In Joseph Smith's Advocate of July 1st, 1881, I read an article in which he asks, "By what authority did Brigham Young teach the Saints that Adam is our Father and our God?" etc. He then says, "Let the saints then judge Brigham Young's strange doctrines and practices."

Brigham Young did not happen to be the author of this doctrine, and to prove the truth of my assertion, I will produce some of the Prophet's teachings, given May 16th, 1841. These were written, together with other things, by his clerk William Clayton, as they were spoken, and as I had the privilege of reading them when quite a young woman, I took the liberty of copying them. The copy I have retained, and this is what the Prophet said upon this subject, commencing with the

PRIESTHOOD:

The Priesthood was given to Adam—he obtained the first presidency and held the keys of it from generation to generation. He obtained it in the creation before the world was formed. * * He had dominion given him over every living creature: he is Michael, the archangel spoken of in the scriptures. . . . Daniel, in his seventh chapter of his book, speaks of the Ancient of days—he means the oldest man, our father Adam, Michael. . . . He (Adam) is the father of the human family and presides over the spirits of all men, and all that have had the keys must stand before him in this grand council. . . .

When the Saints first heard this doctrine advanced it looked strange and unnatural to them; it was strong meat and required a little time before it could be digested; but this was owing to the narrow, contracted ideas which had been handed down from generation to generation by our forefathers. We were like babes and had always been fed upon milk; but, as Jesus said, we have to be taught "here a little and there a little." When I was able to comprehend it, it appeared quite consistent. There is something in this doctrine that is very home-like, grand and beautiful to reflect upon, and it is very simple and comprehensive. It teaches us that we are all the children of the same parent, whose love was so great that He gave His beloved Son, our Elder Brother, Jesus Christ, to redeem us from the fall. He came down upon this earth in the meridian of time and descended below all things that He might rise above all things, and thus rescue us from everlasting death. It teaches us that our Father was once mortal, and that if we remain faithful we will finally become as He is—immortal, even if we must first pay the penalty for the transgression of our first parents.