Editing Adam–God doctrine (section)

{{Short description|Former Mormon theological doctrine}}
[[File:BrighamYoung1.jpg|thumb|Brigham Young, the second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, laid the foundation for the Adam-God theory with his original doctrinal statements.]]
The '''Adam–God doctrine''' (or '''Adam–God theory''') was a theological idea taught in mid-19th century [[Mormonism]] by [[Brigham Young]], a [[President of the Church (LDS Church)|president]] of [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (LDS Church). Although the doctrine is rejected by the LDS Church today,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/bruce-r-mcconkie_seven-deadly-heresies/|title=The Seven Deadly Heresies|last=McConkie|first=Bruce R.|website=speeches.byu.edu|language=en-US|access-date=2017-11-04}}</ref> it is still an accepted part of the modern theology of some [[Mormon fundamentalism|Mormon fundamentalists]].

According to Young, he was taught by [[Joseph Smith]]<ref>Minutes of Meeting, at Historian's Office; Great Salt Lake City; 7 P.M. April 4, 1860 published in ''The Office Journal of Brigham Young'' ''1858-1863, Appendix B.'' "It was Joseph's doctrine that Adam was God &c When in Luke Johnson's".</ref> that Adam is "our Father and our God, and the only God with whom we have to do."<ref>{{Harvtxt|Young|1852a|p=50}} (statement given in the [[General Conference (LDS Church)|general conference]] of the LDS Church on April 9, 1852).</ref>

According to the doctrine, [[Adam]] was once a mortal man who became resurrected and [[exaltation (Mormonism)|exalted]]. From another planet, he then came as [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]] to form Earth.<ref>[[Journal of Discourses]] '''7''':285–90.</ref> Adam then was given a physical body and a spouse, [[Eve]], where they became mortal by eating the forbidden fruit in the [[Garden of Eden]]. After bearing mortal children and establishing the human race, Adam and Eve returned to their heavenly thrones, where Adam serves as God and is the Heavenly Father of humankind. Later, Adam returned to the Earth to the ancient prophets and to become the literal biological father of [[Jesus in Christianity|Jesus]].

During the 19th century and the early 20th century, the Adam–God doctrine was featured as part of the church's [[Endowment (Mormonism)|endowment ceremony]]. However, the notion was startling to many people when it was introduced and remained controversial, even within the Church. Many Latter Day Saints and some [[List of denominations in the Latter Day Saint movement|breakoff groups]], the most notable being [[apostle (Latter Day Saints)|apostle]] [[Orson Pratt]], rejected the doctrine in favor of more traditional understanding of Adam and Eve. Both he and other members, such as the Bunker family, would face the prospect of ecclesiastical punishment for their public opposition. Despite the objection of many, the doctrine persisted even after the administration of Brigham Young. His successor, [[John Taylor (Mormon)|John Taylor]], privately affirmed his belief in the idea prior to his death in 1887.<ref>[[“I had a most delightful conversation with President [John] Taylor upon doctrine. Listened to his views about our Father in Heaven (Adam) and Jesus, and gave him some of mine upon the same subjects.”]][(George Q. Cannon Journals, 18 November 1882, Parenthesis in the original journal)]</ref><ref>[[”Adam heard the voice of the Lord walking in the garden. Adam had a God then… and when we get to God our Father we are told to approach him in the name of Jesus. Adam is the father of our bodies. Who is to say he is not the father of our spirits.” — John Taylor]] [(L. John Nuttall Papers, 13 January 1880, Special Collections, BYU)]</ref> It wasn’t until about 1905 that the Adam-God doctrine was fully removed from the endowment ceremony.<ref>[[After Brother Horne returned from his mission a few years later, in 1905, he noted that these teachings had been removed from the temple ceremony.]] [J Author Horne, Patriarch, North Seattle Stake, 28 May 1963; the Elder’s Journal vol. 1, by C. Jess Groesbeck, page 291]</ref> By this time, the doctrine fell out of favor within the LDS Church and was replaced by a theology more similar to Orson Pratt's, as expounded by turn-of-the century Latter Day Saint theologians [[James E. Talmage]], [[B. H. Roberts]], and [[John A. Widtsoe]]. In 1976, church president [[Spencer W. Kimball]] stated the LDS Church does not support the doctrine.  Most Latter Day Saints accept [[Adam and Eve (LDS Church)|Adam]] as "the [[Ancient of Days]]," "father of all,"<ref>[[Doctrine and Covenants]] [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/138.38-39?lang=eng 138:38–39].</ref> and [[Mormon cosmology#Temporal creation and fall|Michael the Archangel]] but do not recognize him as being [[God the Father]]. 

In contrast, many Mormon Fundamentalists have retained this doctrine as a chief principle of their faith. Several Fundamentalist authors, such as [[Ogden Kraut]] and [[Joseph W. Musser]] have written books on the subject highlighting the prominent role of Adam continues to play.

It is debated whether or not Brigham Young did actually teach this theory as doctrine. There are some instances where it was written that he taught it during a sermon, but it could have been the result of misinterpretations or clerical errors. In Wilford Woodruff’s May 14, 1876 journal entry he recorded Brigham teaching “Adam was Michael the archangel, and was the father of Jesus Christ in the flesh.”

There is also no evidence that the Adam-God theory was ever officially taught in the temple as part of any ordinance. There are some claims that temple workers spoke of it being taught in the temple but there is no evidence of these quotations from secondhand sources.