Eternity of the Marriage Covenant While at Ramus, May 16 and 17, 1843, the Prophet made the following declaration: "In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees; and in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter in to this order of the Priesthood (meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage); and if he does not, he cannot obtain it. "He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase. "Salvation means a man's being placed beyond the power of all his enemies. "The more sure word of prophecy (mentioned by Peter) means a man's knowing that he is sealed up unto eternal life, by revelation and the spirit of prophecy, through the power of the Holy Priesthood. "It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance. "There is no such thing as immaterial matter. All spirit is matter, but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes. "We cannot see it; but when our bodies are purified we shall see that it is all matter." The New and Everlasting Covenant A revelation dealing with the subject of marriage for eternity, or celestial marriage as it is known, was reduced to writing July 12, 1843 (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 132). It had been revealed to the Prophet a long time before this date, but had not been recorded or publicly announced. In it the Lord defines the "new and everlasting covenant." In a number of revelations previously given the new and everlasting covenant is mentioned, and various principles of the Gospel are spoken of as new and everlasting covenants. Thus, in the Lord's Preface to the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, he says he gave commandments to Joseph Smith, that his "everlasting covenant might be established; that the fulness of the Gospel might be proclaimed." Immediately after the organization of the Church, he declared that baptism is a "new and an everlasting covenant, even that which was from the beginning," and in a revelation given October 25, 1831 (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 66), the everlasting covenant is defined as the fulness of the Gospel, "sent forth unto the children of men, that they might have life and be made partakers of the glories which are to be revealed." But the full meaning and significance of the "new and everlasting covenant," was not revealed until the Prophet received this revelation (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 132), in which it is defined as follows: "For behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory. For all who will have a blessing at my hands shall abide the law which was appointed for that blessing, and the conditions thereof, as were instituted from before the foundation of the world."