ADAM-GOD THEORY.

Next, we have one of those oft repeated efforts to make the Doctrine and Covenants responsible for all the heresies taught by Brigham Young and Co. So it is claimed that the "Adam-God theory" which was once taught by Brigham Young is also taught in the Doctrine and Covenants. A statement found in section 26:2 is selected as proof, while all this is written elsewhere in the book on the same point, is ignored. The statement read as follows:—

And also with Michael, or Adam, the father of all, the prince of all, the ancient of days.

How can any critic consistently affirm that this revelation teaches that Adam is God, when the opening part of the paragraph reads as follows?

Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Lord, your God, and your Redeemer.

In Doctrine and Covenants 77: 3 it is plainly shown that Adam received all his power, knowledge, and authority from the "Holy One,"—

Who hath appointed Michael [Adam], your prince, and established his feet, and set him upon high: and given unto him the keys of salvation under the counsel and direction of the Holy ONe, who is without beginning of days or end of life.

Doctrine and Covenants 104: 28 shows in what sense Adam was made "the father of all, the prince of all":—

And the Lord appeared unto them, and they rose up and blessed Adam, and called him Michael, the Prince, the Archangel. And the Lord administered comfort unto Adam, and said unto him, I ahe set thee to be at the head: a multitude of nations shall come to thee; and thou art a prince over them forever.

So another infidel effort to convict is exposed, and the Doctrine and Covenants is vindicated by simply allowing it to speak for itself. And we need not be at a loss to know what estimate to place upon the assertions of these would be iconoclasts, when it is known that Brigham Young taught that Adam is God, and the only God with whom we have to do; and they say, almost with one voice,—

There never was a pupil who followed so literally the teachings of his master, as did Brigham Young follow the teachings of Joseph Smith!

And yet Brigham young taught that Adam is our father and our God, and the only God with whom we have to do; Joseph Smith taught that Adam was a man, standing at the head of the race, and that all his official honor and power came from the "Holy One," whom alone we are to worship, and "who is without beginning of days or end of life."