Doctrine and Covenants teaches about polygamy—specifically based on revelations Joseph Smith published during his lifetime.
This will show:

• What the canonized D&C said while Joseph was alive
• How those teachings align with monogamy
• How later revisions (post-1844) changed the picture
• How Section 132 fits into the historical record

This chapter stays firmly grounded in Joseph Smith’s lifetime publications, because that is the only authoritative baseline for what he actually taught.

Chapter: What the Doctrine and Covenants Teaches About Polygamy

The Doctrine and Covenants—when examined as it existed during Joseph Smith’s life—teaches monogamy, condemns sexual exploitation, defines adultery strictly, and lays out rules for faithful marriage. Contrary to later assumptions, there is no revelation on plural marriage published during Joseph’s lifetime.
In fact, the D&C printed in 1835 contains an official declaration against polygamy.

After Joseph’s death, this situation changes dramatically with the introduction and later canonization of Section 132 in Utah (1876). Understanding what the D&C taught before and after Joseph’s death is essential.

Let’s examine both.

The Doctrine and Covenants Published in Joseph’s Lifetime Taught Monogamy

A) The 1835 Doctrine and Covenants—Official Rule of the Church: Monogamy Only

The 1835 edition included a section titled:

• “Article on Marriage” (D&C 101:4, 1835 edition)

This was canon law during Joseph’s life.

It states:

• “We believe that one man should have one wife, and one woman but one husband…”

And:

• “It is not right to prohibit members of this Church from marrying out of the Church, but it is marriage that should be sacred.”

Most importantly, regarding plural marriage:

D&C 101:4 (1835 edition)

• “Inasmuch as this Church has been reproached with the crime of fornication and polygamy, we declare that we believe that one man should have one wife, and one woman but one husband…”

This was not a rumor or a quiet teaching.
It was the official doctrine of the Church, placed in the scripture book Joseph sold, taught from, and defended.

Joseph never revoked or replaced this statement during his life.

B.) D&C 42 — The Law of Morality and Marriage (Revelation of 1831)

D&C 42 lays out strict commandments against adultery, lust, and sexual exploitation.

• D&C 42:22: “Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shall cleave unto her and none else.”

This is clearly monogamous language: wife (singular), none else.

• D&C 42:23: “He that committeth adultery… shall be cast out.”

The revelation defines any sexual relationship outside the singular marriage bond as adultery.

C.) D&C 49 — Marriage Is Ordained of God (1831)

This revelation states:

• D&C 49:15–17: “Marriage is ordained of God unto man. Therefore, it is lawful that he should have one wife, and they twain shall be one flesh…”

This reiterates:

• the Genesis pattern
• Jesus’s teaching in Matthew 19
• the New Testament standard of monogamy

There is no mention of plural wives in any form.

D. D&C 132 Was NOT in the Doctrine and Covenants During Joseph's Life

Joseph:

• did not publish it
• did not present it to the Church
• did not include it in any canon
• did not print it in any newspaper
• did not record it in his journal
• did not endorse it publicly

It exists only as a later, Utah-era document, introduced more than 30 years after Joseph’s death.

More on this below.

Joseph Smith’s Lifetime D&C = Monogamy + Strict Morality

When we combine all revelations printed in Joseph’s life, the Doctrine and Covenants teaches:

• One wife per husband (D&C 101:4, D&C 49:15)
• Exclusive marital fidelity (D&C 42:22–23)
• Chastity (D&C 42:23–24)
• Adultery forbidden (D&C 42:24)
• Sexual exploitation forbidden
• Marriage sacred

Nothing in the published, authoritative D&C endorses or even hints at plural marriage.

This matches:

• the Book of Mormon
• the New Testament
• Joseph Smith’s public teachings
• Joseph Smith’s published materials

During his life, Joseph consistently preached and published monogamy.

 What About Section 132? A Post-Joseph Addition

A.) Historical reality: Section 132 was not canonized until 1876

• Joseph Smith died in 1844.
• Section 132 entered the Utah D&C 32 years later.
• It does not appear in the 1835 or 1844 editions.
• No one in Nauvoo voted on it.
• The public Church never received it.

B.) No contemporary evidence that Joseph taught D&C 132 publicly

There is:

• no published account
• no public sermon
• no journal entry in Joseph’s hand
• no Relief Society teaching
• no printing in the Times and Seasons
• no printing in the Nauvoo Neighbor
• no First Presidency proclamation

During his life, Joseph’s official doctrine was D&C 101: “one man, one wife.”

C.) Section 132 was used retroactively to justify polygamy

• This happened after Joseph could no longer speak.
• Thus Section 132 reflects post-Joseph theology, not Joseph Smith’s lifetime doctrine.

Summary: What the Doctrine and Covenants Actually Teaches About Polygamy

During Joseph’s lifetime (1831–1844):

The D&C taught strict monogamy:

• D&C 42:22 – “Cleave unto her and none else.”
• D&C 49:16–17 – “One wife… one flesh.”
• D&C 101:4 (1835 edition) – “One man should have one wife.”

These were the scriptural, binding teachings of the Church.

After Joseph’s death:

• Section 132 was introduced, reshaping Church doctrine in the Utah period.
• Monogamous revelations were reinterpreted through a new lens.
• The earlier, clear teachings on “one wife” were replaced by later doctrines Joseph himself never published.

5. Conclusion: The D&C of Joseph Smith Teaches Monogamy

If we ask,
“What did the Doctrine and Covenants teach while Joseph Smith lived?”
the answer is simple:

• Monogamy. Fidelity. Chastity. One man, one woman, one flesh.

If we ask,
“Where does plural marriage appear in the revelations Joseph actually published?”
the answer is:

• Nowhere.

The Doctrine and Covenants Joseph taught from, preached from, and defended publicly contains:

• no polygamy doctrine,
• no celestial plural marriage,
• no teaching on exaltation through multiple wives.

Everything Joseph canonized reinforces the same message found in Genesis, the New Testament, and the Book of Mormon.

The Doctrine and Covenants of Joseph Smith was a monogamous book.