[David O. McKay] at presidency meeting: A discussion came up regarding a book that is being prepared for publication by Clare Wilcox telling of a dialogue between Joseph Smith and Willard Richards regarding the taking of other wives and urging that the matter be concealed. President Richards said that the author is a relative of his and he thought we should resist the publication of such material. In this connection President McKay gave the following: Statement by President McKay on polygamy: President McKay stated that his understanding of the revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith, contained in the 132nd Section of the Doctrine and Covenants is as follows: That the revelation was regarding the eternity of the marriage covenant; it was not on polygamy. And the Lord revealed to the Prophet that a man who conforms to that revelation, that is, who enters into the eternity of the marriage covenant, receives every blessing pertaining to the salvation and exaltation of man. =No blessing is withheld. The part of the revelation pertaing to the marriage covenant pertains only to one man and one wife; and then, after the Prophet received it, he asked the Lord what about Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who had more wives than one. And then follows the answer of the Lord that, if a man marry another wife and she is given to him as this wife is given to him, he does not sin, but he does not get a higher glory. There are one or two verses which will lead one to think that this refers to the plurality of marriage. Plural marriage as a practice is not a principle. We have not abrogated the principle of the marriage covenant and we never will, and the practice of plural marriage is contrary to the law of the Church and the law of the land. President Richards said he agreed with this understanding one hundred per cent. President McKay said that some of our people taught it as a principle, which was not correct.
[Source: McKay, David O., Office Journal]
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