Section 132
Overview
Doctrine and Covenants Section 132 is one of the most theologically dense and controversial texts in the Latter-day Saint canon. Recorded in 1843, it serves as the theological foundation for two major Mormon doctrines: Celestial Marriage (the belief that marriages sealed by priesthood authority last for eternity) and Plural Marriage (the divine sanctioning of polygamy). The text argues that to achieve 'exaltation'—the highest degree of the celestial kingdom where humans become gods and experience a 'continuation of the seeds' (eternal procreation)—adherents must enter into this new and everlasting covenant. Those who do not are 'damned,' meaning their eternal progression is halted, and they become mere ministering angels to the gods. The revelation heavily utilizes Old Testament patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Solomon) as precedents, claiming God commanded their polygamy. Furthermore, the text places immense psychological and spiritual pressure on Joseph Smith's first wife, Emma Smith, explicitly commanding her to accept Joseph's plural wives under the threat of divine destruction. Theologically, Section 132 represents a radical departure from historic Christian orthodoxy by introducing polytheism (theosis/exaltation), redefining eternal life as eternal procreation, and making a human institution (marriage) and a specific priesthood ritual absolute prerequisites for the highest heavenly glory.
Key Figures
- Jesus Christ (identified as the Lord, Alpha and Omega, dictating the revelation)
- Joseph Smith (the prophet receiving the revelation, identified as the sole earthly holder of priesthood keys to bind and seal)
- Emma Smith (Joseph's first wife, directly addressed, commanded to accept plural marriage, and threatened with destruction if she disobeys)
- Abraham (used as the primary theological archetype for obedience, plural marriage, and exaltation to godhood)
- Isaac and Jacob (cited as patriarchs who obeyed the law of plural marriage and have consequently become gods)
- David and Solomon (cited as having received wives from God, though David fell from exaltation due to his sin with Uriah's wife)
- Sarah and Hagar (cited to establish the 'Law of Sarah,' where a first wife gives consent for her husband to take additional wives)
- Nathan (biblical prophet claimed by this text to have given David his many wives)
Doctrines Analyzed
Key theological claims identified in this text:
Exaltation (Theosis)
Assertion
Faithful adherents who enter the new and everlasting covenant of marriage will become gods, possessing all power and having angels subject to them.
Evidence from Text
Then shall they be gods, because they have no end... Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them. (D&C 132:20)
Evangelical Comparison
In Evangelical theology, Theology Proper dictates strict monotheism (Isaiah 43:10, 44:6). God is uncreated, eternal, and distinct from His creation. Humans are created in the image of God and, upon salvation, are glorified to reflect Christ's character, but they never cross the ontological boundary to become divine beings of the same species as God. Doctrine and Covenants 132 teaches a radical form of theosis, asserting that humans can literally become gods ('Then shall they be gods'). This doctrine implies a plurality of gods and an eternal progression where God the Father was once a man, and men can become exactly what He is. This directly violates the biblical teaching that God alone is sovereign, omnipotent, and uncreated, and that He shares His glory with no one (Isaiah 42:8).
Celestial Marriage
Assertion
Marriage must be sealed by specific priesthood authority to endure beyond death; without it, individuals cannot attain the highest heaven.
Evidence from Text
if a man marry him a wife in the world, and he marry her not by me nor by my word... their covenant and marriage are not of force when they are dead (D&C 132:15)
Evangelical Comparison
Evangelical Christianity relies on Jesus's explicit teaching in Matthew 22:30: 'For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.' Marriage is viewed as a sacred, earthly covenant designed to reflect Christ's relationship with the Church (Ephesians 5), but it is not an eternal state, nor is it a prerequisite for salvation or heavenly glory. Section 132 directly contradicts this by making marriage an eternal ordinance necessary for 'exaltation.' It claims that those who are not sealed in marriage by the Mormon priesthood will remain 'separately and singly, without exaltation' as mere angels. This elevates a human relationship and a ritual ordinance to a salvific requirement, violating Sola Fide and contradicting Christ's clear teaching on the nature of the resurrection.
Plural Marriage (Polygamy)
Assertion
God commanded biblical patriarchs to take multiple wives and concubines, and commands it again as part of the restoration of all things.
Evidence from Text
David also received many wives and concubines, and also Solomon and Moses my servants... and in nothing did they sin save in those things which they received not of me. (D&C 132:38)
Evangelical Comparison
Evangelicalism teaches that God's original and enduring design for marriage is monogamous: one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6). While the Old Testament records patriarchs and kings practicing polygamy, it is presented descriptively, not prescriptively, and the biblical narrative consistently highlights the disastrous familial and spiritual consequences of these arrangements (e.g., Abraham/Hagar, Jacob's wives, Solomon's wives turning his heart away). Furthermore, Deuteronomy 17:17 explicitly forbade kings from multiplying wives. Section 132 asserts that God actively commanded Abraham, David, and Solomon to take multiple wives and concubines, and that doing so was 'accounted unto him for righteousness.' This fundamentally alters the character of God as revealed in the Bible, turning a tolerated human failing into a divine mandate necessary for eternal glory.
Exclusive Priesthood Keys
Assertion
Only one man on earth at a time holds the priesthood keys necessary to seal covenants for eternity.
Evidence from Text
there is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred (D&C 132:7)
Evangelical Comparison
Evangelicalism holds to the doctrine of the Priesthood of All Believers (1 Peter 2:9), teaching that every Christian has direct access to God through the sole mediation of Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5). There is no need for an earthly high priest or exclusive key-holder to validate covenants or secure salvation. Section 132 establishes a strict, bottlenecked hierarchy where eternal salvation (exaltation) is entirely dependent on the administrative authority of one single man (Joseph Smith, and subsequently the LDS Prophet). This replaces the sufficiency of Christ's mediation with a required human mediator, violating the biblical teaching that Christ's work is finished and universally accessible by faith.
Comparative Analysis
Theological Gap (Summary)
D&C 132 shifts the requirement for ultimate salvation from faith in Christ's finished work to participation in a specific marital ordinance, while simultaneously teaching that humans can become gods.
Theological Gap (Explained)
The theological gap between D&C 132 and Evangelical Christianity is vast and irreconcilable, touching on Theology Proper, Christology, and Soteriology. First, the text introduces a blatant form of polytheism/theosis. By asserting that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob 'are not angels but are gods' (v. 37) and promising that faithful adherents 'shall be gods' (v. 20), the text violates the core biblical tenet of monotheism. Isaiah 43:10 explicitly states, 'Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.' Second, the text violates Sola Fide by making a human institution (marriage) and a ritual ordinance (priesthood sealing) absolute prerequisites for 'exaltation' (the highest form of salvation). In Evangelicalism, justification and glorification are secured entirely by grace through faith in Christ's atoning work. Adding a requirement of celestial marriage implies that Christ's sacrifice was insufficient to bring believers into the full presence and glory of the Father. Finally, the text redefines the nature of eternity. While the Bible describes eternal life as knowing God and enjoying Him forever (John 17:3), D&C 132 redefines 'eternal lives' as the 'continuation of the seeds'—eternal procreation and the ruling over one's own spirit children. This fundamentally shifts the focus of eternity from worshipping the Creator to becoming a creator oneself.
For All Ages
In the Bible, God tells us that He is the only God, and no one else will ever be a god. When we trust in Jesus, we get to go to heaven to be with Him forever, and Jesus said that in heaven, people don't get married. But this text says something very different. It says that if you want to go to the very best part of heaven, you have to get married in a special ceremony done by a specific leader. It also says that if you do this, you will actually become a god yourself. It even says that God wanted men to have many wives, which goes against what Jesus taught about marriage being between one man and one woman. Because these ideas are so different from what the Bible teaches, Christians do not believe this text is from God.
Friction Points
Sola Scriptura
Introduces new, extra-biblical requirements for salvation (celestial marriage) and contradicts biblical commands regarding marriage (polygamy).
Theology Proper (Monotheism)
Teaches that humans can become gods, possessing all power, directly contradicting biblical monotheism.
Sola Fide / Christology
Makes human works, specific marital status, and earthly priesthood rituals necessary for the highest heavenly glory, detracting from Christ's finished work.
Biblical Inerrancy
Falsely claims God commanded David's polygamy through Nathan, contradicting the biblical narrative.
Semantic Warnings
Terms that have different meanings between traditions:
"Damned"
In This Text
A halt in eternal progression; being denied exaltation and godhood, resulting in becoming a ministering angel.
In Evangelicalism
Eternal conscious separation from God in hell under His righteous wrath.
"Eternal lives"
In This Text
The ability to have a 'continuation of the seeds' (procreate spirit children) in the afterlife as an exalted god.
In Evangelicalism
The unending, joyful existence of knowing and dwelling with the one true God.
"Angels"
In This Text
Saved human beings who failed to enter celestial marriage and are therefore relegated to being eternal servants to those who became gods.
In Evangelicalism
A distinct, created order of spiritual beings, separate from humanity, who serve God.
Soteriology (Salvation)
Salvation Defined: In this text, ultimate salvation is defined as 'exaltation'—entering the highest degree of the celestial kingdom, becoming a god, and having eternal increase (children).
How Attained: Exaltation is attained by entering into the new and everlasting covenant of marriage, having it sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise through the proper priesthood authority, and remaining faithful to that covenant.
Basis of Assurance: Assurance is based on the completion of the temple sealing ordinance and the promise of the prophet holding the keys.
Comparison to Sola Fide: This text is entirely antithetical to Sola Fide. Ephesians 2:8-9 states salvation is a gift of God, not of works. D&C 132 makes the highest form of salvation entirely dependent on a human work (marriage), a ritual (sealing), and obedience to a specific earthly leader.
Mandates & Requirements
Explicit Commands
- prepare thy heart to receive and obey the instructions which I am about to give unto you (v. 3)
- Go ye, therefore, and do the works of Abraham (v. 32)
- enter ye into my law and ye shall be saved (v. 32)
- Ask what ye will, and it shall be given unto you (v. 40)
- A commandment I give unto mine handmaid, Emma Smith, your wife... that she stay herself and partake not of that which I commanded you to offer unto her (v. 51)
- let mine handmaid, Emma Smith, receive all those that have been given unto my servant Joseph (v. 52)
- ye shall obey my voice (v. 53)
- I command mine handmaid, Emma Smith, to abide and cleave unto my servant Joseph, and to none else (v. 54)
- let mine handmaid forgive my servant Joseph his trespasses (v. 56)
- let not my servant Joseph put his property out of his hands (v. 57)
- Let no one, therefore, set on my servant Joseph (v. 60)
Implicit Obligations
- Men must enter into the new and everlasting covenant of marriage to attain the highest glory.
- Women must consent to their husbands taking additional wives (the law of Sarah).
- Adherents must accept Joseph Smith as the sole earthly holder of priesthood keys.
- Adherents must not shed innocent blood, which is deemed the unpardonable sin.
Ritual Requirements
- Marriages and covenants must be sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise.
- Ordinances must be performed by the specific individual holding the keys of the priesthood.
- The administration of 'holy anointing' (v. 41).
Evangelism Toolkit
Practical tools for engagement and dialogue:
Discovery Questions
Open-ended questions to promote reflection:
- I noticed that in Jacob 2 in the Book of Mormon, God calls David and Solomon's many wives 'abominable.' But here in D&C 132, it says God commanded it and they didn't sin. How do you personally reconcile those two scriptures?
- When Jesus was asked about marriage in the resurrection in Matthew 22, He said people will neither marry nor be given in marriage. How does the concept of eternal marriage fit with Jesus's words?
- If exaltation requires being sealed in marriage, does that mean Jesus's sacrifice on the cross wasn't enough to bring us fully back into God's presence?
- Isaiah 43:10 says that before God no god was formed, and there will be none after Him. How does the promise in D&C 132 that men will become gods align with Isaiah's teaching?
Redemptive Analogies
Bridges from this text to the Gospel:
The deep desire for eternal family connection.
The LDS desire for eternal family is beautiful, but it places the burden of eternity on human relationships and rituals. The Gospel offers a better, guaranteed eternal family: through Christ, we are adopted into God's family. We don't have to earn it through temple sealings; it is secured by Christ's blood.
Spiritual Weight
Burdens this text places on adherents:
The text places immense fear on women, specifically modeled through Emma Smith. Verses 54 and 64 threaten women with 'destruction' if they do not submit to their husbands taking plural wives. This creates a spiritual environment where women must suppress their natural grief and jealousy under the threat of divine annihilation.
Because exaltation is tied to maintaining the 'new and everlasting covenant,' believers carry the heavy burden of constant worthiness. If they fail, they lose not only their own godhood but their eternal family. This removes the rest and peace found in Christ's finished work.
By making ultimate salvation dependent on marriage, single individuals, those in unequally yoked marriages, or those whose spouses leave the faith experience profound spiritual isolation and anxiety about their eternal destiny.