CHAPTER IX.
BRIGHAM AS PROPHET, SEER, AND REVELATOR.
Brigham's Position as Head of the Church.—Mormon Theology.—Brigham's Theology, or Utah Mormonism.—Adam as God.—Brigham Young as God.—Human Sacrifice.—Introduction of Polygamy.—Polygamy no part of the original Mormon Religion.—The Revelation, or Celestial Marriage.—The Ceremony of Sealing.—Consequences and Incidents of the Doctrine.—Incest.—Summary of the Mormon Religion.
Not only is Brigham Young the temporal head of the church, its chief business agent, and the sole custodian of its funds, but he is the spiritual head, the established fountain, in whom is gathered from on high all spiritual blessings, and from whom they are expected to flow through the various officers of the priesthood, and thus be distributed to the faithful among the masses. Standing in this capacity between the people and the Supreme Being, he is at once Prophet, Seer, and Revelator. As Prophet and Seer, he sees and foretells to the people what is to befall them, as the result of certain courses of action. As Revelator, he reveals and translates, to the comprehension of the people, the hidden will of God concerning them.
An acknowledgment of this relationship of Brigham with the Divine Being is made a test of fellowship; as in the case of the Morrisites, who, although they admitted his right to preside over the church as its temporal head, denied him the attributes of prophet and revelator. Hence they were cut off from the church.
Acting in this capacity, he not only prescribes a course of conduct for his followers, but promulgates, from time to time,
doctrines, to be received, believed, and advocated. Thus the theology or creed of the church changes, from time to time, to suit the changing opinions, the whims and caprices, or the passions and lusts, of its head and leader. What is here said, therefore, of the Mormon religion, must be understood in reference to the received doctrines and tenets of the church in former years,—many of which still remain, but incorporated with new dogmas, and any part or all of which are liable at any time to be changed, modified, or entirely overthrown.
Mormon Theology.
There are many Gods, and they are of both sexes. But to us there is but one God,—the Father of mankind, and the Creator of the earth.
Men and women are literally the sons and daughters of God,—our spirits having been literally begotten by God, in the heavenly world, and having been afterwards sent to the earth, and invested with these tabernacles.
God is in the form of man. He has a body, composed of spiritual matter. There is no difference between matter and spirit, except in quality. Spirit is matter refined.