The Only Men Who Become Gods

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, Delivered Like Scripture]
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 - Building Tension]
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, Heavy]
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
Others reach a glory, might see the Father's face
But they cannot reign as kings
They refused and lost their place

[Verse 2 - Shift to Modern, Quieter, Confused Tone]
Now a couple walks to the temple door
Monogamous and faithful, seeking something more
Promised exaltation, sealed for time and all
But Brigham said they cannot--they refused the call

[Pre-Chorus - Return of Tension]
The scripture stays, the practice goes
One of them was wrong, heaven knows
Either the prophet spoke the truth in sixty-six
Or the modern promise is a cruel trick

[Chorus - Anthemic, Heavy]
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
Others reach a glory, might see the Father's face
But they cannot reign as kings
They refused and lost their place

[Bridge - Dramatic, Building, Spoken-Word Style Over Music]
"Do you think we'll be admitted without denying it?
If we are not admitted until then--
We shall never be admitted."

(Pause, then music swells)

Eighteen ninety, gave it up
Eighteen ninety-six, statehood won
The government came calling
And "never" came undone

[Final Chorus - Full Power, Adding Harmonies]
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
Modern couples at the altar, promised heaven's crown
But Brigham said they cannot--
Unless they take more vows

[Outro - Fading, Haunting]
As true as that God lives...
As true as that God lives...
One of them was wrong
One of them was wrong

[End]

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.

The Modern Reversal

“Inasmuch as laws have been enacted by Congress forbidding plural marriages… I hereby declare my intention to submit to those laws, and to use my influence with the members of the Church over which I preside to have them do likewise.” — Wilford Woodruff, Official Declaration 1 (1890)

Today, monogamous temple-sealed couples are promised exaltation. D&C 132 (commanding polygamy) remains canonized scripture while the practice it commands brings excommunication.

Either the founding prophet was catastrophically wrong, or the modern church is selling a false promise.