D&c 132:54

[WAMormon]

I came across D&C 132:54 while reading last night and I'm just starting to now really study the scriptures and gain a testimony of my own. I'm pretty sure it's talking about Emma Smith accepting the practice of polygamy. It threw me off guard I guess since it talks about the Lord destroying her. To me it just seems pretty harsh for the Lord to say that! Hopefully someone can give me some insight into this chapter! :)

[garryw]

This language is not unique to the D&C. For example Proverbs 6:32 talks about adulterers being destroyed. Verse 52 instructs Emma to receive his wives but does not threaten destruction. That comes in verse 54 which is conditioned upon her not cleaving to Joseph.

The historical context is that Joseph has been and continues to actively marry more women. Emma protests. Hyrum sees the tension between the two and asks Joseph to record a revelation on the topic of celestial marriage so he can use it to persuade Emma. Joseph says he had the revelation years ago, and finally dictates it. 132 is born. It's important to note that Joseph received the revelation years before dictating it. Because Joseph had been marrying women years before it was dictated.

Edited November 1, 2011 by garryw

[Vort]

I came across D&C 132:54 while reading last night and I'm just starting to now really study the scriptures and gain a testimony of my own. I'm pretty sure it's talking about Emma Smith accepting the practice of polygamy. It threw me off guard I guess since it talks about the Lord destroying her. To me it just seems pretty harsh for the Lord to say that! Hopefully someone can give me some insight into this chapter! :)

It is probably worth noting that everyone who fails to repent will be destroyed. More specifically, those who have covenanted with God and then fail to live up to those covenants are under particular condemnation. In effect, Emma was being told to live up to her covenants.

[rameumptom]

The "destroyed" means a person will go to Spirit Prison hell for a time, where they will suffer for any sins and disbelief. Once the individual repents, he/she can then be restored to Paradise. So it will be with any of us who reject a commandment from God, which separates us from God. In rebelling, we put ourselves into hell, not God. Jesus, meanwhile, awaits to rescue us when we humble ourselves enough to be rescued by him.

So, while Emma may have had to spend some time there, I believe she still is an "elect lady" and will be exalted next to Joseph Smith.

[Seminarysnoozer]

I came across D&C 132:54 while reading last night and I'm just starting to now really study the scriptures and gain a testimony of my own. I'm pretty sure it's talking about Emma Smith accepting the practice of polygamy. It threw me off guard I guess since it talks about the Lord destroying her. To me it just seems pretty harsh for the Lord to say that! Hopefully someone can give me some insight into this chapter! :)

I don't think it is that specific. It is saying that she should cleave unto her husband as all of us are commanded to do. There is nothing unique about that. Where much is given much is required, this applies to Emma as well. She was given above average opportunity to be there at those special moments. Her punishment would be equally as harsh as the potential rewards for having such privilege in this life. In the next verse the Lord points out the potential rewards. As in all priesthood reprimands, the love shown after is greater. Look at all that she has been promised if she obeys and cleaves unto her husband.