Disabling SPAM filtering in Apple Mail

How can I disable the spam filter in Mail?

I had been expecting an important message. Days later, I found it in the SPAM folder.

I would like to turn OFF whatever filter put it there. I'd rather handle ALL my own SPAM.

I'm using Apple Mail Version 16.0 running under Sequoia 15.7.3 on a MacBook Air M1, 2020.

I HAD "Enable junk mail filtering" UNchecked under "Junk Mail Behaviors" under "Junk Mail" in "Settings" under "Mail" on the Apple level menu bar. It's still unchecked.

I DID have CHECKED "Enable mail filtering" under "Junk Mail" in "Settings" under "Mail" on the Apple level menu bar, with "Move it to the Trash" selected, but the list of email addresses to block was empty. I UNCHECKED that.

I also added the important sender's name and email address to my CONTACTS.

Where in Settings does anything mention "SPAM"?

I'd appreciate your advice.

--Gil