Is Adam considered God in Mormon theology? Background of the Question The inquiry, “Is Adam considered God in Mormon theology?” arises primarily because of historical statements attributed to early leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often referred to as the LDS Church) and various interpretive controversies. Certain sermons by the second president of the LDS Church, Brigham Young, gave rise to what is commonly called the “Adam-God Theory.” Although this theory appeared in some early discourses, the mainstream LDS Church today does not teach that Adam is God, and many Latter-day Saint scholars and leaders consider the theory either misunderstood or superseded by official clarifications over time. Origins of the “Adam-God Theory” In the mid-19th century, Brigham Young delivered several sermons that at least implied Adam held a divine role beyond that of simply the first man. One frequently cited source is the Journal of Discourses (vol. 1, p. 50, April 9, 1852). These remarks led some to assume he was teaching that Adam was God the Father—a concept that runs counter to traditional Christian and even most modern Latter-day Saint interpretations of Scripture. Supporters of the Adam-God concept at the time pointed to various statements regarding Adam’s exalted status and his identity as the archangel Michael (cf. Doctrine and Covenants 27:11), linking that identity with a creative or divine role. Yet from the earliest years of these discussions, many within Latter-day Saint circles expressed confusion or disagreement, and no definitive incorporation of the Adam-God teaching ever appeared in the canon of Mormon scripture (i.e., the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price). Modern LDS Teaching Today, the official teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do not recognize Adam as God. Instead, they affirm: 1. God the Father is separate and distinct from Adam. 2. Adam is regarded as the first man created, the one who introduced mortality into the world through the Fall, and, in Latter-day Saint belief, he also holds the angelic identity of Michael (Doctrine and Covenants 107:53–54). 3. The modern LDS Church has formally disavowed any notion that Adam is God the Father, treating Brigham Young’s recorded remarks as either figurative, subject to transcription errors, or never intended as an official doctrinal statement. The Encyclopedia of Mormonism (published by Macmillan in association with Brigham Young University) indicates that the “Adam-God” idea is not a part of accepted doctrine, clarifying that Adam is viewed as a forefather of humanity, not a member of the eternal Godhead. Scriptural Basis from the Bible (Berean Standard Bible) 1. Adam’s Creation from the Dust Genesis 2:7 states, “Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.” This verse underscores that Adam himself was created by God, indicating a divine-human distinction. 2. Adam’s Role in the Fall Romans 5:12 says, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.” Rather than being identified as God, Adam is specifically named as the one through whom sin entered the human condition. 3. Christ, Not Adam, Is Exalted as Lord 1 Corinthians 15:22 contrasts Adam with Jesus: “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” Scripture sets forth Christ as the redeemer and source of new life, underscoring that Adam, while historically central to human origins, is nowhere presented as divine. 4. Adam’s Genealogical Place Luke’s genealogy (Luke 3:38) refers to Adam as a distinct person in humanity’s lineage who is ultimately brought into the line culminating in Jesus. The text reads: “[...] the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.” This highlights God’s creative act and Adam’s identity as “son of God” in the sense of direct creation, not in the sense of being deity himself. Primary LDS Sources and Clarifications 1. Journal of Discourses: The earliest reference to the Adam-God concept appears in various volumes, notably volume 1. Some scholars suggest that the shorthand transcription may have led to misunderstandings or the conflation of God’s creative role with Adam’s role. 2. Later LDS Leaders and Statements: Subsequent presidents and apostles of the LDS Church, such as Spencer W. Kimball and Bruce R. McConkie, publicly repudiated the notion that Adam is God, reinforcing the view that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are eternally distinct divine Persons. Comparison with Broader Christian Understanding No mainstream Christian tradition, whether Catholic, Protestant, or otherwise, identifies Adam as divine. Scripture portrays Adam as entirely a created being who, through disobedience, brought humanity under the curse of sin (Romans 5:14–15). By contrast, God is presented as the eternal, uncreated Creator (Genesis 1:1; John 1:3; Psalm 90:2). Accordingly, conferring deity on Adam conflicts with the broader testimony of both the Old and New Testaments. Archaeological and Historical Considerations From an archaeological standpoint, there is no evidence in early Christian documents or Jewish writings suggesting Adam was worshiped as God. The theological tradition of Israel and the early Church consistently identified Yahweh as the Creator and sustainer of all life (cf. Psalm 96:5). Early Christian writings such as those of the Apostolic Fathers do not attribute divinity to Adam. This unified witness offers an additional layer of confidence that the notion of “Adam as God” does not align with most ancient Judeo-Christian beliefs. Summation of the Current LDS Position • The LDS Church does not currently teach that Adam is God. • The occasionally referenced “Adam-God theory” stems from selected 19th-century sermons by Brigham Young, but it has never been canonized and is not accepted doctrine. • Official LDS sources emphasize the distinction between the mortal role of Adam as the first man and the eternal role of God the Father as part of the Godhead. Conclusion While some historical statements in Mormon history gave rise to claims that Adam might be considered God, the mainstream position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today is that Adam is not God. Adam is revered as the first man, a prophet, and, in LDS belief, the premortal archangel Michael who helped in creation under God’s direction, yet he remains distinct from the triune nature of the eternal God. From the vantage point of the biblical text (cited here in the Berean Standard Bible) and the broader witness of Christian tradition, Adam cannot be equated with God. Whether approached through scriptural analysis, official LDS clarifications, or historical study, the conclusion remains that Adam is not considered God in standard, orthodox Latter-day Saint theology. |