Do the Works of Abraham

There is a strong connection between the revelation in Doctrine and Covenants 132 and the Bible. Most obviously, the Lord referenced several important people from the Old Testament to teach Joseph about the principle of plural marriage. He spoke of Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Isaac, Jacob, David, Solomon, Moses, Nathan, and Uriah (v34-39). This highlighted that what Joseph was doing was not new. The Lord also made reference to many passages from the Old and New Testament to teach Joseph, Emma, and all of us these principles. He asked, “Will I accept of an offering, saith the Lord, that is not made in my name?” (v9) This reminds us of His question through Malachi: “Thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the Lord” (Malachi 1:13). He emphasized His role as our only way back to the Father: “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” (v12). This of course reminds us of what John recorded: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Speaking of those who would not abide His covenant of marriage the Lord said, “Therefore, when they are out of the world they neither marry nor are given in marriage; but are appointed angels in heaven, which angels are ministering servants, to minister for those who are worthy of a far more, and an exceeding, and an eternal weight of glory” (v16). This combines language from two New Testament passages. The Savior taught during His last week to those who sought to confound Him, “Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven” (Matthew 22:29-30). Paul also used this language to the Corinthians: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17). If we abide His covenant and keep His commandments, our mortal affliction will work towards our ultimate glory.

               Several other passages in this revelation are also connected to the Bible. The Lord said, “And again, verily I say unto you, if a man marry a wife by my word, which is my law, and by the new and everlasting covenant, and it is sealed unto them by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed” (v19). This idea of being sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise was spoken of by Paul: “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13). The Lord also said this of those who would have their covenant sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise: “Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if it be after the first resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths—then shall it be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life” (v19). This is language that reminds us of the words from John’s vision: “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:27). We certainly want our faithfulness recorded in the Lamb’s book of life. In speaking of the strictness of His law the Savior also said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye abide my law ye cannot attain to this glory. For strait is the gate, and narrow the way that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the lives, and few there be that find it, because ye receive me not in the world neither do ye know me” (v21-22). This of course reminds us of the Sermon on the Mount: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). The Savior also taught about Himself in these words, “This is eternal lives—to know the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent. I am he. Receive ye, therefore, my law” (v24). This is very similar to what He had told His apostles in mortality: “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3). Lastly, the Savior encouraged us to “go ye, therefore, and do the works of Abraham; enter ye into my law and ye shall be saved” (v32). He had said something similar to the wicked rulers of Jerusalem: “They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham” (John 8:39). If we want the reward of Abraham, we must do the works of Abraham. Joseph literally did the works of Abraham in practicing plural marriage according as the Lord had commanded him. All of these Biblical references help confirm that the principle of plural marriage was not new in Joseph’s time, and the Lord was in no way departing from the teachings of the Bible in restoring it, for a time, in the last dispensation. Gratefully it is not a commandment to us today, but we will surely all be tested to see if we will “do the works of Abraham” in how we show faith and obedience to the Lord’s commands to each of us.