Friday, October 9, 2020

James Brighouse (1841-1916) Affirming that the Creation Account of Genesis 1 being Symbolic and the Existence of Pre-Adamites

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”

 

Lyle O. Wright on D&C 85:7

 

Jesus being the "One mighty and strong"