This week I am stepping aside from the manual just a little and discussing the eternal laws outlined in section 132.
The following discussion addresses either directly or indirectly each of the lessons found in the manual this week, except for the last one on plural marriage. I think learning the basics of how the laws of the plan for our salvation work is a more urgent need.
Eternal laws
In section 132 the Lord makes reference to a few laws that are important for us to acknowledge and know about. I say this because there are times when I state that something is a certain way, but don’t cite the place where the law is spelled out that is my source for the pronouncement. For example, in the Church we talk about how all things are done through Christ. Well, where does it say that everything has to happen through Christ? Do you know? In the explanations below I have italicized the laws we find described in section 132.
Let’s look at Doctrine and Covenants 132:12-14.
12 I am the Lord thy God; and I give unto you this commandment—that no man shall unto the Father but by me or by my word, which is my law, saith the Lord.
In verse 12 Jesus is telling us that the universe operates on his laws, and none other. There is no way to return to God, our Father except through obedience to the laws Christ gives us. My first reaction was to question why Jesus was making this statement. Isn’t everything supposed to be by our Father? It was then that I realized, “Oh yeah, the whole point of Jesus being the Messiah, the Savior, is that he created the universe, meaning all things were created by the laws he used to make them and it was he who placed all things and gave them their purpose, limits, and functions. Nothing that was made was done by or through any other name. This is all part and parcel of him being set apart as our Savior. God gave Jesus complete responsibility for seeing to it that His children were cared for and have every opportunity to return to Him. The Savior still seeks God’s permission and instruction, as our perfect example of how we are also supposed to behave, but he is solely responsible for all of creation in this universe, so we must turn to him as our only way back to our Father. This is how God designed and is executing His plan for our salvation. This is all by God’s design and will.
(A word of explanation: in an effort to be more clear about who I am talking about when referring to God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, I have adopted my own set of capitalization rules. The Church capitalizes all things having to do with the Godhead. For me this makes it difficult to tell just who is being talked about. So I try my best to Capitalize anything I can tell is referring to God, our Father in Heaven. I also capitalize any reference where I can’t tell which member of the Godhead is being referred to. All references to the Holy Ghost I capitalize. But if I am sure we are referring to Jesus of Nazareth, and I am not using a title, like Savior, I use a lowercase in my reference. The word “his” or “him” I try to capitalize if I am referring to God, our Father, but they are in lowercase if I am referring to Jesus. This helps me identify more clearly who I am talking about. I hope it doesn’t confuse anyone else. Sometimes I find that I have accidentally messed up my own application of this rule of writing and have to go back and fix my own writing. But for the most part I am pretty consistent.
I know that the members of the Godhead are completely unified, so that much of the time it doesn’t really matter who is being referenced, because either of the other two would do or say the same thing. I just feel better knowing which person is talking or doing something so I can see their relationship. It makes me feel more comfortable about Christ’s deference and obedience to our Father in Heaven. Call it my own bit of OCD [Obsessive Compulsive Disorder] in action.)
13 And everything that is in the world, whether it be ordained of men, by , or principalities, or powers, or things of name, whatsoever they may be, that are not by me or by my word, saith the Lord, shall be thrown down, and shall after men are dead, neither in nor after the resurrection, saith the Lord your God.
14 For whatsoever things remain are by me; and whatsoever things are not by me shall be shaken and destroyed.
All laws, powers, covenants, principalities, rights, obligations, etc., not instituted by Christ, himself, will be of no worth and shall cease to exist after this life. This means that no king/queen shall remain as royalty after they die. No government continues to rule in the afterlife. No marriage contract entered into in mortality is in force after either of the participants pass from mortality. ALL things of this world are temporary, except for those things set up and administered by Christ. His, and only his covenants and laws extend into the eternities. When Jesus says he will “destroy” those things, this is the law being referenced. This makes Christ in actuality and fact the ultimate power in the universe. This is the role God has given him. This is why we are told in the scriptures that at some point every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ. And by that we mean the ruler of the universe, and he who has the right to determine the disposition of our eternal souls. This is why God has given ALL judgment to His Son.
It is important that we all realize that by this law Satan can make no promises that last past our death. He can offer us nothing of worth in this life or in the next. Only Christ has that ability and capacity. Everything Christ offers us is eternal in nature. All that Satan offers is temporary at best. But we still have the ability to choose which one we want to follow.
The new and everlasting covenant
First, some background. To be damned is to be stopped in one’s eternal progress. By that definition, if we are not in the highest level of the celestial kingdom as gods/goddesses then we are damned, for only gods have eternal increase and eternal progression. This is a privilege accorded only to those who have proven that their heart’s desire is to be with and like God, our Father. Being damned doesn’t mean being in hell. It just means to be stopped. Hell is temporary, except for the sons of perdition. Everyone will be released from hell before being sent to a kingdom of glory, for all their debts will have been paid by that time.
In verse four of section 132 the Lord tells the prophet that the law of the new and everlasting covenant is only revealed to those who seek to become like the prophets of old, partakers of eternal glory. Once this law is revealed, if the people to whom it is revealed reject it then they will be damned, for they cannot have eternal progression or increase without this law.
4 For behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting ; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye ; for no one can this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory.
To enter into his/His glory is to enter the presence of God, Himself and live there. It doesn’t matter which God we are referring to, since they all live in the same place.
In verse five we are taught that when anything is created it is created around a set of laws that govern its existence. This defines what it is, how it is used, its purpose, and whether or not it has a will of its own. I am referring to all things, not just this law or principle. All blessings are based on obedience to one or more commandments, and the conditions set for those commandments. These laws and their accompanying promises of happiness and prosperity were all set up before earth was ever created.
5 For all who will have a at my hands shall abide the which was appointed for that blessing, and the conditions thereof, as were instituted from before the foundation of the world.
Verse 7
Verse 7 is a long, legal description of the law governing the new and everlasting covenant. It tells us the conditions that must exist for us to enter into it, and to be blessed by it. Let’s look at this verse a little at a time. I apologize up front here, because this entire verse is just one sentence, so I need to break it into pieces to talk about it more clearly.
7 And verily I say unto you, that the of this law are these: All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, , , performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and entered into and by the Holy Spirit of promise,
I have already stated that all things not put into place by Christ will be destroyed and vanish away after mortality. This sentence adds an addition condition. It isn’t enough to enter into this covenant. We can still participate in the covenant and sin away our privileges to receive the promised blessings. The Holy Spirit/Ghost has to ratify to Christ/God that we have done enough on our own part to have earned the promised blessings. If He doesn’t seal His approval on our lives of obedience then we will never be given the promised blessings. In this way the Spirit has a hand in our judgment as well. If we have been obedient in all the most important ways then He will give His seal (I think of it as receiving His blessing) as one who is worthy of receiving this highest of privileges, to live with God again.
of him who is , both as well for time and for all eternity, and that too most holy, by and commandment through the medium of mine anointed, whom I have appointed on the earth to hold this
The one who is anointed to hold the power to administer this blessing in mortality is the Lord’s mouthpiece on earth, his prophet. Currently that is Dallin H. Oaks, our living prophet. He, and he alone can exercise the keys of the priesthood to offer to us the ability to enter into this covenant relationship with God. He has delegated this responsibility to Bishops/Stake Presidents/Mission Presidents to determine our worthiness to enter into the Temple to participate in the sacred ordinances of the sealing to a spouse. He has also delegated, and oversees the work of those who administer all the covenants God has given us by those who work in the Temples.
(and I have appointed unto my servant Joseph to hold this in the last days, and there is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the 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.
Only the current prophet can exercise the priesthood power and authority to offer to the world this covenant of eternal marriage. Any other earthly promise or hope outside of this covenant is null and void, or in other words “have an end when men are dead.” Studying these verses has really helped me understand and appreciate more deeply the power and responsibilities of the Lord’s appointed servant, the prophet. Considering the value God places on the family, no earthly reward or position can even begin to compare with the privilege of being able to enter into the holy Temple and be sealed to a spouse for eternity. All other earthly honors will vanish into the past, while only the sealing power will continue to grow in brightness and glory into eternity.
The foresight of God
11 And will I appoint unto you, saith the Lord, except it be by law, even as I and my Father unto you, before the world was?
Verse 11 tells us two things. First, all things are appointed unto us by law, and all these laws were created and put into place before the earth was ever created. This means there are no spur of the moment decisions being made, no second guessing of what needs to be done now. All of this was seen and prepared for before the earth was ever put into place.
The second thing it tells us is that Christ isn’t acting alone. He tells us clearly, and not just in this place, “I and my Father” work together for our good.
Last observation
I have already discussed everything in verses 13-17 above. This is a recap of what has already been spelled out. In these verses Jesus is giving us detailed explanations of how the laws already outlined will play out in our judgment. Here is my own recap.
These verses summarize the teachings that only those things instituted by Christ will last beyond death. That includes marriage, so anyone married, and not by Christ’s covenant process, followed by righteous living, will fail to be worthy of not just the privilege of marriage in the eternities, but are not worthy of the “far more, and an exceeding, and an eternal weight of glory.” Therefore they will remain single, “without exaltation, in their saved condition, to all eternity” as angels. Interesting that Christ doesn’t put a worthiness factor on who is appointed to be angels. He just says that they will be in a “saved condition, to all eternity.”
13 And everything that is in the world, whether it be ordained of men, by , or principalities, or powers, or things of name, whatsoever they may be, that are not by me or by my word, saith the Lord, shall be thrown down, and shall after men are dead, neither in nor after the resurrection, saith the Lord your God.
14 For whatsoever things remain are by me; and whatsoever things are not by me shall be shaken and destroyed.
15 Therefore, if a marry him a wife in the world, and he marry her not by me nor by my word, and he covenant with her so long as he is in the world and she with him, their covenant and marriage are not of force when they are dead, and when they are out of the world; therefore, they are not bound by any law when they are out of the world.
16 Therefore, when they are out of the world they neither marry nor are given in ; but are appointed angels in , which angels are ministering , to minister for those who are worthy of a far more, and an exceeding, and an eternal weight of glory.
17 For these angels did not abide my law; therefore, they cannot be enlarged, but remain separately and singly, without exaltation, in their saved condition, to all eternity; and from henceforth are not gods, but are of God forever and ever.
Final Thoughts
These are only the first 17 verses of this section. What I have written should serve to help illustrate the point that God has put Christ in charge of His children’s salvation and exaltation. God is still in charge, in that Christ still seeks blessings for us at His hands. This is our Savior acting in his role as our Mediator. God has given all judgment to Jesus as to what will happen to our souls in the day of judgment. In this section the new and everlasting covenant is spelled out and examples are given as to how it works.
We also learn in this section about the responsibilities of the Lord’s anointed servant, the living prophet, and a little about the magnitude of his responsibilities for the welfare of the human family. And knowing the laws that govern the universe and the reasons we will be judged in the way God has designed are comforting. We know what is expected of us, and more of what will happen to us after we are finished with mortality. I think it is especially important that we understand that the Spirit must be willing to vouch for us, to seal us with His approval as ones worthy of the blessings of exaltation. No one is better suited to issue that stamp of approval, since it is His calling to be our teacher and guide on our path back to our Father in Heaven. This gives us a glimpse of the respect and admiration God and Christ have for the Holy Spirit and His calling to lead us home.
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D&C46-2025 – I Have Seen Your Sacrifices in Obedience
I went to my scriptures and read and re-read along with you. What you think about this is great. I had hoped you
would get to vs 26-27. I would love for you to give your ideas on those verses. Also vs 19-24. This is great stuff.
You made me think of new things. In some ways it makes me sad.
I wanted to tell you that I watched on You tube Zion, that everyone in the US who has passed has their work
already done for them. I’m not sure how this is done but that is what he quoted from Pres Oakes.
Nice to talk to you, son. I JUST LOVE YOU. THANKYOU. Mama
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