Editing Adam–God doctrine (section)

===Initial reactions to the doctrine===
The reaction within the Latter Day Saint community to Young's Adam–God teachings was mixed. While many accepted the doctrine, others regarded it as misguided, or interpreted it to adhere to their prior understanding.

Young's initial 1852 announcement of the doctrine was greeted by some as prophetic. For example, the clerk of the conference, [[Thomas Bullock (Mormon)|Thomas Bullock]], recorded that during Young's sermon, "the Holy Ghost rest[ed] upon him with great power."<ref>Thomas Bullock, [http://udn.lib.utah.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/deseretnews1&CISOPTR=170739&REC=8 Minutes of the LDS General Conference] ''[[Deseret News]]'', April 17, 1852, p. 2.</ref> In a session of general conference the next day, [[Heber C. Kimball]] stated his agreement that "the God and Father of Jesus Christ was Adam."<ref>''Journal of Wilford Woodruff'', April 10, 1852.</ref> Another apostle, [[Franklin D. Richards (Mormon apostle)|Franklin D. Richards]], accepted the doctrine "that Adam is our Father and our God" as well, stating in a conference held in June 1854 that "the Prophet and Apostle Brigham has declared it, and that it is the word of the Lord."<ref>[[Franklin D. Richards (Mormon apostle)|Franklin D. Richards]], reported in [http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/MStar/id/6223 "Minutes of the Special General Council"], ''[[Millennial Star]]'' '''16''':534, 26 August 1854 (emphasis in original).</ref>

Kimball readily adopted Young's views, and preached on June 29, 1856, that "I have learned by experience that there is but one God that pertains to this people, and He is the God that pertains to this earth—the first man. That first man sent his own Son to redeem the world."<ref>''[[Journal of Discourses]]'' '''4''':1.</ref>

A number of hymns acknowledging this doctrine were sung in local congregations of the LDS Church. One published in 1856, entitled "We Believe in Our God", stated: "We believe in our God the great Prince of His race, / The Archangel Michael, the Ancient of Days, / Our own Father Adam, earth's Lord, as is plain."<ref>{{cite web |date=March 1856 |title=Sacred Hymns and Spiritual Songs for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |url=https://archive.org/details/sacredhymnsspiri00chur_2/page/374/mode/2up |access-date=2023-11-08 |publisher=F. D. Richards, 36 Islington, Liverpool |page= |pages=375-377 |edition=11th}}</ref> This hymn was not found in the previous or subsequent editions of the same hymnal.<ref>{{Cite book |last= |first= |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Sacred_Hymns_and_Spiritual_Songs/xZ1tY8356OsC?hl=en&gbpv=0 |title=Sacred Hymns and Spiritual Songs: For the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |date=1854 |publisher=Orson Pratt |edition=10th |publication-date=January 1854 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 1863 |title=Sacred Hymns and Spiritual Songs. For the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. |url=https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/assets/cd86a86f-3bbc-4234-a3ad-3713541 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org |publisher=F. D. Richards, 36 Islington, Liverpool |page=Preface to the Twelfth Edition |quote=The present edition differs from those which have preceded it... in the substitution of forty-four hymns, mostly by our own Authors, in the stead of a number selected from other collections which were scarcely so well adapted for the worship of the Saints. |edition=12th}}</ref>

The first line of a poem published in 1861, titled "Sons of Michael", stated: "Sons of Michael, he approaches! / Rise; the Eternal Father greet."<ref>E. L. T. Harrison, [http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/u?/MStar,21833 "Sons of Michael"], ''[[Millennial Star]]'' '''23''': 240 (13 April 1861).</ref> The poem is included as a hymn in the [[Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1985 book)|current LDS Church hymnal]], but the wording has been altered from "Eternal Father" to "ancient father".<ref>[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/music/library/hymns/sons-of-michael-he-approaches?lang=eng&_r=1 "Sons of Michael, He Approaches"], ''[[Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1985 book)|Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]'', hymn 51.</ref>

Acceptance of the doctrine by the LDS Church continued through the 19th century. [[George Q. Cannon]], a member of the [[First Presidency (LDS Church)|First Presidency]], when asked by his son about the conception of Jesus by [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary]], asked "What was to prevent Father Adam from visiting and overshadowing the mother of Jesus[?]"<ref>''Daily Journal of [[Abraham H. Cannon]]'', March 10, 1888, Brigham Young University.</ref>