The Only Men Who Become Gods
Brigham Young declared that ONLY polygamists can become Gods. He prophesied they would NEVER abandon polygamy for statehood. Both claims were reversed.
Audio coming soon
The Quote
“The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy. Others attain unto a glory and may even be permitted to come into the presence of the Father and the Son; but they cannot reign as kings in glory, because they had blessings offered unto them, and they refused to accept them.” — Brigham Young, JoD 11:269 (August 19, 1866)
The Failed Prophecy
“If we do not embrace that principle soon, the keys will be turned against us. If we do not keep the same law that our Heavenly Father has kept, we cannot go with him… I wish here to say to the Elders of Israel, and to all the members of this Church and kingdom, that it is in the hearts of many of them to wish that the doctrine of polygamy was not taught and practiced by us… It is the word of the Lord, and I wish to say to you, and all the world, that if you desire with all your hearts to obtain the blessings which Abraham obtained, you will be polygamists at least in your faith, or you will come short of enjoying the salvation and the glory which Abraham has obtained.” — Brigham Young, JoD 11:269
Lyrics
[Intro - Sparse, Building]
Eighteen sixty-six, Bowery heat
Prophet to the pulpit, truth to speak
Every word preserved, every promise made
Listen close to what the prophet said
[Verse 1 - Authoritative]
I know it is from God, I know it came from heaven
I understand the bearings, I know why it was given
As true as that God lives, I say to all the world—
The only men who become Gods are those with many pearls
[Pre-Chorus]
Polygamists, at least in your faith
Or come short of the glory Abraham attained
They offered you the blessing, you turned it away
You cannot reign as kings, no matter what you pray
[Chorus - Anthemic]
The only men who become Gods
Are those who enter polygamy
The only men who become Gods—
That's what the prophet said to me
As true as that God lives
This is the word of the Lord
The only men who become Gods
And that cannot be ignored
[Verse 2]
Now what about statehood? The prophet had a view
If we must give up polygamy, here's what we'll do:
"If we are not admitted until then, we shall never be admitted"
Never! Never! The prophet says committed
[Bridge - Tempo shift]
1890: The Manifesto comes
Polygamy abandoned under federal guns
1896: Utah joins the union
The prophecy proven false, a theological contusion
Now the church promises exaltation
To monogamous couples, sealing salvation
D&C 132 still sits in canon
While the practice it commands brings excommunication
[Final Chorus]
The only men who become Gods
Are those who enter polygamy
That's what the prophet declared
As true as God could be
Now every temple, every seal
Monogamous for eternity
Either the founding prophet lied
Or the modern church sells fantasy
[Outro - Quiet, devastating]
"As true as that God lives"
He said it with such certainty
"The only men who become Gods"
Now that's ancient history
Historical Context
The Setting: August 19, 1866 — The Bowery, Salt Lake City. Federal pressure on polygamy was intensifying.
The Speaker: Brigham Young declared with absolute prophetic authority that polygamy was required for exaltation AND prophesied they would never abandon it for statehood.
Both Claims Failed:
- 1890: Church abandons polygamy practice
- 1896: Utah achieves statehood
- Today: Church promises exaltation to monogamous couples
The Contradiction
D&C 132 (still canonized scripture) commands polygamy for exaltation.
Modern Church promises exaltation to monogamous couples and excommunicates those who practice polygamy.
If Brigham spoke truth, modern Mormons cannot become Gods. If the modern church is correct, Brigham spoke false prophecy.
Either the founding prophet was catastrophically wrong, or the modern church is selling a false promise.