Doctrine and Covenants 131

A Glimpse into Ramus

This powerful revelation was recorded in Ramus, Illinois, in May 1843. It came just a short period before the detailed revelation on eternal covenants and the full explanation of the sealing power (D&C 132). Though brief, D&C 131 sets the non-negotiable standard for anyone hoping to achieve the highest possible rewards.

I always consider it compelling that the largest doctrines are often encased in the smallest containers. Joseph Smith was teaching foundational doctrines concerning the highest degree of glory and the essential requirements for godhood.

The Core Principle: The Necessity of a Covenant

The central message of Doctrine and Covenants 131 is simple yet staggering: to reach the highest rung of the celestial kingdom, a specific covenant is required.

I believe this passage is so pivotal because it clarifies that the celestial kingdom is not a single destination but a domain with ascending levels of glory, each requiring greater fidelity to the laws of God.

Here are the critical verses that define our eternal trajectory:

When I read this, I realize that striving for the highest heaven isn't just about being "good"; it’s about making and keeping the specific covenants God has set forth through priesthood authority.

Understanding the "Order of the Priesthood"

So, what exactly is this "order of the priesthood" or the "new and everlasting covenant of marriage" that is required?

While the initial teachings surrounding D&C 131 and D&C 132 involved the principles of plural marriage (a practice necessary for certain initial sealings in that dispensation but later discontinued by the Church), the overarching and timeless doctrine is the requirement of eternal marriage established by sealing power.

Today, for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, obtaining the highest degree means entering into a temple marriage. This sacred ordinance, performed in the temple by one holding the highest priesthood authority, seals a husband and wife not just until "death do you part," but for all time and family eternity.

This sealing covenant provides the foundation for "increase"—meaning the continuation of family units and the potential for a posterity that stretches infinitely. Without this covenant, our eternal potential is limited.

For me, understanding D&C 131 validates every sacrifice made to prepare for and attend the temple. It affirms that our deepest familial relationships directly link to the ultimate rewards of the gospel.

Knowledge, Spirit, and Eternal Progress

D&C 131 doesn't stop at marriage; it transitions to other fundamental, philosophical truths that enable our eternal progression. These verses remind me that the pursuit of truth is essential to salvation:

This highlights the critical importance of seeking light and knowledge, especially the kind of saved knowledge found in LDS scripture and modern revelation. The knowledge of the plan of salvation—including the necessity of the sealing covenant—is foundational to obtaining salvation.

The section also touches upon the relationship between spirit and element: "All spirit is matter, but it is more fine or pure and can only be discerned by purer eyes" (D&C 131:7). This beautiful statement assures me that our spiritual endeavors are grounded in reality—they are part of the tangible, eternal universe that God governs.

The Ultimate Assurance

Doctrine and Covenants 131 may be small, but its implications are massive. It is the clearest text confirming that the highest rewards in the next life are relational and familial.

I take tremendous comfort in knowing that God’s plan doesn't just promise happiness; it provides a detailed, revealed path to the type of happiness He enjoys—a life lived in the fullness of family eternity.

If you are currently preparing for the temple, or if you simply seek a more profound understanding of the grand design of the gospel, I encourage you to read D&C 131 and ponder the incredible promise it holds. The blessing of eternal marriage is not merely a nice tradition; it is the ordained requirement for an endless life of joy and eternal progression in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom.

What new knowledge have we received?

Section 131

1. In the celestial glory, there are three heavens, or degrees;

2. And to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage];

3. Otherwise, he cannot obtain it.

4. He can enter the other, but his kingdom ends there; he can't grow.

5 (May 17th, 1843.) The more sure word of prophecy 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.

6. It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance.

7 There is no such thing as immaterial matter. All spirit is matter, but it is more fine or purer and can only be discerned by purer eyes.

8 We cannot see it, but when our bodies are purified, we shall see that it is all matter.

Your thoughts, questions, and comments help us all receive the knowledge.

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