This FAQ contains a detailed presentation of various positions relating to the relationship of Adam and God in LDS belief. Because the total volume (most of which is item (1)) is probably larger than many people want to read, I'm going to give a sort of annotated table of contents of what is here, and indicate why I think it is important. The items are separated by @@@@, so you can search for that string. 1) An attack by Tony Rose. In this document he asserts that Brigham Young taught that Adam and God are the same, that he intended this teaching to be authoritative, and that because of his status in the LDS church it is not possible for Mormons to disavow this belief. For him, this discredits the prophetic groundwork on which LDS beliefs are based. 2) A response from Willard Smith, claiming that this was a private theory of Young's, which was not intended to be official doctrine. 3) A response to some questions I asked, by Willard Smith. This is an attempt to look in a more general way at the implications on LDS ideas of revelation. I consider this and the following response to be the most useful. 4) A similar response from Dale Stephenson. The reason that I think this whole issue is important, is that LDS hold a number of unusual beliefs, which are ultimately based on revelations to their leaders. Yet from the discussions here, it is clear that not all revelations to the same leaders are generally accepted. Formally speaking this may not be a problem. They do not claim infallibility, and there are both informal and official ways of determining which relevations are doctrine. Yet for many people the result is still unsettling. This is a model of prophetic inspiration rather different than the usual one. As Willard says: The result is that those who want someone else to tell them what to believe or who want a "cut and dried" series of doctrines, the situation among Mormons is going to seem more like walking a tight rope rather than standing on firm ground. "We believe that the Lord will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of Heaven." Personally, I don't mind the tight rope, despite the risks you can see farther. Many Christian communities have a similar process of winnowing proposed doctrines, with accepted doctrines effectively being a matter of the community comes to a concensus over time. However there are some differences that make that process rather more controlled that the one that we see here: - the items involved are considered to be interpretation of existing revelation, not new revelation. Neither Protestant nor Catholic theory allows for significant revelation beyond the Bible or Apostolic Deposit of Faith, respectively. (Both allow for private revelation of a sort, but these are not doctrines. Rather they are things like the Medjugorje messages, or warnings of coming events.) If someone wanted to claim a new doctrinal revelation, both would apply quite tight standards, which would require that the prophet clearly speak in an unambiguous way for God. If some revelations were false, that would immediately disqualify a prophet. - there are standards used to judge interpretation which in principle do not change. These are the Bible, and consistency with past Church teachings (Protestant and Catholic, respectively). Now we all know that there's a fair amount of flexibility in these standards. Yet ultimately there is something fixed, which can eventually be used to call the church back if it has strayed. The LDS cannot fall back on either unquestionable reliability of their sources of revelation, nor any unchangeable standard by which to judge them. To many people this looks more like quicksand than a tightrope. Fortunately, it appears that in practice the situation is not as bad as it is in theory. The revelations that seem outlandish to non-LDS seem confined primarily to the early periods of LDS history. More recent revelations seem primarily to be moving in the direction of accommodating LDS beliefs to mainstream Christianity. Thus it appears that mainstream Christianity is effectively acting as the control. It will be interesting to see how LDS theology develops when the current leadership is replaced by a younger generation. I personally expect to see the unusual doctrines deemphasized or reinterpreted in such a way that the LDS church will become effectively a part of mainstream Christianity, though no doubt retaining some unique characteristics. I think that would be a good thing, as I do believe that the LDS have things to offer the Church as a whole. However not everyone is as optimistic as I. @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ (1) That Adam=God is taught by BY, Tony Rose From: agr00@ccc.amdahl.com (Anthony G Rose) Subject: Re: Walter Martin and CRI Date: 24 Feb 93 23:42:06 GMT In article hall@vice.ico.tek.com (Hal F Lillywhite) writes: >I don't even consider Martin to be a reliable source of what my >church teaches or once taught. Since John Baskette (in one of the >more reasonable postings on this subject) brought up the "Adam-God" >theory allegedly espoused by Brigham Young I will comment on it a >bit. Some statements attributed to Brigham Young, taken out of >context, make it appear that he taught what Martin claims he taught >on the subject. However there are several problems with this: > >1. Martin's version is at variance with official LDS doctrine. >This official doctrine pre-dates Young's presidency and was >undoubtedly part of what Young believed. (The official belief is >that Adam was Michael the archangel.) Can you give references for this? According to your LDS version of the KJV editorial notes as recent as 1981, and your Doctrine and Covenants, he is the Ancient of Days, or GOD. You are misrepresenting your own church either from lack of knowledge or deception. >2. There is no evidence that Young ever had a chance to review the >publications containing this "teaching" to be sure it reflected what >he actually said. In fact the prime source used by Martin and >others is the _Journal of Discourses_ published in England from >usually unofficial notes taken by people in Utah. Personally I do >not believe Young ever said anything intended to convey the meaning >Martin and others have attached to his words. Brigham Said: "I have never yet preached a sermon and sent it out to the children of men that they may not call Scripture. Let me have the privilege of correcting a sermon, and it is as good Scripture as they deserve" JoD Vol 13 pg. 95 The sermons that Brigham taught "Adam-God" were written down by five Mormon scribes, reviewed by Brigham, and published under his authority in the Millenial Star Church Newspaper. >3. Not only was this never official doctrine but Young explicitly >stated that it was his opinion and nobody was required to accept it >(whatever "it" was, almost certainly not what Martin claims it was). Again, can you supply referrence where Brigham said that it was His opinion. From what I can tell, he taught it as "The Word of The Lord", not his opinion. "How much unbelief exists in the minds of the Latter-Day Saints in regard to one particular DOCTRINE which I revealed to them, and which GOD REVEALED TO ME - namely that Adam is our Father and God.." Deseret News, June 8, 1873 This is one of the MANY instances where Brigham claimed it was God's opinion, not his. And did people believe it? Oh yeah, they sure did: "Concening the item of doctrine alluded to by Elder Caffall and others, that Adam is our Father and God. I have to say do not trouble yourselves, niether let the Saints be troubled about that matter... If, as Elder Caffal remarked, there are those who are waiting at the door of the Church for the objection to be removed, tell such, the prophet and Apostle Brigham has declared it, and that IS THE WORD OF THE LORD". Mission President Samual W. Richards (Millinial Star, pg.534-35 >Based on this and other claims Martin made about my church I believe >he presents a rather distorted picture of it. As Baskette says, he >sensationalized things. That helped him collect more money. However >I think sensationalism is the enemy of accuracy, an enemy to which >Martin fell victim. Actually, your post on what your church and Brigham taught is quite far from the truth, either out of not knowing or deception. I'll let God judge. I challenge to to look up the references above and see the truth about Adam-God. I have a personal letter from Apostle Bruce R. McConkie stating that Brigham DID in fact teach the doctrine of Adam-God. If you would like a copy, please send me a mailing address. In meantime, the following article should explain the truth behind the LDS "Adam-God" cover-up....enjoy... ADAM IS GOD??? Chris A. Ulachos BRIGHAM YOUNG'S FALSE TEACHING: ADAM IS GOD ==================================================================== PREFACE: This is a reprint of an article appearing in the Journal of Pastoral Practice, Volume III, Number 2, pages 93 through 119. It is reprinted in this form with the permission of the author. Copyright 1979, Institute of Pastoral Studies of The Christian Counseling & Education Foundation. ==================================================================== Of all the vices that entangle a man, perhaps none is as unholy as jealousy. Jealousy, the "green-eyed monster", dwells in the deeper regions of sin because the source of its existence is unbridled covetousness growing out of pride and insecurity. However, in the case of jealousy, what is a vice in human nature is a virtue in the divine nature of God. Though among men jealousy is a ravaging and soul-destroying cancer, in God it is a righteous zeal, based upon His covenant love for His own people, which seeks to protect a love- relationship and avenge it when broken. The godly zeal which the Lord has for those whom He has chosen is an attribute worthy of all praise and adoration. The fact that He is a jealous God was one of the first characteristics that the Lord made known to Israel after He had redeemed her out of the slave market of Egypt. She became His love and possession, and He demanded from her a love and devotion that would extend to no other (1). I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of Bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me...for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God (Ex. 20:1,3,5). Thou shalt worship no other god; for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God (Ex. 34:14). Throughout Old Testament history the Lord taught Israel that He was the only God with whom they had to do. For her to worship and serve another would be sheer adultery and whoredom: And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them (Judges 2:17). In the New Testament we find the same teaching. The New Testament writers shared the Lord's jealousy over His covenant people: For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ (II Cor. 11:2). While throughout the flow of Bible history we see God proclaiming that He alone is to be worshiped, at the same time we find prophets who were not of God taught the contrary. True prophets would never be found teaching the people to worship another god - whether is was a stone idol, and imaginary god dwelling in heaven, or a deified man. They knew that it was Jehovah who had redeemed Israel out of Egypt and that He alone is God. Inspired by God's Spirit, they knew the mind of the Lord: that He would give His glory to no other. Therefore, when these living oracles of God spoke as prophets, they were moved to proclaim, "Thou shalt worship the LORD thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve." In light of this insistence upon the exclusiveness of the true God, we can understand the test of a prophet that Moses taught the children of Israel. By applying this timeless test, people throughout all ages may detect the false ones: If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all you soul. Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear Him, and keep His commandments, and obey His voice, and ye shall serve Him, and cleave unto Him. And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death; because he has spoken to turn you away form the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee (Deut. 13:1-5) These words tell us that though a man might exercise miraculous powers, he could not be a prophet of the Lord if he sought to lead the people away to a strange god. Any prophet who advocates the service and worship of another god is not a mouthpiece of the Lord, is false, and, under the theocratic nation of Israel, was to be slain. Holding fast to these truths let us now turn to Brigham Young, a man who claimed for himself the station and office of prophet of God. Recent history records the lives of few men who have possessed the leadership qualities that Young exhibited. For thirty years he presided as Prophet, Seer, and Revelator over the Mormon Church, a people claiming to be led by prophets of God as in the days of ancient Israel. On the basis of this claim the Mormons have always regarded themselves as the only true Church on earth today (2). Their priesthood claims sole possession of the authority or power needed to act on behalf of God (3), and they consider all other "Christian churches" to be in a state of apostasy, who at best teach a partial truth about the gospel of Christ(4). Now if Brigham Young, Mormon prophet from 1847 to 1877, were a false prophet all along, then the claims of those who have sought to derive their priesthood authority through him are empty and void (5). If Brigham taught false doctrine, that cuts the ground from under Mormonism's claim of latter-day prophetic revelation and the Mormon Church is not divinely led. Acknowledging this to be true, LDS Apostle Orson Hyde stated: To acknowledge that this is the Kingdom of God, and that there is a presiding power, and to admit that he [Brigham Young] can advance incorrect doctrine is to lay the axe at the root of the tree. Will he suffer his mouthpiece to go into error? No. (6) Any boast of prophetic guidance would be worthless if that guidance were false. John Taylor, Mormon Apostle and later President, admitted also this to be the case: "If that mouthpiece [Brigham Young] has not the power to dictate I would throw all Mormonism away." (7) The Mormon Church must base the truth of her claims on the authenticity of Brigham's calling. Yet, we shall see that Brigham Young, who presided over the Mormon Church longer than any other man, did indeed advance false doctrine that focused worship on a god other than the Lord God of Israel. ADAM-GOD FIRST PROCLAIMED It stormed heavily on April 9, 1852, but the people turned out for the sessions of the Spring LDS Conference that were that day. Each session of the six-day church conference was filled to capacity. Those desiring the best seats lined up outside the doors hours before they opened. At times, because the crowds were so large, many male members would leave the tabernacle to allow more room for the women to attend. At 6:00 on the evening of the ninth, all LDS male members gathered together in the Salt Lake Tabernacle for another session. The house was full. After the usual introductory exercises, Mormon Prophet and President Brigham Young began to address his brethren upon various subjects. He instructed them concerning the place recreation and amusements should occupy in their lives and concerning the principle of tithing. Then, after a moment's pause, the Mormon Prophet took up his next topic. The question was, Who begat Jesus Christ in the flesh? This was a hot issue. There had been no little dispute about it among the LDS Elders, and there were opposing views. As a Prophet and ` mouthpiece of God, Brigham Young stepped forward to silence all erroneous opinions and to declare with finality the true answer to the inquiry (8). First, he repeated the fundamental Mormon doctrine that the Father and Son each has a physical body of flesh and bones. Next, he set forth Mormonism's belief that God the Father in a pre-existent period, begot every spirit that would come to this earth. Then Brigham looked out over the vast audience and boldly commanded all of his hearers, whether near or far, Mormon or non-Mormon to take heed to his next statements: Now hear it, O inhabitants of the earth, Jew and Gentile, Saint and sinner! When our father Adam came into the garden of Eden, he came into it with a celestial body, and brought Eve, one of his wives, with him. He helped to make and organize this world. He is MICHAEL, the Archangel, the ANCIENT OF DAYS! about whom holy men have written and spoken - He is our father and our God, and the only God with whom WE have to do. Every man upon the earth, professing Christians or non-professing, must hear it, and will know it sooner or later (9). After declaring that Adam was the God of this world and the Father of its inhabitants, Brigham then addressed the original inquiry concerning the savior's birth: When the Virgin Mary conceived the child Jesus, the Father had begotten him in his own likeness. he was not begotten by the Holy Ghost. And who is the Father? He is the first of the human family; and when he took a tabernacle, it was begotten by his father in heaven, after the same manner as the tabernacles of Cain, Abel, and the rest of the sons and daughters of Adam and Eve.... I could tell you much more about this; but were I to tell you the whole truth, blasphemy would be nothing to it, in the estimation of the superstitious and over-righteous of mankind. However, I have told you the whole truth as far as I have gone... What a learned idea! Jesus, our elder brother, was begotten in the flesh by the same character that was in the Garden of Eden, and who is our Father in heaven. Now let all who may hear these doctrines, pause before they make light of them, or treat them with indifference, for they will prove their salvation or damnation. I have given you a few leading items upon this subject, but a great deal more remains to be told. Now, remember from this time forth, and forever, that Jesus Christ was not begotten by the Holy Ghost. I will repeat a little anecdote. I was in conversation with a certain learned professor upon this subject, when I replied, to this idea - "if the Son was begotten by the Holy Ghost, it would be very dangerous to baptize and confirm females, and give the Holy Ghost to them, lest he should beget children, to be palmed upon the Elders by the people, bringing the Elders into great difficulties." Treasure up these things in your hearts. In the Bible, you have read the things I told you tonight; but you have not known what you did read (10). Having made this response, Young concluded his comments with another reference to tithing. The Mormon choir then sang a hymn and Elder H. G. Sherwood gave the closing benediction. Few of the Latter-day Elders who filed out of the Tabernacle that night missed the meaning of what their prophet had just announced. Upon returning home that evening, Hosea Stout, the prominent Mormon pioneer, recorded the following in his daily journal: Friday 9th April 1852. - Stormy morning. attended conference House much crowded, did not stay in House long. after noon was not in because of the crowd. - Another meeting this evening. President B. Young taught that Adam was the father of Jesus Christ and the only God to us. That he came to this world in a resurrected body &c more hereafter (11). Samuel Rogers, who also was present that night, similarly noted the content of Brigham Young's discourse: April 16 1852, Conference commenced on the 6 and continued untill the 11, it was heled in the new tabernacle, adjourned untill the 6 of next October we had the best Conference that I ever attended during the time of the Conference President Brigham Young said that our spirits ware begotten before that Adam came to the earth, and that Adam helped to make the Earth, that he had a Celestial boddy when we came to the Earth, and that he brought his wife or one of his wives with him, and that Eave was allso a Celestial being, that they eat of the fruit of the ground untill they begat children from the Earth, he said that Adam was the only God that we would have, and that Christ was not begotten of the Holy Ghost, but of Father Adam...(12). DENIAL ADAM-GOD WAS TAUGHT As we consider Brigham Young's claim that Adam is God, it becomes clear that he was a false, uninspired prophet. This teaching not only runs counter to what has been revealed in the Bible, but it is also branded as false doctrine in modern Mormonism. LDS Apostle Mark E. Petersen, one of Mormonism's doctrinal authorities, stated: Some dissidents would have us believe that Adam is our God and that we have nothing to do with any other God, which, on the face of it, is ridiculous. To say that Adam is God is, of course, opposed utterly and completely to the scriptures as well as to our Articles of faith,.(13) Spencer W. Kimball, Mormon Prophet, also denounced the teaching that Adam is God: We warn you against the dissemination of doctrines which are not according to the scriptures and which are alleged to have been taught by some of the General Authorities... Such, for instance is the Adam-God theory. We denounce that theory and hope that everyone will be cautioned against this and other kinds of false doctrine (14). These and most other Mormon General Authorities, while denouncing the doctrine that Adam is God, avoid or deny the fact that Brigham Young himself was the major exponent of this doctrine. In his book, _Adam_Who_Is_He?_, Mark E. Petersen tries to rescue Mormonism's second prophet from teaching false doctrine by maintaining that Brigham Young was misquoted in the address in question. On pages 16-17 of his book, Petersen sets forth as evidence for his defense as reference in which C. C. Rich supposedly stated that Brigham was misquoted in this sermon. Petersen claims that Rich was present on the ninth of April and was therefor in a position to note the misquotation which later crept into the published account of the discourse: Elder Charles C. Rich, of the Council of the Twelve, was present on a day when President Young gave an address that was wrongly reported as saying that Adam was Deity. In the copy of the Journal of Discourses that he had, Elder Rich referred to the misquotations as it appears in the Journal of Discourses,and in his own hand he wrote the following as the correct statement made by President Young: "Jesus our elder brother, was begotten in the flesh by the same character who talked with Adam in the Garden of eden, and who is our heavenly Father." (This signed statement is in the hands of the Church Historian.) Some of the reporters at the Tabernacle in those days were not as skill as others, and admittedly made mistakes, such as the misquotation of President Young as above, which was corrected by Brother Rich and which has caused some persons in the Church to go astray. The erroneously reported statement has been mistakenly made to read: "Jesus, our elder brother, was begotten in the flesh by the same character that was in the Garden of Eden, and who is our Father in Heaven." (JD, 1:51) On the face of it the mistake is obvious and was quickly noted by Elder Rich, who was present and heard the sermon. Hence the correction that he made. What seems to be a good case made by Petersen crumbles, however, upon cross examination. C. C. Rich, who Petersen claims "was present and heard the sermon," was in reality not even in Salt Lake City on that day! Rich left San Bernardino, California, on March 24, 1852, for the Great Salt Lake (15). He did not reach his destination until April 21. Under this date, the LDS Journal History records: April 21, 1852: Elder Chas. C. Rich and thirteen others arrived today in G.S.L. from California (16). In the May 1, 1852, issue of the Mormon _Deseret_Weekly_ the following announcement was made: Elder C. C. Rich arrived on Wednesday, the 21 of April, in company with 13 others...direct from San Bernardino (17). Hosea Stout, in his journal, also noted the event: Wednesday 21st April 1852 Engaged as yesterday. Gen Rich and some 15 others arrived today from California by the South rout all well. Furthermore, not only was C. C. Rich absent on the ninth, but the reference which Petersen claims was written by C. C. Rich "in his own hand" was in reality written and signed by his son, Ben E. Rich, many years after the sermon was delivered! (18). Whether Mr. Petersen was deliberately seeking to suppress the facts or not, the truth is that there is no evidence whatsoever that Brigham Young was misquoted. As we shall see, Young came under much criticism from outside and from within the Mormon Church for teaching that Adam was God the Father. If he had merely been misquoted, Brigham simply could have corrected his hearers and accusers. Instead, however, Young continued to affirm and preach this doctrine against all opposition (19). These facts have forced other Mormon writers to maintain that Brigham was quoted correctly, but that he has been misinterpreted by his hearers and readers. Realizing the implications of one of their prophets teaching false doctrine on such an essential matter as who God is, these LDS apologists insist that Brigham Young did not mean to say that Adam was deity. Characteristic of this argument are the following statements made by the tenth Mormon President, Joseph Fielding Smith: In discussing the statement by President Brigham Young that the Father of Jesus Christ is the same character who was in the garden of Eden, I maintain that President Young was not referring to Adam, but to God the Father, who created Adam, for he was in the garden of Eden, and according to Mormon doctrine Adam was in his presence constantly, walked with him, talked with him and the Father taught Adam his language. It was not until the fall, that the Father departed from Adam and from the Garden of Eden (20). In regard to Brigham's statement that Jesus was begotten by "the First of the human family", Smith states that this is referring to the God and creator of Adam, who was the "first of the human family", being its "progenitor" (21). Brigham's statement that Adam is "our Father and our God and the only God with whom we have to do" is interpreted to mean that Adam, being the first man, is the patriarchal head of the human race, and in this regard he could be considered a god. In no way would these later Mormon writer believe that Brigham is identifying Adam as God their heavenly Father and the Father of Jesus in the flesh. (22). YOUNG'S STATEMENTS BECOME PLAINER It must be admitted that Brigham's statements in the 1852 discourse can be taken in more than one way. However, it again needs to be asserted that both Brigham's friends and his opponents had understood him to mean that Adam was God and was the Father of Jesus Christ in the flesh. He simply could have corrected the misinterpretation, but he didn't. Instead, 25 years after his original "Adam-God" sermon, we find that the Mormon "Revelator" continued to declare in no uncertain terms that Adam was the Lord God Almighty (23). During a discourse given on Sunday night, February 19, 1854, Brigham Young again addressed the question of who begot Jesus Christ in the flesh. Speaking of Christ, he asked: Who did beget him. His Father, and his father is our God, and the Father of our spirits, and he is the framer of the body, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Who is he. He is Father Adam; Micheal; the Ancient of days. Has he a father? He has. Has he a mother? He has. Now to say the Son of God was begotten by the Holy Ghost, is to say that the Holy Ghost is God the Father, which is inconsistent, and contrary to all the revelations of God both modern, and ancient. I silenced this erroneous doctrine a year ago last fall conference. It was I think when a dispute arose among some of our best Elders, as to who was the Father of the Son of Man pertaining to the flesh. Some contended it was the H Ghost, and some that it was Elohim. When I spoke upon it in this stand before a conference of Elders, I cautioned them when they laid their hands upon people for the gift of the H Ghost, according to the instructions of the Savior, to be very careful how they laid hands upon the young women for if it begat a child in the days of the virgin Mary it is just as liable to beget children in these last days (24). While Brigham in his discourse of 1852 may have been unclear, in this 1854 address there is no question about his meaning. Here Brigham distinctly names Adam as God the Father. Wilford Woodruff, Mormon Apostle and later Church President, had not doubt about what Brigham meant. Referring to this discourse under the date of ` February 19, 1854, in his journal, Woodruff recorded: He [Brigham Young] said that our God was Father Adam He was the Father of the Savior Jesus Christ - Our God was no more less than ADAM, Michael the Arkangel (25). It should be noted that Brigham identifies Adam as the "Father of our spirits."One of Mormonism's fundamental doctrines is the belief that God the Father was married and that he and his celestial wife in a pre-existent period had begotten every spirit that would come to this earth. These spirits then enter into individual infants who are born physically upon the earth (26). By referring to Adam as the Father of our spirits, Brigham was clearly identifying him as the being whom Mormons address as "Heavenly Father". On June 26-28, 1854, a special General Council of the authorities of the LDS British Mission convened in London, England. The council minutes show that Brigham's doctrine of Adam being God was not readily received by some of the members there. After the introductory exercise, Mormon Elder Thomas Caffall rose to state the affairs of the Southern LDS conference. Among other things he reported the following: ...some of the officers have not met in council for three years. They are lacking faith on one principle - the last 'cat that was let out of the bag.' Polygamy has been got over pretty well, that cloud as vanished away, but they are troubled about Adam being our Father and God. There is a very intelligent person investigating our principles, and who has been a great help to the Saints; he as all the works and can get along very well with everything else but the last 'cat', and as soon as he can see that clearly, he will become a 'Mormon'. I instructed him to write Liverpool upon it (27). Elder Joseph Hall followed with a report of his district's progress. Despite the non-Biblcal nature of the Adam-God doctrine, those in his area were willing to receive it as truth: Relative to the principles recently revealed, we have not the least difficulty. If Adam's being our Father and God cannot be proved by the Bible, it is alright (28). On the final day of the council Elder James A. Little rose and made the following remarks: I believe in the principle of obedience; and if I am told that Adam is our Father and our God, I just believe it (29). Mission president Samuel W. Richards followed with a concluding exhortation concerning the Adam-God doctrine: Concerning the item of doctrine alluded t by Elder Caffall and others, viz., that Adam is our Father and God, I have to say do not trouble yourselves, neither let the Saints be troubled about that matter... If, as Elder Caffall remarked, there are those who are waiting at the door of the Church for this objection to be removed, tell such, the prophet and Apostle Brigham has declared it, and that IS THE WORD OF THE LORD. (30). APOSTLE PRATT OPPOSES YOUNG'S ADAM-GOD Though Richards and most of the other Church authorities accepted their prophet's declaration as the word of God, there was one member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles who openly opposed Brigham in his views. That man was Orson Pratt. Under the date of September 17, 1854, LDS Apostle Wilford Woodruff recorded in his journal the details of a confrontation between Young and Pratt. Pratt had been writing and publishing a monthly periodical which contained doctrine contrary to the Mormon President. When Young declared some of Orson's doctrines to be false, Pratt retaliated against the prophet by voicing his disbelief in the Adam-God doctrine: Brother Pratt also thought that Adam was made of the dust of the Earth Could not believe that Adam was our God or the Father of Jesus Christ President Young said that He was that He came from another world & made this brought Eve with him partook of the fruits of the Earth begat children & they ware Earthly & had mortal bodies & if we were faithful we should become Gods as He was. He told Brother Pratt to lay aside his Philosophical reasoning & get revelation from God to govern him & enlighten his mind more... This dispute between the Mormon Prophet and his Apostle continued for several years. Because of his disbelief in the Adam-God teaching and in other doctrines of Young, Pratt was for years upon the point of being severed from the Church (31). In October of 1854, the Mormon Church held it's semi-annual Conference. The session of October 8 was help out of doors in the open air. The congregation, which numbered in thousands, heard Brigham Young deliver what was perhaps the most colorful discourse ever presented in the history of the Mormon Church. Addressing this immense gathering upon the subject of the identity of God, Young made the following statements: ...my text is in the Bible and reads as follows: "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou has sent." I will now put another text with this and then offer a few remarks. It is one of the sayings of the Apostle Paul:"For though there be that are called Gods, whether in heaven or in earth (as there be Gods many and Lords many) but to us there is but one God, the Father of whom all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him." This God is the father of our Lord Jesus Christ and the father of our spirits... Now if you believe what you have heard me say you will believe there are Lords many, and Gods many; and you will believe that unto us, the inhabitants of the earth there is but one God with whom we have to do... You and I have only one God to whom we are accountable, so we will let the rest along, and search after the one we have to do with; let us seek after him, the very being who commenced this creation... But let us turn our attention to the God with which we have to do. I tell you simply, he is our father; the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the father of our spirits... I tell you more, Adam is the father of our spirits. He had lived upon an earth; he did abide his creation, and did honor to his calling and priesthood, and obeyed his master or Lord, and probably many of his wives did the same and they lived, and died upon an earth and then were resurrected again to immortality and eternal life... I reckon that Father Adam was a resurrected being, with his wives and posterity, and in the Celestial kingdom they were crowned with glory, immortality, and eternal lives,with thrones, principalities and powers; and it was said to him it is your right to organize the elements; and to your creations and posterity there shall be no end... Our spirits and the spirits of all human family were begotten by Adam and born of Eve (32). At no previous time had Brigham gone into as much detail concerning Adam as he did during this discourse. While the Mormon prophet had formerly taught that Adam was the God and Father of Jesus Christ and the father of men's spirits, he had never expounded upon Adam's pre-earthly course of life as he did during this 1854 conference. to fully comprehend the implications of Brigham's statements concerning Adam's pre-earthly development and advancement from stage to stage, it is necessary to understand the Mormon doctrine of "eternal progression." Mormonism's fifth President, Lorenzo Snow, summarized this doctrine with his aphorism: As man is, God once was; As God is, man may become. The doctrine of eternal progression states that God the Father was once a man who lived, died, and was resurrected upon an earth similar to ours. By his faithfulness to the commandments of his God he progressed and advanced from degree until he was crowned with exaltation, or Godhood. Having become God, he was then given the privilege of creating this world and being the Lord over it. He and his wife then begot the spirits which would later enter into the fleshly tabernacles which he would form for them. In a discourse in September of 1856, Brigham, Young described this progression to exaltation which God the Father had passed through: ...our father in heaven is exalted and glorified. he was received His thrones, His principalities and powers, and He sits as a governor, as a monarch, and overrules kingdoms, thrones, and dominions that have been bequeathed to Him, and such as we anticipate receiving. While He was in the flesh, as we are, He was as we are. But it is now written of Him that our God is as a consuming fire, that He dwells in everlasting burnings,...God is the Father of our spirits; He begat them and has sent them here to receive tabernacles...(33). This same doctrine of eternal progression teaches that men today, if faithful as their God was, will continue on the road of progression until they too are exalted and crowned with Godhood. They will then not only receive eternal life, but they will as Gods be given "eternal lives" or the power of eternal increase. They will then have the ability to organize a world and to be the progenitors of the spirits of its inhabitants. In a discourse delivered during a special conference in August of 1852, Brigham, Young described this process: After men have got their exaltations and their crowns - have become Gods, even the sons of God - are made Kings of kings and Lords of lords, they have the power then or propagating their species in spirit; and that is the first of their operations with regard to organizing a world. Power is then given to them to organize the elements, and then commence the organization of tabernacles (34). Having an understanding of the Mormon concept of eternal progression, we can now clearly see the implications of Brigham Young's statements in his 1854 General Conference discourse. When he stated that Adam "was a resurrected being", he meant that Adam had lived, died, and had been resurrected upon another earth. By stating that Adam "in the celestial kingdom...was crowned with glory, immortality, and eternal lives", he was saying that Adam had attained to exaltation and was therefore a God. In his statement that "our spirits and the spirits of all the human family were begotten by Adam", he was claiming, in no uncertain terms, that Adam was Heavenly Father. In short, by applying these statements to Adam, Brigham meant that prior to the organization of this world Adam had advanced along the road to eternal progression and was exalted to Godhood. He would therefore be our Father and our God and the only God with whom we have to do. Throughout the lengthy address which was delivered in the open air that day, according to the _Deseret_News_ Brigham "held the vast audience as it were spellbound" (35). Wilford Woodruff believed Brigham's address to be "the greatest sermon ever delivered to the Latter-Day Saints since they were a people" (36) _The_Journal_of_the_Southern_Indian_Mission_ also noted Brigham Young's address, stating that it was a "discourse equaled by none" (37). Though many were favorable impressed with Brigham's statements that afternoon, there were nevertheless some who opposed. Joseph Lee Robinson, who attended the conference, noted that Orson Pratt was among them. Attended conference, a very interesting conference, for at this meeting President Brigham Young said thus, that Adam and Eve were the names of the first man and woman of every earth that was ever organized and that Adam and ever were the natural father and mother of every spirit that comes to this planet, or that receives tabernacles on this planet, consequently we are brothers and sisters and that Adam was God, our Eternal Father. This as Brother Heber remarked, was letting the cat out of the bag,...but behold ye there were some that did not believe these sayings of the Prophet Brigham, even our Beloved Brother Orson Pratt told me he did not believe it. He said he could prove by scriptures it was not correct. I felt very sorry to hear Professor Orson Pratt say that. I feared lest he should apostatize (38). While Pratt was publicly denying the doctrine of the Church President, others who trusted their prophet's counsel and doctrine were adopting his revelations into their own writings. On January 9, 1855, during a social party in the Great Salt Lake City, Eliza R. Snow (39) recited the following from a poem she had written: Father Adam, our God, let all Israel extol, and Jesus, our Brother, who died for us all:... (40). Shortly after this a new edition of the LDS Church hymn book was printed. Among the hymns contained in the book was one which confessed Adam along with the other two members of the Godhead: We believe in our God, the great Prince of his race, The Archangel Michael, the Ancient of Days, Our own Father Adam, earth's Lord as is plain, Who'll counsel and fight for his children again. We believe in His Son, Jesus Christ, who in love, To his brethren and sisters, came down from above, To die to redeem them from death, and to teach To mortals and spirits the Gospel we preach. We believe in the Spirit most holy, that's given From God our great Father, who dwells high in heaven, To instruct and enlighten, to comfort and cheer- Tongues, dreams, visions, healings proclaim it is here (41). In the spring of 1856 another confrontation erupted between Young and Pratt over the position of Adam. Under the date of March 11, 1856, Samuel Richards recorded in his journal the events which transpired between the two that evening: Evening with the Regency in the Upper Room of the President's office,... A very serious conversation took place between Prest. B. Young and Orson Pratt upon doctrine. O.P. was directly opposed to the Prest. views and very freely expressed his entire disbelief in them after being told by the President that things were so and so in the name of the Lord. He was firm in the Position that the Prest's word in the name of the Lord, was not the word of the Lord to him. The Prest. did not believe that Orson would ever be Adam, to learn by experience the facts discussed, but every other person in the room would if they lived faithful (42). Brigham's statements, that Pratt would never be "Adam", suggest that the two were again disputing over the subject of the first man. Wilford Woodruff, who was also present that night, noted this indeed was the issue discussed. I spent part of the day in the committee room and met with the regency in the evening...the subject was brought up concerning Adam being made of the dust of the earth and elder Orson Pratt pursued a course of stubbornness and unbelief in what President Young said that will destroy him if he does not repent and turn from his evil way For when any man crosses the track of a leader in Israel and tries to lead the prophet... he is no longer led by him but is in danger of falling. A few months after this event, Brigham Young's first Counselor, Heber C. Kimbell, publicly sustained the Church President as the Prophet of God whose doctrines were inspired: Just think of your position; you have heard the teachings and instructions of President Young, and his instructions are the word of God to us, and I know that every man and woman in this Church who rejects his testimony, and the testimony of those that he sends, rejects the testimony of God his Father. I know that, just as well as I know that I see your faces today (43). Because rejecting Brigham's word was rejecting God, Orson Pratt was walking on thin ice. According to Wilford Woodruff, Pratt's Church membership was on the line: President Young made some remarks about Orson Pratt and said that if he did not take a different course in his philosophy..he would not stay long in this Church (44). OPPOSITION TO ADAM-GOD INTENSIFIES Brigham's opposition did not consist of Orson Pratt alone. Apparently there were a number of Mormons who were muttering their disbelief. It was to this group that the prophet addressed the following remarks during a discourse delivered on October 7, 1857: Some have grumbled because I believe our God to be so near to us as Father Adam. There are many who know that doctrine to be true... Now, if it should happen that we have to pay tribute to Father Adam, what a humiliating circumstance it would be! Just wait till you pass Joseph Smith; and after Joseph lets you pass him, you will find Peter; and after you pass the Apostles and many of the Prophets, you will find Abraham, and he will say, "I have the keys, and except you do thus and so, you cannot pass"; and after a while you come to Jesus; and when you at length meet Father Adam, how strange it will appear to your present notions (45). Nevertheless, it was the Mormon Apostle Orson Pratt who was the real thorn in Brigham's side, and it was inevitable that the President would seek its removal. In 1860 Young gathered his Apostles to consider the case of Orson Pratt's remarks. After the Mormon General Authorities assembled in the President's office on the evening of January 27, Brigham read to them various doctrinal statements written by Pratt. He followed by expressing his disbelief in these doctrines. Wilford Woodruff then confessed his trust in Young: ...it has ever been a key with me that when the Prophet who leads presents a doctrine or principle or says thus saith the Lord I make it a point to receive it even if it comes in contact with my tradition or views being well satisfied that the Lord would reveal the truth unto his Prophet whom he has called to lead the Church before he would unto me, and the word of the Lord through the prophet is the End of the Law unto me (46). One by one the Apostles expressed their faith in their prophet and sought to lead Pratt to a confession and repentance. The stubborn Apostle did not budge, however. Having no confidence in the prophet's declaration, Pratt refused to confess what he believe to be false: I must have something more than a declaration of President Young to convince me. I must have evidence. I am willing to take President Young as a guide in most things, but not in all.... President Young said I ought to make a Confession But Orson Pratt is not a man to make a Confession I do not believe. I am not going to crawl to Brigham Young and act the hypocrite and confess what I do not believe.... President Young condemns my doctrine to be false. I do not believe them to be false... I will not act the hypocrite. It may cost me my fellowship But I will stick to it. If I die tonight I would say O Lord God Almighty I believe what I say. The Apostles stood amazed. After a moment's pause Apostle John Taylor tried to convince Orson of his error. Wilford Woodruff followed: Brother Orson Pratt, I wish to ask you one or two questions. You see that the spirit and doctrine which you possess is entirely in opposition to the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve, and all who are present this evening, and it chills the blood in our veins to hear your words and feel your spirit. Should not this be a Guidance to you that you are wrong... Every man in this room who has a particle of the Spirit of God knows that President Young is a Prophet of God and that God sustains him and He has the Holy Spirit and his doctrines are true... Various other Apostles testified that Orson was in error. President Young then closed by stating the importance of following God's Prophet. The meeting was dismissed; Pratt made no concession. It must have been a sleepless night for Orson, however; the following day saw a change in the disposition of the Apostle. Wilford Woodruff noted this in his journal: I spent the day in the office. I met with the Twelve in the prayer circle. Orson Pratt met with us. He did not dress but said he wanted to be in the society of the Twelve. He seemed much more soft in his spirit then he had been. Quite unexpectedly, Orson Pratt on the next day confessed from the Tabernacle stand that he was in error. Woodruff informs us of the event: Sunday I met at the Tabernacle. Orson Pratt was in the stand and quite unexpected to his brethren he arose before his brethren and made a very humble full confession before the whole assembly for his opposition to President Young and his brethren and he said he wished all the Church was present to hear it. He quoted Joseph Smith's revelation to prove that President Young was right and that all was under obligation to follow the Leader of the Church. I never heard Orson Pratt speak better or more to the satisfaction of the People, than on this occasion. AT ISSUE: IS YOUNG TEACHING FALSE DOCTRINE? Strange and fickle as it might seem, however, within a few months Pratt was again openly opposing Brigham! On April 4 and 5 the Church Authorities again convened to discuss Pratt. Though the subject of Adam was not the major issue during the January 27 meeting, it was brought up often during these sessions. On April 4 in the Church Historians Office Pratt told the quorum members that he did not find the Adam-God doctrine to be supported by Joseph's revelation: I would like to enumerate items first preached and published that Adam is the Father of our spirits... When I read the revelation given Joseph I read directly the opposite. Brigham later responded to Orson's attack by appealing to his own prophetical calling: It is my duty to see that correct doctrine is taught and to guard the Church from error, it is my calling. Orson spurned this statement; still believing that the Mormon prophet could err in doctrine even when he was acting as a prophet. With Brigham absent on the following day, Mormon Apostle Orson Hyde answered Pratt by affirming that to charge the prophet with advancing false doctrine was in reality undermining the entire truth and foundation of their religion. God's prophets cannot advance false doctrine. Therefore, to acknowledge that the prophet Brigham was indeed advancing false doctrine would be to acknowledge that he was not divinely led. This would destroy their claim to be the Kingdom of God. Hyde insisted on this implication: To acknowledge that this is the Kingdom of God, and that there is a presiding power, and to admit that he can advance incorrect doctrine is to lay the axe at the root of the tree. Will he suffer his mouthpiece to go into error? No. He would remove him and place another there. Brother Brigham may err in the price of a horse,... but in the revelations from God, where is the man that has given thus saith the Lord when it was not so? I cannot find one instance. Pratt expressed his total disbelief in Brigham's doctrine regarding Adam: In regard to Adam being our Father and God... I frankly say, I have no confidence in it, although advanced by Brother Kimball in the stand, and afterwards approved by Brigham... I have heard Brigham say that Adam is the Father of our spirits and he came here with a resurrected body, to fall for his own children, and I said to him it leads to an endless number of falls which leads to sorrow and death; that is revolting to my feelings, even if it were sustained by revelation. Orson Pratt's central argument was that Young's doctrine contradicted the Scriptures. Joseph Smith claimed to have restored the pure version of the Genesis creation narrative in his inspired revision of the earlier chapters of the Bible. This "inspired" revision later became part of Mormon scripture, entitled the Book of Moses. In the following verse Joseph's account of Genesis distinctly implies that Adam was not the God and Father of Jesus Christ: And he called upon out father Adam by his own voice saying: I am God; I made the world, and men before they were in the flesh. And he also said unto him: If thou wilt turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice, and believe, and repent of all thy transgressions, and be baptized, even in water, in the name of Jesus Christ... and now, behold, I say unto you: This is the plan of salvation unto all men, through the blood of mine Only Begotten, who shall come in the meridian of time (Moses 6:51f., 62) These and other passages in Joseph's Book of Moses teach that the Father of the only begotten son, Jesus Christ, spoke to Adam in the Garden. that clearly indicates that Adam was not God the Father. It was to this fact that Orson Pratt appealed: One [revelation] says that Adam was formed out of the earth, and the Lord put in his spirit, and another that he came with his body, flesh and bones, thus there are two contradictory revelations. in the garden it is said that a voice said to Adam, in the meridian of time, I will send my only begotten son Jesus Christ, then how can that man and Adam both be the Father of Jesus Christ? It was the Father of Jesus Christ that was talking to Adam in the garden. Young says that Adam was the Father of Jesus Christ both of his spirit and body in his teaching from the stand. The apostles answered Pratt by reassuring Brigham's divine calling; he was God's mouthpiece. The thought that a prophet of God could advance false doctrine chilled their blood. It was the duty of all to set aside any personal opinions and to be subject to the pronouncements of their divinely led leader. Wilford Woodruff angrily retorted: As our leaders are inspired to talk, they are inspired oracles, and we should be as limber as a dish cloth. Hyde, the President of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles, later in the session asked his brethren what should be required of Orson Pratt. George A. Smith, Church Historian, responded by suggesting that Orson acknowledge Brigham as a prophet and inspired man. Smith assured that if Brigham was indeed the Church President, he would be a inspired man. On the other hand, if Orson Pratt were correct in his doctrines, which were declared to be false by Brigham, then all would have to conclude that the man whom they had thought was God's prophet was in fact not divinely led. Smith told Hyde that Pratt should, ...acknowledge Brigham Young as President of the Church in the exercise of this calling. But he only acknowledges him as a poor driveling fool, he preaches doctrines opposed to Joseph, and all other revelations. If Brigham Young is the President of the Church he is an inspired man. If we have not an inspired man, then Orson Pratt it right. Pratt's January confession sermon was then revised for publication. Shortly after this the meeting came to a close. It was agreed that the proceedings of the sessions would be kept silent. Brigham and Pratt assured each other that no more would be said concerning their disagreement, and though Orson still disagreed with the prophet's teachings, it seemed that Brigham would not take any drastic action. In a few months, however, Orson received a mission call which would remove him from the Salt Lake area to the eastern United States (48). YOUNG'S ADAM-GOD MEETS CONTINUED OPPOSITION All opposition did not cease with Orson Pratt's removal. This time, though, the attack came from a group outside the LDS fold - the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (49). Believing the original teachings of Joseph Smith to be true, the Reorganized Church immediately spotted the contradiction in Brigham's doctrine of Adam becoming God. In the November and December issues of their _True_Latter-Day_Saint_Herald_, the RLDS Church printed a lengthy refutation of Brigham's Adam-God doctrine. This article uses the same arguments and quotes the same scriptures as Orson Pratt did earlier that year when he contended with the Utah prophet. The _Herald_ sought to overthrow the words of the living prophet by appealing to the written word. The _True_Latter-Day_Saint_Herald_ saw clearly that Brigham Young was teaching false doctrine though he claimed to be acting as a prophet. They also clearly realized the implications. The man whom many looked to as being the successor of their martyred prophet was in reality a false prophet who taught as the word of God the imaginations of his own heart. Seeing by this that the Utah faction was not of God, they urged Utah Mormons to return to the true God. The article in the _Herald_ caused no small stir when it reached Utah. In his diary under the date of February 3, 1861, John D. Lee, adopted son of Brigham Young, recorded the following: Eving attendd Prayer meeting & instructed the Saints on the points of Doctrine refereed to by the true Latterday Saints Herald & their Bombarding Pres. B. Young for Saying that Adam is all the god that we have to do with & to those that know no better, it is quite a stumbling Block... (50). The Utah authorities held to the revelations revealed by their prophet. Some even claimed to have received for themselves a revelation that confirmed what the Living oracle had spoken. In a notebook that contained several personal revelations which he believed God had personally revealed to Him, Heber C. Kimbell, counselor to Brigham Young, recorded the following: April 30, 1862, the Lord told me that Adam was my father and that he was the God and father of all the inhabitants of this earth (51). Though assailed from outside and from within the ranks of his own people, Brigham Young continued to set forth his belief in the doctrine. Speaking in the Tabernacle on the morning of October 8, 1861, Young remarked: I will give you a few words of doctrine, upon which there has been much inquiry, and with regard to which considerable ignorance exists. Br. Watt will write it, but it is not my intention to have it published therefore pay good attention, and store it up in your memories. Some years ago, I advanced a doctrine with regard to Adam being our father and God, that will be a curse to many of the Elders of Israel because of their folly. With regard to it they yet grovel in darkness and will. Is is one of the most glorious revealments of the economy of heaven, yet the world holds it [in] derision. Had I revealed the doctrine of baptism from the dead instead [of] Joseph Smith there are men around me who would have ridiculed the idea until doomsday. But they are ignorant and stupid like the dumb ass (52). A year prior to this statement Brigham stated that the only thing of which he was guilty was that he had revealed too much truth to the people. ...if guilt before my God and brethren rests upon me in the least, it is in this one thing - that I have revealed too much concerning God and his Kingdom, and the designs of our Father in heaven. If my skirts are stained in the least with wrong, it is because I have been too free in telling what God is, how he lives, the nature of his providences and the earth, his designs concerning them, etc. If I had, like Paul, said - "But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant", perhaps it would have been better for the people (53). Nevertheless, as the years passed Young was still emphatically claiming that Adam was God the Father. In fact, he asserted this revelation in terms stronger than he ever had before. On June 8, 1873, Brigham again addressed his audience concerning Adam, and the week following he had his discourse published in the _Deseret_News_: How much unbelief exists in the minds of the Latter-day Saints in regard to one particular doctrine which I revealed to them, and which God revealed to me - namely that Adam is our Father and God... The Christian world read of, and think about, St. Paul, also St. Peter, the chief of Apostles. These men were faithful to and magnified the priesthood while on the earth. Now, where will be the mystery, after they have passed through all the ordeals, and have been crowned and exalted, and received their inheritances in the eternal worlds of glory, for them to be sent forth, as the Gods have been forever and ever, with the command - "Make yourselves an earth, and people it with your own children?"... Oh fools, and slow of heart to believe the great things that God has purposed in his own mind... Adam came here and got it up in a shape that would suit him to commence business. What is the great mystery about it? None, that I have seen. The mystery in this, as with miracles, or anything else, is only to those who are ignorant. Father Adam came here, and then they brought his wife. "Well". says one. "Why was Adam called Adam?" He was the first man on the earth, and its framer and maker. He with the help of his brethren, brought it into existence Then he said, "I want my children who are in the spirit world to come and live here. I once dwelt upon an earth something like this, in a mortal state. I was faithful. I received my crown and exaltation. I have the privilege of extending my work, and to its increase there will be no end. I want my children who were born to me in the spirit world to come here and take tabernacles of flesh..." The opposition was still present, and there were still those who disbelieved in the sayings of their leader. It is interesting to note in this sermon that Brigham does not grieve over any misquotations or misunderstandings of his previous statements concerning Adam, but rather he laments over the disbelief which existed among his brethren. During all the years Young never claimed to be misquoted or misinterpreted. Instead, he appealed to his divine calling as proof of the truth of this statements. Young also did not shy away from claiming that his teachings were the Word of God. He did not believe his doctrine to be just his personal opinion, which could be wrong. On the contrary, believing himself to be a prophet of God, he declared all of his sermons to be revelation, directly from the Lord: I know just as well what to teach this people and just what to say to them and what to do in order to bring them into the celestial kingdom, as I know the road to my office. It is just as plain and easy. The Lord is in our midst. He teaches the people continually. I have never yet preached a sermon and sent it out to the children of men that they may not call Scripture. Let me have the privilege of correcting a sermon, and it is as good Scripture as they deserve. The people have the oracles of God continually (54). Brother Orson Hyde referred to a few who complained about not getting revelations. I will make a statement here that has been brought against me as a crime, perhaps as a fault in my life. Not here, I do not allude to anything of the kind in this place, but in the councils of the nations - that Brigham Young has said "when he sends forth his discourses to the world they may call them Scripture." I say now when they are copied and approved by me they are as good Scripture as is couched in this Bible, and if you want to read revelation read the sayings of him who knows this mind of God... (55). There is no room for thinking that Brigham was expressing what he believed to be merely his own opinions. No. He rightly believed that when a prophet of God acts as a prophet, he speaks the truth. YOUNG FIRM TO THE END ON ADAM-GOD As we come to 1877, the last year of Brigham Young's life, we find him still teaching what he had first taught 25 years before. The setting for this discourse is in the home of Brigham Young. There appears to be evidence that part of this address was to be used as the lecture before the veil in all future endowment ceremonies: ...after supper went to Prest Young's... Prest Young was filled with the spirit of God and revelation and said... "In the creation the gods entered into an agreement about forming this earth & putting Michael or Adam upon it. these things of which I have been speaking are what are termed the mysteries of godliness but they will enable you to understand the expression Jesus made while in Jerusalem. This is life eternal that they might know thee, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. we were once acquainted with the Gods & lived with them but we had the privilege of taking upon us flesh that the spirit might have a house to dwell in. we did so and forgot all and came into the world not recollecting anything of which we had previously learned. We have heard a great deal about Adam and Eve, how they were formed & some thing he was made like an adobie and the Lord breathed into him the breath of life, for we read 'from dust thou are art and unto dust thou shalt return'. Well he was made of the dust of the earth but not of this earth. he was made just the same way you and I are made but on another earth. Adam was an immortal being when he came on this earth. he had lived on an earth similar to ours, he had received the Priesthood and the he Keys thereof and had been faithful in all things and gained his resurrection and his exaltation and was crowned with glory immortality and eternal lives and was numbered with the Gods for such he became through his faithfulness, and had begotton all the spirits that was to come to this earth. and Eve our common mother who is the mother of all living bore those spirits in the celestial world. and when this earth was organized by Elohim, Jehovah and Michael who is Adam our common Father, Adam and Eve had the privilege to continue the work of progression, consequently came to this earth and commenced the great work of forming tabernacles for those spirits to dwell in. and when Adam and those that assisted him had completed this kingdom our earth he came to it, and slept and forgot all and became like an infant child. it is said by Moses the historian that the Lord caused a deep sleep to come upon Adam and took from his side a rib and formed the woman that Adam called Eve - this should be interpreted that the man Adam like all other men had the seed within him to propagate his species, but not the woman. she conceives the seed but does not produce it, consequently she was taken from the side or bowels of her father. this explains the mystery of Moses' ark sayings in regard to Adam and Eve. Adam & Eve when they were placed on this earth were immortal beings with flesh and bones, and sinues, but upon partaking of the fruit of the earth while in the garden and cultivating the ground their bodies became changed from immortal to mortal beings with blood coursing through their veins as the action of life... Father Adam's oldest son (Jesus the Savior) who is the heir of the family is Father Adam's first begotten in the spirit world, who according to the flesh is the only begotten as it is written. (In his divinity he having gone back into the spirit world and come in the spirit to Mary and she conceived for when Adam and Eve got through their work on earth they did not lay their bodies down in the dust, but returned to the spirit world from whence they came." I felt myself much blessed in being permitted to associate with such men and hear such instructions as they savored of life to me (56). At one minute past 4:00 P.M., on August 29, 1877, Brigham Young died. He presided over the Mormon Church longer than any other man - 30 years. Though many continued to believe in Adam as their God, the doctrine was largely buried along with Brigham. Rather than publicly preaching this doctrine, the Church authorities sought to avoid controversy by remaining silent. THE PRESENT DILEMMA AND THE TRUE WAY OUT As time went on, not only did the Adam doctrine cease to be preached, but it began to be denied. Most LDS General Authorities even denied that Brigham had ever taught it. Being far removed from the time in which the second Mormon President expounded the teaching, these apologist were safe in dismissing his remarks as being misquoted or misinterpreted. Those who continued to believe the Adam-God teaching were soon to be excommunicated from the Church for believing it. Books and articles were written to denounce the Adam-God theory These books quoted against the false doctrine the precise verses that Orson Pratt and the Reorganized Church had employed against Brigham a hundred years before (57). There were no admissions that Brigham had taught it. Instead, there were denials. An examination of the evidence, however, will admit to no other conclusion that that Brigham Young did teach that Adam was Heavenly Father, the Father of men's spirits as well as the Father of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Brigham Young, one of recent history's most prominent religious leaders, did indeed advance a doctrine that was to focus worship on a strange god. The doctrine that he taught for over 25 years was false doctrine and the LDS Church admits this today. It has, in effect, sided with Orson Pratt and has adopted his arguments and views as being right. However, in doing this it has unknowingly admitted that Brigham was not an inspired prophet of God. It is caught in the words of one of its own Apostles, George A. Smith: If Brigham Young is the President of the Church he is an inspired man. If we have not an inspired man, then Orson Pratt is right. The implications certainly are obvious. The claims of the Utah LDS church utterly collapse when they claim to be the only true church and the sole possessor of God's authority. The Mormon, furthermore, faces the dilemma of being unable to be certain that his present prophet is advancing in true doctrine. Perhaps the present teachings of the living prophet will be tomorrow's false teachings of a dead prophet. Perhaps the present revelations which the modern President claims to have received will be swept under the carpet as was the revelation concerning Adam that Brigham Young claimed to have received from God. Today's Mormon cannot hide behind a testimony that the living prophet is advancing in correct doctrine. His testimony holds no more weight than the strong testimonies which past members had concerning the truth of Brigham's Adam-God teaching. In reality, no Mormon can test assured and have confidence that his prophet is not uttering the imaginations of his own heart. Even when he speaks as a prophet and is sustained and defended by his fellow Apostles, he still cannot be fully trusted. This frightening dilemma in which the Mormon finds himself is not peculiar to him or his people, but is the snare in which all men find themselves when they put their trust in men. To trust the arm of flesh is really to have no hope at all. One's faith can be only as firm as the object upon which he places his trust. To place one's confidence upon erring flesh is to lack firm footing and roots: Thus says the Lord, Cursed is the man who trust in mankind and makes flesh his strength, and whose heart turns away from the LORD. For he will be like a bush in the desert and will not see when prosperity comes, but will live in stony wastes in the wilderness, a land of salt without inhabitant (Jer. 17:5,6). God invites all men today to place their trust in Him directly through His Son, Jesus Christ. Unlike a false prophet who teaches the people to follow a strange god, Jesus can be fully trusted to lead us to His Father. By His death, Christ has secured a place in the presence of God for all who place their trust in him. Those who trust Him can be absolutely sure that He will never fail. CHRIS ALEX VLACHOS COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES 288 NORTH 100 WEST PROVO, UTAH 84601 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Even as this article was being prepared for its publication, Mormon Apostle Mark E. Peterson was busily revising his book. "Adam Who Is He?" Because of previous exposure of the deception concerning Peterson's statement on pages 16 and 17 of his book (quoted under heading: Denial Adam-God Was Taught) they were forced to "correct" what was apparently one of Peterson's strongest arguments alleging that Brigham Young was "misquoted". As you recall, Peterson went to great lengths about the "misquotation" and the proof of that being a "signed statement" of C.C. Rich. But since it was clear that neither assertion was factual, Peterson changed the paragraphs in question to read as follows: Elder Charles C. Rich was not present on the day when President Young gave an address that was wrongly reported as saying Adam was our Father in heaven (see JD 1:51). The sermon was delivered April 9, 1852, and Elder Rich returned April 21. In a copy of the Journal of Discourses Elder Ben E. Rich, son of Elder Charles C. Rich, referred to the misquotation as it appears in the Journal of Discourses, and in his own hand corrected the statement to read as follows: "Jesus out Elder Brother, was begotten in the flesh by the same character who talked with Adam in the Garden of Eden, and who is our Father in heaven." In this same statement Ben E. Rich wrote "As corrected above is what Prest. Young said, as testified to me by my father, C.C. Rich." (This signed statement is in the hands of the Church Historical Department). Some of the reporters at the Tabernacle in those days were not so skilled as others, and admittedly made mistakes, such as the misquotations of President Young as above, which was corrected by Brother Rich and which has caused some persons in the Church to go astray. On the face of it the mistake is obvious. We find in Genesis 2:15-16 and 3:8-9 that God walked and talked with Adam in the Garden of Eden. Mark E. Peterson Adam Who Is He? (1979 Edition) page 16-17 It is quite interesting to compare this version with the one that was quoted in this booklet because we see a complete turning around of the facts, but an attempt to stay with the argument! The "strength" of Peterson's argument (such as it was) was based on the "fact" that C.C. Rich was present at the delivery of the sermon and thus able to "correct" the "misquotation". Since we know, and Peterson admits that C.C. Rich was NOT present, the whole basis of the argument is now totally missing. Who cares what Ben E. Rich wrote in his copy of the Journal of Discourses several decades later (remember he wasn't even born until 1855) especially when we was quoting a man who was not even there? -------------------------------------------------------------------- ********FOOTNOTES******** (1) Calvin, in his exposition of the second commandment, explains this beautifully: The Lord very frequently addresses us in the character of a husband...As he performs all the offices of a true and faithful husband, so he requires love and chastity from us; that is, that we do not prostitute our souls to Satan. As the purer and chaster a husband is, the more grievously he is offended when he sees his wife inclining to a rival; so the Lord, who has betrothed us to Himself in truth, declares that he burns in the hottest jealousy whenever, neglecting the purity of His holy marriage, we defile ourselves with abominable lusts and especially when the worship of His deity, which ought to have been most carefully kept unimpaired, is transferred to another... since in this way we not only violate our plighted troth, but defile the nuptial couch, by giving access to adulterers (Institutes, II, viii, 18). (2) The Doctrine and Covenants, on of Mormonism's scriptures, states that the Mormon people are "the only true and living Church upon the face of the whole earth". (D&C, 1:30). (3) Mormon Apostle Orson Pratt wrote that all other churches are entirely destitute of all authority to administer the sacraments: But who in this generation have authority to baptize? None but those who have received authority in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints: all other churches are entirely destitute of all authority from God; and any person who receives Baptism or the Lord's Supper from their hands will highly offend God, for he looks upon them as the most corrupt of all people. Both Catholics and Protestants are nothing less than the "whore of Babylon" whom the Lord denounces by the mouth of John the Revelator as having corrupted all the earth by their fornications and wickedness. And any person who shall be so wicked as to receive holy ordinance of the gospel from the ministers of any of these apostate churches will be sent down to hell with them, unless they repent of the unholy and impious act (Orson Pratt, The Seer, Washington ed., p.255). (4) Joseph Smith claimed that in the spring of 1820 Jesus Christ appeared to him in a vision and instructed him to join none of the Christian denominations, "for they were all wrong and all their creeds were an abomination and their professors were all corrupt." (Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith 2, verse 19). (5) Mormon Prophet Spencer W. Kimball was ordained an Apostle under the hands of Heber J. Grant. Grant was likewise ordained by George Q. Cannon. Cannon was ordained to his apostolic office under the hands of Brigham Young. Similarly, every one of the present Twelve Apostles of the Mormon Church has received his ordination through Brigham Young. If Brigham was false, then all those who were ordained through him lack the very priesthood which they believe Brigham had. A break in one link causes the entire chain below it to fall to the ground; so a break in the Mormon priesthood succession breaks off the transfer of authority. (6) "Misc. Minutes" unpublished ms., Brigham Young Collection, Church Archives, Salt Lake City, p.1. (7) Ibid., pp.6-7. (8) Believing himself to be a prophet of God, Young declared that it was his gift and calling to teach true doctrine and to guard the members against heresy: What man or woman on the earth, what spirit in the spirit-world can say truthfully that I have ever gave a wrong word of counsel, or a word of advice that could not be sanctioned by the heavens? (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 12, p.127). It is my duty to see that correct doctrine is taught and to guard the Church from error, it is my calling ("Misc. Minuets:, unpublished ms., B.Y. Collection, Church Archives). (9) Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol.1 , p.50. According to Mormon theology, Adam is Michael the archangel and the Ancient of Days, Cf. Doctrine and Covenants, 27:11. (10) Ibid., pp. 50-51. (11) Diary of Hosea Stout. Copied from typed transcript. B.Y.U. Library, Special Collections, Provo, Utah. The spelling, grammar, and punctuation in this quotation as well as in all others cited herein have not been changed from the originals. (12) Journal of Samuel H. Rogers, Vol. 1, p. 179. Copied from the original located at B.Y.U. Library, Special Collections, Provo, Utah. (13) Mark E. Peterson, ADAM WHO WAS HE? (Deseret Book, 1976), p.14. (14) Spencer W. Kimball, Deseret News, October 9, 1976, Church News Section, p.11). (15) Leonard J. Arrington, Charles C. Rich (B.Y.U. Press, 1974), p.173 (16) Copied from microfilm of original. B.Y.U. Library, Special Collections, Prove, Utah. (17) Copied from Deseret Weekly, microfilm, B.Y.U. Library. (18) Copy of the original Journal of Discourses volume on which statement was made is located in the Church Historian's Office, Salt Lake City. For photo reproduction, see Bob White, WHERE DOES IT SAY THAT?, p.77. (19) Faced with the fact that Brigham Young made no attempt to correct his statements, Mormon scholar, Rodney Turner, was forced to admit that Brigham was quoted correctly: Was Brigham Young misquoted? It is the writer's opinion that the answer to this question is a categorical no. There is not the slightest evidence from Brigham Young, or any other source, that either his original remarks on April 9, 1852, or any of his subsequent statements were ever misquoted in the official publications of the Church... In light of Brigham Young's attitude toward the errors of others, and in view of the division created by his remarks concerning Adam, it would be stretching one's credibility to the breaking point to believe that he would have remained silent had he been misquoted. (The Position of Adam in Latter-day Saint Scripture and Theology, M.A. thesis, B.Y.U., pp.45-46; thesis is presently restricted from viewing or reading). (20) Joseph Fielding Smith, ANSWERS TO GOSPEL QUESTIONS, Vol. 5, p.123. (21) Ibid., pp. 122-123. (22) See Bruce R. McConkie, MORMON DOCTRINE (Bookcraft, 1966), pp. 18-19. (23) In his thesis, Rodney Turner similarly discounts the possibility that Brigham was being misinterpreted: It is true that the original discourse of April 9, 1852, could be taken in more than one way; and if he had never mentioned the subject again, his actual meaning would be a moot point. However, he did mention the subject again, many times. Therefore the likelihood of misunderstanding him, in view of his subsequent statements through the years, becomes more remote (The Position of Adam, p.36). (24) Brigham Young Papers, Feb. 19, 1854, call number Ms. F219 #81, Church Historian's Office, Salt Lake City. (25) Copied from microfilm of journal located at B.Y.U. Library, Special Collections, Provo, Utah. (26) See Bruce R. McConkie, MORMON DOCTRINE, pp.516-517. (27) Millenial Star, Vol. 16, No. 31, August 5, 1854, p.482. (28) Ibid., p.483 (29) Ibid., Vol. 16, No. 34, August 26, 1854, p.530. (30) Ibid., pp.534-535. (31) See T. B. H. Stenhouse, THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN SAINTS, p.492. Photo reproduction of original available through Modern Microfilm Co., Box 1884, S.L.C., Utah 84110. (32) Brigham Young Papers. Oct. 8, 1854, call number Ms. d 1234, Church Historian's Office, Salt Lake City. (33) Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 4, p.54). (34) Ibid., Vol. 6, p.275. (35) Deseret News, Vol. 4, No. 31, October 12, 1854, p.2. (36) Journal of Wilford Woodruff, October 6-8, 1854. (37) Journal of the Southern Indian Mission, p.88. (38) Joseph Lee Robinson Journal, copied from typed transcript located at B.Y.U. Library, Special Collections, p.62. (39) Eliza R. Snow was a plural wife of Joseph Smith and was later married to Brigham Young. (40) Millenial Star, Vol. 17, No. 20, p.320. (41) Sacred Hymns for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1856, 11th ed., p. 375. This hymn has been deleted from present LDS hymnals. In the 20th ed. there appeared a hymn titled, "Sons of Michael, He approaches." In the second line Michael was described as the "eternal" Father. In today's edition this has been changed to read the "ancient" Father. (42) Diary of Samuel Whitney Richards, copied from typed transcript at B.Y.U. Library, Special Collections, Provo, Utah, p.113. (43) Journal of Discourses, Vol. 4, p.2. (44) Wilford Woodruff Journal, December 29, 1856. Typed from microfilm of original. (45) Journal of Discourses, Vol. 5, p.331f. (46) The minutes of this session are found in the Wilford Woodruff Journal, under the date of January 27, 1860. (47) The council minutes are located in the Brigham Young Collection, Miscellaneous Papers, Church Historian's Office. (48) The entire Orson Pratt-Brigham Young affair cannot be underestimated. The controversy which raged between the two shows that Brigham was teaching that Adam was God. From the charges that Pratt made it is clear what Brigham was teaching. Furthermore, it is significant that Young made no attempt to correct a misquotation or misinterpretation. On the contrary, he defended his doctrine, and continued to assert it. Importance should also be placed upon the remarks of the other Apostles who rallied to their Prophet's defense. They replied to Orson that a prophet of God cannot advance false doctrine, therefore all should accept the President's statements. They rightly understood the biblical emphasis that a prophet of God cannot advance false doctrine about God and that he would be inspired to teach the truth. They also realized the implications of Orson Pratt's statement. If Brigham was advancing false doctrine, then he would be a false prophet. Only a false prophet advances false doctrine. To charge Mormonism's prophet with teaching false doctrine would be to undermine Mormonism's claim to be a divinely led people. (49) The Reorganized Church at this time was known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Later they attached to themselves the title of being the "Reorganized" Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Mormon factions has its headquarters in Independence, Missouri. (50) A MORMON CHRONICLE: THE DIARIES OF JOHN D. LEE (The Huntington Library, 1955), Vol. 1, p.293. (51) Sacred History, Solomon F. Kimball Papers, Church Historian's Office, Salt Lake City. (52) Manuscript Sermon, "A FEW WORDS OF DOCTRINE", Brigham Young Collection, Church Historian's Office, Salt Lake City. (53) Journal of Discourses, Vol. 8, p.58. (54) Ibid., Vol. 13, p.95. (55) Ibid., p.264. (56) L. John Nuttall Journal, pp.20-24, copied from original at B.Y.U. Library, Special Collections, Provo, Utah. (57) See Mark E. Peterson, ADAM WHO IS HE? @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ (2) That Adam=God is a private theory, Williard Smith From: wcsa@iwtdr.att.com Date: 8 Mar 93 11:53:00 GMT Subject: Re: Adam/God Dr. Hedrick: Adam/God is a controversial issue in Mormonism. Last month, Mr Rose dumped an article on t.r.m on Adam/God. I pointed out a number of problems from his article and posted a copyright-free article that was written by a well-known Mormon apologist. I will append to this email message that article as well as a few points which I made. When BY said that his sermons were as good as scripture he was not intending it to mean the same thing as inerrant scripture. BY made it quite clear on several occasions that Adam/God was not official doctrine. If you have any other questions I will try to do my best to answer them. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - My Remarks on Adam/God - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Concerning the Pratt-Young Controversy of 1860: The fact is that I am not being deceptive on this point. True, Adam-God was a major sticking point between Pratt and Young, but to say that the issue under discussion in the quorum of the twelve in 1860 was Adam-God is flatly wrong. At first I wondered why Mr Rose thought this when he admitted that he had not read the minutes in question. Only after I read the essay by Chris Ulachos, which Mr Rose reproduced, did I understand why he directed this rather Cheap Shot at me. Under the section "OPPOSITION TO ADAM-GOD INTENSIFIES," Mr Ulachos quotes portions of those minutes and leads one to believe that the discussion was on Adam-God. You should note (as I noted) the lack of references to Adam-God in the quoted sections. Why? Because the discussion was not about Adam-God. Since I have read the minutes and because I am aware of the details of this meeting, I can confidently accuse Mr Ulachos of blatantly misrepresenting the facts. Unfortunately Mr Rose has fallen into the same ditch because he uncritically accepts anything that another anti-Mormon will write. Note that I said the discussion was NOT ABOUT Adam-God, however during the meeting *Pratt* raised the issue of Adam-God. Orson Hyde and George A. Smith told Pratt he was getting off track and refocused the discussion. Anyone reading the minutes would not have missed this turn. I cannot imagine how Mr Ulachos missed it unless he was intent on misrepresenting the theme of the meeting to match his own agenda. This meeting directly resulted in the issuing of a Statement of the First Presidency which can be found in _Messages of the First Presidency_, Vol 2, pp. 214-223. I ask, "Has Mr Rose read this statement, and if so how can he claim that the controversy was CENTERED on Adam-God?" While this statement is primarily a public confession by Pratt dealing with doctrinal issues, the First Presidency added several comments at the end. In the First Presidency section there is one small paragraph which commented on one aspect of Adam-God (it addressed the issue which Pratt raised in the above meeting). This is significant because it is the only place that I know of where Brigham Young issued an OFFICIAL statement that touched on ANY part of the theory. But for reasons that will become all too clear, Mr Ulachos (who claims to know all about the theory and the 1860 controversy) overlooks it. This statement reads: With regard to the quotations and comments in the _Seer_ as to Adam's having been formed "out of the ground" and "from the dust of the ground," &c., it is deemed wisest to let that subject remain without further explanation at present; for it is written that we are to receive "line upon line," according to our faith and capacities, and the circumstances attending our progress. To any intelligent Mormon who could read between the lines, Brigham Young essentially stated that a PRIMARY point relating to Adam-God was not to be considered Official Doctrine nor was it to be binding upon the members of the church. That Mr Ulachos ignores this is not too surprising. Since Mr Rose has decided to FLIP FLOP to Adam-God, and since in the last four and a half years I have contributed little to the net on the issue of Adam-God, and since I am getting weary of the Net and will probably unsubscribe for a while, I hope that Mr Rose will not grudge a few comments and the reproduction of an essay on the subject that I feel comes closest to describing most Mormons' (who have thoroughly investigated the matter) views. When I read Mr Ulachos's essay (reprinted from _Journal of Pastoral Practice_, Vol 3, No 2, pp 93-119), I thought here is "Bull in a China Shop" and a rather ignorant bull at that. In the first place Mr Ulachos seems to think that Adam-God is simply a question of identity: is the same person who partook of the fruit of the tree of knowledge the same person who is the father of all our spirits. But Adam-God is not that simple and has never been that simple. Adam-God is a term applied to a collection of issues, some of them compatable and some of them incompatable. Those issues ask such questions as: - Is the account of the creation of man in Genesis literal or figurative? - What was the creation process? - Is the father of our spirits also the father of our physical bodies? - What are the roles of Adam and God the Father? - Is the garden account literal or figurative? - How many Adams were there? - Are Michael and Adam the same person or different persons? When are they the same? When are they different? - Is Adam subordinate to Christ? - What does the name "Adam" signify? This is only *scratching* the surface. Complicating the matter is that Mormons do not accept prophetic infallibility or inerrancy. In short, I could accept Brigham Young's answers to the above questions but still not accept the theory that Mr Ulachos advances as the central issue of Adam-God. That is why attempts by anti-Mormons to claim that Adam-God is official doctrine are stupid. Apart from the fact that that Brigham Young indicated more than once that Adam-God was not binding upon members of the church, noone that I know of (Especially Anti-Mormons) can even tell you how all the pieces fit together in the first place. The anti-Mormon argument boils down to a classic example of strawmen. First they tell you what THEY think is the doctrine (despite the problems in their reconstruction) and then they tell you why it is all wrong. Since Mr Rose has seen fit to inflict upon us an lengthy essay on Adam-God, I would like to return the favor by reproducing an essay by Van Hale which I think addresses and puts the limited arguments of Mr Ulachos and Mr Rose in their proper place. **************************************************************** Van Hale's "WHAT ABOUT THE ADAM-GOD THEORY?" Sandy, Utah: Mormon Miscellaneous, July 1983. **************************************************************** At the age of twenty, as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I first came in contact with the so- called Adam-God theory in an anti-Mormon tract. I had read such literature before and knew that it frequently twisted and misinterpreted LDS sources. I therefore felt certain that the purported quotation from Brigham Young's April 9, 1852 discourse - that Adam is our father and our God - either was taken from context or was an outright fabrication. After examining the evidence, however, I soon became convinced that on at least two occasions Brigham Young had taught a concept which generally has not been accepted by Mormons - namely, that God the Father, the Father of our spirits and the Father of Jesus (of both his body and his spirit), came to this earth, took upon himself mortality, and was known as Adam, the progenitor the of human family. Simply stated, according to President Young, God the Father became Adam. (Journal of Discourses [JD] 1:50; Deseret News, June 18, 1873). Later I found several other references in which President Young hinted at this belief. (JD 4:216-218, 271; 5:331; 6:274; 7:290; 11:41,42). Over the past fifteen years I have found many additional sources which confirm that this idea was taught for a period of time in the past century. They include sermon reports, private diary entries, minutes of meetings, letters, articles, and statements. Many of these are unpublished and have only come to light in the last several years. I have encountered strong and varied opinions on this subject. Opponents of Mormonism have taken a particular interest in it. Two positions are most prevalent: (1) Non-Mormon Christians committed to evangelizing Mormons seek to establish that Brigham Young taught the Adam-God theory, that it is contrary to Biblical teaching, and that Brigham Young could therefore not have been a true prophet. (2) So-called fundamentalist Mormons seek to establish that Brigham Young taught it, that recent prophets have rejected it, and that some prophets since Brigham Young could therefore not be true prophets. Both groups have taken advantage of two facts: First, most Mormons are unaware that Brigham Young ever taught the Adam- God theory; and second, most Mormons are uncomfortable with the position that prophets may have differed in their concept of God. My purpose here is not to present evidence to show that Brigham Young taught the Adam-God theory. Rather, as one who is convinced that he did teach it, I wish to state briefly some of my reasons for rejecting the conclusions of these two groups of Mormonism's opponents. The non-Mormon Christian Argument I am not persuaded by the non-Mormon Christian argument for several reasons, two of which I will discuss. First, in their zeal to refute Mormonism they have misstated, ignored, or distorted many points of Mormon history. Second, and perhaps more important, they demand qualifications of a prophet which are both un-Biblical and unreasonable. I will present my response by answering two questions. Was the Adam-God theory official Mormon doctrine? My answer to this question is an emphatic "No." After presenting evidence that Brigham Young taught the Adam-God theory, critics usually go on to claim: that is was official doctrine for 50 years; that it was widely taught and received; that Brigham Young claimed he had received it by revelation; that it was accepted as the inerrant word of God because Brigham Young said his sermons were scripture; and that those rejecting it were excommunicated from the church. The effort of opponents to establish this point is evidence that they consider it important. Their purpose is to make Mormons feel uncomfortable with Mormonism. To present the Adam-God theory as a concept expressed by Brigham Young on several occasions but which was never accepted officially as doctrine does not serve their purpose nearly as well. They therefore resort to considerable distortion to maintain this erroneous position. My reasons for rejecting this anti-Mormon caricature are based on the following six points. 1. The Adam-God theory has never been a part of the Mormon canon of scripture. The Church has always had an official canon. During Brigham's Young's lifetime it was the Bible, Book of Mormon, and a somewhat smaller Doctrine and Covenants. President Young never attempted to incorporate any statement of the Adam-God theory into this canon. Opponents frequently quote Brigham Young's statement that he had "never yet preached a sermon and sent it out to the children of men, that they may not call Scripture" (JD 13:95), or that his sermons "when they are copied and approved by [him] they are as good Scripture as is couched in this Bible," (JD 13:264). They contend that President Young in calling his sermons scripture and comparing them to the Bible was declaring his to be the inerrant word of God, but this is their definition of scripture and not Brigham Young's. His definition of scripture and thus the only one appropriately applied here did not define scripture as being word for word the word of God. Rather, he said: I have heard some make the broad assertion that every word within the lids of the Bible was the word of God ... I believe that the Bible contains the word of God, and the words of good angels and the words of bad angels and the words of the devil; and also the words uttered by the ass when he rebuked the prophet in his madness. I believe the words of the Bible are just what they are (JD 13:175,235). Brigham Young did not claim inerrancy for his sermons. In fact quite the contrary is true, as will be seen. 2. The theory was never advocated in any official statement. In addition to the canon, official statements were occasionally issued by the First Presidency and by the Quorum of the Twelve. The only one in which Brigham Young ever referred to the Adam-God theory was a statement issued in 1860 entitled "Instructions to the Saints." Signed by the First Presidency and published in the Deseret News, it stated several conclusions of councils held to consider some doctrinal differences between Apostle Orson Pratt and President Young. One of these was the Adam-God theory. But rather than declaring the theory to be Church doctrine, the statement says, "It is deemed wisest to let that subject remain without further explanation at present" (Messages of the First Presidency 2:222). 3. No revelation was ever presented by Brigham Young on the Adam-God theory. Nor does it appear that he ever claimed to have received a direct revelation on the subject. Opponents would challenge my claim with this quotation from President Young: How much unbelief exists in the minds of the Latter-day Saints in regard to one particular doctrine which I revealed to them, and which God revealed to me - namely that Adam is our father and God (Deseret News, June 18, 1873). It is not all certain that Brigham Young intended this to be an announcement of a direct revelation. It was his belief that God is the source of all truth in every field. To him, every truth known to any man has come by revelation from God, sometimes directly but usually indirectly upon such natural principles as observation, study, inquiry, and meditation. Since he believed that the Adam- God theory was true, no matter how he arrived at that conclusion, to him it was revealed by God. (He presented this thought at some length in JD 3:209; see also 12:207; 12:148). But even if this is to be accepted as a claim of direct revelation, the extent of it seems to be "namely that Adam is our father and God." The more specific idea that God the Father became Adam may be Brigham Young's own expansion or interpretation. There is, however, another possible interpretation - that, as the Lord mad Moses a god to Pharaoh (Exodus 7:1) and as Paul was "as Christ Jesus" to the Galatians (4:14), Adam, our great progenitor, will preside over the human family as "father and God." This was the interpretation of Brigham Young's statement advocated in 1853 by Samuel W. Richards, who, as editor of the Millennial Star and President of the Church in the British Isles, first published President Young's initial sermon on the subject (Millennial Star, December 10, 1853). Richards' successor, Apostle Franklin D. Richards, also advanced this interpretation (MS, March 31, 1855), as have most of Brigham Young's successors. The fact remains that there is no revelation from Brigham Young specifically stating the idea that God the Father became Adam. 4. Brigham Young himself did not consider the Adam-God theory official Church doctrine. Again opponents would challenge my assertion by quoting the bold language he used in his first mention of the subject:"Now hear it, O inhabitants of the earth, Jew and Gentile, Saint and sinner!" and "Every man upon the earth, professing Christian or non-professing, must know it sooner or later." From this they insist that President Young considered the Adam-God theory official Church doctrine. However, he expressed his attitude toward it on several other occasions making it very clear that he considered belief in the subject non-essential. Opponents, to maintain their argument, chose to ignore these quotations: [The] subject ... does not immediately concern yours or my welfare ... I do not pretend to say that the items of doctrine and ideas I shall advance are necessary for the people to know (October 8, 1854, Historical Department of the Church [HDC]). ... it is one that should not trouble us at all ... I do not tell it because that I wish it to be established in the minds of others (April 25, 1855, HDC). Whether Adam is the personage that we should consider our heavenly Father, or not, is considerable of a mystery to a good many. I do not care of one moment how that is; it is no matter whether we are to consider Him our God, or whether His Father, or His Grandfather, for in either case we are of one species (JD 4:217; see also JD 4:271; 7:238; 7:285; 11:43, 268). I cannot believe that President Young would speak this way of an official Church doctrine. Opponents give the impression that for many years President Young frequently and forcefully advocated the Adam-God theory, but this is another distortion. I have not found a single sermon devoted to a full exposition of the theory. Rather, it must be pieced together from several of his sermons and comments. Also, he delivered some 1500 sermons as President, and not more than half a dozen, only two of which appeared in print, contain explicit statements of central Adam-God theory concepts. 5. The Adam-God theory was not considered Church doctrine by other General Authorities. Tens of thousands of hours of sermons by some twenty leading authorities of Brigham Young's era have been recorded and preserved. Yet we have only several brief comments on the subject by only one of them - Brigham Young's counselor Heber C. Kimball, and these can be read in less than two minutes. The same is true of their writings. Of thousands of printed pages by these authorities there are less than a dozen on the subject, and most of these argue that Adam, as patriarch, will be our God in a certain sense, not that God the Father became Adam. At least a hundred other topics were more frequently addressed in sermons and in print. 6. The Adam-God theory was not a test of faith. That is, acceptance of it was not required to become a member or to remain a member. Opponents frequently claim that it was Church practice to excommunicate those who did not accept it. This is simply false. The only reference they present in support of their claim is from a conference talk in Great Britain by Apostle Amasa Lyman. However, this very reference, if read in its entirety refutes their argument. Lyman said, "I have heard of a man who was cut off because he would not believe that Adam was our Father and God." They stop here, but Elder Lyman did not. He continued, disapproving strongly of excommunicating a man on those grounds (MS 24:99, 100). Those familiar with LDS history and practice are well aware that official doctrine must meet certain requirements which were not met by the Adam-God theory. The fact is it was never a part of the LDS canon, never presented in an official statement, never the subject of any known revelation, and never declared church doctrine by any recognized Church authority. The status of the Adam-God theory was summed up in 1897 in a private letter outlined by President Wilford Woodruff and written by Apostle Joseph F. Smith. Both had been Apostles under Brigham Young: Prest. Young no doubt expressed his personal opinion or views upon the subject. What he said was not given as revelation or commandment from the Lord. The doctrine was never submitted to the councils of the Priesthood nor to the church for approval or ratification, and was never formally or otherwise accepted by the church. It is therefore in no sense binding upon the Church. Brigham Young's "bare mention" was "without indubitable evidence and authority being given of its truth." Only the scripture, the "accepted word of God," is the Church's standard (Letter to A. Saxey, January 7, 1897, HDC). It seems appropriate at this point to state briefly what has been the prevailing LDS belief. The idea most readily found in the LDS scriptures, the teaching of all of Brigham Young's successors is that Adam and all of the human family have a common Father and God, who is the Father of Jesus Christ. In fact, this very concept was stated in public sermons on several occasions by Brigham Young himself. An example is found in his April 17, 1870 sermon: The world may in vain ask the question: "Who are we?" But the Gospel tells us that we are the sons and daughters of that God who we serve. Some say, "We are the children of Adam and Eve." So we are, and they are the children of our Heavenly Father. We are all the children of Adam and Eve, and they and we are the offspring of Him who dwells in the heavens, the highest Intelligence that dwells anywhere that we have any knowledge of (JD 13:311. See also JD 1:238; 10:231; 13:309). So, with the exception of several sermons that fell far short of official pronouncements, Mormon belief has been consistent in stating that the Father and God of Moses, Jesus, Joseph Smith, Spencer W. Kimball, and all the rest of mankind is the same being who is the Father and God of Adam. Although never official doctrine, some still wonder how President Young could have held such views. This leads to the next question. Can Prophets Differ in Their Views? As one who believes that God has called prophets at various times, I think that the only possible answer to this question is "Yes." Most opponents who have made an issue of the Adam-God theory insist that true prophets have been infallible, at least in matters of faith and doctrine, and therefore there could be no doctrinal difference or disharmony among them. They demand that LDS prophets either meet this standard or be denounced as false prophets. They assume that Biblical prophets were in such perfect union with God as to be free from all error and personal opinion and that their every word and thought were not their own, but God's. This claim has much appeal, but many devoted Christians who have examined this point have declared that the Bible in no way support this assumption. Commentators who have studied the Bible in chronological order have found numerous differences when comparing earlier writings to later, and when comparing author to author. This basic idea has been widely discussed and abundantly demonstrated in such major Biblical works as the Interpreter's Bible, and the Interpreter's Bible Dictionary. Several subjects on which the authors of the Bible diverge include: the nature of God, Jesus, and the Messiah; salvation, resurrection, the second coming, and the observance of the law of Moses. Our opponents must be able to deny the differences demonstrated by Bible scholars on these several important points and show a perfect agreement among Bible authors before I could see any validity in their demanding perfect consistency among LDS prophets. Non-Mormon Christians who acknowledge these differences within the Bible have not felt obligated to reject the Biblical prophets because of their differences. Rather, they have proposed what they feel are valid explanations of them. As far as I am concerned, the same explanations apply with equal validity to LDS prophets. The two primary points of their explanations are: a) Prophets are not infallible, and b) Their knowledge was fragmentary and incomplete. Rev. J.R. Dummelow, in his widely received work stated: We must not regard the Bible as an absolutely perfect book in which God is Himself the author using human hands and brains only as a man might use a typewriter. God used men, not machines - men with like weakness and prejudice and passion as ourselves ... in the Bible we do not expect the actors to be real and natural. Because of our false theory of Verbal Inspiration we are puzzled when the divine is mingled with the human. We must learn that the divine is mingled with the human ... It is a mine of precious ore where the gold is mingled with the rock and clay - the ore is richer in one part than another, but all parts in some degree are glittering with gold (p. cxxxv). The Apostle Paul said that that "which is perfect" would come in the future. For the present, he claimed that he only "knew in part and prophesied in part." He compared his present imperfect knowledge to the distorted, imperfect image reflected in the poor grade of mirrors of his day. He did not consider his knowledge either complete or perfect. The renowned New Testament interpreter William Barclay has commented on this passage from 1 Corinthians 13:9-12: The Corinthian mirror was made of highly polished metal and, even at its best, gave but an imperfect reflection ... In this life Paul feels we see only the reflections of God and are left with much that is mystery and riddle ... Even if in Christ we have the perfect revelation, our seeking minds can grasp it only in part, for the finite can never grasp the infinite. Our knowledge is still like the knowledge of a child, But the way of love will lead us in the end to the day when the veil is drawn aside and we see face to face and know even as we are known. (The Letters to the Corinthians, p. 125). I believe that the only reasonable position is that the Biblical prophets were a mixture of the divine and the human. They received revelation progressively. God revealed Himself to them "line upon line." The prophets increased in their knowledge and understanding, as did those who followed them. The result is that in different ages different prophets have held some different views. Even the same prophet grew in insight and understanding. >From their writings and sermons it seems to me that both Joseph Smith and Brigham Young would have concurred with these conclusions of recent Bible commentators. Both maintained that God had not perfectly nor fully revealed Himself to past prophets nor to themselves. There were, like Paul, looking to the future for God's perfect revelation of Himself and for their own perfect understanding of His revelations. Neither one claimed to be infallible, but rather frequently admitted to his own imperfections (D&C 42:61; 50:24, 40; 78:18; 88:49; 121:28; 124:41; 128:18; JD 2:314; 1:115). Brigham Young once stated as his opinion that: even the best of the Latter-day Saints have but a faint idea of the attributes of the Deity. Were the former and Latter-day Saints, with their Apostles, Prophets, Seers, and Revelator collected together to discuss this matter, I am led to think there would be found a great variety in their views and feelings upon this subject, without direct revelation from the Lord. It is as much my right to differ from other men, as it is theirs to differ from me, in points of doctrine and principle, when our minds cannot at once arrive at the same conclusion (JD 2:123). Many non-Mormon Christians, while admitting that differences exist in the prophetic writings, are not willing to reject the prophets. Neither am I. I am not willing to discard Paul's claims because some of his imperfections and lack of harmony with other prophets and apostles have been pointed out. Neither am I willing to discard Mormonism because opponents can point to a difference between Brigham Young and a Bible prophet, or between him and a succeeding LDS prophet. I believe those who insist that prophets must be infallible are either uninformed or unreasonable. Either they will find themselves disappointed, or will find themselves constantly refusing an objective examination of the subject. I think it only fair that opponents of Mormonism either relinquish this point, or be prepared to refute the massive evidence of prophetic differences and variations presented by objective Christian Bible scholars. It is common for Mormons who have examined the Adam-God issue to reject this concept of Brigham Young but not reject him as a prophet believing that both the Bible and Mormon history have revealed that all who have been prophets were yet fallible and susceptible to error. When the evidence against the infallibility of prophets is acknowledged, I believe this position is reasonable. However, there is something more which needs to be said. I also know some Mormons who believe the Adam-God theory is true, and others who, after considerable exposure, have not yet formed an opinion. In order to understand these other two positions two additional points need attention. In their zeal to portray Mormonism as negatively as possible it is very common for opponents to charge that the Adam-God theory is absurd and blasphemous, but this greatly exaggerates the issue. This is a charge made in the spirit of ridicule rather than reasoned examination. The claim is frequently made that Brigham Young believed in a different God, that he did not believe in the God of the Bible. However, in his sermons, when he spoke of God, he clearly had reference to the God of the Bible, the Being who: formed the earth (Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 117, 352), made promises to Abraham (p. 342), delivered the children of Israel from Egypt (p. 342), gave the Law to Moses (p. 104, 348), and is the Father of Christ (p. 26, 119). He did not believe in a different God. He believe that the God of the Bible, He who performed these and many other acts described therein, also came to this earth as Adam. If in error on this point, his error was in believing God performed an act which He did not perform. The point of difference is not who is God, but rather what has God done. I have frequently heard our opponents respond to the claim that God the Father experienced mortality by crying absurd, or blasphemous. However, they believe, as do Mormons, that: the "man, Christ Jesus" (1 Tim 2:5), who "grew and waxed strong" (Luke 2:40), "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man" (Luke 2:52), "learned obedience by the things which he suffered" (Heb 5:8), "was in all points tempted like as we are" (Heb 4:15), who experienced birth, pain, joy, sorrow, anger, and death. that this man was in fact God the Son passing through mortality. By comparison, Brigham Young believed that: God the Father took upon Himself mortality to begin the human race. God the Son took upon Himself mortality to redeem the human race. I can understand how someone who believes the second statement could disbelieve the first one, but I am surprised that those who believe the second one do not hesitate to declare the first one absurd and blasphemous. Why is it any more absurd or blasphemous to believe that God the Father experienced mortality than it is to believe that God the Son did? I suppose that ultimately whatever is false is also absurd. My point is that until the ultimate truth is revealed what seems absurd or blasphemous is usually that which contradicts a cherished religious tradition. For 2000 years many Jews, upon their understanding of the Old Testament, have condemned the Christian view of Jesus as absurd and blasphemous. I see this approach as an appeal to tradition, not as a worthwhile argument. The primary argument of those who do not accept the Adam-God theory is that it is not scriptural. I concur with this. I do not believe that it can be supported from the Bible. To me the Biblical message is that Adam's God is our God; his Father is our Father (Genesis, and Luke 3:38). This also seems to be the message of LDS scripture (Moses 2-5, and D&C 78:15-22). However, it does not necessarily prove that an idea is false to show that it is not supported by previous scripture, or even that it apparently contradicts previous scripture. If otherwise, then those who rejected the New Testament message were justified. Many rejected Jesus because he came with not only a new message, but sometimes a different message. Several times in the sermon on the mount Jesus said, "Ye have heard that it hath been said ... But I say unto you ..." (Matthew 5, see also 19:3-12). The Old Testament had one message, but Jesus had another. In Acts 15, when Peter, by authority of the Holy Spirit, announced that circumcision would no longer be required of God's people, he announced a different message than that of the Old Testament, which spoke of it as an everlasting covenant for all generations (Genesis 17). The New Testament Christians rejected the current Jewish belief that God's message was complete in the Old Testament, and of course Mormonism has rejected the common Catholic and Protestant belief that God's message was completed in the New Testament. We believe that God will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God (Article of Faith, 9). One Bible commentator has characterized the "true prophet" as "a progressive, who continually advanced in knowledge and grace." The false prophet "harped continually on the same old string, merely repeating what former prophets had said ... instead of waiting upon Jehovah himself, and from his never-failing treasury bringing forth 'things new and old'" (Abingdon Commentary, p. 151). Neither the Bible nor Mormonism has ever claimed that truth is to be found only in the official canon. It must be remembered that every new revelation ever given has always been outside of the official canon initially. To reject an idea simply because it sounds new or different is to reject one of the most fundamental principles of the Judeo-Christian religion epitomized in the statement of Jesus, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear" (Matt 11:15, etc). He clearly had a deeper message which those who remain on the surface will never grasp. As a result of this line of thought, some Mormons believe the Adam-God theory even though it was never official doctrine, never canonized, and not supported from previous scripture. Personally, I do not find this conclusion unreasonable. There are, however, those who are extreme in their acceptance of the Adam-God theory, are known as fundamentalist Mormons, or just fundamentalists. Fundamentalist Mormon Argument On several points the fundamentalist position is identical to that of the non-Mormon Christian - namely, that the Adam-God theory was official Mormon doctrine, and that prophets cannot disagree. Where they differ is in that they believe it is true and scriptural. Non-Mormon Christians believe Mormonism is faults because early leaders taught the Adam-God theory. Fundamentalists believe current Mormonism is false because recent leaders have not taught it. They frequently resort to considerable twisting of the scriptures and the teachings of Joseph Smith in order to force them to harmonize with the Adam- God theory. I have stated what I believe to be the doctrine of the scriptures. As for Joseph Smith, he clearly taught that Adam holds a position of authority superior to any of the prophets, that he stands at the head of his posterity, and presides over the spirits of mankind; that it is by Adam's authority that they keys are revealed; and that he will judge the saints. However, the most central issue of the Adam-God theory - that God the Father became Adam - has not been found among Joseph Smith's teachings; it has not been shown that he believed that Adam was the Father of our spirits; and he clearly taught that Adam's high position of authority is yet subordinate to that of Jesus Christ (Words of Joseph Smith, p. 9-12, 38-44). Most of the points previously discussed also apply to the fundamentalist argument. There is one point I wish to discuss further. They claim to be disciples of Brigham Young. Yet I believe they have misunderstood him to a greater degree than even the non- Mormon Christians have. I believe Brigham Young himself would denounce their position in the strongest of terms. By declaring that Church leaders are in apostasy they have created a division over a subject he said "does not immediately concern yours or my welfare," one which he said "should not trouble us at all." They have lost sight of what he believed was most important: We must be one. Our faith must be concentrated in one great work - the building up of the Kingdom of God on earth, and our works must aim at the accomplishment of that great purpose (JD 7:280). Even when a leader is in error he emphasized maintaining unity: ... it is not the place for any person to correct any person who is superior to them but to ask the Father in the name of Jesus to bind him up from speaking false principles. I have known many times I have preached wrong but I asked the Father in the name of Jesus to take it from the minds of the people and I believe he always did drop the veil over it. Let your faith be for that man but do not oppose and get up a division between them (Thomas Bullock minutes, May 8, 1854, HDC). On another occasion he stated: Let the kingdom alone, the Lord steadies the ark; and if it does jostle, and appear to need steadying, if the way is a little sideling sometimes, and to all appearance threatens its overthrow, be careful how you stretch forth your hands to steady it; let us not be too officious in meddling with that which does not concern us; let it alone, it is the Lord's work (JD 11:252). Since fundamentalists believe that Brigham Young was a true prophet, I do not feel they can justify hindering one of his major goals by their unbalanced preoccupation with one of his more obscure doctrinal beliefs. There are three additional attitudes which I have heard expressed by Mormons which I wish to mention. 1. Some are totally disinterested in anything except the teachings of the present leaders. These are working in the present and looking to the future without ever looking back. There is no spark of concern for past issues. There are those most critical of this attitude. Although I am one who must look back, I find myself unable to criticize those not so inclined. 2. Some have insisted that Brigham Young never taught the Adam-God theory; that he has been misquoted, inaccurately reported, or misinterpreted. This was a reasonable view for many years when the entire argument was founded only upon Brigham Young's April 9, 1852 discourse. As additional sources have been discovered this position has become less and less tenable until now I believe it should be totally discarded. 3. Finally, some Mormons believe that after a fair examination of all relevant points several reasonable conclusions could be reached. Convinced that Mormonism does not stand or fall upon the issue of the Adam-God theory, they are satisfied to suspend final judgement on the matter until further light is shed. Although many individuals have an will resolve the matter for themselves, I am certain that their conclusions will continue to be varied because of the several seemingly reasonable approaches to the issue. In conclusion I include what I consider to be the most reasonably stated position on the issue. It is extracted from an unpublished letter of President Joseph F. Smith to Bishop Edward Bunker, February 27, 1902: While it is far from my purpose to stifle thought and free speech among the brethren, or to brand as "false doctrine" any and every mystery of the kingdom, it is never-the less my wish and my advice, in which Presidents Winder and Lund, my counselors, heartily join, that the Elders should not make a practice of preaching upon these abstruse themes, these partly revealed principles, respecting which there are such wide differences of belief. What is called the Adam God doctrine my properly be classed among the mysteries. The full truth concerning it has not been revealed to us; and until it is revealed all wild speculations, sweeping assertions and dogmatic declarations relative thereto, are out of place and improper. We disapprove of them and especially the public expression of such views ... Let us be content with what is plainly revealed on this subject, namely; that though there be Lords many and Gods many as the Apostle Paul declares, yet to us there is but one God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. I have attempted to present as fairly as I could in so brief a work the various attitudes I have encountered on this interesting subject. Whatever conclusion most appeals, I am confident that Brigham Young, if he were here, would be dismayed that his few statements on this one subject have prevented some people from giving a fair examination to the restored gospel and church that inspired and motivated him. A man of remarkable common sense, Brigham Young did not think that the existence of sun spots should lead one to turn away from the sun's warmth and light. **************************************************************** Willard C. Smith Oh God, Make my Words Palatable and Sweet, | att!cbnews!iwtgo!wcsa Because I Might have to Eat all of Them. | wcsa@iwtgo.att.com @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ (3) Implications for revelation, Willard Smith From: wcsa@iwtdx.att.com Subject: Re: authority of LDS leadership Our Fearless Moderator has posed several key questions to Mormons which I think are justified. 1. Why do you accept some revelations and not others? 2. Is there some process beyond just a endorsement by the church as a whole before a view becomes canonical, or is it a more informal thing like "common consent?" I am assuming that when OFM says "accept some revelations and not others" he is saying "that some revelations are binding upon the members of the church and some are not binding." In that case, the answer is easy. Revelations considered binding are those contained in the LDS Canon. What about the many revelations that are not contained in the canon and thus not binding. There are several responses. There are some documents which claim to be revelations, but which have not be authenticated. Off the top of my head there was a "revelation" which was copied down in Wilford Woodruff's journal which for a long time was thought to be a revelation given to Wilford Woodruff which describes the effects of a serious plague spreading thru North America which essentially depopulates the country. The problem is that while many individuals thought that this was a revelation given to Wilford Woodruff, some current investigation suggests that it was something that Woodruff copied down in his journal and that he was trying to determine the source. Apparently he left several blank areas in the document where he intended to go back and fill in the name of the person who had receieved this "revelation." In this kind of case, it is clear that this kind of "revelation" is not going to be accepted by members of the Church as binding although some Mormons think that they are "neat" and copy, cite, and distribute them heavily. There was an amusing collection of these revelations published about 10 years ago entitled _Unpublished Revelataions_. Then there are the cases of revelations that the content is unclear. That is that there are ideas that are strange to us and don't seem to jive with the current canon. In those cases, you might say "the jury is still out considering the case." Who is the jury: the members of the church and the church general authorities. Then there are cases in which we are not really sure whether a revelation was received, what it said, or what its contents were. The classic case is Adam/God. BY said he received revelation, OK, let's see it! That's what the GAs said during the time of BY and even now. Let's see the revelation! There isn't any. If BY received such a revelation he didn't record it and all we have are bits and pieces of what he said. Some of what he says jives, and some of what he said doesn't jive. It is possible to have a non-recorded revelation binding upon members of the church. In those very extra-ordinary cases, An Official Statement is added to the _Doctrine and Covenants_. Two such statements exist. There has also been a method of presenting to the church a revelation without making it binding upon members of the church, but making it clear that members of the church ought to take it seriously. That is when members of the First Presidency issue a "Statement of the First Presidency." Before D&C 138 was officially added to the canon, it was treated in exactly this manner. Concerning Adam/God a Mormon is going to ask: 1. Is it contained in the canon? 2. Is there a recorded revelation? 3. Did BY ever attempt to add an Official Statement to the Canon? 4. Did BY ever make a First Presidency statement touching on Adam/God? To all the above, except the last, the answer is negative!! BY did make an offical statement of the First Presidency which touched on Adam/God. You will find it in _Messages of the First Presidency_ 2:222. This statement reads: With regard to the quotations and comments in the _Seer_ as to Adam's having been formed "out of the ground" and "from the dust of the ground," &c., it is deemed wisest to let that subject remain without further explanation at present; for it is written that we are to receive "line upon line," according to our faith and capacities, and the circumstances attending our progress. In short, BY is expliciting stating that a PRIMARY point relating to Adam/God is NOT BINDING upon members of the church. My point is that if BY really intended, as Our Fearless Moderator suggests, his teaching on this matter to be authoritative, then why didn't he exercise his right to do so? The bare facts of the matter suggest to me that BY certainly DID NOT intend this particular teaching to be authoritative! What I am concerned about is the tendency for people to think that since BY believed in something then I am suppose to believe in the same. Joseph Smith and other Mormons expressed the view that they had every right to believe in some thing even if it differed from everyone else's views. They even felt that they had the right to be wrong. BY expressed the belief that faithful members of God's Church down through the ages would disagree about things: even the best of the Latter-day Saints have but a faint idea of the attributes of the Deity. Were the former and Latter-day Saints, with their Apostles, Prophets, Seers, and Revelator collected together to discuss this matter, I am led to think there would be found a great variety in their views and feelings upon this subject, without direct revelation from the Lord. It is as much my right to differ from other men, as it is theirs to differ from me, in points of doctrine and principle, when our minds cannot at once arrive at the same conclusion (JD 2:123). In short, there is not an offical theological lock-step mentality in the LDS Church. That is not to say that there are some individuals who would like to change that or that there are those who (for reasons of their own) would like to portray that, but at the moment the reality is that there is really very little "Official Mormon Doctrine." In this case one would say that church doctrine is based on a broad pattern of interrelated scriptural passages that substantiate and clarify each other? Without this broad pattern, an item cannot be considered doctrine in and of itself. OFM also asks: Also, I'd be curious for your assessment of whether the rather liberal view on authority that we see here is typical of LDS believers. The typical view we see here and in talk.religion.misc seems to be that not everything taught by the major LDS leaders as revelation is necessarily true. I think that the far more conservative LDS are going to ask, where does the revelation end and where does the personal commentary begin? In the case of Adam/God I might ask, in addition to "where is the revelation?" is how much of BY's remarks are God's thoughts on the matter and how much are BY's thoughts on the matter. Especially in the Adam/God theory, where Anti-Mormons are all to eager to assume that they understand the issue very well (and they usually don't understand any of the issues at all), some individuals are ready to blur the distinction between revelation and personal opinion. The result is that those who want someone else to tell them what to believe or who want a "cut and dried" series of doctrines, the situation among Mormons is going to seem more like walking a tight rope rather than standing on firm ground. "We believe that the Lord will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of Heaven." Personally, I don't mind the tight rope, despite the risks you can see farther. -- Willard C. Smith Oh God, Make my Words Palatable and Sweet, | att!cbnews!iwtgo!wcsa Because I Might have to Eat all of Them. | wcsa@iwtgo.att.com @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ (3) Implications for revelation, Dale Stevenson From: steph@pegasus.cs.uiuc.edu (Dale Stephenson) Subject: Re: authority of LDS leadership Date: Tue, 9 Mar 1993 00:49:51 GMT In hedrick@geneva.rutgers.edu writes: [asking about LDS views on authority and revelation] [...I'm ignoring the question on Brigham Young and Adam-God. I have my own views which won't help explain it at all -- for the standard "orthodox" LDS apology of Adam/God see John A. Widstoe's "Evidences and Reconcilitions". It basically boils down to: 1) Brigham did teach Adam was a God. 2) Brigham did not consider Adam the first personage of the Godhead (i.e. God the father.) 3) But of course, Adam is the father of us all, and our sealing (parent to child) does link all of us directly back to Adam. In essence, Adam is God, our Father, but not God *the* Father.] >Second, my more serious question. Documents quoted in a number of >sources strongly suggest that Young intended his teaching on this matter >to be authoritative. While Young seems to have acknowledged that he was >not in a position to compel people to believe it, a number of his >statements suggest that he regarded it as a revelation from God, and >that he taught it with the intention of having the church as a whole >accept it. Well, the most famous of his discourses on the subject seems more of a digression than anything else. Young started out disagreeing with the popular view of Adam (which is not positive), and set out his own view, which was. Paraphrasing, If Adam were to walk in here right now, I'd shake his hand. The main focus of the talk was on the importance of the fall. I'm inclined to believe that this was the definitive Adam-God talk, since it's the one that is *always* quoted in the anti-Mormon literature. >Now I understand that the LDS who post here do not regard either their >canonical documents or their leaders' statements as inerrant. Given my >own views on the inerrancy of Scripture and Papal infallibility, I >certainly do not want to suggest that they should. But the problem is >that LDS hold a number of views that at least from my point of view look >rather peculiar, and appear to contradict the teachings of the Bible and >the invariable teaching of those within Judaism and Christianity who I >believe understood the mind of God. This includes concepts such as the >qualitative difference between God and man. I had always understood >that these characteristic LDS views came as revelations to their >leaders. By and large they do not seem to be very explicit within the >Book of Mormon itself. (What I've read of it seems basically innocuous >-- the characteristic LDS views seem to be primarily in the Doctrines >and Covenants. If I understand correctly, those are based on >revelations to LDS leaders.) So the question is, why do you accept some >revelations and not others? Or is there some process beyond just a >leader teaching it as revealed? Is there some sort of formal >endorsement by the church as a whole before a view becomes canonical? >Or is it a more informal thing like "common consent"? On what does this >acceptance rest? (E.g. is the assumption that God inspires the church >as a whole to be able to judge the revelations given to the leaders.) There's sort of a heirarchy to things -- "Canon" -- officially proposed to the church membership, accepted by them. In this category, we have the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. Brigham Young's only contribution to the canon is D&C 136, given to the Saints at Winter Quarters. (And lest you wonder, it does not mention Adam :->). Canon is accepted by the chuch membership is being valid and binding, but not to the extent of some protestant's "every word of the bible is as it was dictated by God himself." Most LDS will take a clear, authoritative scripture as being clear and authoritative, although there are a few exceptions. The leaders of the church quote incessantly from scripture. "Official church proclamations" -- Statements by the first presidency, messages from the President of the Church reprinted by the Church. Generally, these are things that show up in the Ensign from the First Presidency. Conference addresses (which are reprinted by the Ensign) are more or less on a heirarchy, with the Prophet's address being considered very important, and a message from a lowly member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy being considered nice. Liberal Mormons probably drop this a notch in authoritativeness, but the orthodox view is that "The conference report should be kept next to your scriptures for the next six months." Official Declarations 1&2 have additional status, since they are reprinted in the Doctrine and Covenants, though technically not canon. "Opinion of the prophets" -- statements by prophets, not published by the church. This would include "Jesus the Christ", everything in the Journal of Discourses, possibly the Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, definitely most books published by Deseret Book. These are frequently quoted, but they're only quasi-official. Of these "Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith" is probably most authoritative, especially since much of it is great background material for the Doctrine and Covenants. But nothing in this category is binding. "Church policy" -- appears in handbooks and communiques, with no real indication of who in the church it came from. Opinion varies as to how binding this is, it varies from "the voice of the prophets says it" to "just a suggestion". I think the church would like an attitude somewhere in between. "Hearsay" -- also known as false doctrine, :->. These take the forms of prophecies circulating orally, with no real way to check on authenticity. This takes the form of "Brigham Young once prophesied that..." or "I heard an apostle [which one?] say in General Conference" or "Bruce R. McConkie came to my brother's mission conference, and he said...." *Not* very authoritative, except to the person repeating it. >Also, I'd be curious for your assessment of whether the rather liberal >view on authority that we see here is typical of LDS believers. The >typical view we see here and in talk.religion.misc seems to be that not >everything taught by the major LDS leaders as revelation is necessarily >true. Given that the LDS religion is largely based on revelation, this >seems to place you in a position analogous to Protestants whose views on >Biblical authority are fairly liberal. Since that's my viewpoint, this >isn't necessarily a criticism. But is this typical of the membership? >If not, how do more conservative members handle things like the Adam/God >teaching? Joseph Smith said [really, I have proof :->] "A prophet is only a prophet when he speaks as a prophet." So all Mormons are agreed that President Benson is free to offer up his opinion on the BYU game without it being taken as the will of the Lord :->. The real question is "When *does* a prophet speak as a prophet?" This varies from those who believe that it must be the President of the Church saying "thus says the Lord", to those who accept any apostle speaking in any official capacity. (Or even privately published books by the apostle.) Most lie in between, and accept positions more on a heirarchy level -- for instance, in Adam/God we have President Young's statement in a privately published book, and we have a definitive statement on the matter from the First Presidency. Go with the definitive statement. Take what you hear in conference over what you hear from your neighbor, etc. There's only one little element in this process I'm leaving out -- Personal Revelation. There is one thing Brigham Young repeatedly taught (albeit in the Journal of Discourses :->), and that is the ability and even necessity to receive personal revelation. Brigham admonished the people *not* to take his word as a prophet, but to pray and get their own testimony of the things he taught. In the church, whether liberal or orthodox, the statements of the prophets are considered in light of the revelation we receive. Basically, it's along the lines of John 7:17. "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." We aren't required to take anything on blind faith. That's another reason I don't worry about Adam/God. I have my own personal theory on "what Brigham was talking about", but I haven't received any personal confirmation of it. I have received confirmation of my relationship to God and Christ, so I take that as authoritative. -- Dale J. Stephenson |*| (steph@cs.uiuc.edu) |*| Baseball fanatic "It is considered good to look wise, especially when not overburdened with information" -- J. Golden Kimball