Meaning Of D&C 132:26

[Stone holm]

The Brethren have been very clear that this section only applies as far as exaltation is concerned to the repentant sinner. The unrepentant has no promise. What is unclear at this point is what is the status of the repentant transgressors . Say a person transgresses and is excommunicated, is rebaptised and has his/her blessings restored. What then is the persons status under this verse?

[cinepro]

26 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if a man marry a wife according to my word, and they are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, according to mine appointment, and he or she shall commit any sin or transgression of the new and everlasting covenant whatever, and all manner of blasphemies, and if they commit no murder wherein they shed innocent blood, yet they shall come forth in the first resurrection, and enter into their exaltation; but they shall be destroyed in the flesh, and shall be delivered unto the buffetings of Satan unto the day of redemption, saith the Lord God.

Here's how the CES Manual explains it:

D&C 132:26–27. Does Marriage in the Temple Assure One of Exaltation, No Matter How One Lives?

President Harold B. Lee taught: “Some folks have the mistaken notion that if somehow, by hook or crook, they can get into the House of the Lord and be married they are assured of exaltation regardless of what they do, and they’ll quote the 132 Section, the 26th verse. But that isn’t what the Lord means. The Lord does assure an exaltation to those who make mistakes, if they repent.” (Cram for Life’s Final Examination, Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year [Provo, 5 Jan. 1954], p. 7.)

President Joseph Fielding Smith commented:

“Verse 26, in Section 132, is the most abused passage in any scripture. The Lord has never promised any soul that he may be taken into exaltation without the spirit of repentance. While repentance is not stated in this passage, yet it is, and must be, implied. It is strange to me that everyone knows about verse 26, but it seems that they have never read or heard of Matthew 12:31–32, where the Lord tells us the same thing in substance as we find in verse 26, section 132. . . .

“So we must conclude that those spoken of in verse 26 are those who, having sinned, have fully repented and are willing to pay the price of their sinning, else the blessings of exaltation will not follow. Repentance is absolutely necessary for the forgiveness, and the person having sinned must be cleansed.” (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:95–96.)

The key phrase is “and they are sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise” (D&C 132:26.) This sealing is related to having one’s calling and election made sure. (SeeNotes and Commentary for D&C 76:53; 131:5; 132:7.)

Speaking of the promise in Doctrine and Covenants 132:26, Elder Bruce R. McConkie said:

“Making one’s calling and election sure comes after and grows out of celestial marriage. Eternal life does not and cannot exist for a man or a woman alone, because in its very nature it consists of the continuation of the family unit in eternity. Thus the revelation on marriage speaks both of celestial marriage (in which the conditional promises of eternal life are given) and of making one’s calling and election sure (in which the unconditional promises of eternal life are given) in one and the same sentence—which sentence also says that those who commit sins (except ‘murder whereby to shed innocent blood’) after being sealed up unto eternal life shall still gain exaltation. This is the language: ‘Then’—that is, after their calling and election has been made sure—[D&C 132:19–20 cited].

“Then the revelation [D&C 132:26] speaks of that obedience out of which eternal life grows, and still speaking both of celestial marriage and of making one’s calling and election sure says: ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, if a man marry a wife according to my word, and they are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, according to mine appointment’—that is, if they are both married and have their calling and election made sure . . . ‘they shall come forth in the first resurrection and enter into their exaltation.’” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3:343–44.)

“What if those whose calling and election has been made sure thereafter commit grievous sins? Suppose they backslide and walk in the ways of wickedness? Or fight the truth and rebel against God—what then?

“That all men commit sin, before and after baptism, and for that matter, before and after their calling and election is made sure, is self-evident. There has been only one Sinless One—the Lord Jesus who was God’s own Son.

“Thus in the revelation announcing the setting up of the restored church in this day, the Lord says: ‘There is a possibility that man may fall from grace and depart from the living God; Therefore let the church take heed and pray always, lest they fall into temptation; Yea, and even let those who are sanctified take heed also.’ (D. & C. 20:32–34.)

“The prophets and apostles from Adam and Enoch down, and all men, whether cleansed and sanctified from sin or not, are yet subject to and do in fact commit sin. This is the case even after men have seen the visions of eternity and been sealed by that Holy Spirit of Promise which makes their calling and election sure. Since these chosen ones have the sure promise of eternal life, and since ‘no unclean thing can enter into’ the Father’s ‘kingdom’ (3 Ne. 27:19), ‘or dwell in his presence’ (Moses 6:57), what of sins committed after being sealed up into eternal life?

“Obviously the laws of repentance still apply, and the more enlightened a person is, the more he seeks the gift of repentance, and the harder he strives to free himself from sin as often as he falls short of the divine will and becomes subject in any degree to the Master of Sin who is Lucifer. It follows that the sins of the godfearing and the righteous are continually remitted because they repent and seek the Lord anew every day and every hour.

“And as a matter of fact, the added blessing of having one’s calling and election made sure is itself an encouragement to avoid sin and a hedge against its further commission. By that long course of obedience and trial which enabled them to gain so great a blessing the sanctified saints have charted a course and developed a pattern of living which avoids sin and encourages righteousness. Thus the Lord said: ‘I give unto you Hyrum Smith to be a patriarch unto you, to hold the sealing blessings of my church, even the Holy Spirit of promise, whereby ye are sealed up unto the day of redemption, that ye may not fall notwithstanding the hour of temptation that may come upon you. (D. & C. 124:124.)

“But suppose such persons become disaffected and the spirit of repentance leaves them—which is a seldom and an almost unheard of eventuality—still, what then? The answer is—and the revelations and teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith so recite!—they must then pay the penalty of their own sins, for the blood of Christ will not cleanse them. Or if they commit murder or adultery, they lose their promised inheritance because these sins are exempt from the sealing promises. Or if they commit the unpardonable sin, they become sons of perdition.” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3:342–43.)

Edited March 28, 2013 by cinepro

[Stone holm]

Yes. I understand the doctrine that repentance is still required, but reread the question I posed and then read the verse again is the status of the repentant, though he/she be rebaptised and had blessings restored still such that they in essence burn in hell until called forth in the resurrection? And if not, what meaning is left to this verse.

[K-2]

President [John] Taylor: What is it to be destroyed in the flesh? What does that mean [sign of the Priesthood]? You all know. What does that mean [another Sign of the Priesthood]? You all know. Now if that was carried out-

Coun. [Daniel H.] Wells: Is that what is meant by being destroyed in the flesh?

President Taylor: I think it would be pretty near.

Coun. Wells: Well, cutting off the Church doesn't pay the penalty.

Prest. Taylor: leave them in the hands of God, or in the hands of the devil.

--Salt Lake School of the Prophets Minute Book, 1883, Pioneer Press, Salt Lake City, 1992, pg.41.

[CASteinman]

If you have not gone through an unusual ordinance by invitation of the First Presidency, then this verse probably does not apply to you.

[Freedom]

The Brethren have been very clear that this section only applies as far as exaltation is concerned to the repentant sinner. The unrepentant has no promise. What is unclear at this point is what is the status of the repentant transgressors .

You will have to explain what you perceive to be the difference between a repentant sinner and a repentant transgressor. A sin, after all, is a type of transgression. A transgression is when a law is passed over. For example, police pass over the law when they speed to a 911 call. Nephi transgressed the law when he killed Laban.

[Rob Osborn]

The Brethren have been very clear that this section only applies as far as exaltation is concerned to the repentant sinner. The unrepentant has no promise. What is unclear at this point is what is the status of the repentant transgressors . Say a person transgresses and is excommunicated, is rebaptised and has his/her blessings restored. What then is the persons status under this verse?

Same status- go on into eternal life in Gods kingdom.

[Stone holm]

If you have not gone through an unusual ordinance by invitation of the First Presidency, then this verse probably does not apply to you.

If a person has not gone through an unusual ordinance? Explain please? I tend to think that K2 has it right that the person still winds up in hell during the interim between death and the resurrection, otherwise there is no meaning left to the verse. But, when you read the teaching of the Brethren, they are all over the place. You will sometimes also hear former members invoking the two times and out rule on themselves and it is very difficult under such circumstances to get them to come back into fellowship.

[Stone holm]

You will have to explain what you perceive to be the difference between a repentant sinner and a repentant transgressor. A sin, after all, is a type of transgression. A transgression is when a law is passed over. For example, police pass over the law when they speed to a 911 call. Nephi transgressed the law when he killed Laban.

This distinction is not really relevant to the question, but I understand that we normally refer to Adam's transgression rather than Adam's sin. For the purpose of this question, sinner would be the more accurate term and serious sin would necessarily be involved if we are talking about someone being exed as that is the heaviest penalty the Church can invoke.

[K-2]

Yeah CASteinman is right -- the verse applies only to those who have been sealed by the holy spirit of promise through the Lord's anointed Prophet.

[K-2]

Another thing, Bruce R. McConkie seems to have added adultery as an exception to the sealing as well as shedding innocent blood, whereas the verse only mentions shedding innocent blood as an exception. Not sure why he thought that.

[ksfisher]

Behold, he who has ^arepented of his ^bsins, the same is^cforgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.

D&C 58:42

If a person has sinned/transgressed and has truly repented then the Lord has promised us that he forgives us. If He has forgiven us then none of the destruction mention in 132:26 can apply. 132:26 only applies to those who have not repented. Those who have strayed and return truly have all of there blessings restored, as if they had never been lost. This is the key message of the gospel, that all sinners, on condition of repentance, will be welcomed back into our Father's arms. Christ taught this during his mortal ministry and the church continues to teach this today.

[Stone holm]

Behold, he who has ^arepented of his ^bsins, the same is^cforgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.

D&C 58:42

If a person has sinned/transgressed and has truly repented then the Lord has promised us that he forgives us. If He has forgiven us then none of the destruction mention in 132:26 can apply. 132:26 only applies to those who have not repented. Those who have strayed and return truly have all of there blessings restored, as if they had never been lost. This is the key message of the gospel, that all sinners, on condition of repentance, will be welcomed back into our Father's arms. Christ taught this during his mortal ministry and the church continues to teach this today.

I believe that is consistent with what is being suggested by various leaders, not sure that leaves any meaning, however, to 132:26. Since the ability to attain Exaltation is dependant upon repentance, then what does the part about delivery over to the buffetting of Satan suggest in the case of the repentant sinner. If we know that for the unrepentant the verse guarantees nothing, then it only applies to the repentant -- but if the repentant also skips this impact -- the verse would seem to be left without any substantive meaning. Although I tend to be skeptical of anything that McConkie has written, it would seem to me that this verse applies to the repentant adulterer. I am still not sure I understand the reference to a special ordinance -- "sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise" I always understood to refer to the Temple Sealing Ordinance followed by faithfulness -- are you saying there is some other ordinance? I don't think so, at least I have never heard of it if there is.

[ksfisher]

I believe that is consistent with what is being suggested by various leaders, not sure that leaves any meaning, however, to 132:26. Since the ability to attain Exaltation is dependant upon repentance, then what does the part about delivery over to the buffetting of Satan suggest in the case of the repentant sinner. If we know that for the unrepentant the verse guarantees nothing, then it only applies to the repentant -- but if the repentant also skips this impact -- the verse would seem to be left without any substantive meaning. Although I tend to be skeptical of anything that McConkie has written, it would seem to me that this verse applies to the repentant adulterer. I am still not sure I understand the reference to a special ordinance -- "sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise" I always understood to refer to the Temple Sealing Ordinance followed by faithfulness -- are you saying there is some other ordinance? I don't think so, at least I have never heard of it if there is.

D&C 132:26 is one of those verses that it would be nice if it could be edited for a little more clarity. What it seems to be saying (as least when I read it, and I'm sure there are other interpretations) is that when we sin we are subject to the negative effects of that sin. This can be true even after we've repented. If I repent from smoking, for example, my lungs won't return to that state they were in before I started smoking. We are all subject to the "buffetings of Satan" in one way or another.

What the Lord has promised us is that those who are obedient to his commandments will have his spirit with us while we are on this earth and will return to him one day.

My understanding of being "sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise" is the temple sealing, and the eventual realization of this blessing in the eternities. More of a process than an event. Faithfulness is the key word.

I'm not aware of any other ordinance that is needed during this life, other than those currently administered in the temple.

[K-2]

I don't know if you noticed, but in the excerpt from the CES manual that cinepro posted above, it says "The key phrase is 'and they are sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise' (D&C 132:26.) This sealing is related to having one’s calling and election made sure." Temple marriage in and of itself is not directly the ordinance whereby one's calling and election is made sure. Joseph Smith said: "As soon as the [Nauvoo] Temple and baptismal font are prepared, we calculate to give the Elders of Israel their washings and anointings, and attend to those last and more impressive ordinances, without which we cannot obtain celestial thrones. But there must be a holy place prepared for that purpose. There was a proclamation made during the time that the foundation of the Temple was laid to that effect, and there are provisions made until the work is completed, so that men may receive their endowments and be made kings and priests unto the Most High God." -Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, pg. 417.

[Stone holm]

D&C 132:26 is one of those verses that it would be nice if it could be edited for a little more clarity. What it seems to be saying (as least when I read it, and I'm sure there are other interpretations) is that when we sin we are subject to the negative effects of that sin. This can be true even after we've repented. If I repent from smoking, for example, my lungs won't return to that state they were in before I started smoking. We are all subject to the "buffetings of Satan" in one way or another.

What the Lord has promised us is that those who are obedient to his commandments will have his spirit with us while we are on this earth and will return to him one day.

My understanding of being "sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise" is the temple sealing, and the eventual realization of this blessing in the eternities. More of a process than an event. Faithfulness is the key word.

I'm not aware of any other ordinance that is needed during this life, other than those currently administered in the temple.

That is my understanding of "sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise" as well, while I agree with you about the "buffetings of Satan", it seems to me that this verse uses them in a more specific manner than that which suggests that persons who have been sealed in the Temple may still repent, but that they are still temporarily consigned to the "buffetings of Satan". "Buffetings of Satan" in this respect is normally considered a cleansing process or extension of the repentance process that occurs in hell. Note if this is the correct interpretation, then what is being said is that a person who has been sealed, who then transgresses the Covenant, but then repents still has the ability to attain Exaltation and make sealing stick, but they do a temporary remedial course in hell until the resurrection. This interpretation has nothing to do with whether or not the person may regain the presence of the Lord, it has to do with path or process to get to that ultimate destination.

[Stone holm]

I don't know if you noticed, but in the excerpt from the CES manual that cinepro posted above, it says "The key phrase is 'and they are sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise' (D&C 132:26.) This sealing is related to having one’s calling and election made sure." Temple marriage in and of itself is not directly the ordinance whereby one's calling and election is made sure. Joseph Smith said: "As soon as the [Nauvoo] Temple and baptismal font are prepared, we calculate to give the Elders of Israel their washings and anointings, and attend to those last and more impressive ordinances, without which we cannot obtain celestial thrones. But there must be a holy place prepared for that purpose. There was a proclamation made during the time that the foundation of the Temple was laid to that effect, and there are provisions made until the work is completed, so that men may receive their endowments and be made kings and priests unto the Most High God." -Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, pg. 417.

I have never understood having one's calling and election made sure as having anything directly to do with Temple marriage. Only the Lord can make one's calling and election made sure, I don't see the phrase of "sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise" is synonymous with "having one's calling and election made sure". The latter is when the Lord appears to you personaly and says "Well done My good and faithful servant." I don't see that being connected with this Section of the D & C, and its not something that which maybe delegated to a Priesthood bearer -- nor, except as it may be merged in the final judgment, necessary that a person have received that experience in this life as a condition of Exaltation or in the next, except insofar as it may well be merged into the final judgment.

[K-2]

http://www.templestudy.com/2008/03/25/the-culminating-sealing-ordinance-of-the-temple/

[Stone holm]

http://www.templestu...-of-the-temple/

Yeah I don't think that is really on point. The point is not what ultimately can happen, the point is the path necessary to get there.

[cinepro]

Yeah I don't think that is really on point. The point is not what ultimately can happen, the point is the path necessary to get there.

The point is that that "path" includes an additional ordinance called the "Second Anointing", and v.26 is most likely only applicable to the (relatively few) people who have received it.

[CASteinman]

Yeah I don't think that is really on point. The point is not what ultimately can happen, the point is the path necessary to get there.

Its pretty much dead on. This however may not be clear from simply reading 132 -- a scripture that I suspect to be corrupted and sometimes unclear or confusing due to the influence of adversity to the doctrine and a need to hide some things. However, teachings of authorities around this scripture suggest that this passage involves more than just ordinary Endowment and Marriage.

[ksfisher]

then what is being said is that a person who has been sealed, who then transgresses the Covenant, but then repents still has the ability to attain Exaltation and make sealing stick, but they do a temporary remedial course in hell until the resurrection. This interpretation has nothing to do with whether or not the person may regain the presence of the Lord, it has to do with path or process to get to that ultimate destination.

I don't agree with this at all. It contradicts D&C 58:26. If Lord has forgiven someone why would they end up in a "remedial course in hell." ? Either Christ has power over death and hell, which power we can access through the atonement, or he doesn't.

[Stone holm]

I don't agree with this at all. It contradicts D&C 58:26. If Lord has forgiven someone why would they end up in a "remedial course in hell." ? Either Christ has power over death and hell, which power we can access through the atonement, or he doesn't.

Have you read Brigham Young much? He talks about the beneficient effects of hell all the time. We are not an evangelical "born again" Church -- this doesn't have anything to do with Christ's power over death and hell -- where did that enter into the discussion. You believe the "buffetings of Satan" refer to what? The Brethren have said this part does not apply to the unrepentant, that only leaves it either applying to the repentant, or having no meaning at all -- unless, I suppose, you believe that the section is referring to some unspecified special ordinance that is something other than Temple Marriage.

[CASteinman]

unless, I suppose, you believe that the section is referring to some unspecified special ordinance that is something other than Temple Marriage.

Until you recognize that is what it is about, you will be confused.

[Stone holm]

Its pretty much dead on. This however may not be clear from simply reading 132 -- a scripture that I suspect to be corrupted and sometimes unclear or confusing due to the influence of adversity to the doctrine and a need to hide some things. However, teachings of authorities around this scripture suggest that this passage involves more than just ordinary Endowment and Marriage.

Interesting, I will have to do some study to try and figure out this other ordinance beyond the Endowment and Temple Marriage -- am not doubting the possibility, but seems like that is a rather -- not particularly obvious way to read this Scripture and I haven't heard of any movement to toss it out of the Doctrine and Covenants.