Vol. 11, No. 1, 1994

Brigham Young exclaims: Thus Saith The Prophet of God?

By Rick Branch

Brigham Young, second Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was certainly a prolific speaker. Some modern members of the LDS Church would say too prolific for their wishes. In fact, over his 42 years as an Apostle and Prophet in the LDS Church, Young gave numerous speeches on a variety of topics. The following segments will provide modern readers an overview of Brigham Young's vast theological repertoire.

Jesus' Atonement is not sufficient:

Young boldly asserted, "And furthermore, I know that there are transgressors, who, if they knew themselves, and the only condition upon which they can obtain forgiveness, would beg of their brethren to shed their blood, that the smoke thereof might ascend to God as an offering to appease the wrath that is kindled against them, and that the law might have its course.

"I will say further; I have had men come to me and offer their lives to atone for their sins. It is true that the blood of the Son of God was shed for sins through the fall and those committed by men, yet men can commit sins which it can never remit" (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 4, pp. 53-54, See also, Blood Atonement: Doctrine Unto Death).

Joseph Smith's consent is necessary to enter heaven:

On several occasions, Young made statements such as, "Joseph Smith holds the keys of this last dispensation, and is now engaged behind the vail in the great work of the last days".

He continued with, "No man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith. From the day that the Priesthood was taken from the earth to the winding-up scene of all things, every man and woman must have the certificate of Joseph Smith, junior, as a passport to their entrance into the mansion where God and Christ are I with you and you with me. I cannot go there without his consent" (Ibid, Vol. 7, p. 289).

Christians are heathens:

Young declared, "According to my definition of the word, a people are heathenish that do not know things as they ought. The Christian world, so called, are heathens as to their knowledge of salvation of God". He also stated, "With regard to true theology, a more ignorant people never lived than the present so-called Christian world" (Ibid, Vol. 8, pp. 171, 199).

Polygamy is necessary for godhood:

A cardinal doctrine of the LDS Church today is that all male members hope one day to become a god. Young said, "I will now continue the point I am now at. The Lord created you and me for the purpose of becoming Gods like Himself" (Ibid, Vol. 3, p. 93). Godhood is the ultimate form of salvation, with anything less than godhood, according to the LDS Church, being considered damnation.

However, Brigham Young placed a requirement on godhood that the current LDS Church does not follow. "The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy". In another sermon he stated, "Now if any of you will deny the plurality of wives, and continue to do so, I promise that you will be damned; and I will go still further and say, take this revelation, or any other revelation that the Lord has given, and deny it in your feelings, and I promise that you will be damned" (Ibid, Vol. 11, p. 269; Vol. 3, p. 266).

All people must confess Jesus and Joseph Smith for salvation:

Young stated, "For unbelievers we will quote from the Scriptures, `Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.' Again `Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God.'"

"I will now give my scripture: `Whosoever confesseth that Joseph Smith was sent of God to reveal the holy Gospel to the children of men, and lay the foundation for gathering Israel, and building up the kingdom of God on the earth, that spirit is of God; and every spirit that does not confess that God has sent Joseph Smith, and revealed the everlasting Gospel and through him, is of Antichrist'" (Ibid, Vol. 8, p. 176).

Jesus was married and had children:

Because marriage is necessary for godhood, the Mormon Church teaches that Jesus was married. Young explained, "This same truth is borne out by the Savior. Said he, when talking to his disciples: `He that hath seen me hath seen the Father;' and, `I and my Father are one.' The Scripture says that He, the Lord, came walking in the Temple, with His train; I do not know who they were, unless His wives and children" (Ibid, Vol. 13, 309).

Adam is God:

Perhaps the most controversial doctrine ever preached by Young was his Adam God doctrine. He taught this doctrine throughout his reign as Prophet. In speaking of man's entrance into heaven, Young describes passing by Joseph Smith, Peter, the Apostles and Prophets, Abraham and eventually Jesus, all of whom allowed the person to pass.

Finally, Young states, "If we can pass Joseph and have him say, `Here; you have been faithful, good boys; I hold the keys of this dispensation; I will let you pass;' then we shall be very glad to see the white locks of Father Adam". Young also, in speaking to his critics, said, "Some have grumbled because I believe our God to be so near to us as Father Adam" (Ibid, Vol. 5, pp. 331, 332; See also Adam God: Doctrine of Salvation or Damnation).

Joseph Smith saw an angel in the First Vision, not Jesus:

Young directly contradicts the official account of the First Vision as told by LDS Missionaries today. "The Lord did not come with the armies of heaven, in power and great glory, nor send His messengers panoplied with aught else than the truth of heaven, to communicate to the meek, the lowly, the youth of humble origin, the sincere enquirer after the knowledge of God. But He did send His angel to this same obscure person, Joseph Smith jun., who afterwards became a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, and informed him that he should not join any of the religious sects of the day, for they were all wrong; that they were following the precepts of men instead of the Lord Jesus" (Ibid, Vol. 2, p. 171). Interestingly, these are the very things, according to the official account of the First Vision, that Jesus was supposed to have told Joseph Smith. Apparently, either Brigham Young was wrong, or the LDS Church today is wrong. Both cannot be right.

Brigham Young's words are scripture:

Remembering the statements by Young quoted above and the fact that the current LDS Church denies most of these teachings, it is helpful to know that Young also said, "I have never yet preached a sermon and sent it out to the children of men, that they may not call Scripture. Let me have the privilege of correcting a sermon, and it is as good Scripture as they deserve" (Ibid, Vol. 13, p. 95).

The obvious question is one that must be asked. Have Brigham Young's teachings, his sermons, his scriptures, become antiquated or were they in error when they were given?

If they have simply become outdated, does that mean that Adam was God but he no longer is? Does it mean that there were certain sins in Young's day for which Jesus could not atone, but today Jesus can atone for all sins? Does it mean that polygamy was necessary in Young's time for godhood, but it is no longer required?

Or would the LDS Church prefer to say that Brigham Young was wrong in his teachings, that his scripture contained false doctrine? If the Prophet, Seer and Revelator was wrong, what then does that say about the very foundation of the LDS Church. If an LDS Prophet can teach false doctrine throughout his reign, how are the LDS people to know when the Prophet is speaking accurately? Perhaps more importantly, if the present day LDS Church can abandon selected teachings of Brigham Young as false, will the LDS Church of the Twenty-First century abandon the teachings of David O. McKay, Joseph Fielding Smith or Ezra Taft Benson for the same reason?