The Adam-God Doctrine: Documentary Evidence that it was Taught

Part THREE

1. Diary of Charles L. Walker, Sept 1832, p. 134.
   Upon seeing Brigham Young for the first time and while yet some distance away the Prophet Joseph stopped his chopping on a beech log, straightened up, studied Brigham for a moment, then remarked: "There comes the greatest man who ever lived to teach the identity of God to the world, and he will yet lead this people."
   [Brigham Young first met Joseph Smith in September, 1832 in Kirtland, Ohio. He said: "Here my joy was full at the privilege of shaking the hand of the Prophet of God, and I received the sure testimony, by the spirit of pro-phecy, that he was all any man could believe him to be, a true prophet." (Mill Star July 11, 1863, p. 439.) During this visit a meeting was held in which Brigham spoke in tongues. After this manifestation Joseph prophesied: "The time will come when brother Brigham Young will preside over the Church." (See History of the Church 1:297; Mighty Men of Zion, p. 16; Mill Star 21:439; Journal of Discourses 3:51; 4:54; 5:332; 8:206; 9:89, 332; They Knew The Prophet, Hyrum L. Andrus, p. 34.)]
2. Salt Lake School of the Prophet, Minutes, 1883, pp. 69-70; CHO CR/390/1/Box 1, Oct 11, 1883. The following account took place on 7 May 1834 at New Portage, Ohio which is about 50 miles from Kirtland, Ohio. See where the Prophet went here in HC 2:64 & Life of Joseph Smith the Prophet, by G. Q. Cannon, p. 173. See also quotation #3.
   Once after returning from a mission, he [Zebedee Coltrin] met Bro. Joseph in Kirtland, who asked him if he did not wish to go with him to a conference at New Portage. The party consisted of Prests. Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Oliver Cowdery and myself. Next morning at New Portage, he noticed that Joseph seemed to have a far off look in his eyes, or was looking at a dis-tance, and presently he, Joseph, stepped between Brothers Cowdery, and Coltrin and taking them by the arm, said, "lets take a walk." They went to a place where there was some beautiful grass, and grapevines and swampbeech inter-laced. President Joseph Smith then said, "Let us pray." They all three prayed in turn--Joseph, Oliver and Zebedee. Bro. Joseph then said, "now brethren we will see some visions." Joseph lay down on the ground on his back and stretched out his arms and the two brethren lay on them. The heavens gradually opened, and they saw a golden throne, on a circular foundation, something like a light house, and on the throne were two aged personages, having white hair, and clothed in white gar-ments. They were the two most beautiful and perfect specimens of mankind he ever saw. Joseph said, They are our first parents, Adam and Eve. Adam was a large broad shouldered man, and Eve as a woman, was as large in proportion.
3. Journal of Abraham H. Cannon, Vol 13:89; August 25th, 1890; Richfield, Utah. The following account took place on 7 May 1834 at New Portage, Ohio which is about 50 miles from Kirtland, Ohio. See where the Prophet went here in HC 2:64 & Life of Joseph Smith the Prophet, G. Q. Cannon, p. 173. See also quotation #2.
   Pres. Peterson told of an incident which he often heard Zebedee Coltrin relate. One day the Prophet Joseph asked him and Sidney Rigdon to accompany him into the woods to pray. When they had reached a secluded spot, Joseph laid down on his back and stretched out his arms. He told the brethren to lie one on each arm, and then shut their eyes. After they had prayed he told them to open their eyes. They did so and saw a brilliant light surrounding a pedestal which seemed to rest on the earth. They closed their eyes and again prayed. They then saw, on opening them, the Father seated upon a throne; they prayed again and on looking saw the Mother also; after praying and looking the fourth time they saw the Savior added to the group. He had _____________ brown, rather long, wavy hair and appeared quite young.
4. Article by William W. Phelps, Messenger and Advocate, Vol. 1, No. 9, p. 130; June 1835.
   New light is occasionally bursted into our minds, of the sacred scrip-tures, for which I am truly thankful. We shall by and by learn that we were with God in another world, before the foundation of the world, and had our agency; that we came into this world and have our agency, in order that we may prepare ourselves for a kingdom of glory; become archangels, even the sons of God where the man is neither without the woman nor the woman without the man in the Lord: A consummation of glory, and happiness, and perfection so greatly to be wished, that I would not miss of it for the fame of ten worlds.
5. Messages of the First Presidency, Vol. I, p. 113, Joseph Smith, July 1839. See also HC 3:385-391.
   The Priesthood was first given to Adam; he obtained the First Presidency, and held the keys of it from generation to generation. He obtained it in the Creation, before the world was formed, as in Gen. i:26, 27, 28. He had dominion given him over every living creature. He is Michael the Archangel, spoken of in the Scriptures. Then to Noah, who is Gabriel; he stands next in authority to Adam in the Priesthood; he was called of God to this office, and was the father of all living in his day, and to him was given the dominion. These men held keys first on earth, and then in heaven.
   The Priesthood is an everlasting principle, and existed with God from eternity, and will to eternity, without beginning of days or end of years. The keys have to be brought from heaven whenever the Gospel is sent. When they are revealed from heaven, it is by Adam's authority.
   Daniel in his seventh chapter speaks of the Ancient of Days; he means the oldest man, our Father Adam, Michael, he will call his children together and hold a council with them to prepare them for the coming of the Son of Man. He (Adam) is the father of the human family, and presides over the spirits of all men, and all that have had the keys must stand before him in this grand council. This may take place before some of us leave this stage of action. The Son of Man stands before him, and there is given him glory and dominion. Adam delivers up his stewardship to Christ, that which was delivered to him as holding the keys of the universe, but retains his standing as head of the human family.
   *** I saw Adam in the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman. He called together his children and blessed them with a patriarchal blessing. The Lord appeared in their midst, and he (Adam) blessed them all, and foretold what should befall them to the latest generation.
   This is why Adam blessed his posterity; he wanted to bring them into the presence of God.
6. History of the Church, 4:207-208; Joseph Smith; Monday, October 5, 1840. Emphasis added.
   Commencing with Adam, who was the first man, who is spoken of in Daniel as being the "Ancient of Days," or in other words, the first and oldest of all, the great, grand progenitor of whom it is said in another place he is Michael, because he was the first and father of all, not only by progeny, but the first to hold the spiritual blessings, to whom was made known the plan of ordinances for the salvation of his posterity unto the end, and to whom Christ was first revealed, and through whom Christ has been revealed from heaven, and will continue to be revealed from henceforth. Adam holds the keys of the dispensation of the fullness of times; i.e., the dispensation of all the times have been and will be revealed through him from the beginning to Christ, and from Christ to the end of all the dispensations that are revealed.
   . . . He [God] set the ordinances to be the same forever and ever, and set Adam to watch over them, to reveal them from heaven to man, or to send angels to reveal them. "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" (Hebrews, i, 14)
   These angels are under the direction of Michael or Adam, who acts under the direction of the Lord.
   This, then, is the nature of the Priesthood; every man holding the Presidency of his dispensation, and one man holding the Presidency of them all, even Adam; and Adam receiving his Presidency and authority from the Lord, but cannot receive a fullness until Christ shall present the Kingdom to the Father, which shall be at the end of the last dispensation.
7. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 190, May 16, 1841. This is a special manuscript which was not a regular part of Joseph's journal.
   Everlasting covenant was made between three personages before the organ-ization of this earth, and relates to their dispensation of things to men on the earth; these personages, according to Abraham's record, are called God the first, the Creator; God the second, the Redeemer; and God the third, the witness or Testator.---MSS
8. History of the Church, 4:425, Sunday, October 3, 1841; TPJS, p. 191.
   He [Joseph] explained the difference between an angel and a ministering spirit; the one a resurrected or translated body, with its spirit ministering to embodied spirits---the other a disembodied spirit, visiting and ministering to disembodied spirits. Jesus Christ became a ministering spirit (while His body was lying in the sepulchre) to the spirits in prison, to fulfill an important part of His mission, without which He could not have perfected His work, or entered into His rest. After His resurrection He appeared as an angel to His disciples.
   Translated bodies cannot enter into rest until they have undergone a change equivalent to death. Translated bodies are designed for future missions.
   The angel that appeared to John on the Isle of Patmos was a translated or resurrected body (i.e. personage). Jesus Christ went in body after His resurrection, to minister to resurrected bodies.
9. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 301, May 17, 1843.
   The 7th verse of 2nd chapter of Genesis ought to read---God breathed into Adam his spirit (i.e. Adam's spirit) or breath of life; but when the word "rauch" applies to Eve, it should be translated "lives."
10. History of the Church, 6:51, Joseph Smith, Sunday, October 8th 1843; TPJS, p. 325.
    Spirits can only be revealed in flaming fire or glory. Angels have advanced further, their light and glory being tabernacled; and hence they appear in bodily shape. The spirits of just men are made ministering servants to those who are sealed unto life eternal, and it is through them that the sealing power comes down.
    Patriarch Adams is now one of the spirits of the just men made perfect; and if revealed now, must be revealed in fire; and the glory could not be endured. Jesus showed Himself to His disciples, and they thought it was His spirit, and they were afraid to approach His spirit. Angels have advanced higher in knowledge and power than spirits.
11. Nauvoo Expositor 1:1, Resolution #2, June 7, 1844.
    Inasmuch as we have for years borne with the individual follies and iniquities of Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, and many of the official characters, and having laboured with them repeatedly with all Christian love, meekness, and humility, yet to no effect, we feel as if forebearance has ceased to be a virtue and hope reformation vain. And inasmuch as they have introduced false and damnable doctrines into the church such as; a plurality of Gods above the God of this universe; and his liability to fall with all of His creations; the plurality of wives; unconditional sealing up.
12. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 370-372; June 16, 1844. Meeting in the Grove, east of the Temple.
    I will preach on the plurality of Gods. * * *
    Our text says, "And hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father." * * * My object was to preach the scriptures, and preach the doctrine they contain, there being a God above, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. * * *
    Eloheim is from the word Eloi, God, in the singular number; and by adding the word heim, it renders it Gods. It read first, "In the beginning the head of the Gods brought forth the Gods," or, as others have translated it, "The head of the Gods called the Gods together." * * *
    The head God organized the heavens and the earth. In the beginning the heads of the Gods organized the heavens and the earth. * * * The head one of the Gods said, Let us make a man in our own image. I once asked a learned Jew, "If the Hebrew language compels us to render all words ending in heim in the plural, why not render the first Eloheim plural?" He replied, "That is the rule with few exceptions; but in this case it would ruin the Bible." He acknowledged I was right. ***
    In the very beginning the Bible shows there is a plurality of Gods beyond the power of refutation. It is a great subject I am dwelling on. The word Eloheim ought to be in the plural all the way through---Gods. The heads of the Gods appointed one God for us; and when you take that view of the subject, it sets one free to see all the beauty, holiness and perfections of the Gods.
13. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 373; Joseph Smith; June 16, 1844.
    If Abraham reasoned thus--If Jesus Christ was the Son of God, and John discovered that God the Father of Jesus Christ had a Father (see Rev 1:6), you may suppose that He had a Father also. Where was there ever a son without a father? And where was there ever a father without first being a son? When-ever did a tree or anything spring into existence without a progenitor? And everything comes in this way. Paul says that which is earthly is in the likeness of that which is heavenly, Hence if Jesus had a Father, can we not believe that He had a Father also? I despise the idea of being scared to death at such a doctrine, for the Bible is full of it.
    I want you to pay particular attention to what I am saying. Jesus said that the Father wrought precisely in the same way as His Father had done before Him. As the Father had done before? He laid down His life, and took it up the same as His Father had done before. He did as He was sent, to lay down His life and take it up again; and then was committed unto Him the keys.
14. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 346; Joseph Smith; April Conference, 1844.
    What did Jesus say? (Mark it, Elder Rigdon) The scriptures inform us that Jesus said, As the Father hath power in Himself, even so hath the Son power--to do what? Why, what the Father did, The answer is obvious--in a manner to lay down His body and take it up again. Jesus, what are you going to do? To lay down my life as my Father did, and take it up again. Do you believe it? If you do not believe it, you do not believe the Bible.
15. Times & Seasons, August 15, 1844; Joseph Smith; April Conference, 1844. See also Teachings, pp. 343, 345-346.
    There are but a very few beings in the world who understand rightly the character of God. * * * If men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not comprehend themselves.
    I will go back to the beginning before the world was, to show what kind of being God is. * * *
    God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret. If the veil were rent today, and the great God who holds this world in its orbit, and who upholds all worlds and all things by his power, was to make himself visible,---I say, if you were to see him today, you would see him like a man in form---like yourselves in all the person, image, and very form as a man. * * *
    These are incomprehensible ideas to some, but they are simple. It is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the Character of God, and to know that we may converse with him as one man converses with another, and that he was once a man like us; yea, that God himself, the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth, the same as Jesus Christ himself did and I will show it from the Bible.
16. The following statement was recorded by Anson Call in Nauvoo and copied by Pat-riarch John M. Whitaker also of Nauvoo. B. H. Roberts, Church Historian years later made a copy from Patriarch Whitaker's copy. Joseph Smith; 1840- 1844 (Nauvoo days); c. 1844.
    Now regarding Adam: He came here from another planet, an immortalized Being, and brought his wife Eve with him, and by eating of the fruit of this earth, became subject to death and decay. . . was made mortal and subject to death.
17. Journal of Wilford Woodruff; Brigham Young; February 16, 1847.
    I have a request to make of my family & that is that they, especially old people omit calling me their Father. Call me Brother Brigham--I shall feel better when you do for I do not consider that I am worthy of that appellation-- Father in the Priesthood implies the great head, the term would be proper to Father Adam. Jesus had reference to the same thing when he told his disciples not to call any man Father on earth for their Father was in heaven.
18. Journal of Wilford Woodruff; December 6, 1847.
    We went into Council this morning. Several subjects were conversed upon. One was our posterity in this world & the offspring of celestial & resurrected beings in the world to come. President Young remarked that our children in this life did not look just like their parents but was a variety in looks etc., and the offspring of celestial beings were spiritual bodies.
19. Historian's Office Journal, p. 106; Church Archives under date and page given. CR/100/1/Reel #1. [Note: The words in parenthesis are transcribed Pitman shorthand entries that I am sure of the transcription. Portions of words in brackets are filled out as context seems to intend. Shorthand en-tries I could not transcribe are indicated by (sh). Once in the text I have (s) because the shorthand indicated merely the letter s. It should not be considered a mistake in typing (s) instead of (sh). It is not a short-form either for a word I could fit into the context or one with which I am familiar. The blank space after the first time the word Adam appears is in the original. Typed as in the original with no punctuation or capitalization supplied.]
    Sunday 14 March 1852 * * * * 11 am WT Appleby O Pratt (present) 2 pm W W. OP. (and) H C K (present) * * * (At) 4 p m BY, HCK, WR OP WW GAS TB EH DH Wells TOA. WWO. (met) (in) (the) (temple) rooms (and) prayed T B. O Pratt (sh) mouths conversed about O Pratt's discourse (in) (the) endowment rooms yesterday B Y rolled out rev.n (upon) rev.n (in) regard (to) (the) crea(tion).n (sic) (of) (the) world Adam
    came (to) (the) E[arth] when (he) assisted (to) form (it) (sh) (he) then partook (of) (the) fruits (of) (the) E[arth] (and) Became Earthy (and) (they) (which) are (the) (s) (after) (sh) rece[ive] our resurrected bodies (and) (shall) (all) (have) (the) priv[ilege] (of) going (as) Adam's form (an) E[arth] (and) do likewise
20. J.D. 1:50-51; Friday, April 9, 1852; Sermon delivered by President Brigham Young in the Salt Lake Tabernacle, SLC, Utah. In the Deseret News minutes of this meeting it said: "President Brigham Young addressed the Saints on the subject of their endowments, and poured forth revelation after revela-tion on the subject. A most heavenly influence prevailed. He closed by shouting Hallelujah, Praise ye the Lord. * * * 6 P.M. 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 great power, while he revealed some of the precious things of the kingdom." (Deseret News, April 17, 1852; See also Mill Star 14:356).
    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, the 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 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. * * *
    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! * * *
    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.
21. Journal of Wilford Woodruff; April 9 1852; Quoting Brigham Young.
    Our Father begot all the spirits that were before any tabernacle was made. When our Father came into the Garden He came with his Celestial body & brought one of his wives with him and ate of the fruit of the Garden until He could beget a Tabernacle. And Adam is Michael God and all the God that we have anything to do with. They ate of this fruit & formed the first Taber-nacle that was formed. And when the Virgin Mary was begotten with child it was by the Father and in no other way only as we were begotten. I will tell you the truth as it is in God. The world don't know that Jesus Christ our Elder Brother was begotten by our Father in Heaven. Handle it as you please, it will either seal the damnation or salvation of man. He was begotten by the Father & not by the Holy Ghost.
22. Journal of Hosea Stout, Vol. 2:435; Friday, April 9th, 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 hereafter.
23. Journal of Wilford Woodruff; April 10, 1852; Quoting Heber C. Kimball.
    Some have said that I was very presumptuous to say that Brother Brigham was my God and Savior. Brother Joseph was his God. The one that gave Joseph the keys of the Kingdom was his God, which was Peter. Jesus Christ was his God and the God and Father of Jesus Christ was Adam.
24. Journal of Samuel H. Rogers, Vol. 1:179; BYU Special Collections, Mss 1134; April 16, 1852. Spelling as in the original.
    Conference commenced on the 6 and continued until the 11, it was heled in the new tabernacle, adjourned until 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 he 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 until they begat children from the Earth, he said that Adam was the onley God that we would have, and that Christ was not begotten of the Holy Gost, but of the Father Adam, that Christ, was our elder brother. The argument that he used to shoe that Christ was not begotten by the holy gost, was a caution to the Elders that when they should go to preach the Gospel, to be careful how they laid their hands on the sisters, for the reseption of the holy Gost, lest the holy Gost should get them with Child and that it would be laid to them
25. J.D. 3:90; Delivered in the Tabernacle, SLC; President Brigham Young; August 8, 1852.
    There is only one gospel sermon, recollect, brethren and sisters, and the time that is required to preach it is from the day of the fall, or from the day when Adam and his wife Eve came here upon this planet, and from that time until Jesus Christ has subdued the last enemy, which is death, and put all things under his feet, and wound up all things pertaining to this earth. Then the gospel will have been preached, and brought up and presented, and the effects thereof, to the Father.
26. J.D. 6:274-75; Special Conference held in the Tabernacle, Great SLC; Brigham Young; August 28, 1852.
    Perhaps in the case before us, as in others, we might say that men become children. We are children in the first place, then become men; and in the second place men become children in their understanding.... But I expect, if I am faithful with yourselves, that I shall see the time with yourselves that we shall know how to prepare to organize an earth like this---know how to people that earth, how to redeem it, how to sanctify it, and how to glorify it, with those who live upon it who hearken to our counsels.
    The Father and the Son have attained to this point already; I am on the way, and so are you, and every faithful servant of God....
    Joseph will come up in his turn, receive his body again, and continue his mission in the eternal worlds until he carries it out to perfection, with all the rest of the faithful, to be made perfect with those who have lived before, and those who shall live after; and when the work is finished, and it is offered to the Father, then they will be crowned and receive keys and powers by which they will be capable of organizing worlds. What will they organize first?
    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 of 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 taber-nacles. How can they do it? Have they to go to that earth? Yes, and Adam will have to go there, and he cannot do without Eve; he must have Eve to commence the work of generation, and they will go into the garden, and con-tinue to eat and drink of the fruits of the corporeal world, until this grosser matter is diffused sufficiently through their celestial bodies to enable them, according to the established laws, to produce mortal tabernacles for their spiritual children.
    This is a key for you. The faithful will become Gods, even the sons of God; but this does not overthrow the idea that we have a father.
27. Thomas Evans Jeremy Sr Journal; Church Historical Department; 30 September 1852.
    Brother Orson Pratt preached on the subject of the resurrection of the dead, that they are to come out of their graves, but said that he did not know how the power of God would operate to raise them up from their graves. Also he did not believe that Father Adam had flesh and bones, when he came to the garden of Eden, but he and his wife Eve were spirits, and that God formed their bodies out of the dust of the ground, and the (sic) became a living souls. He also said that he believed that Jesus Christ and Adam are brothers in the Spirit, and that Adam is not the God that he is praying unto.
28. Journal of William Clayton; Utah State Historical Society; Oct. 3 1852.
    "A morning meeting was held at which Orson Spencer and Orson Pratt spoke on the subject of Adam. Spencer spoke of Adam "coming to this earth in the morning of creation with a resurrected body and etc...He was followed by Elder Orson Pratt on the same subject...He takes the literal reading of the scrip-tures for his guide, and maintains that God took the dust of the earth, and molded a body into which he put the spirit of man, just as we have generally understood from the scriptures; while Brother Spencer endeavors to substan-tiate the position taken by President Young; Viz, that Adam came to this earth with a resurrected body, and became mortal by eating the fruits of the earth, which was earthy. The subject was finally left in so much difficulty and obscurity as it has been from the beginning...Elder Pratt advised the Brethren to pray to God for knowledge of the true principles, and it appears evident that when ever the question is decided, it will have to be by revelation from God."
    At an afternoon meeting four other Elders talked on the same subject, "without, however, bringing new light in regard to it. The knowledge of the truth in relation to the whole matter, is in the bosom of God, and when he sees fit to give the key, it will be plain and easy to understand."
29. J.D. 1:356; Tabernacle SLC; President Heber C. Kimball; November 14, 1852. See also Life of Heber C. Kimball by Orson F. Whitney, p. 460.
    When we escape from this earth, do we suppose we are going to heaven? Do you suppose you are going to the earth that Adam came from? that Eloheim came from? where Jehovah the Lord came from? No. When you have learned to become obedient to the Father that dwells upon this earth, to the Father and God of this earth, and obedient to the messengers He sends---when you have done all that, remember you are not going to leave this earth. You will never leave it until you become qualified, and capable, and capacitated to become a father of an earth yourselves.
30. The Seer, I, 3; Orson Pratt, "The Pre-Existence of Man", para. 23, 24, 25, p. 37; (Washington, D.C.: March 1853)
    The celestial beings who dwell in the Heaven from which we came, having been raised from the grave, in a former world, and having been filled with all the fulness of these eternal attributes, are called Gods, because the fulness of God dwells in each. Both the males and the females enjoy this fulness. The celestial vegetables and fruits which grow out of the soil of this re-deemed Heaven, constitute the food of the Gods. This food differs from the food derived from the vegetables of a fallen world: the latter are converted into blood, which circulating in the veins and arteries, produces flesh and bones of a mortal nature, having a constant tendency to decay: while the former, or celestial vegetables, are, when digested in the stomach, converted into a fluid, which, in its nature, is spiritual, and which, circulating in the veins and arteries of the celestial male and female, preserves their tabernacles from decay and death. Earthly vegetables form blood, and blood forms flesh and bones; celestial vegetables, when digested, form a spiritual fluid which gives immortality and eternal life to the organization in which it flows.
    Fallen beings beget children whose bodies are constituted of flesh and bones, being formed out of the blood circulating in the veins of the parents. Celestial beings beget children, composed of the fluid which circulates in their veins, which is spiritual, therefore, their children must be spirits, and not flesh and bones. This is the origin of our spiritual organization in heaven. The spirits of all mankind, destined for this earth, were begotten by a father, and born of a mother in Heaven long anterior to the formation of this world. The personages of the father and mother of our spirits, had a beginning to their organization, but the fulness of truth (which is God) that dwells in them, had no beginning; being "from everlasting to everlasting." (Psalm 90:2).
    In the Heaven where our spirits were born, there are many Gods, each one of whom has his own wife or wives which were given to him previous to his redemption, while yet in his mortal state. Each God, through his wife or wives, raises up a numerous family of sons and daughters; indeed, there will be no end to the increase of his own children: for each father and mother will be in a condition to multiply forever and ever. As soon as each God has begotten many millions of male and female spirits, and his Heavenly inheri-tance becomes too small, to comfortably accommodate his great family, he, in connection with his sons, organizes a new world, after a similar order to the one which we now inhabit, where he sends both the male and female spirits to inhabit tabernacles of flesh and bones. Thus each God forms a world for the accommodation of his own sons and daughters who are sent forth in their times and seasons, and generations to be born into the same. The inhabitants of each world are required to reverence, adore, and worship their own personal father who dwells in the Heaven which they formerly inhabited.
31. J.D. 1:238; Delivered in the Tabernacle, SLC; President Brigham Young; July 24, 1853.
    . . . the Father came down from heaven, as the Apostles said he did, and begat the Saviour of the world; for he is the ONLY-begotten of the Father, which could not be if the Father did not actually beget him in person . . . . I believe the Father came down in His tabernacle and begat Jesus Christ.
32. J.D 2:6; Delivered in the Tabernacle, SLC, Utah; Brigham Young; October 23, 1853.
    Look for instance at Adam. Listen, ye Latter-day Saints! Supposing that Adam was formed actually out of clay, out of the same kind of material from which bricks are formed; that with this matter God made the pattern of a man, and breathed into it the breath of life, and left it there, in that state of supposed perfection, he would have been an adobe to this day. He would not have known anything.
    Some of you may doubt the truth of what I now say, and argue that the Lord could teach him. This is a mistake. The Lord could not have taught him in any other way than in the way in which He did teach him. You believe Adam was made of the dust of this earth. This I do not believe, though it is supposed that it is so written in the Bible; but it is not, to my under-standing. . . . I do not believe that portion of the Bible as the Christian world do. I never did, and I never want to. What is the reason I do not? Because I have come to understanding, and banished from my mind all the baby stories my mother taught me when I was a child.
33. Deseret News Weekly, p. 78; Elder Orson Hyde; 27 October 1853. See also Melchizedek Priesthood Study Guide, 1979-80, p. 82.
    Remember that God, our heavenly Father, was perhaps once a child, and mortal like we ourselves, and rose step by step in the scale of progress, in the school of advancement; has moved forward and overcome until He has arrived at the point where He now is.
34. The Seer, Vol 1:158-159; October 1853.
    There is no doubt that the Holy Ghost came upon Mary to sanctify her, and make her holy, and prepare her to endure the glorious presence of "the High-est," that when "He" should "overshadow" her she might conceive, being filled with the Holy Ghost; hence the angel said, as recorded in Matthew, "That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost;" that is, the Holy Ghost gave her strength to abide the presence of the Father without being consumed; but it was the personage of the Father who begat the body of Jesus....
    The fleshly body of Jesus required a Mother as well as a Father. There-fore, the Father and Mother of Jesus, according to the flesh, must have been associated together in the capacity of Husband and Wife; hence the Virgin Mary must have been, for the time being, the LAWFUL wife of God the Father; we use the term LAWFUL Wife because it would be blasphemous in the highest degree to say that He overshadowed her or begat the Savior unlawfully. . . . * * * Inasmuch as God was the first husband to her, it may be that He only gave her to be the wife of Joseph while in this mortal state, and that He intended after the resurrection to again take her as one of his own wives to raise up immortal spirits in eternity.
    As God the Father begat the fleshly body of Jesus, so He, before the world began, begat his spirit. As the body required an earthly Mother, so his spirit required a heavenly Mother. As God associated in the capacity of a husband with the earthly mother, so likewise He associated in the same capa-city with the heavenly one. . . . or in other words, the laws of generation upon the earth are after the order of the laws of generation in heaven.
35. Millennial Star, 15:780; President Samual W. Richards, Mission President, British Mission; November, 1853.
    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.
36. Millennial Star, 15:801; President Samual W. Richards, British Mission President; November, 1853.
    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 not our Father Adam be one of them?
37. Millennial Star, 15:842; President Samual W. Richards, British Mission President; December 1853.
    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---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 domin-ions, by which they can become Gods, we are all willing the Lord Jesus Christ should enjoy them all as any other being, 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 wonder-ful 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 these things which come to light through the proper channel of intelligence, they only betray their weakness, ignorance, and folly.
38. Journal of Wilford Woodruff, February 19, 1854.
    He (B.Y.) said that our God was Father Adam. He was the Father of the Savior Jesus Christ---Our God was no more or less than ADAM, Michael the Archangel.
39. Millennial Star; June, 1854.
    16:482 --- (Report by Elder Thomas Cafall): They (the members of the district) 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 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.
    16:483 --- Elder Joseph Hall: Relative to the principles recently re-vealed, we have not the least difficulty. If Adam's being our Father and God cannot be proved by the Bible, it is all right.
    16:530 --- Elder James A. Little: I believe in the principle of obed-ience; and if I am told that Adam is our Father and our God, I just believe it. Brethren, I feel well, and have felt well all the time.
    16:629 --- 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.
40. Millennial Star, 16:534; Franklin D. Richards, Apostle; June, 1854. F. D. Richards became the new British Mission President at this time.
    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 ourselves, 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 dispensa-tion 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 obliga-tion 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 di-rectly and substantially prove it, as the world requires, and as we can the 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 be-lieve. 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 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 without the sound of hammer or chisel.
41. Journal of Wilford Woodruff; Ms/f/115, CHO; September 17, 1854.
    President Young preached this afternoon & spoke upon the Law of Consecra-tion & had an interesting conversation in our Prayer Circle; the subject of Elder Orson Pratt publishing the Seer & the doctrine it contained was brought up in conversation. President Young said he ought not to have published the marriage ceremony, it was sacred & one of the last ceremonies attended to in the endowments & ought not to have been given to the world. Brother Pratt said that he thought it was no harm as the plurality of wives & its doctrines was to be published to the world. He said he should not have done it---if he had thought there had been the least harm in it. President Young said he was satisfied that he intended no wrong in it. He said that the doctrine taught in the Seer that God had arrived at that state whereby he could not advance any further in knowledge, power & glory was a false doctrine & not true. That there never will be a time to all eternity when all the Gods of eternity will cease advancing in power, knowledge, experience & glory, for if this was the case, eternity would cease to be & the glory of God would come to an end, but all of the celestial beings will continue to advance in knowledge & power, worlds without end. Joseph would always be ahead of us, we should never catch up with him in all eternity nor he with his leaders. 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 came from another world & made this. Brought Eve with him, partook of the fruits of the earth, begat children & they were 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 & it would be a great blessing to him to lay aside his books & go into the canyons as some of the rest of us was doing & it would be better for him. He said his philosophy injured him in a measure many good things was said by President Young that we should grow up in revelation so that principle would govern every act of our lives. He had never found any difficulty in leading this people since Joseph's death.
42. Journal of Joseph L. Robinson; Oct. 6th, 1854.
    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 brother and sisters, and that Adam was God, our Eternal Father. This as Brother Heber remarked, was letting the cat out of the bag, and it came to pass, I believed every word, for I remembered saying to the Brethren at a meeting of High Priests in Nauvoo, while I was speaking to them under the influence of the Spirit, I remarked thus, that our Father Adam had many wives, and that Eve was only one of them, and that she was our mother, and that she was the mother of the inhabitants of this earth, and I believe that also, 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 the scriptures it was not correct. I felt very sorry to hear Professor Orson Pratt say that. I feared least he should apostatize, but I prayed for him that he might endure unto the end, for I knew verily it was possible that great men might fall. I remembered Apostle John E. Page. I saw him take from his pocket a plug of tobacco and bite a mouthful and put it back. It surprised me. I said old chap you will apostatize, but still I really hoped he would not, but he is gone, and I am very sorry for the poor man.
43. [Historian's] Office Journal, V. 17, p. 185; Church Historical Depart-ment; October 8, 1854.
    Sunda[y] Oct. 8 1854 pleasant da[y] Meeting of Seventies at 7 a m to hear report of Pres." Josh. Young see Rob Campbell's minutes 10 a m in Taber-nacle O Hyde preached see TB min- & G D Watts report at the same time a meeting outside the Tabernacle was addressed by G A Smith & E D Wooley 2 p m about 7000 Saints assembled North side of Tabernacle Pres." Young preached on plurality of worlds &c see G D Watts report 4 1/2 pm Pres." Young & Council met in Historian's office to pra[y] Conversation on the Conference, with O Pratt on the creation of Adam.
44. Deseret News, Oct. 12, 1854. Reporting events of Oct 8th.
    Sunday, Oct. 8, Seven a.m. The Seventies met to consult upon finishing the hall, for the benefit of the quorums, and to hear the report of President Joseph Young.
    Ten a.m. Tabernacle crowded. Choir sung a hymn. Prayer by Elder Lorenzo Snow. Chanting by the choir. Elder Hyde spoke inside the Tabernacle, followed by Elder W. W. Phelps; and at the same time a much larger congrega-tion assembled at the north end of the building, were addressed by Elder G. A. Smith and Bishop Woolley. Upon proposition from President Brigham Young, the congregation adjourned to meet in the afternoon at the north end of the Tabernacle, where seats had been prepared. Choir chanted, 'We praise thee, O God.' Benediction by Elder Woodruff.
    Two p.m. An immense congregation were comfortably seated in the open air. Singing. Prayer by Elder G. A. Smith. Elder O. Pratt read the 68th Psalm, which the choir chanted. It being the recurring time for administering the sacrament, Bishop L. D. Young asked a blessing upon the bread and Bishop Isaac Hill [?] asked a blessing upon the water. While the emblems were being passed, President Brigham young delivered a highly interesting discourse which held the vast audience as it were spellbound. Elder Lyman Curtis was appoint-ed, and voted to go on a mission in connection with Elder Rufus Allen, and to be under the direction of Elder Parley P. Pratt. On motion of Elder Hyde, it was unanimously voted that all members of this church who go out on the roads to trade, or who go to California, or any other place outside of this Terri-tory, without being sent, or counseled to do so, be cut off from the church. On motion, conference adjourned to meet in the Tabernacle, at ten a.m. on the 6th of April 1855. The choir sung, 'The spirit of God like a fire is burn-ing.' Benediction by President H. C. Kimball.
    The sermons, exhortations, and remarks delivered during the conference will appear in the News as fast as the reporter is able to furnish them.
45. History of Brigham Young, 1854: p. 93. Sunday 8 October 1854.
    Forenoon. Elders Orson Hyde and Wm. W. Phelps preached inside the Taber-nacle and Elder Geo. A. Smith and Edwin D. Woolley outside to those who could not get in. Afternoon the saints assembled out doors. The sacrament was administered, I preached. Elders Lyman Curtis and Rufus Allen were appointed to go on a mission under the direction of Elder Parley P. Pratt.
    Elder Orson Hyde motioned and it was unanimously voted that all members of the Church who got out on the road to trade, or go to California or any place outside of this Territory, without being sent or counseled to go, be excommunicated. Conference adjourned until the 6th of April 1855. Benedic-tion by President Heber C. Kimball.
46. Journal of the Southern Indian Mission--Diary of Thomas D. Brown, p. 87- 89; Friday, 6th Octr. 1854.
    On Friday 6th Octr. [1854] Conference assembled, in the afternoon being called on by President Bm. Young I addressed the numerous saints assembled in the Tabernacle, gave them an account of our mission so far, and had liberty. On the evening of this day elder O. Hyde delivered an excellent discourse proving that Jesus Christ was a married man -- and children besides. --See Deseret news Vol.____. No.____. and on
    Sunday afternoon President B. Young delivered a discourse, equalled by none that I have ever listened to on "Space -- the Eternities -- of matter of duration. The Gods -- Gentile Seduction & Mormon Saviors of the innocent betrayed. The following is the essence of his discourse:
    "I believe in one Eternity -- no beginning no end to anything -- Gods -- Angels and __________ never had a beginning & never will have an end: "no beginning no end to space -- no end -- no bounds -- no place in time or eter-nity will end their formation -- no end to matter -- There is an eternity of matter yet to be organized: no true philosopher can count the millions of eternities yet to be made: we shall learn in all time and in all eternities: The Bible and the ordinances are the same from Adam to the end, there will be no change till the last of Adam's race is saved -- the ordinances are the same -- duties & callings vary as do the circumstances, but the ordinances are the same for salvation in worlds without end. Text "This is eternal life to know the only wise and true God & his Son Jesus Christ whom he has sent" -- "There are Lords many and there are Gods many, & the Father of our Spirits is the Father of Jesus Christ: He is the Father of Jesus Christ, Spirit & Body and he is the beginner of the bodies of all men: Neither can you have a Father, without having a Grandfather: God hath made of one flesh, all the dwellers, or inhabitants on the whole earth, we are all formed of the same materials, from the mother Earth; those who keep their second estate will be celestial-ized & brought back to dwell with the Father. Can any individual officiate in any ordinances of any nature, before obeying the same and honoring them? Can any man officiate in this kingdom without first becoming a subject in the same? We'll let the numerous Gods alone, and take the one we have to do with. There is no time when worlds have not been created and exalted; there have always been an Adam and an Eve -- the first man and woman, and their oldest son is heir, and should be our Savior. We have one Father and we all are brethren."
    Eloheim spoke, "Yehovah, Michael -- see matter all around, go and organ-ize a world," Yehovah Michael went and carried material: Then Michael came down with his wife, & began to people it. Michael had his body from the dust of the planet he was begotten on, he obeyed his Lord, was faithful and obed-ient, died and was resurrected, he did not resurrect himself. An Angel resur-rected Jesus -- what Angel? I know not. When Jesus has completed his work, Adam shall have a fulness: Adam's descent was to organize people & redeem a world, by his wife he peopled it by his first born he redeems. Our Spirits were happy before they had a body. An allusion to the Indians -- Father Adam knew all about oxen and cattle. Adam died and was buried, where he was interred is not said. Physicians will tell you, men's efforts to beget will be abortive, without the spirit put in by the Father.
    Adam & Eve had children in the spirit -- and their children married -- brother & sister -- then the bodies followed.
    Joseph Smith will be the first resurrected being in this dispensation & he will hold the keys of the Resurrection & no man can be raised without his permission, he will delegate this power. He then spoke of the final baptism of the earth by fire -- The earth to be as a Sea of Glass. He next said something of exchange of women & children. All are the children of Father Adam. When Jesus has done his work he will take this planet back to his Father.
    "Saviours will come up on Mount Zion & save Esau"
    The word "Gentile" means disobedience, and "Israel" means obedience.
    The present marriage laws and the usage of custom is folly -- and worse they are the parents of "seduction" & this is worse than all the wives of the Israel of God.
    Ye poor damned wretches -- that left that poor girl ruined! her own sole protectress, & the support of your unlawful offspring! by virtuous means if she can, if not by a continuance of a course worse than death & more cruel than the grave! I never ruined a woman
    In New York there are 18,000 prostitutes licensed by gentile authority! Philadelphia as bad. What shall we do for them? Burn up their unclean dens -- these wretched holes, where such iniquity is legalized by license -- take the women, cleanse and save them. Let the world cleanse themselves and cease talking about Utah. Recapitulation.
47. John Pulsipher Papers, Mss 1041, p. 35-37; BYU Special Collections; 8 October 1854.. Spelling as in original.
    (p.1) A Scrap - Book Containing Some of the Phraseology- Choice and Select Instruction- & Abridged Speeches of INSPIRED MEN. Observed & Recorded By J. Pulsipher (p. 35) 10-OC-F. Sunday the 8th Oct.
    Orson Hyde Preached in the house & Geo. A. Smith outside. Judge Phelps spoke of the light of knowing God & Jesus whom he has sent- also That a ship load of officers & Soldiers seaconverted are in the Russian war--Mormons on the Black
    2. OC- A. Meeting out doors- Prest. Young said: We believe in God the Eternal Father, Jesus Christ his Son & the Holy Ghost Gods minister. The gods are Eternal, there never was a beginning. They always Existed. Philosophers have tried to study out how the first gods came I want to ask them a Ques-tion: Which was first a squash or apple that produced the Seed or was it the seed that produced the Squash or apple? Which was first. They can't tell. So they need not rack their Brain with it--There never was a time but what (p.36) No man from the days of Adam to the End of the world will ever by saved unless they go thro the same ordin that we do-- There never was any other way to Salvation. Text was: to know the only true & wise God is Eternal life- To know this a person must have Eternal life--God is the father of spirits of all the people of this world--he is the father of the bodies also of the first inhabitants of the Earth also the father of the body of Jesus Christ-- The first people of the Earth was no more made of the dust than you are--I would not make out that Moses lied, by no means. But we are made of dust as much as Adam was. So are our cattle. They are formed or created from the Elements all of which are necessary to produce animal or vegetable life-- as the dust of the earth will produce grass & cattle will eat grass & increase Evry person must have a father & mother or they could not be. (p.37) So we had a grandfather & great-great-great-great-great grandfather So far back there is no beginning-- They always Existed on some world--& when this work was made - our God who is Adam came & commenced the peopling of it- Tho he is God & had lived & died & been reserected on some other plannet- & obtained his exaltation & begat the Spirits of children enough people this world he came down & brot some of the animal & vegetable productions of some other world so that they might grow & increase here - He by eating the mortal fruits of the Earth, it caused & produced mortal children or commenced the increase of men on the Earth which is the bodies for the Spirits to live in
    There never was a time when Worlds were not created-- The work of crea-tion was always in Progress--
    An Adam & Eve is necesary for evry world The oldest Son, if faithful, is the Saviour of the family--There are Lords many & Gods many But the God that we have to account to, is the father of our Spirits--Adam. All the inhabi-tance of the Earth are made of one flesh- whither they are black-white-blue or streaked.
    Now a few words on the resurrection A Man cant resurrect himself- A person cant officiate in an office that he does not hold- Therefore a person cant resurrect others, 'til he himself has been resurrected---No man or woman in this dispensation will be resurrected unless it is done by Joseph Smith Jr. as a yankee says, I guess he will be resurrected first & then he will res. others-- A word on Marriage. People would think it an awful thing if a man should marry his sister for a wife- but Bless your souls we all do it We mary our sisters because we can get no others-- all the women in the world are our sisters because we are all the child of one father. Our fathers & grandfathers in this world - are our brothers- that is- our spirits are brothers & will be after the resurrection - we will be as near to our father as any of our great grandfathers- they will not be a head of us for being our fathers in this world because we will all be Brothers & all have one father-- The poor Gen-tiles will whine about the order of Marriage among the Mormons but they dont tell of their own crimes--but I know them from first to last--
    What they call gentlemen will go & court & gain the affection of an innocent girl, promise to marry her & destroy her & run away & leave her a disgrace to all that know her, to mourn out her days in sorrow. That is just the character of the great men of the world--they dont take care of their children
    Take the sins of one such a man & put them in the balance against the whole of this people & they will sink him among the damned in hell-- while we, the latter day Saints will rise to thrones & dominions. It is not right to compare it in that way because the sins of all this people, that do right with all their wives, is not to be compared to the sins of one such a man as I have described In fact there is no sin in the plurality of wives or any other doctrine of this church unless the people do wrong
    I would bless u all so that u would be saved if I had the power-- I have the power to bless all the faithful & I do bless u in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
    Conference adjourned to the 6th of Ap'l next -- Elder Kimball Prayed & the group seperated--

Index