Among the exalted beings who have become as Christ,
Brigham speculated that Adam held a special place "as the only God with
whom we have to do." In this he was going far beyond the confines of the
quite biblically correct doctrine already outlined, in suggesting that Adam
(Michael) had died and been resurrected in a previous existence and that as a
divine being he had there been authorised to create the spirits of all men and
women. Following the completion of this task he had "fallen" again,
although this time to our earth and then propagated the physical bodies of
mankind, perhaps even taking a role in the forming of Christ's body. (This last
point I have found to be the least documented and most confused aspect of the
doctrine in the original sources). I do not have time to specifically document
the details mentioned, but a fuller discussion will appear in my book. (The two
most important studies are Rodney Turner's 1954 M. A. Thesis at B.Y.U. on the
role of Adam in Latter-day Saint theology and Gary Begera's article in Dialogue
on the Orson Pratt-Brigham Young Controversy Vol. 13: 1980, 2). For perspective
it must be pointed out that despite the confused interpretation of some saints
and many non-Mormons, Brigham did not confuse either the person of the
Father, Christ, or Adam in this, he did not advocate the worship of
Adam, and he clearly indicated that Adam had acted subordinate to and in the
power and authority of the Father and the Son (well documented points that the
Tanners don't make clear). Thus his personal preaching continued to remain
Christocentric as it had always been. (To quote just three examples: " ...
the greatest and most important of all requirements ... is to believe in Jesus
Christ, confess him, seek him, cling to him. make friends with him. Take a
course to open a communication with your Elder Brother ... " J.D. 8:339.
"My faith is placed upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and my knowledge I have
received from him." J.D. 3:155. "Our faith is concentrated in the Son
of God ... J.D. 6:98). Indeed, Brigham was certain that Cod the Almighty was
the ultimate Father of both our spirits and Christ's body, despite his unusual
beliefs about the means by which this may have been accomplished in the
possible use or involvement of Adam's deified body.
Furthermore, although Brigham apparently believed that
God had revealed the strange aspects of this doctrine to him, this was
understood to be by purely intuitive feelings and "natural revelation,
" clearly not in the same category as the unequivocal revelations he
constantly received for the direction of the kingdom. (It is significant in
this regard that after a period of intense discussion of this and other
doctrines, in a First Presidency statement in which Brigham could have
"forced" his view upon the Church he simply stated with regard to
Adam's creation :... "it is deemed wisest to let that subject remain
without further explanation at present: for it is written that we are to
receive "line upon line," according to our faith and capacities. J.
Clark, op. cit., 2:222). (Ian Barber, What Mormonism’ Isn’t [Auckland,
New Zealand: Pioneer Books, 1981], E12)
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