now I find myself worrying about what they might learn in primary.

So Come Follow Who?

Are we following the Savior when we believe and implement what is in D&C 132? Obviously, I don’t think so.

Come Follow Who in Section 132?