How could this doctrine be stated plainer? This is the doctrine taught by the Savior to the Jews, by David in his psalms and by others of the prophets. Here it is stated emphatically that they who are of the Church of the Firstborn (i. e., those who keep the whole law) even "as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God!" Where is it written? In this section; and in the words of the Savior wherein He says, referring to David's Psalm, "the Scriptures cannot be broken" (John 10:34-36). Doesn't this teach plainly the doctrine of plurality of Gods? Does it not teach the fact that the children shall, through obedience, sometime obtain the exaltation of the Gods themselves? If not what does it mean? Even a Reorganite dare not argue that these are the heathen gods!
Now, if they overcome all things, then there are not some things that they do not overcome. If these are to receive "of His fulnesss and of His glory, and if into their 'hands the Father has given all things, then the Father has not withheld some of the fulnesss of His glory, or some things. And if they receive His fulnesss and His glory, and if all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are theirs," how can they receive these blessings and not become Gods? They cannot. Yet this is doctrine received by the Church and taught by Joseph Smith the Seer.
Speaking of this same subject in the revelation on Priesthood (Sec. 84:35-40. Reorganite edition, 83:6) the Lord says:
"And also all they who receive this priesthood receiveth me, saith the Lord, for he that receiveth my servants receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth my Father, and he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father's kingdom. Therefore, all that my Father hath shall be given unto him; and this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.[1] Therefore, all those who receiveth the priesthood receiveth this oath and covenant of my Father, which He cannot break, neither can it be moved; but whoso breaketh this covenant, after he hath received it, and altogether turneth therefrom, shall not have forgiveness of sins in this world nor in the world to come."
Here again we are given to understand that those who are faithful in obtaining the priesthood and magnifying their calling that they become of the Church of the Firstborn, receiving ALL THAT THE FATHER HATH! and this according to an oath and covenant that cannot be broken. Now, again, how are they to receive all that the Father hath, if something is withheld? And if something is not withheld, how can they receive all that He hath and not become as He is, that is, Gods themselves?
Here is another revelation given to the Prophet December 27, 1832. This is section 88 and verses 106-7 (Reorganite edition, 85:33):
"And again, another angel shall sound his trump, which is the seventh angel, saying, It is finished! It is finished! the Lamb of God hath overcome and trodden the wine-press alone; even the wine-press of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God; And then shall the angels be crowned with the glory of His might, and the saints shall be filled with His glory, and receive their inheritance and be made equal with Him" (i. e., with Christ).
How can the Saints receive of His fulnesss and be equal with the Lord and not be as He is, that is Gods? This is not the doctrine of Brigham Young (for then in the eyes of Reorganites it would be blasphemy), but these are the revelations of the Lord to Joseph Smith. And these revelations have been received by the "Reorganized" Church as binding on them, yet they do not accept the truth these revelations contain. Therefore, they prove themselves to be those who have departed from the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
ADAM.
A word now, in relation to Adam. If all those, as it is written—and the Scriptures cannot be broken—are Gods unto whom the word of God came, and they are to receive all things, even the fulnesss of the Father's glory and be made equal with him, will not Father Adam be included among them? What do the Scriptures say of him?