One of the most significant changes to the LDS endowment before April 1990 was the deletion of the former LDS doctrine that Adam is our Father and God, the physical Father of Jesus Christ, and the Father of our spirits. L John Nutall, a close confident of Wilford Woodruff and intimately familiar with other former LDS leaders, recorded the following in his journal regarding the contents of the former “Lecture at the Veil” from the LDS endowment:
In the creation the Gods entered into an agreement about forming this earth, and putting Michael or Adam upon it. These things of which I have been speaking are what are termed the mysteries of godliness but they will enable you to understand the expression of Jesus, made while in Jerusalem, “This is life eternal that they might know thee, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.”
. . . Adam was an immortal being when he came on this earth; he had lived on an earth similar to ours; he had received the Priesthood and the keys thereof, and had been faithful in all things and gained his resurrection and his exaltation, and was crowned with glory, immortality and eternal lives, and was numbered with the Gods for such he became through his faithfulness. And had begotten all the spirits that was to come to this earth.
And Eve our common mother who is the mother of all living bore those spirits in the celestial world. And when this earth was organized by Elohim, Jehovah and Michael, who is Adam our common father, Adam and Eve had the privilege to continue the work of progression. Consequently they came to this earth and commenced the great work of forming tabernacles for those spirits to dwell in. And when Adam and those that assisted him had completed this kingdom, our earth, he came to it, and slept and forgot all and became like an infant child . . .
. . . Adam and Eve when they were placed on this earth were immortal beings with flesh, bones and sinews. But upon partaking of the fruits of the earth while in the garden and cultivating the ground their bodies became changed from immortal to mortal beings with the blood coursing through their veins as the action of life. . .
Father Adam’s oldest son (Jesus the Savior), who is the heir of the family, is father Adam’s first begotten in the spirit world, who according to the flesh is the only begotten as it is written. (Diary of L. John Nuttall, Feb. 7, 1877)
While this doctrine was also intertwined into the ending of the creation segment of the former endowment instruction, the “Lecture at the Veil” was probably most concise in this doctrine in the endowment, as is evident from the above excerpts regarding Adam.
Hi Roger. When I studied the Adam-God teachings of President Young, I was led to the revelations found in the Second Book of Commandments. The 2BC shows that there was one particular error in what President Young was teaching. I have no doubt that BY got his doctrine from the Prophet Joseph, but somehow he did not fully understand or remember one particular matter. Ask me if you would like to know what that matter was. Of just read Sections 22 and 23 of the 2BC.
Richard, thank you for the comment. I would like to know more and am interested in your findings. Personally I am aware of the apologists views and the thoughts of confusion but would truly appreciate some more information. I look forward to your next post.
OK.
The Second Book of Commandments clearly reveals that when Jesus was born, it was Jehovah– the Savior of the previous earth– who was the Father. But Pres. Young was teaching that it was Michael/Adam who was the physical father of Christ. And all Mormon fundamentalists accept this understanding. I believe Pres. Young was in error in this one matter.
But other than that, what President Young was teaching about Adam was correct: Adam had lived on a previous earth, and was faithful to his Savior there. He and his wives were resurrected and were the parents the spirits for this earth. His firstborn spirit was Jesus. He helped create this earth with Jehovah (his Savior) and then came and fell so that his spirit children could have a physical body.
The 2BC further reveals that when Adam died, his body, which is eternal, was kept in a hidden place (and later carried on the ark with Noah and then rehidden) and he took over the office of the Holy Ghost. He will be the HG until the council of Adam-Ondi-Ahman, at which time the Holy Ghost will be taken from the earth and he will take up his resurrected body again.
See:
http://www.2bc.info/pdf/2BC%20Adam-God%20Teachings.pdf
My faith remains that this was a matter that could only be resolved with further revelation. Many have studied Adam-God teachings of President Young and figured they understood the matter, but their understanding did not harmonize with the previous revelation, so it is clear more revelation needed to be given. I trust the 2BC has true revelation on this matter.
Richard
Richard
Thank you very much for the insight. I only recall something similar but find this worth investigating further. I appreciate the link to 2BC and will study it more. Here is some of what I have gathered so far. Adam-God