Adam-God Doctrine

While not a doctrine believed by most LDS people today, there can be no doubt that Brigham Young believed and taught that Adam was God the Father, the God of this earth, and the Father of Jesus in the flesh. President Young taught this for over 20 years, claiming it was from the Lord, only to have later Mormon Prophet Spencer W. Kimball declare this false doctrine.
 
Click on the links below to see scanned images of various 19th century LDS publications with statements on Adam-god from Brigham Young and other LDS General Authorities.

• Spencer W. Kimball — "We denounce that theory [Adam-God] and hope that everyone will be cautioned against this and other kinds of false doctrine." Conference Report, p. 115 (October 1-3, 1976)
   
• Before Adam fell he was a resurrected man. "Biblical Cosmogony" article, Contributor, vol. 8, p. 218 (1886)
   
• Brigham Young — God revealed Adam-God doctrine to him, Adam holds the keys of everlasting life and salvation to all. Deseret News, p. 308 (June 18, 1873)
   
• Hosea Stout — "President B. Young taught that Adam was the father of Jesus and the only God to us." Diary of Hosea Stout, vol. 2, p. 435 (April 9, 1852)
   
• Brigham Young — Adam came into the garden of Eden with a celestial body and one of his many wives, he is our Father and God. The Father, not the Holy Spirit, conceived Jesus with the Virgin Mary. Journal of Discourses, vol. 1, p. 50 (April 9, 1852)
   
• Brigham Young — "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." Journal of Discourses, vol. 1, p. 51 (April 9, 1852)
   
• Brigham Young — "You believe Adam was made of the dust of this earth. This I do not believe, though it is supposed that it is so written in the Bible; but it is not, to my understanding." Journal of Discourses, vol. 2, p. 6 (1853)
   
• Brigham Young — Curse not removed from blacks until others have received their resurrection from the dead. Journal of Discourses, vol. 2, p. 143 (Dec. 3, 1854)
   
• Brigham Young — Adam "brought the animals and seeds from other planets to this world." Journal of Discourses, vol. 3, p. 319 (1856)
   
• Brigham Young — Joseph and Moses were Gods to the people of Israel. Journal of Discourses, vol. 4, p. 271 (1857)
   
• Brigham Young - God is so near to us as Father Adam. Journal of Discourses, vol. 5, p. 331 (1857)
   
• Brigham Young — Men will become Gods, Kings of kings and Lords of lords. Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, p. 275 (1852)
   
• Brigham Young — "Mankind are here because they are the offspring of parents who were brought here from another planet." Journal of Discourses, vol. 7, p. 285 (1859)
   
• Brigham Young — if he has any guilt it is for being too free in talking about what God is. Journal of Discourses, vol. 8, p. 58 (1860)
   
• Brigham Young — LDS sisters will become Eves on their own earths. Journal of Discourses, vol. 8, p. 208 (1860)
   
• Heber C. Kimball — Adam brought animals and seeds to this earth from a different planet. Journal of Discourses, vol. 8, p. 244 (1860)
   
• Brigham Young — Woe to women who go against doctrine of plurality of wives (polygamy). Journal of Discourses, vol. 12, p. 97 (1867)
   
• Samuel O. Bennion — Bodies of Adam and Eve had no blood when first placed on the earth. Liahona, vol. 6, p. 33 (1910)
   
• Brigham Young — "Adam, our Father and God." Millennial Star, vol. 15, p. 769 (1853)
   
• Brigham Young — "Jesus Christ was not begotten by the Holy Ghost." Millennial Star, vol. 15, p. 770 (1853)
   
• Editorial — Adam is really God. Millennial Star, vol. 15, p. 801 (1853)
   
• Editorial — "It has been said that Adam is the God and Father of the human family." Millennial Star, vol. 15, p. 825 (1853)
   
• Conference Report — "Polygamy has been gotten over pretty well ... but they are troubled about Adam being our Father and God." Millennial Star, vol. 16, p. 482 (1854)
   
• Franklin D. Richards — "Adam is our Father and God, ... the Prophet and Apostle Brigham has declared it, and that it is the word of the Lord." Millennial Star, vol. 16, p. 534 (1854)
   
• Affirmation of Brigham's teaching that Adam is "our Father and our God, and the only God with whom we have to do." Millennial Star, vol. 17, p. 195 (1855)
   
• William Clayton — Orson Spencer upholds Brigham Young teaching on Adam God. Private Journal MSS (October 3, 1852)
   
• Wilford Woodruff — Adam is Michael or God. Wilford Woodruff Diary, vol. 4, p. 129 (April 9, 1852)
   
• Wilford Woodruff — Pratt could not believe Brigham Young on Adam-God. Wilford Woodruff Diary, vol. 4, p. 287-289 (September 17, 1854)
   
• Wilford Woodruff — Michael (Adam) was a resurrected being. Wilford Woodruff Diary, vol. 5, p. 426-427 (January 27, 1860)
   
• Wilford Woodruff — Joseph also taught Adam-God. Wilford Woodruff Diary, vol. 6, p. 381 (December 16, 1867)
   
• Edward Tullidge — "Adam is our Father and God. He is the God of the earth. So says Brigham Young." Women of Mormondom, p. 179 (1877)