Pres. Russell M. Nelson - The Love and Laws of God  (2019)

        Pres. Boyd K. Packer: Ordinances (1980)

- First, consider the Prophet Joseph Smith's definition of salvation:

"Salvation is nothing more nor less than to triumph over all our enemies and put them under our feet. And when we have power to put all enemies under our feet in this world, and a knowledge to triumph over all evil spirits in the world to come, then we are saved, as in the case of Jesus, who was to reign until He had put all enemies under His feet, and the last enemy was death. ...

"Knowledge saves a man; and in the world of spirits no man can be exalted but by knowledge."  May 14, 1843 (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp.297, 357)

- It means to receive the "unconditional" guarantee of one's exaltation perhaps even during mortality.

"To have one's calling and election made sure is to be sealed up unto eternal life; it is to have the unconditional guarantee of exaltation in the highest heaven of the celestial world; it is to receive the assurance of godhood; it is, in effect, to have the day of judgment advanced, so that an inheritance of all the glory and honor of the Father's kingdom is assured prior to the day when the faithful actually enter into the divine presence..." Elder Bruce R. McConkie (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, Vol. 3, pp.331-332 )

- To behold the visions of eternity may be very good; however, although being a great blessing and a powerful experience, that alone does not guarantee one's future standing in eternity:

"Though they [i.e. the saints in New Testament times] might hear the voice of God and know that Jesus was the Son of God, this would be no evidence that their election and calling was made sure, that they had part with Christ, and were joint heir with him. They then would want that more sure word of prophecy, that they were sealed in the heavens and had the promise of eternal life in the kingdom of God.

"Then, having this promise sealed unto them, it was an anchor to the soul, sure and steadfast. Though the thunders might roll and lightnings flash, and earthquakes bellow, and war gather thick around, yet this hope and knowledge would support the soul in every hour of trial, trouble and tribulation. ...

"[Knowledge] through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the grand key that unlocks the glories and mysteries of the kingdom of heaven." May 14, 1843 (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.298)

- Scriptural examples of people who seem to have received this blessing:

• Jesus - John 6:27
• Paul - 2 Timothy 4:7-8
• Lehi - 2 Nephi 1:15
• Enos - Enos 1:27
• Alma Sr. - Mosiah 26:20
• Alma Jr. - Alma 36:28
• Nephi (Alma Jr.'s great-grandson) - Helaman 10:4-11
• The Nephite Disciples - 3 Nephi 28:1-3
• Moroni - Moroni 10:34; Ether 12:37
• Joseph Smith Jr. - D&C 132:49
• (Can you find a few more?)

This verse appears to have two possible interpretations, and it seems that it is often quoted in relation to one of those meanings:

The glory of God is intelligence--light and truth (93:36), and nobody will attain exaltation without them (93:32); besides, as the prophet Joseph indicated (see first quotation above), we are saved as we gain knowledge

However, when considered in the light of what is stated on verse 5 this verse also suggests that nobody will inherit the celestial glory unknowingly, accidentally, or unexpectedly.  In other words, those who eventually gain admission into the celestial kingdom will have known beforehand that they are heirs of that kingdom

Verses 7-8 were discussed in section 129

Video: Why Aspire to an Eternal Marriage? (Bro. Martins - 2020)

Video: Remarks on Sealings (Bro. Martins - 2020)

- The Holy Spirit of Promise: the ratifying function or role of the Holy Ghost  (7,12-14)

"The Holy Spirit of Promise is the Holy Spirit promised the saints, or in other words, the Holy Ghost.

"This name-title is used in connection with the sealing and ratifying power of the Holy Ghost, that is, the power given him to ratify and approve the righteous acts of men so that those acts will be binding on earth and in heaven. ...

"To seal is to ratify, to justify, or to approve. Thus an act which is sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise is one which is ratified by the Holy Ghost; it is one which is approved by the Lord; ... The ratifying seal of approval is put upon an act only if those entering the contract are worthy as a result of personal righteousness to receive the divine approbation. ... If they are not just and true and worthy the ratifying seal is withheld." Elder Bruce R. McConkie (Mormon Doctrine, p.361)

In other words, organizations, contracts, associations, relationships, etc. that are not ratified by the Lord will lose their force (or cease to exist) when we are out of this world or after the resurrection

- He does not accept those things He did not ordain

- Information on the New and Everlasting Covenant of Marriage--"NECM" (131:1-4):

• It is an order of the priesthood
• It is a requirement to enter in the highest heaven or degree of the celestial glory

Four Possible Scenarios in the New and Everlasting Covenant of Marriage ("NECM") and their Respective Eternal Outcomes:

Scenario #1: Righteous couple, but not married by the Lord's word, i.e. the NECM (15-17)
 
• Such marriage is not recognized in eternity; the parties will become separate and forever single after this life
• Parties in the earthly marriage relationship cannot be "enlarged" (Abraham 3:26)
• They are saved, but not exalted; by definition, they don't have eternal life (D&C 131:4; 132:22)
• They become angels--ministering servants for exalted beings
 
Those who have wilfully professed to remain single forever may joke and say that this might be good enough for them.  Don't be fooled.  As far as our current revelations show, individuals who wilfully avoid the responsibilities of the eternal marriage will neither marry nor have any other type of marital relationship in the eternal worlds. That means that they will lose forever the highest rewards, ranking, honors, and privileges of the celestial society.  Once (and if) they reach the celestial worlds, they will find to their eternal disappointment and embarrassment that there will be no one in that exalted society calling them "Mother" or "Father"

Scenario #2: Righteous couple, married by the Lord's word, but without the ratifying seal of the Holy Ghost (18):

Despite being solemnized in a temple, the marriage relationship becomes void in the next world--probably because these individuals were not valiant in their testimonies, or in other words, they never lived the high standards required by this order of the priesthood (D&C 76:79)

Scenario #3: Righteous couple, married by the Lord's word, and ratified by the Holy Ghost (19-20):

• Marriage is recognized in eternity; parties in the relationship on earth will still be together as a couple in the celestial kingdom
• They become exalted beings-gods--inheriting "thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths"
• All things will be subject to them (see also D&C 76:58-60)

This is the scenario the Lord expects us to achieve. This is the ultimate goal made achievable by the atonement of Jesus Christ. This is the reason for the existence of a true church, for the existence of commandments, ordinances, and organizations.  Those who really know and understand the restored gospel of Jesus Christ would never settle for anything less than this scenario for their eternal reward.

Scenario #4: Unrighteous couple, married by the Lord's word, and previously ratified by the Holy Ghost (26):

• Marriage is recognized in eternity; parties in the relationship will still be together as a couple in the celestial kingdom
• However, because of their serious wickedness in mortality they will be "destroyed in the flesh" and subject to the "buffetings of Satan"
  

Pres. Russell M. Nelson - The Love and Laws of God  (2019)

Optional: read my essay: "The Doctrine of the Priesthood and Gender Issues" (2016)

- Definition of eternal lives: "To know the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent"  (24)

"To know:"  To perceive directly; to grasp in mind with clarity or certainty.  To regard as true beyond doubt.  To have a practical understanding of, as through experience; to be skilled in.  To have experience of.  To be acquainted with.  To discern the character or nature of.  To possess knowledge, understanding, or information

- Definition of the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost  (27)

"All sins shall be forgiven, except the sin against the Holy Ghost; for Jesus will save all except the sons of perdition.

"What must a man do to commit the unpardonable sin?  He must receive the Holy Ghost, have the heavens opened unto him, and know God, and then sin against Him.  After a man has sinned against the Holy Ghost, there is no repentance for him.  He has got to say that the sun does not shine while he sees it; he has got to deny Jesus Christ when the heavens have been opened unto him, and to deny the plan of salvation with his eyes open to the truth of it; and from that time he begins to be an enemy.  This is the case with many apostates of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"When a man begins to be an enemy to this work, he hunts me, he seeks to kill me, and never ceases to thirst for my blood.  He gets the spirit of the devil -- the same spirit that they had who crucified the Lord of Life -- the same spirit that sins against the Holy Ghost.  You cannot save such persons; you cannot bring them to repentance; they make open war, like the devil, and awful is the consequence."  April 7, 1844   (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.358)

• After President Wilford Woodruff's manifesto prohibiting plural marriages, some of the members thought that the prohibition was restricted to Church members living in the United States alone, and plural marriages still were officiated in Canada and Mexico

 
• However, in 1904, President Joseph F. Smith issued the so-called "second manifesto" which stated that parties contracting marriages in violations to the law would be excommunicated

Questions for Review

1. How many heavens exist within the celestial glory? (131:1)

2. What must a person do to inherit the highest heaven in the celestial glory? (131:2; lecture notes above)

3.  What does it mean to have "the more sure word of prophecy"? (131:5; lecture notes above)

4. Will the Lord accept an offer or act that he did not ask for--only because of a person's faith and good intentions? (132:8-11)

5. What will happen in the resurrection with human institutions (i.e. thrones, prestigious organizations, etc.) that have not been established by the Lord? (132:13-14)

6. What will happen with those righteous individuals who attain the highest degree of the celestial kingdom? (132:20)