The Adam-God Doctrine

Another Discarded Theological Innovation of Brigham Young

Feb 12, 2008 Shawn Landis

The idea that God was the first man was introduced to Mormon theology by Brigham Young and did not survive long after his death. It is a historical curiosity.

Many things Brigham Young said are not believed by Mormons today and much of the theology he tried to introduce embarrasses Mormons when brought up, if they know about it. Often the things he said are dismissed as being made up as Anti-Mormon lies, but things such as the Blood Atonement, Quaker Moon Men, and the Adam-God doctrine were once part of Mormon theology.

People who have watched The God Makers or the animated clip on YouTube from the same film know that Ed Decker's book states the Adam-God Doctrine is belief currently held by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The Adam-God Doctrine is more of a historical anomaly within Mormonism than legitimate theology.

The Origins of the Adam-God Doctrine

Diaries of Mormons from the later part of the 19th Century confirm that Brigham Young taught the Adam-God theory and the Journal of Discourses confirms that the idea that God came into the Garden of Edan as Adam and deliberately fell was once part of Mormon Doctrone. Spencer W. Kimball, former prophet of the Mormon church, stated that the Adam-God theory is not doctrine and church members should be warned against spreading false teachings.

Brigham Young's actual quote not only introduces the idea that Adam was God, but also introduces the idea that he came to Earth and orchestrated the fall. The quote from the Journal of Discourses on the Adam-God theory also states that God, not the Holy Spirit, was responsible for the conception of Jesus. The full quote reads:

“Adam came into the garden of Eden with a celestial body and one of his many wives, he is our Father and God. The Father, not the Holy Spirit, conceived Jesus with the Virgin Mary.” (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 1, p. 50.)

The Adam-God Doctrine Fell Out of Favor

The idea that God came down to the Earth as Adam did not last long beyond the death of Brigham Young, and it is one of the many theological innovations that Young tried to introduce that did not get to be part of the religion founded by Joseph Smith. The Adam-God doctrine remains a historical curiosity within Mormonism, and researches that list this as a current Mormon belief should investigate the matter more carefully.

The Adam-God Doctrine is no longer taught to the faithful. There may be some beliefs that people may consider to be bizarre, but bizarre is a relative term when it comes to religions. Jesus and Satan being brothers is no less strange to someone outside the faith than the immaculate conception is to a Buddhist.

Sources:

1976 Conference Report, p. 115.

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