While D&C 132 was not published to the world until September 14, 1852, the revelation states that it was received by Joseph Smith on July 12, 1843. Because it was not published until 8 years after Joseph Smith’s death, some believe all or most of the revelation was a later fabrication by Brigham Young. One major issue with this claim is that there is substantial evidence that D&C 132 was read by Hyrum Smith to the Nauvoo High Council in August 1843.
  The claim that a revelation on polygamy was read to the Nauvoo High Council was stated by Austin Cowles in his affidavit in the Nauvoo Expositor: “In the latter part of the summer, 1843, the Patriarch, Hyrum Smith, did in the High Council, of which I was a member, introduce what he said was a revelation given through the Prophet; that the said Hyrum Smith did essay to read the said revelation in the said Council, that according to his reading there was contained the following doctrines; 1st the sealing up of persons to eternal life, against all sins, save that of sheding innocent blood or of consenting thereto; 2nd, the doctrine of a plurality of wives, or marrying virgins…” (Austin Cowles Affidavit, 4 May 1844, Nauvoo Expositor, 7 June 1844) Lending some credibility to Austin Cowles’ claim, Hyrum Smith confirmed that a revelation was indeed read to the Nauvoo High Council. The Nauvoo City Council minutes on June 8, 1844 record: “Councilor H. Smith...referred to the revelation read to the High Council of the Church, which has caused so much talk about a multiplicity of wives; that said Revelation was in answer to a question concerning things in former days, and had no reference to the present time.” (Nauvoo City Council Minutes, 8 June 1844, Nauvoo Neighbor, 19 June 1844)
  What Polygamy Deniers try to claim is that the revelation read could have been a different revelation than D&C 132. Polygamy Deniers think that Hyrum Smith stating the revelation had “no reference to the present time” means it did not teach or command a restoration of plural marriage, and could have been a different revelation than D&C 132. However, many members of the Nauvoo High Council made statements about the revelation being read later in life. The following sources are a complilation of some of those testimonies.

James Allred statement, October 15, 1854:

“At a meeting of the High Council in Nauvoo, Brother Hirum Smith read the revelation relating to the plurality of wives. He [James Allred] said he did not believe it at first, it was so contrary to his feelings, but he said he knew Joseph a Profit [Prophet] of God, so he made a covenant that he would not eat, drink, or sleep until he knew for himself, that he had got a testimony that it was true, that he had even heard the voice of God concerning it.” (James Allred statement, 15 October 1854, LDS Archives)

David Fullmer Affidavit, June 15, 1869:

“Be it remembered that on this fifteenth day of June, A. D. 1869, personally appeared before me, James Jack, a notary public in and for said county, David Fullmer, who was by me sworn in due form of law, and upon his oath saith, that on or about the 12th day of August, A. D. 1843, while in meeting with the High Council (he being a member thereof) in Hyrum Smith’s brick office, in the City of Nauvoo, County of Hancock, State of Illinois, Dunbar Wilson made inquiry in relation to the subject of plurality of wives, as there were rumors about respecting it, and he was satisfied there was something in those rumors, and he wanted to know what it was. Upon which Hyrum Smith stepped across the road to his residence, and soon returned bringing with him a copy of the revelation on celestial marriage given to Joseph Smith July 12, 1843, and read the same to the High Council, and bore testimony to its truth.” (David Fullmer affidavit, 15 June 1869, LDS Archives)

Aaron Johnson affidavit, October 2, 1869:

“Be it remembered that on this second day of October A.D. 1869 personally appeared before me L. John Nuttall Country Clerk of said county, Aaron Johnson who was by me sworn in due form of law and upon his Oath saith that he was present at the High Council (being a member thereof) held on or about the twelfth day of August A.D. 1843 in Hyrum Smith's Brick Office, in the City of Nauvoo, County of Hancock State of Illinois, when Hyrum Smith presented and read the Revelation on Celestial Marriage given or dated July twelfth 1843...” (Aaron Johnson Affidavit, 2 October 1869, LDS Archives)

Thomas Grover letter, January 10, 1886:

“Now, concerning the matter about which you ask information. I don’t know of any member of that [Nauvoo] High Council living except myself. Leonard Soby may still be living. He apostatized on the strength of that revelation. The High Council of Nauvoo was called together by the Prophet Joseph Smith, to know whether they would accept the revelation on celestial marriage or not. ...Brother Hyrum was called upon to read the revelation. He did so, and after the reading said, ‘Now, you that believe this revelation and go forth and obey the same shall be saved, and you that reject it shall be damned.’

We saw this prediction verified in less than one week. Of the Presidency of the Stake, Wm. Marks and Father [Austin] Cowles rejected the revelation; of the Council that were present Leonard Soby rejected it. From that time forward there was a very strong division in the High Council. These three men greatly diminished in spirit day after day, so that there was a great difference in the line of their conduct, which was perceivable to every member that kept the faith.” (Thomas Grover letter to A. Milton Musser, 10 January 1886, LDS Archives)

Austin Cowles Affidavit, May 4, 1844:

“To all whom it may Concern: Forasmuch as the public mind hath been much agitated by a course of procedure in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, by a number of persons declaring against certain doctrines and practices therein, (among whom I am One,) it is but meet that I should give my reasons, at least in part, as a cause that hath led me to declare myself. In the latter part of the summer, 1843, the Patriarch, Hyrum Smith, did in the High Council, of which I was a member, introduce what he said was a revelation given through the Prophet; that the said Hyrum Smith did essay to read the said revelation in the said Council, that according to his reading there was contained the following doctrines; lst the sealing up of persons to eternal life, against all sins, save that of sheding innocent blood or of consenting thereto; 2nd, the doctrine of a plurality of wives, or marrying virgins; that ‘David and Solomon had many wives, yet in this they sinned not save in the matter of Uriah.’ This revelation with other evidence, that the aforesaid heresies were taught and practiced in the Church; determined me to leave the office of first counsellor to the president of the Church at Nauvoo, inasmuch as I dared not teach or administer such laws. And further deponent saith not. AUSTIN COWLES.” (Austin Cowles Affidavit, 4 May 1844, published in Nauvoo Expositor, 7 June 1844)

William Marks, May 1, 1865:

“The Question arose as to whether Joseph the Martyr taught the Doctrine of polygamy. President [William] Marks said Brother Hyrum came to his place once and told him he did not believe in it and he was going to see Joseph about it and if he had a revelation on the subject he would believe it, and after that Hyrum read a revelation on it in the High Council and He Marks felt it was not true but he saw the High Council received it.” (RLDS First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve meeting, 1 May 1865, Community of Christ Library–Archives)

Leonard Soby Affidavit, March 23, 1886:

“Be it remembered that on the 23rd day of March, in the year 1886, before, Joshua W. Roberts, notary public for the City of Beverly, County, of Burlington, State of New Jersey, Leonard Soby, of said city, county and state, was by me duly sworn, and upon his oath saith:

That on or about the 12th day of August, 1843, I was a resident of Nauvoo, Hancock County, State of Illinois, and being a member of the High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was present at a meeting of said council at the time herein above stated; Thomas Grover, Alpheus Cutler, David Fullmer, William Huntington and others; when Elder Hyrum Smith, after certain explanations, read the revelation on celestial marriage.

I have read and examined carefully said revelation, since published in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants of said Church, and say to the best of my knowledge and belief it is the same, word for word, as the revelation then read by Hyrum Smith.

The despondent says further, that the revelation did not originate with Brigham Young, as some persons have falsely stated, but was received by the Prophet Joseph Smith, and read in the High Council by his authority as a revelation to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When read to this desponded and said High Council, I believed it was a revelation from Jesus Christ, and I believe so now. Leonard Soby.

Subscribed and sworn to by the said Leonard Soby the day and year first above written. Joshua W. Roberts, Notary Public. Witnessed by: James H. Hart, Samuel Harrison.” (Leonard Soby Affidavit, 23 March 1886, in Joseph Fielding Smith, Blood Atonement and the Origin of Plural Marriage <1905> pages 80–81)

  This is just a sample of their statements and not a complete collection of all the statements made regarding D&C 132 being read to the Nauvoo High Council. A much longer paper could be written to collect and study the statements about the revelation being read, and such a paper might be compiled later for this website. Click here to read how the contents of D&C 132 can also be verified by other sources.