CHURCH HISTORY MATTERS – EPISODE 173
D&C 132 CFM – The Revelation That Shook The Church – E46B (Nov 10–15)
Date: November 5, 2025
Host/Guests: Scott & Casey (Scripture Central)

Overview

This episode takes a deep dive into Doctrine and Covenants Section 132, the revelation on eternal and plural marriage. Scott and Casey walk through the historical, theological, and personal complexities of this pivotal and controversial text in Latter-day Saint history. They examine the origins and context of the revelation, the doctrines it teaches about eternal marriage, the difficult realities of plural marriage, its impact on Joseph and Emma Smith, and ongoing controversies and questions. They address misinterpretations, highlight the intense personal sacrifices involved, and emphasize compassion and sensitivity toward all figures connected to this era. Notable scholarly research and modern church resources are discussed to equip listeners with historical context and tools for further study.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Introduction: The Burden and Beauty of Section 132

• Sacrifice and Challenge: Section 132 is a text that "illustrates that sometimes the gospel is really difficult and the Lord asks us to make huge sacrifices" (A, 00:00).
• Controversy: Both hosts acknowledge the anxiety and trepidation in approaching this section, noting it is both "uplifting and illuminating" and "the most controversial and challenging" revelation (B, 00:54).

2. Historical Context

• Origins:

  • Early private teachings about eternal and plural marriage as far back as 1831, with scholarly debate over precise dates (A, 02:46).
  • Joseph Smith’s questioning began during Bible translation, influenced by patriarchs practicing plural marriage in Genesis.
  • First plural marriage likely with Fanny Alger in 1836; details remain disputed and sources are late/secondhand (A, 04:46).
  • Plural marriage set aside amid church turmoil, then reintroduced in Nauvoo (early 1840s) under commandment (B, 06:45).
  • By 1843, Joseph had entered into "dozens of plural marriages, some with Emma's knowledge and some without" (B, 07:35).

• Emma’s Struggles:

  • Section 132 was written at Hyrum Smith’s request to help Emma understand the principle (B, 07:50).
  • Emma’s personal struggle and opposition continued through years of discussion with Joseph, marked by intense interpersonal pain (A, 10:16).

“These verses have to be handled with extreme sensitivity. ... Just giving the benefit of the doubt to everybody involved and saying ... we know they're good people. We also know this would have been a really difficult situation for the best of people to navigate.” — Casey, [76:32]

3. Documentary History

• Creation and Preservation:
  • July 12, 1843: Dictated by Joseph to William Clayton; original reportedly destroyed by Emma, but a copy preserved by Joseph Kingsbury (A, 16:01).
  • Published in 1852; canonized in the 1876 D&C edition.

4. Audience and Intention

• Personal, Not Public:
  • Section intended as personal revelation for Joseph and Emma, not as a proclamation to the church (A, 12:06).
  • Joseph F. Smith emphasized its context-specific origins, advising careful and kind interpretation.

5. Doctrinal Content: Eternal and Plural Marriage

a. Eternal Marriage

• Foundational principles (vv. 1–28):
  • The new and everlasting covenant encompasses all gospel covenants, aiming for men and women to become like God (A, 19:29).
  • Only marriages performed and sealed by proper authority and the Holy Spirit of Promise endure beyond the grave (A, 24:40).

“The ratifying seal of the Holy Spirit is necessary for all ordinances of the Gospel, and that includes eternal marriage.” — A, [26:45]

• Marriage Scenarios:
  • Scenario 1: Civil marriages (not sealed) dissolve at death (B, 28:12).
  • Scenario 2: Attempts to make eternal covenants without authority also dissolve (A, 30:11).
  • Scenario 3: Marriages performed and sealed by authority and the Holy Spirit of Promise endure eternally; such couples “shall be gods” (B, 32:31).

“This is eternal lives—to know the only wise and true God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent. … The only kind [of marriage] that can transcend death.” — B, [37:07]

b. Plural Marriage

• Justification (vv. 29–40):
  • Plural marriage is linked to Old Testament patriarchy and regarded as a “test of faithfulness” like Abraham’s sacrifice (A, 48:30).
  • Abraham is invoked as a parallel for severe testing and obedience; plural marriage is described as an “Abrahamic test” (A, 48:30).

“This was not done because of lustfulness or lasciviousness. It was a test of our faith.” — A, [52:58], citing Helen Mar Kimball

• Biblical Precedent:

  • Polygamy in the Bible is treated as morally neutral, requiring readers (and early saints) to wrestle with its spiritual implications (B, 46:47).

• Warnings Against Abuse:

  • The Lord specifies that the practice must be authorized and sharply criticizes those (like David and Solomon) who abused it beyond His commands (A, 56:55).

6. Adultery, Consent, and the ‘Law of Sarah’

• Identity and Role of Keys:

  • Only the prophet holds sealing keys allowing such unions (B, 66:11).
  • Limits on who can perform or participate, with severe warnings concerning unauthorized plural marriage (B, 68:50).

• Consent and Emma’s Pain:

  • The “law of Sarah” is that the first wife should give consent for plural marriage, with provisos if she rejects the law (B, 79:23; 85:45).
  • Strong but contextually nuanced language regarding Emma (“destroyed”—interpreted as “cut off” from blessings rather than literal destruction) [A, 71:26; B, 72:38].

“The Lord's just saying here, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope. The ideal is that both spouses remain faithful, but … if your spouse isn't faithful, but you are, you will still receive blessings.” — A, [66:11]

7. Notable Moments, Quotes, and Memorable Segments

• “Verse 26 and section 132 is the most abused passage in any scripture.” — A, quoting Joseph Fielding Smith [40:02]
• On Emma:
  • “I have seen many, yes, very many trying scenes in my life … But yet I feel a divine trust in God and that all things shall work for good.” — Emma Smith, letter (A, 77:20)
• On personal struggle:
  • “If you’re having issues with this, you’re normal.” — B, [101:41]

8. Addressing Controversies

a. Authorship & Origin

• Claims that Section 132 isn’t from Joseph Smith but from Brigham Young are addressed with robust historical and stylometric evidence:

“All points toward Joseph Smith being the author of all of Section 132, or I should say the revelator who receives it.” — A, [94:57]

b. Polygamy as Requirement for Exaltation

• Not required; eternal marriage (not plural marriage) is the necessity for exaltation (B, 95:27).

c. Emma’s Knowledge & Consent

• Historical humility and recognition that we have mostly secondhand sources. Emma at times consented to some plural marriages, but ultimately struggled deeply and eventually rejected the practice (A, 97:03).

d. Resources for Further Study

• Church’s 2025 “Topics and Questions” essays and recommendations: Brian Hales’ Joseph Smith’s Polygamy, Brittany Chapman Nash’s work, and the importance of listening to the voices of the women involved (B, 100:05 & 101:10).

9. Consequences and Lasting Impact

• Plural marriage was practiced by the church for around 70 years; many Latter-day Saints today are descendants of plural marriages (B, 103:09).
• Section 132 fundamentally established the doctrine of eternal marriage, viewed as one of the most profound teachings of the Restoration.
• Ongoing messiness and complexity acknowledged; willingness to “move a little bit of the messiness into the eternities as long as we get to keep our families” (A, 103:49).

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Context & Origins: 02:46–11:43
• Firsthand Emma/Joseph Story: 10:16–11:43
• Personal Nature of Section 132: 12:06–14:37
• Eternal Marriage Doctrine Deep Dive: 19:28–38:56
• Controversial Verses, Misreading v.26: 38:58–43:01
• Plural Marriage Justification & Test: 43:01–53:58
• Abuse and Limits; David/Solomon Nuance: 55:25–57:07
• Emma’s Abrahamic Test, Human Complexity: 71:23–79:23
• Controversies (authorship, requirement, Emma): 89:18–97:03
• Resources for Study: 100:05–101:41
• Consequences & Reflections: 103:09–end

Tone and Speaker Highlights

• Open, Honest, Compassionate: Both Scott and Casey are candid about their own discomfort, emphasize charity, use humor and personal stories to lighten heavy content, and repeatedly urge careful, nonjudgmental reading of history.
• Emphasis on Wrestling with Hard Questions:
  “If you wrestle with it, you’re normal. If others wrestle with it, they’re normal. That’s important, too.” — B, [101:41]

Summary

This episode of Church History Matters guides listeners through the deeply challenging terrain of D&C 132, acknowledging both its theological grandeur (in teaching eternal marriage and sealing) and its practical and personal pains (especially in its introduction and practice of plural marriage). The struggles of Joseph and Emma Smith and others are handled with empathy, historical care, and doctrinal clarity. The hosts address lingering controversies, point towards high-quality resources, and close with a plea for compassion and patience as we study difficult history.

Further Study Resources

• Gospel Library > Topics and Questions > Plural Marriage (Official Church essays and Q&A)
• Joseph Smith’s Polygamy (Brian Hales)
• Let’s Talk about Polygamy (Brittany Chapman Nash)
• Stylometric study by Densley, Fields, Roper, and Bassist (Interpreter Foundation)
• Church History Matters podcast previous polygamy series

Memorable Takeaway:

"Sometimes the Gospel is really difficult and the Lord asks us to make huge sacrifices. Section 132 is a text that just illustrates that principle.” — A, [00:00 / 107:00]