Understanding Adam-God Teachings: A Comprehensive Resource of Adam-God Materials

by Drew Briney

This is an affordable reprint of the 2005 classic hardbound edition that is selling well over $100 per copy!“Adam … is our Father and our God”This 1852 general conference declaration introduced Mormondom’s most hotly divisive religious dispute that continues to ignite controversy today – Adam-God teachings. Labeled among the seven deadly heresies by apostle Bruce R. McConkie after being heralded as “the most important revelation ever oracle” in a book co-authored by Joseph Smith’s acclaimed plural wife, Eliza R. Snow, Adam-God teachings have been a rage of controversy for over 150 years.For the first time, every known statement concerning Adam-God teachings has been compiled, documented, organized, and presented to the reader in a way that will withstand serious academic scrutiny.For the first time, Adam-God teachings have been presented in a sensitive reading environment that allows the reader to study the original Adam-God statements without the pressure of reading the author’s personal interpretations – the author’s thoughtful insights have been separated into analysis sections following the original sources.For the first time, Eve’s role in Adam-God teachings has been prominently considered.For the first time, the changes in Mormonism’s theological teachings surrounding the identity of Jehovah have been meticulously researched and documented.With scores of previously unpublished statements and a carefully organized presentation, Understanding Adam-God Teachings promises to be the definitive resource volume for readers who have previously only had limited access to the hundreds of statements surrounding this controversial topic. This assiduous treatment of this fallow field of theology will prove to be an enriching and insightful read for the believer and non-believer alike.If you email (or FB message) the author, he'll send you a PDF with the few quotes that have been discovered since this book was printed over a decade ago (with proof of purchase - a screenshot is fine).

714 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Recipient of London's prestigious Editor's Choice Award of Literary Excellence - Reader's House magazine. He was also featured in Author Essence, Mosaic Digest, Novelist Post, Newyox, the Bookshelf Times, Arts Society & Me, Central Europe Online, Book Press Releases, and more.

Drew writes both historical non-fiction and sci-fi/fantasy books. He's been lauded by non-fiction readers as "one of the greatest LDS scholars of our day" and "the icon of thoroughness." When he's ready to chill, he explores what happens when technology clashes with magic.

For his sci-fi/fantasy work, he's drawn comparisons to heavy hitters: Ursula LeGuin (Harry Potter influence), Elaine Cunningham (queen of dark fantasy and Forgotten Realms), Fydor Dostoevsky (psychological godfather of Crime and Punishment), Andre Norton, and J.R.R. Tolkien. However, Drew takes greatest pride from knowing he can juggle more balls than any other author on the planet (sometimes, 8).

His books feature post-apocalyptic genetically engineered humans joining forces with magic-wielding aliens (Moon 514), superstitious steampunk societies warring with a powerless mage and camouflaging dragons (Unproven), high-tech assassins trying to discern memory implants from reality (Assassin Hunter), drug-enhanced magic systems (Slice), psionically gifted dragons, telepathic griffons, symbiotic vampiric vines, and entrancing world-building. He aims to deliver thriller pacing a la Dan Brown and tightly outlined Brandon Sanderson-esque plots all while exploring deeply personal character growth.

For regular and up to date information from Drew, look him up on Substack.

Reviews

[Benjamin]

This is absolutely the best resource for understanding a very complex teaching which is seldom understood. Most writers who discuss Adam-God teachings are heavily biased, no one writes absent an agenda. Fundamentalist want to show that the church has gone astray, Anti-Mormons want to embarrass the church, the church and apologist just want to deny it all and make it go away.
But what is it that Brigham Young and other early church leaders actually taught? To my knowledge this is the only unbiased resource which lays out what the brethren taught, organized by sub-topic, so that the reader can feel free to examine the doctrine without a heavy handed interpretation pushing them towards the author's predetermined agenda. Drew's analysis is light and deals primarily context and evaluating logical conclusions drawn from statements by early church leaders. His commentary is also clearly separated from the various quotations so that if you want you can ignore it all together and just evaluate the teachings themselves.
That being said I wouldn't ignore his commentary as I found it very insightful and very helpful. He avoids any discussion of denunciations of this doctrine by modern church leaders. This is important as it creates a friendly atmosphere for church members who want to understand the teachings but don't want to be put on the defensive while reading. He is not out to attack the church or cause contention, but he is providing a platform for early church leaders to speak for themselves.
Who should read this? Not everyone, probably not even most people. This was difficult reading, not just because of the size, but because the subject matter is, well... heavy. Not the kind of book you sit down and read through all at once. The content is such that understanding takes patience and work. It is a struggle. However those who have already come across this doctrine and are now troubled or confused by it would be well served to push aside all other voices(whether they be anti-mormon, fundamentalist, or church defenders)and examine what was actually taught. The search for truth is a difficult and even painful journey but this book helped me along the way.

[Red]

This is the most definitive Adam God compilation I have ever seen. Its quite clear that Brigham Young was not misquoted. A lot is revealed about Adam and the wonderful role he plays in the Plan of Salvation. But we do run into some problems. In 1976 President Kimball said this in one of the talks he gave entitled Our Own Liahona, "Another matter. We hope that you who teach in the various organizations, whether on the campuses or in our chapels, will always teach the orthodox truth. We warn you against the dissemination of doctrines which are not according to the scriptures and which are alleged to have been taught by some of the General Authorities of past generations. Such, for instance, is the Adam-God theory. We denounce that theory and hope that everyone will be cautioned against this and other kinds of false doctrine." So at Its face value there appears to be something wrong with looking at Brigham Youngs teachings at face value. It certainly also appears that he got the teaching from the Prophet Joseph Smith. We know that Brigham Young isn't a false prophet, because the Lord would have removed him. Instead of letting Israel dwindle in apostasy for so long. So we have to look at what we know of these teachings. From the Deseret News 1873, "How much unbelief exists in the minds of the Latter Day Saints in regard to one particular doctrine 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."(Brigham Young) It appears that Brother Brigham thought it a doctrine, and no doubt it is. But he never pressured the general church member to accept it. This is corroborated in the book written by Stenhouse called The Rocky Mountain Saints. "The mass of the Mormon people do not believe the doctrine of the Adam deity." So the unfortunate part is the brethren didn't really share a lot of what they meant by this distinct doctrine. We sift through minutes and journal entries coming no closer to the solution. At face value we can't accept it for what it is, as warned by Kimball. We know Brigham isn't in a bad place as noted in D&C 138 in the vision that Joseph F Smith had, "The Prophet Joseph Smith, and my father, Hyrum Smith, Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, and other choice spirits who were reserved to come forth in the fulness of times to take part in laying the foundations of the great latter-day work" Also noted in this same wonderful scripture is Adam and Eve, "Among the great and mighty ones who were assembled in this vast congregation of the righteous were Father Adam, the Ancient of Days and father of all, And our glorious Mother Eve, with many of her faithful daughters who had lived through the ages and worshiped the true and living God." So it appears that Brigham didn't teach anything false because of where he is noted in this scripture. Unfortunately this book with leaving you with more questions than answers. Such as what did he mean by all of it? We will have to wait for the Lord to reveal all to us.
This book is wonderfully sourced and cited and carries minimal author interference with the subjects given. This book has many sections and isn't just Adam God quotes. The author I think does a good job of just presenting the material. He is however a Fundamentalist viewpoint advocate. So make sure you have strong faith when you read because there are many questions that arise and make sure you doubt your doubts, before you doubt your faith.

[Heather]

I think the description of this book is a little gratuitous. The author himself admits that this book doesn't present, "EVERY STATEMENT EVER MADE about ADAM GOD teachings by the early brethren." There were apparently a number of archives at BYU that he didn't take the time (or didn't have the resources) to investigate. Not to mention private collections and all the meaty stuff that the church leadership has undoubtedly locked away, never to see the light of day again.

Anyway, this book is a useful compendium. Well organized & full of important information.

A hope for future editions: Indexing.

[Auralee]

This book is life changing. Thank you for Drew Briney for doing this much needed book. There is no other book out there that presents this topic as well as this book. This is the end all be all book on the subject. You won't need another book on the subject because this book is so well researched, exhaustive, organized in a way that makes it easy to understand and study, and unbiased like other articles or books on the subject tend to be. How in the world did someone collect all this hard to find material and do a book on it that is so well done? I don't know, but here it is. Amazing. A definiate treasure.

[Austin Archibald]

Wow.