Sexual Relations of Resurrected Beings

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Original Air Date: March 17, 2011

Sexual Relations of Resurrected Beings

Resurrected beings are flesh and bones, but veins not inhabited by blood as the action of life, but a different medium: light, in varying degrees of glory, depending on whether celestial resurrection, terrestrial, or telestial bodies, saith the Lord. Michael ordained to the office of Adam by the Ancients (Eloheim, or Council of the Gods, among whom were our Grandfather and his, Adam's Jehovah). Wicked and rebellious separate and single forever, thus damned. Only those partaking of the New and Everlasting Covenant renewed upon Art Bulla as the medium of the Lord in effecting this covenant through the holy spirit of promise, are allowed to propagate in eternity. Adam obeyed his master or Lord (his Jehovah) on the planet on which he was born, therefore was resurrected along with his wives, with which he lived in glory and grandeur, and begat beautiful spirit children. The firstbegotten being the Only Begotten for this earth, Jesus the Christ was the firstbegotten in the spirit world by Adam. Adam in a translated state in which blood is the medium of life in his body after the fall, visited Mary and begat Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten son of the Father, who is Adam). 7th Chapter of Daniel has been fulfilled to the letter and will be fulfilled. Ancient of Days is Adam. Dominion to be given to the Saints of the Most High. Beast with ten horns is Rome, the ten horns are ten European nations coming out of Rome. "Horn more stout than its fellows", saith the Lord, is United State, which "wore out the Saints of the Most High (Mormons), getting them to change times and laws, thus wearing them out, so that the Priesthood has gone presently into the wilderness of the Baja.

                                 MICHAEL/ADAM

                                 Ogden Kraut

                              Table of Contents

                                PIONEER PRESS
                             3332 Ft. Union Blvd.
                          Salt Lake City, Utah 84121

                                Typography by
                                  Anne Wilde

                              1st printing, 1972
                              2nd printing, 1974
                              3rd printing, 1979
                              4th printing, 1985
                    5th printing, 1993 (enlarged edition)

 "It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the
character of God."  --Joseph Smith

                                    * * *

 "There are but very few beings in the world who understand rightly the
character of God."  --Joseph Smith

                                   CONTENTS

  PREFACE

  1  INTRODUCTION: THE MYSTERY OF CREATION. . . .   7
  2  THE GREAT ANNOUNCEMENT . . . . . .  12

  3  BLOOD AND MORTALITY . . . . . . .  29
  4  THE LAW OF PROPAGATION . . . . . .  36

  5  ADAM--FATHER OF THE SPIRITS OF MEN . . . .  52
  6  EVE--THE MOTHER OF ALL LIVING . . . . .  60

  7  MICHAEL--THE CREATOR . . . . . .  68
  8  JESUS--THE SON OF ADAM . . . . . .  72

  9  CELESTIAL BODIES AND CELESTIAL KEYS . . .  77
  10 ORIGIN OF THE ADAM-GOD DOCTRINE . . . .  84

  11 CHRONOLOGY OF THE DOCTRINE . . . . . 101
  12 SELECTED SERMONS . . . . . . . 113

  13 VOICES OF OPPOSITION . . . . . . 145
  14 CONCLUSION: ELECT HEIRS . . . . . . 161

  APPENDIX:  BRIGHAM YOUNG CALLED OF GOD . . . 169

                                   PREFACE

   There seems to be no end to the mysteries surrounding the creation of
mankind, this and other worlds, and even the creation and identity of God
Himself. The Prophet Joseph Smith once said:

   We never can comprehend the things of God and of heaven, but by revelation.
We may spiritualize and express opinions to all eternity; but that is no
authority. (TPJS, p. 292)

   For this reason, we need to look to the words of the prophets as well as
personal revelation to help in understanding many of these mysteries. Without
spiritual guidance we tend to follow the customs, traditions, and teachings of
the world--a world with very little spiritual understanding.

   The purpose of this book is to help in answering such questions as: Who
created the spirits and bodies of mortals on this earth? When, how and why did
we come here? Who is the God of this earth? With the Gospel restoration in
these last days came important information on these subjects.

   Available within these pages are the history and teachings of what has
become known as the Adam-God Doctrine, as it was recorded by early leaders of
the LDS Church and then evolved to its current stage of denial..

[7]                               Chapter 1

                                INTRODUCTION:
                           THE MYSTERY OF CREATION

   Theologians, scientists, philosophers, in fact nearly all mortals, at some
time, have wondered how mankind got on this earth. For many centuries various
theories have been pro-pounded and discussed, but seldom have any of them
carried the spirit of truth. Until the time of the Gospel Restoration in 1830,
speculation and disputation had caused contention and division among religious
sects and scientists alike. Most people still remember the famous "Monkey
Trial" that was debated for several days in the courts--between Darwin's
theory and Biblical statements. Nothing was proved or resolved, and people
remained in the same state of confusion as before.

   With the restoration of the Gospel, the Lord said:

   For I deign to reveal unto my church things which have been kept hid from
before the foundation of the world, things that pertain to the dispensation of
the fulness of times. (D & C. 124:41)

   The great prophet, Joseph Smith, understood what the Lord was saying and he
commented:

   There are many things which belong to the powers of the Priesthood and the
keys thereof, that have been kept hid from before the foundation of the [8]
world; they are hid from the wise and prudent to be revealed in the last
times. (DHC 4:209-210)

   The restoration has brought a flood of light upon many hidden and lost
truths. However, many more remain, as the Prophet Joseph said he could divulge
only a very few of the things which the Lord had revealed to him. Brigham
Young said the Prophet left the Elders of Israel in the dark on many mysteries
because they were unable to receive the knowledge that God wanted them to
understand. Joseph revealed a few of these mysteries in one of his last and
greatest addresses called "The King Follett Discourse". Other information was
revealed by him to a few trusted friends--at least once concerning some of the
mysteries of creation and the Godhead, part of which was later made public by
President Brigham Young.

   Still, in the world today, there exist many theories about God, man and
animals, and the creation of this earth. Some are interesting, some are
humorous, and others are figments of an active imagination. Very few come even
close to the truth. Consider the following possibilities and theories for the
origin of man:

1. Some scientists say that man "evolved" from a little bug that came creeping
   up out of a swamp and gradually grew legs and arms and stood upright to
   become a man. Evolution is perhaps the most popular belief and is even
   taught as factual in public schools. However, science has never yet
   produced the "missing link" in these evolutions. It is the wildest,
   unscientific speculation ever published under the title of fact.

2. The Bible presents a few short sentences about the beginning of man by
   saying he was scooped up like an adobe, some special breathings were blown
   into it, and suddenly man popped up out of the mud to become a [9] real
   live mortal. This has been taken literally by some, but at best it is
   merely a figurative representation that Moses used for the rebellious
   children of Israel.

3. So, too, the Bible makes a strange statement about the creation of woman:
   that a rib was taken out of the man's side and was used as a crucible for
   the beginning of females. By some mysterious power this rib was added to,
   molded, and breathed on to miraculously become a woman. This is certainly
   an interesting story, but neither can it be taken literally--so the mystery
   continues.

4. If God really did use mud and a rib for His method of propagation, it seems
   He would have continued to use such a method from then on. There would be
   no reason for adopting some other system. On the other hand, if
   propagation, as we see it in living things today, was the original method
   of introducing man to the earth, there would be no reason to use mud and a
   rib.

5. Some maintain a belief that a space ship came to this planet leaving some
   "garbage", from which bacteria gradually evolved into all the living things
   on the earth.

6. Stories exist of how the embryos of man were hurled through space, perhaps
   in ice, and landed here to thaw and become mankind.
7. Some postulate that a space vehicle landed here and left a small colony of
   beings to populate this globe.

8. A popular belief exists that God came upon the earth to have a son called
   Adam and a daughter, Eve, who were to carry on the work of creation by
   propagation. But it is impossible for an immortal being to produce mortal
   children.

[10] These are just some of the assumptions and speculations, but none really
reveals the mystery of man's true beginning. To find the accurate account, we
need to turn to the prophets of God who receive(d) revelation. Certainly for
our dispensation the Prophet Joseph Smith and his successor, Brigham Young,
should be the main prophets to look to for answers.

   Even though the actual public announcement clarifying these mysteries came
from Brigham Young, he undoubtedly learned the answers from Joseph Smith.

   On April 9, 1852, Brigham Young delivered a sermon at a conference session
in Salt Lake City. This discourse became the cause of more heated arguments,
doctrinal controversy, and violent reaction from both member and non-member
alike than any other oration ever delivered in the Church. Since then, Brigham
Young has been the victim of more slander, ridicule, and derision than any
other president of the Latter-day Saints. Such reactions and contempt were
aroused when he taught the position of Adam to the human race. But, in spite
of the furor against this Adam/God doctrine by those both in and out of the
Church, many of the members acclaimed it to be one of the most important and
disclosing revelations ever given to the Saints. In later years, some members
would even be excommunicated for advocating it. The doctrine still stands as a
classic in theological expose.

   Because this doctrine is not incorporated into the Articles of Faith, nor
is it now recognized as truth by the LDS Church, both the student of scripture
and the lay member should, on his own, become acquainted with the history, the
basis for, and the principles behind that doctrine--rather than just ignoring
it or saying it never existed in the Church. History shows that it was
publicly announced, published on [11] two continents, advocated by members of
the First Presidency and most Apostles, and even taught by many missionaries.
For this reason it cannot be concealed, especially in light of the fact that
so many opponents of the Church today continue to expose this doctrine in
their attempts to discredit the validity of the LDS Church and the teachings
of Brigham Young.

[12]                              Chapter 2

                            THE GREAT ANNOUNCEMENT

   In the same year that plural marriage was publicly announced, President
Brigham Young introduced another new doctrine. It concerned the Godhead and
was soon to be spoken of as the "Adam-God doctrine".

   Even though plural marriage had not been very well received, perhaps even
fewer members accepted this new concept in regard to Adam's deified sphere.
This famous public announcement later became re-interpreted, declared a
mystery, or a false theory, or was claimed to be a misquote--some even denying
that it was ever taught by him.

   Long an item of speculation, the existence and role of Adam has been
misunderstood and de-emphasized by world religions. The National Council of
Churches apparently considered Adam to be the least understood, if not the
least respected of all the ancients. More on the facetious side, it was
reported that--

   A film on the fall of man that omits Eve and portrays Adam as getting the
apple from a vending machine won a $300 prize for five high school students of
St. James United Church of Christ, Havertown, PA., in a National Council of
Churches film-making contest whose theme was "technology and human values."
(The Christian Herald, June 1972, p. 13)

[13] Several years ago at an Indian Convention in Salt Lake City, the Indians
announced to the White people that Adam was created from red dirt.

   Nearly all churches are just as confused in their assumptions concerning
the mystery of Adam's role in the creation and beginning of mortality on this
earth.

   When Brigham Young arose that day to deliver his sermon, he did it to
clarify all of the ridiculous bewilderment and theories among modern-day
theologians and scientists. In preparation for the "great announcement",
President Brigham Young advised the Saints at conference in Salt Lake City
that--

   Here is the place for you to teach great mysteries to your brethren,
because here are those who can correct you. This fault the Elders of Israel do
not fall into in this Tabernacle, although they may in private houses and
neighborhoods. When a man is capable of correcting you, and of giving you
light, and true doctrine, do not get up an altercation, but submit to be
taught like little children, and strive with all your might to understand. (JD
1:47)

   Brigham was then suggesting that anything mysterious, speculative, or
controversial should be tried, tested, and corrected by the Church Presidency.
He had been the closest associate of Joseph Smith, had learned many of the
mysteries, and had received keys of detecting truth from error from him.

   This was the commitment of the Lord to the Church--that new light and
revelation would come, and it should come through the president of the Church.
But this "new light" was not always very well accepted by the members, such as
Brigham Young's introduction of the true identity of God--using an approach
that was anything but secretive or restricted:

[14] My next sermon will be to both Saint and sinner. One thing has remained a
mystery in this kingdom up to this day. * * * 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. (JD 1:50, April 9, 1852)

   Hosea Stout wrote in his journal that Brigham Young again taught this
doctrine in another meeting on the same day:

   Friday 9th April 1852: Another meeting this evening. President B. Young
taught that Adam was the father of Jesus and the only God to us. That he came
to this world in a resurrected body, etc. More here-after. (Hosea Stout
Journal, Vol. 2:435)

   Apostle Wilford Woodruff wrote in his journal some of Brigham Young's
teachings that day and quoted him as saying:

   April 9, 1852: I will now preach to you another sermon. There is one great
Father and head in all kingdoms; and so with us.
   Our Father in heaven has a tabernacle. He created us in the likeness of his
own image. The Son also has a tabernacle like the Father. The Holy Ghost is a
minister to the people but has not a tabernacle.
   Who begat the Son of God? Infidels say that Jesus was a bastard, but let me
tell you the truth concerning that matter. Our Father begat all the spirits
that were begotten before any tabernacles were made. When our Father came into
the Garden, he came with his celestial body and brought one of his [15] wives
with him, and ate of the fruit of the Garden until he could beget a
tabernacle.
   Adam is Michael or God and all the God that we have anything to do with.
They ate of this fruit and formed the first tabernacle that was formed. And
when the Virgin Mary was begotten with child, it was by the Father and in no
other way, only like we are begotten.
   I will tell you the truth as it is in God. The world does not know that
Jesus Christ our Elder brother was begotten by our Father in heaven. It
matters not if you are pleased. It will either seal the damnation or salvation
of men. He was begotten by the Father and not by the Holy Ghost.
   When you go to preach and believe that Jesus Christ was begotten by the
Holy Ghost, don't lay hands upon the ladies and then give them the Holy Ghost
lest it begets them with child. (Quoting Brigham Young, Journal of Wilford
Woodruff, April 9, 1852)

   Brigham Young's wife, Eliza R. Snow, was one of those who accepted this new
revelation to the Church, and she later assisted in publishing a book entitled
Women of Mormondom, which mentions the importance of this announcement:

   When Brigham Young proclaimed to the nations that Adam was our Father and
God, and Eve, his partner, the Mother of a world--both in a mortal and
celestial sense--he made the most important revelation ever oracled to the
race since the days of Adam himself. (Women of Mormondom, Edward W. Tullidge,
p. 196)

   When Brigham Young's sermon was recorded, it was sent to England for
publication in Church books. It was first published in the Journal of
Discourses, and later in the Millennial Star. (See photo-reprint on following
two pages.)

   Immediately after its publication in the Journals, President Samuel W.
Richards, president of the mission in England and editor of the Millennial
Star, commented:

[16]
                            The Latter-day Saints'
                               MILLENNIAL STAR
                                 -----------
           HE THAT HATH AN EAR, LET HIM HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAITH
                        UNTO THE CHURCHES--Rev. ii. 7.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No. 48.--Vol. XV.     Saturday, November 26, 1853.      Price One Penny.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          ADAM, OUR FATHER AND GOD.

                      (From the Journal of Discourses.)

 My next sermon will be to both Saint and sinner.  One thing has remained
a mystery in this kingdom up to this day.  It is in regard to the character of
the well-beloved Son of God, upon which subject the Elders of Israel have
conflicting views.  Our God and Father in heaven, is a being of tabernacle,
or, in other words, He has a body, with parts the same as you and I have; and
is capable of showing forth His works to organized beings, as, for instance,
in the world in which we live, it is the result of the knowledge and infinite
wisdom that dwell in His organized body.  His son Jesus Christ has become a
personage of tabernacle, and has a body like his father.  The Holy Ghost is
the Spirit of the Lord, and issues forth from Himself, and may properly be
called God's minister to execute His will in immensity; being called to govern
by His influence and power; but He is not a person of tabernacle as we are,
and as our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ are.  The question has been, and
is often, asked, who it was that begat the Son of the Virgin Mary.  The
infidel world have concluded that if what the Apostles wrote about his father
and mother be true, and the present marriage discipline acknowledged by
Christendom be correct, then Christians must believe that God is the father of
an illegitimate son, in the person of Jesus Christ!  The infidel fraternity
teach that to their disciples.  I will tell you how it is.  Our Father in
Heaven begat all the spirits that ever were, or ever will be, upon this earth;
and they were born spirits in the eternal world.  Then the Lord by His power
and wisdom organized the mortal tabernacle of man.  We were made first
spiritual, and afterwards temporal.
 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.  They came here, organized the raw material, and arranged in their
order the herbs of the field, the trees, the apple, the peach, the plum, the
pear, and every other fruit that is desirable and good for man; the seed was
brought from another sphere, and planted in this earth.  The thistle, and
thorn, the brier, and the obnoxious weed did not appear until after the earth
was cursed.  When Adam and Eve had eaten of the forbidden fruit, their bodies
became mortal from its effects, and therefore their offspring were mortal.
When the Virgin Mary conceived the child Jesus, the Father had begotten him
[17] 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; from the fruits of the earth, the first earthly tabernacles were
originated by the Father, and so on in succession.  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 truth as far as I have gone.  I have heard men
preach upon the divinity of Christ, and exhaust all the wisdom they possessed.
All Scripturalists, and approved theologians who were considered exemplary for
piety and education, have undertaken to expound on this subject, in every age
of the Christian era; and after they have done all, they are obliged to
conclude by exclaiming "great is the mystery of godliness," and tell nothing.
 It is true that the earth was organized by three distinct characters,
namely, Eloheim, Yahovah, and Michael, these three forming a quorum, as in all
heavenly bodies, and in organizing element, perfectly represented in the
Deity, as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
 Again, they will try to tell how the divinity of Jesus is joined to his
humanity, and exhaust all their mental faculties, and wind up with this
profound language, as describing the soul of man, "it is an immaterial
substance!"  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 have told you to-night; but you have not known what you did read.  I
have told you no more than you are conversant with; but what do the people in
Christendom, with the Bible in their hands, know about this subject?
Comparatively nothing.

[18] OUR FATHER ADAM. The extract from the Journal of Discourses (Vol. 1:50)
may startle some of our readers, but we would wish them to recollect that in
this last dispensation God will send forth, by his servants, things new as
well as old, until man is perfected in the truth. (Mill. Star 15:780)

   The following note also appeared in the Millennial Star, referring to the
conference which contained the teachings of the Adam-God announcement:

   The elders and brethren assembled in the tabernacle, which was completely
crowded. After the usual introductory exercises, President Young preached
several sermons on various subjects, the Holy Ghost resting upon him in grand
power, while he revealed some of the precious things of the kingdom. (Mill.
Star 14:356)

   A few weeks later, President Richards again referred to the doctrine:

Adam, the Father and God of the Human Family
   The above sentiment appeared in Star No. 48, a little to the surprise of
some of its readers; and while the sentiment may have appeared blasphemous to
the ignorant, it has no doubt given rise to some serious reflections with the
more candid and comprehensive mind. A few reasonable and scriptural ideas upon
this subject may be profitable at the present time.
   Then Adam is really God! And why not? If there are Lords many and Gods
many, as the scriptures inform us, why should not our Father Adam be one of
them? (Mill. Star 15:801)

   Because of this unusual doctrinal announcement, it caused no end of
correspondence, conversation, and trouble. In order to cope with this barrage
of inquiry and commotion, President Richards continued to write in defense of
the doctrine:

[19] It has been said that Adam is the God and Father of the human family, and
persons are perhaps in fear and great trouble of mind, lest they have to
acknowledge him as such in some future day. For our part we would much rather
acknowledge Adam to be our Father than hunt for another and take up with the
devil. Whoever is acknowledged Father must have the rights and honor that
belong to him. No man may ever expect to attain to more than he is willing
others should enjoy. If these things have power to disturb the pure mind, we
apprehend that even greater troubles than these may arise before mankind learn
all the particulars of Christ's incarnation--how and by whom he was begotten;
the character of the relationships formed by that act; the number of wives and
children he had, and all other circumstances with which he was connected, and
by which he was tried and tempted in all things like unto man. Whatever may
prove to be the facts in the case, it certainly would exhibit a great degree
of weakness on the part of anyone to indulge in fears and anxieties about that
which he has no power to control. Facts still remain facts whether kept or
revealed. If there is a way pointed out by which all beings who come into this
world can lay the foundation for rule, and a never-ending increase of kingdoms
and dominions, by which they can become Gods, we are as willing the Lord Jesus
Christ should enjoy them all as any other being, and we believe the
descendants of such a sire would glory in ascribing honor and power to him as
their God. The Apostle informs us that those who are redeemed shall be like
Jesus; not to say, however, that they shall be wifeless and childless, and
without eternal affections.
   It should be borne in mind that these wonderful mysteries, as they are
supposed to be, are only mysteries because of the ignorance of men; and when
men and women are troubled in spirit over those things which come to light
through the proper channel of intelligence, they only betray their weakness,
ignorance, and folly. (Mill. Star 15:825)

[20] In a diary kept by Joseph Lee Robinson, he noted his attendance at the
conference where this subject was announced. He writes:

   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
Eve 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. (J. L.
Robinson Diary, pp. 102-03)

   This "cat" was mentioned in the minutes of a Missionary Conference in
England a year later:

Elder Thomas Caffall--
   They are lacking faith on principle--the last "cat" that was let out of the
bag. Polygamy has been got over pretty well; that cloud has 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 has all the works, and can get along 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 to Liverpool upon it. (Mill. Star 16:482)

Elder Joseph Hall--
   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 all right. (Mill. Star 16:483)

Elder James A. Little--
   I believe in the principle of obedience; and if I am told that Adam is our
Father and our God, I just [21] believe it. Brethren, I feel well, and have
felt well all the time. (Mill. Star 16:530)

Pres. Franklin D. Richards--
   Concerning the item of doctrine alluded to by Elder Caffall and others,
viz., that Adam is our Father and our God, I have to say, do not trouble
yourselves, neither let the Saints be troubled about that matter. The Lord has
told us in a revelation which he gave through the Prophet Joseph, Jan. 19,
1841--"I deign to reveal unto my Church things which have been kept hid from
before the foundation of the world, things that pertain to the dispensation of
the fullness of times." (D & C. 124:41) I would like to know where you will
find scriptures to prove those things by, which have never before been
revealed. Some feel their bounded duty to prove everything which belongs to
our faith from the Bible, but I do not, and I will excuse you from all
obligation to prove this from the Old Scriptures, for you cannot, if you try.
You may bring much collateral evidence from the Bible and other revelations
that will dissipate objections, and serve to strengthen the position, but to
directly and substantially prove it, as the world requires, and as we can
first principles, it will puzzle you to do it, and from henceforth we may
expect more and more of the word of the Lord giving us instructions which are
nowhere written in the Old Scriptures. If we feel ourselves, and teach the
Saints or the people generally, that we are only to believe that which can be
proved from the scriptures, we shall never know much of the Lord ourselves,
nor be able to teach the children of men to any very considerable extent. 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. That is vastly
stronger proof than Christendom can give for much that they profess to
believe. Tell the Saints that if this stone does not seem to fit into the
great building of their faith just now, to roll it aside. You can help them
roll it out of their way, so that they will not stumble [22] against it while
at their daily duties, and it will be but a short time till they will find a
place in their building where no other stone will fit; then it will be on hand
all right, and will come into its place in the building with the sound of
hammer or chisel. (Mill. Star 16:534)

   As editor of the Millennial Star and president of the European Mission,
Samuel W. Richards, had the task of announcing, clarifying, and defending this
Adam/God doctrine. When he had finished his labors in England and had returned
to the Salt Lake Valley, he was given this written memorial in the Star:

   Beloved President--It has fallen to your lot to preside over the British
Saints at a time and under circumstances unparalleled in the history of the
work in this country. The introduction of the Law of Celestial Marriage,
which, in its operations, will revolutionize all our political, religious and
domestic arrangements; and the announcement of the position which Adam, our
great progenitor, occupies among the Gods; have marked your Presidency as a
special epoch in the history of the British Mission. (Mill. Star 16:629)

   That doctrine was not only written and preached by the leading elders and
editors of the Church, but it was discussed in many meetings and schools--such
as the School of the Prophets in Provo. From the minutes of that school came
these views:

A. F. McDonald--
   I thought I would speak briefly in relation to Adam being our God. Since
the year 1852 when the President first spoke on this subject, I have
frequently endeavored to reconcile what I have read with regard to this
matter. I believe what the President says on the subject although it comes in
contact with all our tradition. I have not any doubt in my mind but that [23]
Adam is our God. Who his God and Father may be, I have no knowledge. President
Kimball spoke on this question recently and very plainly illustrated the
character and relationship of our Father and God.

Abraham Smoot--
   I have heard President Young avow the truth of Adam being our Father and
God, but have never heard him argue the question at all.

George G. Bywater--
   When I first heard the doctrine of Adam being our Father and God, I was
favorably impressed--enjoyed and hailed it as a new revelation. It appeared
reasonable to me, as the Father of our spirits that he should introduce us
here.

(Minutes of the School of the Prophets, Provo, Utah, June 8, 1868, pp. 37, 38,
39, 42; typescript copy)

   There is little doubt that President Brigham Young and others had
difficulty in teaching the doctrine. Three years after this announcement, he
reflected upon the general disbelief of the people by saying:

   Whether Adam is the personage that we should consider our heavenly Father,
or not, is considerable of a mystery to a good many. (JD 4:217)

   Again, in 1857--five years after the first announcement of the
doctrine--President Young replied:

   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. (JD 5:331)

   Then again in 1873, which was 21 years after the first public announcement,
President Young again commented on the unbelief of the Mormon people:

[24] 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. (Des. News, June 18, 1873)

   It was this general disbelief among the Mormons themselves which caused
Joseph Smith, as well as Brigham Young, so much apprehension and difficulty in
teaching new doctrines.

   When the principle of baptism for the dead was announced by Joseph Smith,
the Mormons themselves seemed the most distraught. Once, plural marriage was
hinted at in a sermon by Joseph Smith, and in the afternoon he had to modify
it because of the pressures put upon him. It was this sort of mental
reservation that caused the Prophet to remark:

   There are a great many wise men, and women, too, in our midst, who are too
wise to be taught; therefore, they must die in their ignorance, and in the
resurrection they will find their mistake. (TPJS, p. 309)

   . . . there has been a great difficulty in getting anything into the heads
of this generation. It has been like splitting hemlock knots with a
corn-dogger for a wedge, and a pumpkin for a beetle. Even the Saints are slow
to understand. I have tried for a number of years to get the minds of the
Saints prepared to receive the things of God; but we frequently see some of
them after suffering all they have for the work of God, will fly to pieces
like glass as soon as anything comes that is

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