Brigham Young, Deseret News, Vol. 22, No. 308

“I have been found fault with a great many times for casting reflections upon men of science, and especially upon theologians, because of the little knowledge they possess about man being on the earth, about the earth itself, about our Father in heaven, his Son Jesus Christ, the order of heavenly things, the laws by which angels exist, by which the worlds were created and are held in existence, &c. How pleased we would be to place these things before the people if they would receive them! How much unbelief exists in the minds of the Latter-day Saints in regard to one particular doctrine which I revealed to them, and which God revealed to me—namely that Adam is our father and God—I do not know, I do not inquire, I care nothing about it. Our Father Adam helped to make this earth, it was created expressly for him, and after it was made he and his companions came here. He brought one of his wives with him, and she was called Eve, because she was the first woman upon the earth. Our Father Adam is the man who stands at the gate and holds the keys of everlasting life and salvation to all his children who have or who ever will come upon the earth. I have been found fault with by the ministers of religion because I have said that they were ignorant. But I could not find any man on the earth who could tell me this, although it is one of the simplest things in the world, until I met and talked with Joseph Smith.”

Exegetical Breakdown

“…casting reflections upon men of science… because of the little knowledge they possess…”

Brigham critiques both scientists and theologians for failing to understand divine realities. He emphasizes the inadequacy of reason without revelation when it comes to the true nature of man, the earth, and heavenly law. 1 Corinthians 2:14, 2 Nephi 9:28–29

“…the order of heavenly things, the laws by which angels exist, by which the worlds were created…”

This points to the structured, lawful nature of heaven. Celestial beings, planetary systems, and even spirit embodiment all operate according to revealed laws. D&C 88:36–42

“How pleased we would be to place these things before the people if they would receive them!”

This reflects the Lord’s pattern in scripture—He is always willing to reveal more when His people are ready. Brigham echoes the Savior’s longing to gather and teach, restrained only by the Saints’ spiritual readiness. 3 Nephi 10:5

“…that Adam is our father and God…”

Brigham reaffirms the central tenet of the Adam–God doctrine, first publicly taught in JD 1:50. He calls it a revelation from God, placing it outside of theory or conjecture. D&C 138:38

“I do not know, I do not inquire, I care nothing about it.”

This prophetic dismissal of public opinion reinforces the idea that eternal truth is not subject to democratic belief. The doctrine’s validity stands independent of popular acceptance.

“…the earth was created expressly for him…”

This intensifies previous teachings. Adam isn’t just a participant—he is the one for whom the world was formed, suggesting a unique foreordained stewardship. Abraham 3:24–25, Moses 1:33

“…he and his companions came here.”

This introduces the idea of divine descent as a group effort. Adam does not come alone. This aligns with teachings in Abraham 3 about noble spirits assisting in creation. Abraham 3:22–23

“He brought one of his wives with him, and she was called Eve…”

Eve is not formed from Adam’s rib—she is brought with him, already exalted. This upholds the doctrine of eternal marriage and the necessity of feminine creative power in the plan of salvation. Genesis 3:20, D&C 132:63

“…because she was the first woman upon the earth.”

Eve’s status as “first woman” is reaffirmed. She is not created in Eden—she enters it, already prepared and partnered with Adam. Her title is functional and exalted.

“…the man who stands at the gate and holds the keys of everlasting life and salvation…”

Adam is not just a patriarch—he is a priestly intercessor. He stands as a gatekeeper at the veil, an image consistent with temple architecture and covenantal symbolism. D&C 27:11, Moses 5:9

“…to all his children who have or who ever will come upon the earth.”

Adam’s priesthood stewardship spans all generations. His divine role encompasses the entire mortal family. This aligns with earlier teachings in JD 14:111.

“…until I met and talked with Joseph Smith.”

Brigham credits Joseph Smith as the one who taught him this doctrine. This anchors the Adam–God framework within the Restoration and places it under the prophetic authority of Joseph, not Brigham alone.

Hermeneutic Layers

Doctrinal Layer

Adam is portrayed as a God, an organizer, a parent, a judge, and a gatekeeper—all within a revealed framework taught by Joseph Smith and reaffirmed through Brigham Young.

Symbolic Structure

Every phase of Adam’s descent mirrors Christ’s—he condescends, organizes a world, brings a bride, and opens the way to mortal embodiment. He stands at the head of the human family in both form and function.

Prophetic Continuity

Brigham anchors the doctrine in a prophetic chain—receiving it from Joseph Smith, not inventing it. This adds weight to its revelatory origin and its place within the broader theology of eternal lives.

Cross-Referencing Context

This quote synthesizes the entire doctrinal arc developed in JD 1:50, JD 6:275:4, and JD 14:111. Each earlier statement is echoed and expanded upon here—making this discourse the most comprehensive Adam–God teaching Brigham ever recorded.
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