New and everlasting covenant...

[JThimm88]

D&C 131:2 reads "And in order to obtain the highest order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage];"

What exactly is the new and everlasting covenant of marriage? That of eternal marriages, or that of plural marriages? (I know that we obviously do not teach polygamy anymore, but in this reference of scripture, I wasn't sure if it could have meant such?)

[annamaureen]

I did proxy sealings a few weeks ago and the sealer happened to mention that "the new and everlasting covenant" refers to the fullness of the gospel.

[Justice]

D&C 132:

7 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 the 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.

I think that scripture is pretty clear.

[JThimm88]

Thanks for both of your answers; it explained it perfectly. :)

[Snow]

Prior to the early 1900's the Church considered it to be polygamous marriage. Nowadays it is understood to be celestial or temple marriage/sealing.

[Traveler]

D&C 131:2 reads "And in order to obtain the highest order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage];"

What exactly is the new and everlasting covenant of marriage? That of eternal marriages, or that of plural marriages? (I know that we obviously do not teach polygamy anymore, but in this reference of scripture, I wasn't sure if it could have meant such?)

The new and everlasting covenant includes the marriage covenant. The simple way to understand this covenant - is to do as the L-rd directs. According to scripture his direction is for a man to have one wife unless he directs otherwise. I believe the main reason that the Chruch came under condemnation is because many men took women as wives of their own without the commandment of the L-rd.

The Traveler

[tubaloth]

"The new and everlasting Covenant" is really the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Its really the covenant we make God through Christ. Marrage is part of the Covenent.

The key is to be married by the Holy Spirit of Promise, under the new and everlasting covenant. What gets you into the Celestial Kingdom isn't how many wifes you have, but by what covenant or authority it is preformed by.

[Hemidakota]

It is what open the doors to the highest portion of the Celestial Kingdom [it still requires the Godhead’s approval to receive this glory]. You can be baptized only and live worthily, still receive the lowest order of the Celestial Kingdom.

When there is no approval, perhaps, the couple may look at the second state within this kingdom for a time. :)

[Moksha]

"The new and everlasting Covenant" is really the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Its really the covenant we make God through Christ. Marrage is part of the Covenent.

So marriage is sort of like a subparagraph of the Gospel.

[martybess]

Encyclopedia of Mormonism

"The new and everlasting covenant is the gospel of Jesus Christ. The sum of all gospel covenants that God makes with mankind is called "the new and everlasting covenant" and consists of several individual covenants, each of which is called "a new and an everlasting covenant." It is "new" when given to a person or a people for the first time, and "everlasting" because the gospel of Jesus Christ and Plan of Salvation existed before the world was formed and will exist forever (MD, pp. 479-80)."

Marty

[Snow]

Encyclopedia of Mormonism

"The new and everlasting covenant is the gospel of Jesus Christ. The sum of all gospel covenants that God makes with mankind is called "the new and everlasting covenant" and consists of several individual covenants, each of which is called "a new and an everlasting covenant." It is "new" when given to a person or a people for the first time, and "everlasting" because the gospel of Jesus Christ and Plan of Salvation existed before the world was formed and will exist forever (MD, pp. 479-80)."

Marty

The question was: "What exactly is the new and everlasting covenant of marriage?"

The answer is celestial marriage - sealed for time and all eternity. That is the current Church view as opposed to the old view that it was plural marriage.

[martybess]

The question was: "What exactly is the new and everlasting covenant of marriage?"

The answer is celestial marriage - sealed for time and all eternity. That is the current Church view as opposed to the old view that it was plural marriage.

Yes Snow I miss read the question, thanks.

Encyclopedia of Mormonism, New and Everlasting Covenant. (Second Paragraph Quoted)

All covenants between God and mankind are part of the new and everlasting covenant (D&C 22;132:6-7). Thus, celestial marriage is a new and an everlasting covenant (D&C 132:4) or the new and everlasting covenant of marriage. Some covenants, such as baptism, have force in all dispensations. Other covenants are made for special purposes in particular dispensations; circumcision as a sign of a covenant is of this type (MD, p. 479). The same eternal covenant conditions may be established through other ritual signs at other times.

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