James Brighouse (1841-1916) was the founder of a splinter sect from the then-RLDS Church the "Order of Enoch." He was the first person to have claimed to be the "One Mighty and Strong" from D&C 85:7 and then later, while on a missionary journey to the “Brighamites” in 1891, to be Jesus(!). Naturally, one must take his writings with a large grain of salt. Notwithstanding, he did not hold to a “young-earth creationist” understanding of Genesis 1; instead, he understood it to be a myth (as in a narrative that used a lot of symbolic language) and, like Joseph Smith and other early Latter-day Saints, Pre-Adamites. Note the following he and one of his followers, Henry I. Doremus, wrote May 17, 1888, in Salt Lake City:
What are we to understand
by the things revealed and recorded through Moses first chapter of Genesis? It shows
and comprehends the beautiful order of creation; the unfolding of the elements
from their most crude condition, to the highest state of development; pointing
to a period in the history of the globe when all life and beauty were locked in
their elementary form in the womb of eternity; when nothing could live in the
waters, or breathe in the air; the bosom of the great deep had not been broken,
and the solid ground was not yet born.
The chapter also
gives an outline and presents a very concise and graphic picture of the race of
mankind, as they existed not less than twelve thousand years ago; representing
their character and degree of advancement in symbolical language, and by such
significant terms, as heaven, earth, and waters:--The firmament, sun, moon, and
stars; all these beautiful symbols were used by the Lord God and His only-begotten
Son; representing the great governing power, through the institution of law and
the highest order of government, apprehended and centered in the Most High,
affecting all intelligent beings; testing their character, and revealing their
order, whether of the sun, moon or stars . . . Did the race of mankind exist
before the period allotted for the work of creation? Yes, for untold ages.
Then the race was not
brought into life when Adam was made and placed in Eden? No, verily no; and
those who believe and teach such a theory have but a very superficial idea of
the teachings of Moses; thus giving sceptics opportunity to show their folly
also.
Then in what sense
was Adam the first man? In that he was the first being of all the millions of
the race who apprehended and obtained knowledge of God. (James Brighouse, The
Voice of the Seventh Angel, Proclaiming The End of Time! The Resurrection of
the Dead! The day of Final Judgement" and The Rule of Righteousness and
Peace! [South Cottonwood, Utah, 1892], 127-28, 129-30)
Further Reading
Pre-Adamites
The
Affirmation of Pre-Adamites by Joseph and Hyrum Smith and Orson Hyde
Scott
R. Frazer on Pre-Adamites
S.
Joshua Swamidass on Evidence for People Outside the Garden of Eden
Marion
G. Romney Being Open to There being "Pre-Adamites"
The “One Mighty and Strong”
