The phrase "meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage" in D&C 131:2 being a later insertion to Joseph Smith's Teachings

D&C 131:1-3 reads:

 

In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees; And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage; And if he does not, he cannot obtain it.

 

The phrase “meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage” is not original to Joseph Smith; instead it was added in 1876 by Orson Pratt.

 

On May 16, 1843, William Clayton recorded Joseph as teaching that:

 

 

 they way he knew in whomto confide. God told him in whom hemight place confidence. He also saidthat in the celestial glory there was threeheavens or degrees, and in order to obtainthe highest a man must enter into thisorder of the priesthood and if he dont hecant obtain it. He may enter into theother but that is the end of his kingdom 

 

In History Draft [1 March–31 December 1843]: 31 for May 16, 1843, we read:

 

 

In the Celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees, and in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the Priesthood, & if he does not, he can not obtain it. He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his Kingdom, he can not have an increase.

 

In History, 1838–1856, volume D-1 [1 August 1842–1 July 1843]:1551 for May 16, 1843, we read:

 

 

In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees, and in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the Priesthood, and if he does not, he can not obtain it. He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom, he can not have an increase.

 

As William V. Smith notes:

 

This phrase “new and everlasting covenant of marriage” was added by Orson Pratt who may have started using the phrase in 1873. (See for example his sermon of October 7). [Compare John Taylor’s sermon of November 14, 1877 for example] It does not appear in any manuscript or imprint of the section 131 material until Pratt’s 1876 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants. (Sunday Evenings with the Doctrine and Covenants. Section 132. Part 4: Setting the Textual Stage, By Common Consent, September 8, 2013)