Few doctrines in the history of the Church have stirred as much controversy as the so-called “Adam-God theory.” Furthermore, perhaps no other teaching has been more misunderstood among Church members. So, what exactly is the Adam-God theory? The purpose of this article is to clearly articulate its origins and define its parameters, and then let the reader decide for themselves whether or not it holds any merit.

This article will be broken out in three parts. Part I of this series will ask and answer a number of questions designed to invite the reader to ponder what we know about the nature of Adam and Eve, as revealed primarily in the scriptures and modern prophets. Part II will review some quotes from General Authorities who have addressed this subject, and Part III will give a brief history of the Adam-God teachings throughout the years and will attempt to reconcile a few of the hangups most members have with it.

Starting Anew with a Clean Slate

Before we begin, however, it should be noted that much of the information shared in this article may be new to even the faithful, church-going members—and perhaps even to those who are already somewhat familiar with certain aspects of the Adam-God theory. Because of this, I would ask the reader to set aside everything they think they may already know about this theory for a moment and try to start anew with a clean slate.

It is also important to recognize that the concepts discussed in this article cannot be fully understood without the guidance of the Spirit, so if at any point the reader feels inclined to disagree with the conclusions presented, I encourage them to pause, thoughtfully consider the questions posed, and prayerfully seek to understand rather than dismissing these ideas simply because they are unfamiliar or new.

Lastly, I would also encourage the reader to take your time with this article. Move through it slowly and thoughtfully. The slower you go, the more you will be able to ponder and potentially learn.

Adam’s Body

​What type of body did Adam have in the Garden of Eden prior to the Fall? For simplification, we will break this down into two choices:

This one is easy. I think we can all agree that Adam did not have a spirit body in the Garden of Eden. President Joseph Fielding Smith made this clear when he said, “Before the Fall, Adam had a physical, tangible body of flesh and bones.”[1] Thus we can eliminate the following as a possibility:

Mortal or Immortal?

​If Adam had a physical body in the Garden of Eden, the next logical question is: What type of physical body did Adam have prior to the Fall? Again, there are only two choices:

Of course, there are two types of mortal bodies that we should consider as well. This includes translated mortals—like the Three Nephites and John the Revelator—and mortals who are not translated, such as you and me. Therefore, if we include these two types of mortal bodies, then Adam’s body fell into one of the following categories:

So which type of body did Adam have prior to the Fall? Well, in the Book of Mormon, Father Lehi taught that had Adam not partaken of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, he would have lived forever in the Garden of Eden (see 2 Nephi 2:22). The only two types of bodies that could potentially “[remain] forever” (2 Nephi 2:22) in the same state are: mortal translated bodies, and immortal bodies. This eliminates the possibility that Adam had a mortal body that was not translated in the Garden of Eden:

With that being said, further discussion is needed in order to determine if Adam was a mortal translated being, or an immortal being in the Garden. So, let’s keep digging.

Did Adam have a translated body—like the three Nephites, or John the Revelator—while in the Garden of Eden?

While we do not know a great deal about translated beings, we do know that those who are translated have not undergone death and resurrection and are thus still considered mortal. The Lord made this clear when he told the three Nephites: “And ye shall never endure the pains of death; but when I shall come in my glory ye shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye from mortality to immortality” (3 Nephi 28:8; emphasis added).

In other words, translated beings are still mortal up until the day they die and are resurrected. Elder Bruce R. McConkie said of these individuals: “Those who have been translated…shall continue to live as mortals until the Second Coming when they shall [be resurrected to] immortal glory.”[2] This tells us that translated immortal beings do not exist; you can be translated, or immortal, but not both.

With this in mind, we quote from President Russell M. Nelson, who said that Adam was created “in the image of God and not yet mortal” prior to the Fall.[3] If Adam did not have a mortal body prior to the Fall, then the only other type of physical body that Adam could have possibly had in the Garden was an immortal body.

President Joseph Fielding Smith arrived at this same conclusion as well. He said: “Adam and Eve...were yet immortal beings in the Garden of Eden and before death entered the world.”[4] On a second occasion, President Smith also stated that “the forbidden fruit had the power to…change [Adam’s] nature and mortality took the place of immortality, and all things partaking of the change, became mortal.”[5]

In other words, according to President Russell M. Nelson and President Joseph Fielding Smith, Adam had an immortal body prior to the Fall, and a mortal body after the Fall. This means that we can eliminate the possibility that Adam was a translated being prior to the Fall, because, as we have just shown, translated beings are still considered mortal (see 3 Nephi 28:8). In other words:

Now that we have established that Adam possessed an immortal body prior to the Fall, the next natural question is: how and when was Adam’s immortal body created?

How and When was Adam’s Immortal Body Created?

While the scriptures do not have very much to say on this issue, the one thing that they do make abundantly clear is that Adam’s immortal body was not created in the Garden of Eden. For example, the Lord revealed to Moses that He first created Adam “from the dust of the ground” (Moses 3:7), and then He “put [Adam] into the Garden of Eden” (Moses 3:15). The Abraham account confirms this same order of events: First, “the Gods formed man from the dust of the ground,” and then “the Gods planted a garden, eastward in Eden, and there they put the man [whom] they had formed” (Abraham 5:7-8). This tells us that Adam’s physical body was created somewhere outside of the Garden of Eden, and sometime prior to it being placed in the Garden of Eden.

What does it mean to be created from the dust?

It is important to understand that the phrase “formed…from the dust” (Moses 3:7; Abraham 5:7) is a figurative expression. Latter-day Saint scholar Cleon Skousen explained: “The Lord originally told Moses precisely what it meant to be made from the dust of the earth. This is a technical phrase. It meant to be ‘born...by water, and blood, and the spirit which I have made, and so became of dust a living soul’ (Moses 6:59).”[6] In other words, according to the Lord, to be created from the “dust” simply means that you were “born” (Moses 6:59).

If true, then Adam’s physical body was not created out of literal dust. Instead, he was born of a woman just like the rest of us, and the Lord chose to use the phrase “formed…from the dust” (Moses 3:7) to describe this physical birth process. Brigham Young made this very clear when he said: “He [Adam] was made as you and I were made, and no person was ever made on any other principle.”[7]

Interestingly enough, this doctrine is also taught in the Book of Mormon. In his famous speech at the temple, King Benjamin told the Nephites: “ye were created of the dust of the earth” (Mosiah 2:25; emphasis added). In other words, King Benjamin was telling the Nephites that their physical bodies were created the same way that Adam’s physical body was created, which was from the dust of the earth. Elder Bruce R. McConkie elaborated on this when he said: “Mortal men are born into mortality, meaning that the spirits from pre-existence come into tabernacles which have been created from the dust of the earth through the normal birth process.”[8]

​If King Benjamin and Elder Bruce R. McConkie are correct—that our physical bodies were created from the dust of the earth just like Adam’s—then it logically follows that since our bodies are created through the birth process, Adam’s body must have been created through the birth process as well. In other words, “Adam” according to President Joseph F. Smith, “was…born of a woman into this world, the same as…you and I.”[9] This doctrine seemed to originate from the Prophet Joseph Smith, who said: “Where was there ever a son without a father? And where was there ever a father without first being a son?”[10]

To recap, so far in this article we have concluded two things: That Adam was born of a woman prior to being placed in the Garden of Eden, and that he was immortal in the Garden of Eden. This begs the question: Was Adam born immortal? Or was he born as a mortal, and then became immortal sometime prior to being placed in the Garden of Eden? Let’s examine each of these questions.

Was Adam Born Immortal?

The Lord has never revealed—either through scripture or prophetic revelation—that it is possible for anyone, at any time, to be born immortal. If this were possible, then you and I could have theoretically forgone this mortal estate and could have simply been created with immortal physical bodies from the beginning. If this were possible, there would be no need for this mortal probation, and no need for Christ’s Atonement.

In Gethsemane, Christ prayed, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me” (Matthew 26:39; emphasis added). In other words, Christ was asking the Father if there was any other way that mankind could possibly be redeemed that did not involve him having to suffer. The fact that He had to go through with the Atonement meant that there is no other way that God could raise any of his children to immortal glory. “There is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ” (Helaman 5:9). All of us, according to these two scriptures, must be born mortal, die, and then be resurrected through the power of the Atonement in order to receive immortality. Allowing someone to bypass death and resurrection and receive immortality at birth, would nullify the need for Christ’s Atonement.

​We simply should not assume that God is willing, or able, to step outside of the divine laws that have been established for human progression. There is no evidence to suggest that any of God’s children have ever been, or will ever be, born immortal. Even during the Millennium, when the earth is elevated to a terrestrial state, every person born during that thousand-year period will still receive a mortal body. “Millennial man,” wrote Elder Bruce R. McConkie, “will…have children, and mortal life of a millennial kind will continue.”[11] Similarly, even Jesus Christ—who had power over death—inherited a mortal body at birth from his mother Mary. In short, there is simply no evidence to suggest that it is possible for anyone, at any time, to be born immortal.

If Adam was born mortal, the next logical question is, where was he born?

Where was Adam born?

Was Adam born in the Garden of Eden? The short answer is no. Remember, the scriptures clearly state that Adam was formed “from the dust,” (or born), prior to being placed in the Garden of Eden (see Moses 3:7-8; Abraham 5:7-8). Therefore, Adam was born somewhere else. Where exactly he was born, the scriptures do not say. However, it stands to reason that if Adam was born mortal, then he must have been born on a mortal earth—one similar to ours—which would have been in existence sometime prior to his placement in the Garden of Eden. President Brigham Young stated: “Adam was made from the dust of an earth, but not from the dust of this earth.”[12]

So far, we have concluded that Adam was born mortal, and that by the time he was placed in the Garden of Eden, he was immortal. What happened in between? How did Adam become immortal?

How Did Adam Become Immortal?

​There is only one revealed way for anyone to become immortal: through a resurrection. For example, the only way you and I can attain immortality is by being born into mortality, dying, and being resurrected through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. If there were any other path to immortality that did not require Christ’s suffering and death, then the Savior would not have needed to drink the bitter cup. The same holds true for God’s children on other worlds—immortality comes only through living a mortal life, experiencing death, and receiving a resurrected body through the power of an Atonement. You cannot be born immortal, and you cannot achieve it in any other way other than through death and resurrection. Therefore, since death and resurrection are the only known means to immortality, it is logical to conclude that Adam became immortal by the same process.

Now that we have determined that Adam had an immortal resurrected body prior to the Fall, the next logical question is which type of immortal resurrected body did Adam have prior to the Fall. There are only three choices:

When Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden, did he have a telestial, terrestrial, or celestial resurrected body?

According to Latter-day Saint doctrine, Adam and Eve were married while in the Garden of Eden. And since it is an eternal principle that the only kind of immortal beings who can be married are those who have inherited the highest degree of a celestial kingdom (see D&C 131:1–4), we can safely conclude that Adam and Eve had celestial resurrected bodies—not terrestrial or telestial resurrected bodies:

A Note About Immortal Beings

It is important to understand that blood is found only in mortal bodies, not in immortal beings. This distinction matters because it tells us that Adam, as an immortal being before the Fall, did not have blood in his body. President Joseph Fielding Smith confirmed this when he said: “Before the Fall, Adam had a physical, tangible body of flesh and bones, but it was not quickened by blood,”[13] and on a second occasion said: “When Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden, there was no blood in their bodies.”[14] Similarly, the LDS Bible Dictionary states: “Before the Fall, Adam and Eve had physical bodies but no blood.”[15]

Since immortal beings do not have blood running through their veins, what fluid do they have?

​Interestingly enough, immortal beings have a spiritual fluid running through their veins in place of blood. President Joseph Fielding Smith explained that an immortal body “is one which is not quickened by blood, but by spirit.“[16] Such was the case with Adam and Eve prior to the Fall. President Smith stated: “When Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden, there was no blood in their bodies. Their lives were quickened by spirit.”[17] President Smith also taught that when Adam and Eve partook of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, a change was wrought in their bodies and this spiritual substance that sustained their immortal bodies was replaced by blood: “The partaking of the forbidden fruit caused blood to exist in [Adam’s] body and thus the seeds of mortality were sown.”[18]

The Law of Offspring

​Just like it is not possible for our mortal bodies to have spirit children in our current state, it is also an eternal law that resurrected celestial beings are not able to give birth to mortals with flesh and blood. Instead, resurrected celestial beings are only able to give birth to spirit children. Elder Melvin J. Ballard said:

“Men and women who keep the commandments of God…will come forth with celestial bodies...and unto them through their preparation, there will come spirit children. I don’t think that is very difficult to comprehend. The nature of the offspring is determined by the nature of the substance that flows in the veins of the being. When blood flows in the veins of the being the offspring will be what blood produces, which is tangible flesh and bone; but when that which flows in the veins is spirit matter, a substance which is more refined and pure and glorious than blood, the offspring of such beings will be spirit children. By that I mean they will be in the image of the parents. They will have a spirit body and have a spark of the eternal or divine that always did exist in them”[19]

This doctrine, which I am choosing to call “the law of offspring,” originated with Joseph Smith. In a March 1842 sermon, Joseph Smith taught that resurrected beings have “spirit in their [veins] & not blood.”[20] Referring to this sermon, Latter-day Saint historians Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook, stated: “The implication is that if your body is not resurrected [i.e., if your body is mortal], your children will be born flesh and bones, but that if your body is resurrected and has spirit in its veins your children will be spirits.”[21]

Such was the case with Adam. Apostle Samuel O. Bennion said:

“When Adam and Eve were first placed in the Garden of Eden they had resurrected bodies, in which there was no blood. A spiritual fluid or substance circulated in their veins instead of blood. Consequently, they had not power to beget children with tabernacles of flesh, such as human beings possess. The Fall caused a change in their bodies, which, while it rendered them mortal, at the same time gave them power to create mortal bodies of flesh, blood and bone for [their posterity].”[22]

If Adam and Eve were resurrected celestial beings with a spiritual substance circulating in their veins, as suggested by Elder Samuel O. Bennion, could they, theoretically, have had spirit children prior to being placed in the Garden of Eden? The answer to this question is yes, it would have been theoretically possible.

Did Adam and Eve have spirit children before being placed in the Garden of Eden?

The scriptures are mostly silent on this question, but remember, Adam stated, “she is the mother of all living” (present tense), which implies that Eve had already bore her children. More of this possibility will be discussed in Part II of this article.

Our Heavenly Father’s Plan

Setting the subject of Adam and Eve aside for a moment, let us quickly discuss some important truths regarding our Heavenly Father’s plan, and see how it might tie into our current topic.

The first thing we should point out is that our Heavenly Father, after he had created His spirit children (us), was faced with somewhat of a predicament. Remember, resurrected celestial beings are only able to create spirit bodies, not physical bodies, for their offspring. And yet, our Heavenly Father’s spirit children (us), desired to progress to receive an immortal celestial body like Him. And of course, this would require all of us to receive a mortal body first. How then, can our Heavenly Father provide physical bodies for His spirit children, if he is unable himself to create mortal offspring?

In the case of our earth, our Church teaches that God used Adam and Eve for this purpose. They were to go to earth, fall, and become mortal. This was the key. Once Adam and Eve became mortal, they could then get the ball rolling and start providing physical bodies for God’s spirit children. And just like that, God’s predicament was solved!

But wait a minute! If Adam and Eve were resurrected celestial beings prior to entering into the Garden of Eden, then this means that the only way that our Heavenly Father could provide mortal bodies for His spirit children, is to have two people who already had resurrected celestial bodies, go to an earth, fall, and become mortal. If this is true, then we need to ask ourselves three very important questions:​

The answer to all three of these questions is a resounding no! It makes much more logical sense to consider the possibility that our Heavenly Father, after creating his spirit children (us), decided to go to the earth himself, fall and thus become mortal, so that He may solve the problem of providing physical bodies for his own spirit children. And it makes much more logical sense that Adam and Eve would create their own earth for their own spirit children, volunteer to go to that earth and fall in order to become mortal, and thus start the process of providing physical bodies for their own spirit children.

​However, each of these issues are easily resolved if we instead assume that Adam (or Michael)—who was a resurrected celestial being prior to the Fall—chose to come to this earth and become mortal in order to provide physical bodies for His spirit children. In other words, it makes much more logical sense to conclude that Adam (or Michael) is the Father of our spirits as opposed to Elohim.

This is, in short, the Adam-God doctrine. And as we shall see in Part II of this series, Brigham Young taught this doctrine publically for over 20 years. He was not misquoted as some have suggested. Neither was he misunderstood as others have suggested. There are simply too many sermons over too many years to conclude either one of these options as being a real possibility. In light of the overwhelming evidence, there are only two viable options:

By the end of this article, the reader should have enough information in order to make that determination for themselves. However, before we proceed to Brigham Young’s quotes on the subject, we must first clarify a few more issues regarding this Adam-God doctrine to avoid any potential confusion.

Elohim and Jehovah

If Adam, or Michael, is the father of our spirits, who then are Elohim and Jehovah in the creation account? These individuals are Michael’s Patriarchs. Jehovah is Michael’s Father, and Elohim is Michael’s grandfather. President Joseph F. Smith recorded, “Elohim, Yahovah, and Michael were father, Son, and grandson. They made the earth and Michael became Adam.”[23]

It is important to remember that according to the Adam-God doctrine, Jehovah, in the creation account, is not Jesus. Rather, He is Michael’s Father. We must also remember that Jehovah is not a name, but a title; and as a title, it can be applied to more than one God under different circumstances. Later, in the Old Testament, this title would also be applied to Jesus.

If Adam is the father of our spirits, is he also the father of Jesus Christ’s spirit?

According to the Adam-God doctrine, yes.

How did Adam create the physical body of Jesus?

After the Fall, Adam lived and died on this earth. Since he possessed the keys of the resurrection from his previous earth life, he was able to be resurrected at the end of this earth life and return to his former celestial resurrected state. He was then able to overshadow Mary by the Spirit in the Meridian of Time.

Will we have to go through this same process?

According to the Adam-God doctrine, yes. If we are resurrected to the highest degree of the celestial kingdom and are able to have spirit children of our own, we must go to an earth and fall in order to provide physical mortal bodies for our offspring. Brigham Young said to a group of Elders, “you [will] get the privilege of being an Adam on an Earth,”[24] and also said to a group of sisters, “you will become Eves to earths like this.”[25]

Review of Conclusions

It is the opinion of this author, that the Adam-God doctrine is not a mystery that we as members of the Church are incapable of understanding. For example, in this article, we were able to conclude that Adam is the Father of our spirits, not by reading pages of sermons, but by thinking through things logically, step by step, and by applying basic truths that we have always know about the gospel. In fact, this was the same process I went through several years ago when I was trying to find answers myself. To recap, so far in this article, we have made the following nine conclusions:​

If you disagree with any of these nine conclusions, I invite you to go back and re-read the corresponding sections to determine where in this line of reasoning we went wrong. Then, try to find other possible explanations that are in harmony with the Restored Gospel for those specific sections. Perhaps you will do better than me, but any attempts that I have made to come up with doctrinally sound alternative explanations for any one of these nine conclusions has failed.

This means that, at best, the Adam–God doctrine is true and it offers the most coherent explanation for understanding the nature of Adam, and at worst, it makes it a bit more difficult to fault someone for arriving at any of the nine conclusions outlined above.

​But we don’t need to rely on the above exercise alone. As we said in the introduction, this doctrine was publicly taught by many General Authorities for many years. And now that we have a foundation to work with, we can turn our attention to some of these quotes and actually have a fighting chance at understanding them.

We begin with President Brigham Young. Here are a few of the statements he made regarding the Adam-God doctrine:

“Adam…had begotten all the spirits that were 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 first begotten in the spirit world [Jesus Christ], who according to the flesh is the only begotten as it is written.”[26]

“He [Adam] is the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, both body and spirit: and he is the father of our spirits, and the father of our flesh in the beginning. You will not dispute the words of an Apostle, that he is actually the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the father of our spirits…. He is not only the father of our spirits, but of our flesh, he being the founder of that natural machinery through which we have all obtained our bodies…the God with which we have to do. I tell you simply, he is our father; the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the father of our spirits…. I say he was not made of the dust of the ground of this earth, but he was made of the dust of the earth where he lived, where he honored his calling, believed in his Savior, or elder brother, and by his faithfulness, was redeemed, and got a glorious resurrection….I tell you more, Adam is the father of our spirits. He had lived upon an earth; he did abide his creation, and did honor his calling and priesthood, and obeyed his master of Lord, and probably many of his wives did the same and they lived and died upon an earth and they were resurrected again to immortality and eternal life…. Our spirits and the spirits of all the human family were begotten by Adam and born of Eve…. I tell you, when you see your Father in heaven, you will see Adam; when you see your mother that bore your spirit, you will see mother Eve.”[27]

“Adam was an immortal being when he came to this earth. He had lived on an earth similar to ours. He had received the priesthood and the keys thereof, and had been faithful in all things, and had gained his resurrection, and his exaltation and was crowned with glory, immortality and eternal lives, and was numbered with the Gods, for such he became through his faithfulness.”[28]

“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…. 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…. 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…. 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.”[29]

​“The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ—Who is He? He is Father Adam—Michael—the Ancient of Days.”[30]

While the above quotes are in no way a complete list of Brigham Young’s teachings on this subject, they do give us an idea of what he taught. One might ask: Where did Brigham Young get this information? If you asked Brigham Young this question, he would tell you that he learned it from none other than the Prophet Joseph Smith. He stated on more than one occasion: “Joseph [Smith] said that Adam was our Father and God.”[31] And again: “It was Joseph’s doctrine that Adam was God.”[32]

Furthermore, Wilford Woodruff wrote: “At a meeting of School of the Prophets, President Young said Adam was Michael the Archangel and he was the Father of Jesus Christ and was our God and that Joseph taught this principle. He [Brigham Young] 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.”[33] Perhaps this is what Joseph Smith meant when he said that Adam held the “keys of the universe.”[34]

Regardless, in addition to claiming that he received these teachings from Joseph Smith, Brigham Young would also state that these truths were confirmed to his soul by the Holy Ghost: “How much unbelief exists in the minds of the Latter-day Saints in regard to one particular doctrine which is revealed to them, and —namely that Adam is our father and God…. I could not find any man on the earth who could tell me this, although it is one of the simplest things in the world, until I met and talked with Joseph Smith.”[35]

​In fact, Brigham Young felt so strongly about the truthfulness of this doctrine that in 1877, he personally gave a thirty-minute lecture at the veil in the St. George Temple during an endowment session, and in it, included many of these teachings about Adam. During this sermon, Brigham Young had L. John Nuttall transcribe his words for future endowment sessions and stated that “this is the Lecture at the Veil to be observed in the Temple.”[36] The following month, L. John Nuttall would record a summary of Brigham Young’s “Lecture at the Veil” in his journal:

“In the creation the Gods entered into an agreement about forming this earth, and putting Michael or Adam upon it…. We have heard a great deal about Adam and Eve, how they were formed and etc. Some think he was made like an adobe and the Lord breathed into him the breath of life, for we read ‘from dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return.’ Well he was made of the dust of the earth but not of this earth. He was made just the same way you and I are made but on another earth. Adam was an immortal being when he came on this earth; He had lived on an earth similar to ours; he had received the Priesthood and the keys thereof, and had been faithful in all things and gained his resurrection and his exaltation, and was crowned with glory, immortality and eternal lives, and was numbered with the Gods for such he became through his faithfulness, 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. And when this earth was organized by Elohim, Jehovah and Michael, who is Adam our common father, Adam and Eve had the privilege to continue the work of progression, consequently came to this earth and commenced the great work of forming tabernacles for those spirits to dwell in, and when Adam and those that assisted him had completed this [earth] he came to it, and slept and forgot all and became like an infant child. It is said by Moses the historian that the Lord caused a deep sleep to come upon Adam and took from his side a rib and formed the woman that Adam called Eve—This should be interpreted that the Man Adam like all other men had the seed within him to propagate his species, but not the Woman; she conceives the seed but she does not produce it; consequently she was taken from the side or bowels of her father. This explains the mystery of Moses’ dark sayings in regard to Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve when they were placed on this earth were immortal beings with flesh, bones and sinews. But upon partaking of the fruits of the earth while in the garden and cultivating the ground their bodies became changed from immortal to mortal beings with the blood coursing through their veins as the action of life…. Father Adam’s oldest son (Jesus the Saviour) who is the heir of the family, is father Adams first begotten in the spirit world, who according to the flesh is the only begotten as it is written. (In his divinity he having gone back into the spirit world, and came in the spirit to Mary and she conceived, for when Adam and Eve got through with their work in this earth, they did not lay their bodies down in the dust, but returned to the spirit world from whence they came.)”[37]

It is fascinating to consider that Adam-God went from being taught at the veil of the temple during the endowment ceremony by a prophet of God who considered these teachings “doctrines” that will “prove [our] salvation or damnation,”[38] to being denounced in the Church today. The attempts to try and explain this phenomenon have been many. Fundamentalist Latter-day Saints will tell you that it is because the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints fell into apostasy after the death of Brigham Young, which is not something that I believe. Many faithful Latter-day Saints who are not as familiar with this doctrine’s history will tell you that Brigham Young was misunderstood, misinterpreted or misquoted, but based on the evidence, this is not a viable option either.

Serious Latter-day Saint scholars who are more familiar with these teachings will tell you that Brigham Young simply got this issue wrong. For example, Latter-day Saint theologian Terryl L. Givings concluded that these teachings of Adam were mere “speculations” of Brigham Young,[39] and that they eventually “faded into obscurity” after being “met with little acceptance,” and were rightly “repudiated [and] reversed” by his successors.[40] One of these successors, was Elder Bruce R. McConkie, who stated: “Yes, President Young did teach that Adam was the father of our spirits, and all the related things that the cultists ascribe to him. This, however, is not true. He expressed views that are out of harmony with the gospel.”[41]

While I do not agree with these opinions either, I fault no one for taking the stance that Brigham Young was wrong on this issue; although, those who believe this are put in a bit of a predicament: If Brigham Young was wrong, why did the Lord allow him to lead the Saints astray on the true nature of God—one of the most fundamental doctrines of the gospel—for over twenty-five years?

Rather than attempting to dismiss this important question, I believe that there is a far more reasonable explanation for why this doctrine evolved so dramatically from Brigham Young’s presidency to today—an explanation I will explore in Part III of this series.​

In order to understand why this doctrine isn’t taught in the Church anymore, let us quickly retrace the history of this doctrine, starting with Brigham Young’s presidency, to today.

Adam-God Teachings Were Once Considered “Doctrine”

Brigham Young made it very clear throughout his presidency that these teachings regarding Adam should in fact be considered doctrine. For example, after giving his famous Adam-God discourse in 1852 he said: “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.”[42]

​Brigham Young also went on record as saying:

“I know just as well what to teach this people and just what to say to them and what to do in order to bring them into the celestial kingdom, as I know the road to my office. It is just as plain and easy…. I have never yet preached a sermon and sent it out to the children of men, that they may not call Scripture.”[43]

“If there is an Elder here, or any member of this Church, called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who can bring up the first idea, the first sentence that I have delivered to the people as counsel that is wrong, I really wish they would do it; but they cannot do it, for the simple reason that I have never given counsel that is wrong; this is the reason.[44]

With Brigham Young’s death in 1877 however, these doctrines regarding Adam were rarely taught in public. Latter-day Saint scholar Rodney Turner stated:

“With the passing of Brigham Young, the subject of Adam’s identity, beyond that revealed in the standard works of the church, was seldom discussed.… However, with the turn of the century, the Church came under fire from various protestant ministers and ‘Mormon haters’ for, among other things, its belief in the ‘Adam deity’ of Brigham Young. It is then that we find such leaders…speaking forth in defense of the official doctrine of the Church.”[45]

As soon as the Church’s opponents became aware of these teachings on Adam, they seized the opportunity to ridicule and publicize them. As a result, many members—particularly a new generation—encountered these controversial ideas for the first time. This led to significant confusion and even contention within the Church, and it also deterred many potential converts. Faced with this growing challenge, Church leaders had two options: either publicly affirm Brigham Young’s teachings, or remain silent and allow the controversy to fade over time. They chose the latter approach.

The Doctrine is Hushed

The reason behind this decision comes strictly from the Lord’s council as recorded in Matthew: “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you” (Matthew 7:6).

Brigham Young’s teachings, while intended only for the faithful Saints, were also heard by the enemies of the Church. Rather than casting more pearls, Church leaders attempted to retrieve these pearls and cast them before swine no longer. In fact, Brigham Young may have agreed with this decision had he lived to see its day. Towards the end of his life, he said on more than one occasion:

“And I can truly say that I believe, if I am guilty in any one point in my walk before this people, it is in telling them things they are not worthy of—that I have given unto them things that they could not receive.”[46]

​“And I will say, as I have before said, if guilt before my God and my brethren rests upon me in the least, it is in this one thing—that I have revealed too much concerning God and his kingdom, and the designs of our Father in heaven. If my skirts are stained in the least with wrong, it is because I have been too free in telling what God is, how he lives, the nature of his providences and designs in creating the world, in bringing forth the human family on the earth, his designs concerning them, etc. If I had, like Paul, said—‘But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant,’ perhaps it would have been better for the people.”[47]

In any event, this would be the route the new Church leaders would take. For example, in 1897, Ephraim Nye, who was the President of the California mission, wrote a letter to the First Presidency wanting clarification on the teachings of Adam-God after some of his missionaries came in contact with an anti-Mormon Minister. Apostle Franklin D. Richards wrote President Nye back as follows:

“Dear Brother: On receipt of your letter…I conferred with Pres. Joseph F. Smith, and we concluded to present the matter to the Council of the First Presidency and Twelve Apostles…. The council did not deem it wise to lay out any line of procedure in which to deal with the subject, but felt that it is best to avoid bringing it up, and do the best we can and as the Spirit may suggest when it is thrust upon us….

​“This like many other points of more advanced doctrine, is too precious a pearl to be cast before swine. But when the swine get hold of them, let us rescue them by the help of the Spirit as best we can. Thinking it may be convenient to you to have President Young’s sayings on that subject, I enclosed a copy from his sermon in the first Volume of the Journal of Discourse.”[48]

President George Q. Cannon also stated in 1898:

“I was stopped yesterday afternoon by a young man, who wanted to know whether Adam was the Father of our Lord and Savior—whether he was the being we worshipped, etc…. Concerning the doctrine in regard to Adam and the Savior, the Prophet Brigham Young taught some things concerning that; but the First Presidency and the Twelve do not think it wise to advocate these matters. It is sufficient to know we have a Father—God the Eternal Father, who reveals Himself by His Holy Spirit unto those who seek Him; and that Jesus Christ is His Son, our Redeemer, the Savior of the world.”[49]

In addition to retrieving our pearls from swine, perhaps there was a second reason why this doctrine was hushed during this time period. To understand this decision made by our former Church leaders, we have to understand that not everyone within the Church was at the same level spiritually. The Church at this time saw a considerable increase in size from the presidency of Brigham Young, and with this growth came new challenges of feeding everyone spiritually. In a sense, the Church still faces this same obstacle today, which is why we only hear the basics (milk) of the gospel in our General Conferences. Giving the deeper mysteries (meat) of the gospel to those who are not spiritually ready to receive them would only confuse the learner. We are told that we are to receive the gospel “line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little” and “unto him that receiveth I will give more” (2 Nephi 28:30).

For each of these reasons, the doctrine was hushed. No doubt this was an inspired decision. However, this did not mean that Adam-God teachings did not linger and continue to surface from time to time among Church members who did not understand these concepts. As time passed, more and more people were pressing the current Church leaders to speak up on the matter.

Church Teachings on Adam Changes to “Don’t be Concerned”

​Eventually, Church leaders could not ignore all of these inquiries and made the decision to address it head on. In doing so, they counseled the Saints to not be concerned with Adam’s identity. For example, President Wilford Woodruff said to the Saints in 1895:

“Cease troubling yourselves about who God is; who Adam is, who Christ is, who Jehovah is. For heaven’s sake, let these things alone. Why trouble yourselves about these things?… God is God. Christ is Christ. The Holy Ghost is the Holy Ghost. That should be enough for you and me to know. I say this because we are troubled every little while with inquiries from Elders anxious to know who God is, who Christ is, and who Adam is. I say to the Elders of Israel, stop this…. We have had letter after letter from Elders abroad wanting to know concerning these things. Adam is the first man. He was placed in the Garden of Eden, and is our great progenitor. God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Ghost, are the same yesterday, today, and forever, that should be sufficient for us to know.”[50]

These statements were a clear push to encourage the Saints of that generation to not concern themselves with these things. As one might imagine, this did not satisfy this particular group of Church members in the least and probing questions continued to follow.

Church Teachings on Adam Changes to “Mystery”

As a result of these probing questions, President Joseph F. Smith stated in 1910:

“Whether the first parents of our generation, Adam and Eve, were transplanted from another sphere, with immortal tabernacles, which became corrupted through sin and the partaking of natural foods, in the process of time; whether they were born here in mortality, as other mortals have been, are questions not fully answered in the revealed word of God.”[51]

Here, President Joseph F. Smith defined the doctrines pertaining to Adam as “questions not fully answered in the revealed word of God,” and in a sense, he was correct. After all, these teachings were not fully explained in the scriptures. Rather they were given to the Saints by the Lord’s Prophet, Brigham Young. On a second occasion, President Joseph F. Smith wrote:

“It is certainly unwise for the Elders or any other member of the Church to advocate doctrines that are not clearly set forth in the revealed word of God, and concerning which, in consequence, difference of opinion exist. No good can come from it, but on the contrary, much evil may result….

“What is called the Adam-God doctrine may properly be classed among the mysteries. The full truth concerning it has not been revealed to us; and until it is revealed all wild speculations, sweeping assertions and dogmatic declarations relative thereto, are out of place and improper….

​“As to the personality and position of [Adam]…these are matters immaterial at the present time, and are at best but an unprofitable speculation.”[52]

Here President Smith labeled the Adam-God teachings as a “speculation” and “mystery.” Again, in a sense he was right—it was a mystery to those who did not understand it. We know this is what President Smith meant because he was among those who believed Brigham Young’s Adam-God teachings as truth.[53]

Unfortunately, not even these statements satisfied all Church members, and many continued to press the First Presidency for a further explanation.

Church Teachings on Adam Changes to “Theory”

​Therefore, in 1912, President Joseph F. Smith issued an official statement which labeled the Adam-God teachings as a theory:

“Speculations as to the career of Adam before he came to the earth are of no real value. We learn by revelation that he was Michael, the archangel, and that he stands at the head of his posterity on earth. (D&C 107:53-56.) Dogmatic assertions do not take the place of revelation, and we should be satisfied with that which is accepted as doctrine, and not discuss matters that, after all disputes, are merely matters of theory.”[54]

In 1940, President Joseph Fielding Smith went even further by saying:​

“The Lord has not seen fit to tell us definitely just how Adam came for we are not ready to receive that truth. …The time will come when we shall be informed all about Adam and the manner of creation, for the Lord has promised that when he comes he will make all these things known.”[55]

Church Teachings on Adam Changes to “Not Official Doctrine”

Years later, still being pressed by Church members, Church leaders went one step further and labeled these ideas as “not official doctrine.” For example, Elder B.H. Roberts said: “Brigham Young and others may have taught that doctrine, but it has never been accepted by the Church as her doctrine, and she is not in any way responsible for it.”[56]

This statement is 100% accurate. While Brigham Young may have personally labeled it as such, the Church never issued any statement labeling it as “official Church doctrine.” However, Church members at this time were not interested in whether or not it was Church doctrine; instead, they wanted to know whether or not it was true. Nevertheless, Church leaders remained quiet on that issue except for a few occasions.[57]

Church Teachings on Adam Changes to “False Doctrine”

When even these statements did not satisfy church members, President Spencer W. Kimball finally stated in 1976:

“We warn you against the dissemination of doctrines which are not according to the scriptures and which are alleged to have been taught by some of the General Authorities of past generations. Such, for instance, is the Adam-God theory. We denounce that theory and hope that everyone will be cautioned against this and other kinds of false doctrine.”[58]

Again, this statement is worded very carefully in my opinion. President Kimball said that the Adam-God theory was not in accordance with the scriptures, and in a sense, he is correct because the scriptures do not fully explain this doctrine. President Kimball also denounced the Adam-God theory and “cautioned against this and other kinds of false doctrines.” This carefully worded statement has led to ongoing discussion about whether President Kimball definitively classified the Adam-God theory as false doctrine, or whether he simply denounced by associating it with other teachings that he considered false.

The latest chapter on this subject came in 2002, when President Gordon B. Hinckley was asked by a reporter about these teachings, to which he replied that “Brigham Young said if you went to Heaven and saw God it would be Adam and Eve. I don't know what he meant by that.”[59] This statement from President Hinckley has been the last word on this subject from any President of the Church.

To Recap

​To recap, the Adam-God teachings progressively moved from being:

What was the reason for this evolution? In my opinion, it was not because it wasn’t true. Nor was it because later Church authorities were trying to correct Brigham Young’s false teachings. Nor was it because the Church fell into apostasy after the death of Brigham Young. Rather, it was because many Church members constantly demanded further explanation from the Brethren, when the Brethren wished only to retrieve their pearls from the world.

The Holy Ghost Teaches Truth

Those who demand that the Church speak up on this topic need to keep in mind that it is the Holy Ghost who reveals truth, not human beings. In Jesus’ day, Jesus refused to reveal his identity to his enemies, and oftentimes, even to those he ministered to. Many times, Jesus’ enemies would demand that He tell them plainly whether or not He was the Messiah. Jesus would often reply, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15). This left his enemies outraged and they only continued to ask him this same question.

Jesus’ followers on the other hand, did not need Jesus’ testimony to know whether or not He was the Son of God. They had the Spirit to bear witness to their souls. Jesus did not even reveal his divinity to his own Apostles. They had to find out from heaven like everyone else:

[Jesus] saith unto [His Apostles], But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven (Matthew 16:15-17).

The Holy Ghost in this instance was a much more powerful testimony than anything even Jesus himself could have said regarding His divinity. So it is with all truth. Those who demanded the truth concerning Adam’s identity from the lips of the First Presidency were skipping steps by bypassing the Holy Ghost. On the other hand, Church members who have had the Holy Ghost bear witness to their souls of the truthfulness of the Adam-God doctrine do not need the Stake Presidency, or First Presidency, or anyone else for that matter, to confirm whether or not it is true because of the witness they received from the Spirit.

Because the First Presidency has chosen to remain relatively silent on this issue, it falls to each of us to seek personal confirmation of its truthfulness. As with all matters of spiritual importance, the Holy Ghost will either bear witness to our souls or cause a “stupor of thought” if the matter is not true (see D&C 9:8–9). This purpose of this article is to assist those who sincerely desire to understand what has been taught and, ultimately, to help them discern whether or not it is true.

In closing, it is important to remember that not all truths are meant for all people at all times (milk before meat). Some members of the Church may not yet be spiritually prepared to receive these teachings. For this reason, I would advise you not to share this article with anyone who may not be ready for it spiritually. For a similar reason, I have intentionally chosen not to link this article anywhere on my website. I did not want it to be found casually or by accident. Anyone reading this has likely made a deliberate effort to search it out—an indication that the Lord may be preparing such individuals to receive these deeper truths. If you fall into this category, and if you made it this far into the article, you have my utmost respect.​

Notes:
​
[1] Smith, Church History and Modern Revelation, 2:5

[2] McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 564.

[3] Nelson, “The Atonement,” October 1996, (emphasis added) located at: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1996/10/the-atonement?lang=eng

[4] Smith, Doctrines of Salvation 1:115; emphasis added.

[5] Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1:77 emphasis added; See also Journal of Discourses 1:280-284

[6] Skousen, The First 2,000 Years p. 24.

[7] Journal of Discourses 3:319.

[8] McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary 2:471; emphasis added.

[9] Deseret Evening News, December 27, 1913, as quoted in Andrus, God, Man, and the Universe, p. 353. It should also be noted that shortly after our physical bodies are formed in the womb, our spirits are, at some point, allowed to enter into them in preparation for birth. Interestingly, this same order of events mirrors the description of Adam’s creation in the Book of Abraham: “And the Gods formed man from the dust of the ground [i.e., Adam was formed through the birth process] and took his spirit (that is, the man’s spirit), and put it into him; and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul” (Abraham 5:7; emphasis added).

[10] Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 373.

[11] McConkie, The Millennial Messiah, p. 644 (emphasis added).

[12] Journal of Discourses, 3:319

[13] Smith, Church History and Modern Revelation, 2:5

[14] Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, 3:100.

[15] Bible Dictionary, under “Fall of Adam,” 1979 edition.

[16] Smith, Church History and Modern Revelation, 2:5

[17] Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, 3:100.

[18] Smith, Church History and Modern Revelation, 2:5

[19] Ballard, Crusader for Righteousness, p. 211; emphasis added.

[20] Wilford Woodruff account of 20, March 1842 discourse, as quoted in Words of Joseph Smith, p. 270.

[21] Words of Joseph Smith, p. 270

[22] Liahona, The Elders Journal 6:33

[23] Joseph F. Smith Journal, 17 June 1871 entry, Church Archives, as quoted in Tholson, Adam—God, p. 83.

[24] Journal of Discourses 4:271.

[25] Journal of Discourses 8:208.

[26] Discourse delivered by Brigham Young, Feb. 7, 1887, as recorded by his secretary and scribe, L. John Nuttall, in the L. John Nuttal journals under date, quoted in Christensen, The Adam-God Maze, p. 100-01.

[27] M.A.B.Y., Oct. 8, 1854, as quoted in Christensen, The Adam-God Maze, p. 83-84.

[28] Brigham Young, John Nuttall Journal, Feb. 7, 1887, as quoted in Christensen, The Adam-God Maze, p. 87.

[29] Journal of Discourses 1:50-51.

[30] Brigham Young, Feb. 19, 1854 Church Archives, as quoted in Tholson, Adam—God, p. 75.

[31] Brigham Young, Journal History of the Church, May 14, 1876; also L. John Nuttall Papers, B.Y.U. Library.

[32] Minutes of Quorum meeting held in the Historian's Office April 4, 1860, Brigham Young Papers, Church Archives, as quoted in Christensen, The Adam-God Maze, p. 137.

[33] Wilford Woodruff Journal, Dec. 16, 1867/Feb. 19, 1854, as quoted in Christensen, The Adam-God Maze, p. 104.

[34] Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 157.

[35] Deseret News, June, 18, 1873, p. 308; emphasis added.

[36] L. John Nuttall Journal, 1:18-21, Feb. 7, 1877

[37] L. John Nuttall Journal, February, 1877.

[38] Journal of Discourses 1:50-51.

[39] Givings, Wrestling the Angel, p. 114.

[40] Givings, Wrestling the Angel, p. 14. For Givings arguments on this topic, see Givings, Wrestling the Angel, p. 112-17.

[41] Letter from Elder Bruce R. McConkie to Mr. Eugene England, February 19, 1981, located at https://www.eugeneengland.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/BRM-to-EE-Feb-80-Combined.pdf

[42] Journal of Discourses 1:51

[43] Journal of Discourses 13:95.

[44] Journal of Discourses 16:161.

[45] Turner, “The Position of Adam in Latter-day Saint Scripture and Theology,” August, 1953, located at: https://www.scribd.com/document/73232017/The-Position-of-Adam-in-Latter-day-Saint-Scripture-and-Theology-by-Rodney-Turner

[46] Journal of Discourses, 7:238.

[47] Journal of Discourses, 8:58.

[48] Richards Family Collection, Franklin Dewey Richards Letterbook, CHO.

[49] In first Sunday School Convention, 1898, p. 88.

[50] Woodruff, Millennial Star, (April 7, 1895), 57:355.

[51] Joseph F. Smith & E.H. Anderson, "Editorial," Improvement Era (1910), 13:570

[52] Joseph F. Smith, Letter to Edward Bunker, Feb. 27, 1902

[53] President Joseph F. Smith recorded in his journal: “Elohim, Yahovah, and Michael were father, Son, and grandson. They made the earth and Michael became Adam” (Joseph F. Smith Journal, 17 June 1871 entry, Church Archives).

[54] Improvement Era, March 1912, p. 417

[55] The Utah Genealogical and Historical Magazine, (June, 1940), 21:147

[56] Deseret News, July 23, 1921.

[57] See for example Roberts, “Our Father Adam,” Improvement Era, September 1902, Vol 5, No. 11; Widtsoe, Evidences and Reconciliations, p. 55, 67, 71; Smith, Man, His Origin and Destiny, p. 346-347; Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, 1:8; Smith, Doctrines of Salvation 1:90-92, 96-106; Peterson, Adam: Who is He?, p. 13; McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, under “Adam-God Theory.”

[58] “Our Own Liahona,” Ensign (November, 1976), located at: http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1976/10/our-own-liahona?lang=eng

​[59] Reported by Lawrence Wright of The New Yorker on January 21, 2002, as quoted in “Adam–God Theory,” Mormonr, located at, https://mormonr.org/qnas/0JPssK/adam_god_theory.