Revelation given through President John Taylor, at Salt Lake City, Utah, June 25-26, 1882. This revelation was given in response to President Taylor’s requests to the Lord regarding the continued practice of Celestial Plural Marriage in the Church, as it had been nearly three and one half years since the United States Supreme Court had upheld the anti-polygamy legislation through the Reynolds test case, and there was growing persecution from the government and from the national media. This grave concern was approaching a crisis. The Lord instructs President Taylor in this revelation that Celestial Marriage is not for the world in general, but a part of the New and Everlasting Covenant, or the fullness of the gospel. The Lord instructs President Taylor that this order of marriage cannot be abrogated by those who aspire to the blessings of the celestial kingdom. The Lord also declares that it is against the Constitution of the land to prohibit God’s followers from obeying this principle of marriage—in spite of the Reynolds Supreme Court decision. See the John Taylor Papers, Church Historians Office. This revelation and others are recorded in a volume kept by John Taylor’s daughter, Annie Taylor Hyde. Copies are in the Manuscripts Division at the University of Utah Library, and in Special Collections, Brigham Young University Library.
1 Question: Is the law of Celestial Marriage a law given to this nation or to the world?
2 Answer: No. In no other sense than as the gospel is given and in accordance with the laws thereof.
3 So far as it is made known unto men, it is made known unto them as the gospel is made known unto them and is a part of the New and Everlasting Covenant;
4 And it is only those who receive the gospel that are able to, or capable of, entering into this covenant.
5 Have I not said through my servant Joseph that “all kingdoms have a law given” (D&C 88:36), and if they receive not the law of my gospel they cannot participate in the blessings of Celestial Marriage which pertain to mine elect?
6 No person, or people, or nation can enter into the principle of Celestial Marriage unless they come in by Me, saith the Lord, and obey the law of my gospel through the medium of him who is appointed unto this power as made known unto my people through my servant Joseph in a revelation on “The Eternity of the Marriage Covenant, including Plurality of Wives.” (D&C 132)
7 I have therein stated that, “All those who have this law revealed unto them must obey the same;
8 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.” (D&C 132:3-4)
9 Furthermore, “And as pertaining to the New and Everlasting Covenant, it was instituted for the fullness of my glory; and he that receiveth a fullness thereof must and shall abide the law, or he shall be damned, saith the Lord God.” (D&C 132:6)
10 It is again written that “all kingdoms have a law given.” (D&C 88:36)
11 The celestial kingdom, including the promise of eternal life, pertains to “the Church of the Firstborn, even of God, the holiest of all, through Jesus Christ his Son.” (D&C 88:5)
12 Therefore, such must be sanctified from all unrighteousness that they may be prepared for the celestial glory;
13 “For he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory;
14 And he who cannot abide the law of a terrestrial kingdom cannot abide a terrestrial glory.
15 And he who cannot abide the law of a telestial kingdom cannot abide a telestial glory; therefore he is not meet for a kingdom of glory. Therefore he must abide a kingdom which is not a kingdom of glory.” (D&C 88:22-24)
16 Each of the persons inhabiting these several kingdoms shall be quickened by the same power that pertains to the kingdom that they are destined to inherit, whether celestial, terrestrial or telestial; and shall receive of their respective glories.
17 And again it is written, “And again, verily I say unto you, that which is governed by law is also preserved by law, and perfected and sanctified by the same.
18 That which breaketh a law, and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, and willeth to abide in sin, and altogether abideth in sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment.” (D&C 88:34-35)
19 It is further written, speaking of Celestial Marriage, “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 this 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.” (D&C 132:7)
20 This law is a celestial law and pertains to a celestial kingdom.
21 It is a New and Everlasting Covenant and appertains to thrones, principalities, powers, dominions, and eternal increase in the celestial Kingdom of God.
22 You are not now sent to proclaim this principle to the United States, nor to the world, nor to urge it upon them.
23 It is not for them as a nation or nations, only as many as accept the law of my gospel and are governed thereby.
24 Behold, if you were to preach this principle unto them and they said “we accept it,” could you then administer it unto them? Verily, I say unto you, nay.
25 Have I not said, “Behold mine house is a house of order, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion.
26 Will I accept of an offering, saith the Lord, that is not made in my name?
27 Or will I receive at your hands that which I have not appointed?
28 And will I appoint unto you, saith the Lord, except it be by law, even as I and my Father ordained unto you, before the world was?
29 I am the Lord thy God; and I give unto you this commandment—that no man shall come unto the Father but by Me or by my word, which is my law, saith the Lord.
30 And everything that is in the world, whether it be ordained of men, by thrones, or principalities, or powers, or things of name, whatsoever they may be, that are not by Me, saith the Lord, shall be thrown down, and shall not remain after men are dead, neither in nor after the resurrection saith the Lord your God.
31 For whatsoever things remain are by me; and whatsoever things are not by Me shall be shaken and destroyed.
32 Therefore, if a man 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.” (D&C 132:9-15)
33 You ask, what shall we do?
34 Thus saith the Lord God, Obey my law, and seek not to become a law unto yourselves, nor trust to outside influences; but seek in the way appointed to the Lord your God.
35 Ye are my spokesmen, I am your God; and as I have before said, I now again say, Henceforth do as I shall command you.
36 Concerning the course taken by the United States, they have the liberty, a right, to reject this law themselves, as they have the liberty, a right, to reject the gospel; but it is contrary to the provisions of the Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, for them to prohibit you from obeying it.
37 Therefore, abide in my law which I have revealed unto you, saith the Lord God, and contend for your rights by every legal and constitutional method and in accordance with the institutions, laws, and Constitution of the United States.
38 Be humble, be faithful, be diligent; seek unto Me and it shall be made known unto you from time to time what my will is pertaining to this matter.
39 I am the Lord your God; hearken to Me, and obey my law, and your enemies shall be confounded, and my kingdom shall be victorious. Even so. Amen.