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Show It was the Father of Jesus Christ that was talking to Adam in the garden. Young says that Adam was the Father of Jesus Christ both of his spirit and body in his teaching from the stand. The apostles answered Pratt by reasserting Brigham's divine calling; he was God's mouthpiece. The thought that a prophet of God could advance false doctrine chilled their blood. It was the duty of all to set aside any personal opinions and to be subject to the pronouncement s of their divinely led leader. Wilford Woodruff angrily retorted: As our leaders are inspired to talk, they are inspired oracles, and we should be as limber as a dish cloth. Hyde, the President of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles, later in the session asked his brethren what should be required of Orson Pratt. George A. Smith, Church Historian, responded by suggesting that Orson acknowledge Brigham as a prophet and inspired man. Smith asserted that if Brigham was indeed the Church president, he would be an inspired man. On the other hand, if Orson Pratt were correct in his doctrines, which were declared to be false by Brigham, then all would have to conclude that the man whom they had thought was God's prophet was in fact not divinely led. Smith told Hyde that Pratt should, ... acknowledge Brigham Young as the President of the Church in the exercise of his calling. But he only acknowledges him as a poor drivelling fool, he preaches doctrines opposed to Joseph, and all other revelations. If Brigham Young is the President of the Church he is an inspired man. If we have not an inspired man, then Orson Pratt is right. Pratt's January confession sermon was then revised for publication. Shortly after this the meeting came to a close. It was agreed that the proceedings of the sessions would be kept silent. Brigham and Pratt assured each other that no more would be said concerning their disagreement, and though Orson still disagreed with the prophet's teachings, it seemed that Brigham would not take any drastic action. In a few months, however, Orson received a mission call which would remove him from the Salt Lake area to the eastern United States. 48 48. The entire Orson Pratt-Brigham Young affair cannot be underestimated. The controversy which raged between the two shows that Brigham was teaching that Adam was God. From the charges that Pratt made it is clear what Brigham was teaching. Furthermore, it is significant that Young made no attempt to correct a misquotation or misinterpretation. On the contrary, he defended his docrine, and continued to assert it. Importance should also be placed upon the remarks of the other Apostles who rallied to their Prophet's defense. They replied to Orson that a prophet of God cannot advance false doctrine, therefore all should accept the President's statements. They rightly understood the biblical emphasis that a prophet of God cannot advance false doctrine about God and that he would be inspired to teach the truth. They also realized the implications of Orson Pratt's statement. If Brigham 20 |
