"Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of those who reject the truth." (Titus 1:14 NIV). (italics added)

Deuteronomy 18:20 says the Israelites under the Old Testament government were to put to death any prophet who spoke in the name of other gods. Now while we do not kill false prophets today, anyone who preaches we should follow another god should not be followed as a prophet as a true God.

Now we are not against Mormons; we love them and wish to live with them forever in the Heaven of the Most High God. However, if anyone is following a person who claimed to be a prophet and spoke for a false God, our purpose in rebuking them is so that they would turn away from this, become a Christian, sound in faith, and serve the One True God in Heaven.

So what did the Mormon prophet Brigham Young say? "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 a Scripture as they deserve." Journal of Discourses vol. 13, p.95, cf. p.264.

Here are Brigham Young's own words recorded in the Mormon-published Journal of Discourses vol. 1 p.50.

"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." (italics and small caps in the original)

Journal of Discourses vol. 1 p.51. "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." There also are allusions in Journal of Discourses vol.4 p.271 and vol. 5 p.331. Mormons often respond that this must be a printing error. But, how could an honest person tell?

Apostle John A. Widtsoe in the preface to Discourses of Brigham Young says, "This book was made possible because Brigham Young secured stenographic reports of his addresses... All that he said was recorded.... The public utterances of few great historical figures have been so faithfully and fully preserved... The corrections for the printer, as shown by existing manuscripts, were few and of minor consequence."

It could not be a printing error in 12 different books, newspaper stories, diaries, and even a songbook. Here are the writings of other Mormons who at that time affirm that Brigham taught that Adam was God.

1. Wilford Woodruff's Journal under 2/19/1854. (BYU Library)

2. Deseret Evening News 6/14/1873

3. Deseret Evening News 6/18/1873

4. Diary of Hosea Stout: On the Frontier vol. 2 p.438.

5. The Millennial Star vol. 15 p.769-770. 1-1/2 years after.

6. The Millennial Star vol. 16 p.543.

7. Journal of John Nuttall vol. 1 pp.18-21.

8. Diary Journal of Abraham H. Cannon vol. 11 p.39 (Adam-God was taught for 50 years)

9. Sacred Hymns and Spiritual Songs for the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS 1856 p.375.

10. Women of Mormondom p.179

11. J.O.D. vol. 4 p.1 (Pres. Heber C. Kimball 6/29/1856) "...if we are not one with brother Brigham, our leader, we are not one with Christ. ... there is but one God that pertains to this people, and He Is the God that pertains to this earth - the first man. That first man sent his own Son to redeem the world, to redeem his brethren."

11b. Journal of Discourses vol. 4 p.1 (President Heber C. Kimball is speaking on 6/29/1856) "...and I also know that if we are not one with brother Brigham, our leader, we are not one with Christ. Yes, I know this, and my feelings are and have been with brother Brigham all the time. I have learned by experience that there is but one God that pertains to this people, and He Is the God that pertains to this earth - the first man. That first man sent his own Son to redeem the world, to redeem his brethren."

12. Finally, a much later book, The Position of Adam in L.D.S. Scripture and Theology p.58 says, "The identification of Adam with God the Father by President Brigham Young is an irrefutable fact."

Conclusion: If you are a Mormon, you need to decide.

A1. Brigham Young in Journal of Discourses vol.5 p.331 also alludes to this. "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."

A2. Brigham Young in Journal of Discourses vol.4 p.271 again alludes to this doctrine when he speaks of Mormons having "the privilege of being an Adam on earth."

It is interesting to note that the volumes of the great Christian preacher Charles H. Spurgeon were published about the same time, and there were no printer's errors there saying some created being was God.

1. Wilford Woodruff's Journal under Feb. 19, 1854. (BYU Library)

"He [Brigham Young] said that our God was Father Adam. He was the father of the Saviour Jesus Christ ' Our God was no more or less than ADAM, Michael the Arkangel." (spelling in the original)

June 8th 1873 sermon by Brigham Young shortly before his death. "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-I do not know, I do not inquire, I care nothing about it. Our Father Adam helped to make this earth, it was created expressly for him and after it was made he and his companions came here. He brought one of his wives with him, and she was called Eve, because she was the first woman upon the earth. Our Father Adam is the man who stands at the gate and holds the keys of everlasting life and salvation to all his children who have or who ever will come upon the earth.' Who is he? He is Michael,' He was the first man on the earth, and its framer and maker."

You can see a photograph of this at http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/desnews3/id/143021

The doctrine preached by Prest [sic] Young for a few years back wherein he says that Adam is our God-the God we worship-that most of the people believe this'. Amasa Lyman stumbled on this he did not believe it-he did not believe in the atonement of Jesus-Orson Pratt has also told the Prest that he does not believe it-this is not the way to act-we should not suffer ourselves to entertain one doubt-we are not accountable on points of Doctrine if the President makes a statement it is not our prerogative to dispute it."

"Another meeting this evening. President B. Young taught that Adam was the father of Jesus and the only God to us."

An article appeared called "Adam, the Father and God of the Human Family" "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 ' Adam is really God? And why not?". 1-1/2 years after.

Elder James A Little is speaking. "I believe in the principle of obedience; and if I am told that Adam is our father and our God, I just believe it."

"Concerning the item of doctrine alluded to 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 this matter'The prophet and Apostle Brigham Young has declared it, and that it is the word of the Lord."

"'PREST YOUNG was filled with the spirit of God & revelation & said, ' ADAM was an immortal being when he came on this earth ' and had begotten ALL THE SPIRIT 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' Father ADAM'S OLDEST SON (JESUS THE SAVIOR) who is the heir of the family is FATHER ADAMS FIRST BEGOTTEN IN THE SPIRIT WORLD,"

A photograph of this is in Mormonism Shadow or Reality p. 178D.

"His father George Q. Cannon taught that "Jesus Christ is Jehovah" and that "ADAM IS HIS FATHER AND OUR GOD."

(The 1871 edition does not have this.)

"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,'"

"'Adam is our Father and God. He is the God of the earth.' So says Brigham Young. Adam is the great archangel of this creation. He is Michael. He is the Ancient of Days. He is the father of our elder brother, Jesus Christ-"

"...and I also know that if we are not one with brother Brigham, our leader, we are not one with Christ. Yes, I know this, and my feelings are and have been with brother Brigham all the time. I have learned by experience that there is but one God that pertains to this people, and He Is the God that pertains to this earth - the first man. That first man sent his own Son to redeem the world, to redeem his brethren."

"A careful, detached study of his available statements, as found in the official publications of the Church, will admit of no other conclusion than that the identification of Adam with God the Father by President Brigham Young is an irrefutable fact."

But later the Mormon Church denied that Adam was our God, and Mormons can be excommunicated for still believing it. But the historical fact still remains, the Latter-Day Saints followed an "apostle" who advocated worshipping someone (Adam) besides the true God.

See Mormonism Shadow or Reality p.173-178D for photographs of some of these, and these quotes and more.

For more info please contact Christian Debater™ P.O. Box 144441 Austin, TX 78714 www.BibleQuery.org

by Steven M. Morrison, PhD.