LDS Leaders Claim to be Descended from
Christ and His Apostles
Mormons are told in their Patriarchal Blessing that they are descendants of the twelve tribes of Israel. In addition to this, some LDS leaders have even claimed to be related to Christ. LDS Apostle Rudger Clawson wrote the following in his diary for July 2, 1899:
This being the day for the Solemn Assembly called by the First Presidency, a large number of brethren were admitted to temple at 10 o'clock . . . There were about 700 present, . . .
President Snow read Sec. 86, Book of D.&C. Said, we are the sons and daughters of God, and descendants of the prophets and apostles. . . . What I say is as true as God lives. . . .
Recess. Lunch was served . . . At about 5 o'clock meeting was resumed in the Celestial and Terrestrial Rooms. Instructive remarks were made by the following brethren upon the law of tithing: LeRoi Snow, Apostle Geo. Teasdale and Pres. Jos. F. Smith. . . .
Pres. Geo. Q. Cannon also spoke upon the law of tithing. Among other things [he] said, "there are those in this audience who are descendants of the old 12 Apostles and, shall I say it, yes, descendants of the Savior himself. His seed is represented in this body of men." (A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic Diaries of Rudger Clawson, edited by Stan Larson, Signature Books, 1993, pp. 71-72)
LDS Apostle Heber C. Kimball also claimed that some of the LDS apostles were descended from Jesus:
Are you ever going to be prepared to see God, Jesus Christ, His angels, or comprehend His servants, unless you take a faithful and prayerful course? Did you actually know Joseph Smith? No. Do you know brother Brigham? No. Do you know brother Heber? No, you do not. Do you know the Twelve? You do not, if you did, you would begin to know God, and learn that those men who are chosen to direct and counsel you are near kindred to God and to Jesus Christ, for the keys, power, and authority of the kingdom of God are in that lineage. I speak of these things with a view to arouse your feelings and your faithfulness towards God the Father, and His Son Jesus Christ, that you may pray and be humble, and penitent. (Sermon by Heber C. Kimball, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 4, p. 248, Salt Lake City, March 1, 1857)
Apostle Orson Hyde taught that the early Mormons were descended from Christ:
It will be borne in mind that once on a time, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and . . . it will be discovered that no less a person than Jesus Christ was married on that occasion. . . . Did he multiply, and did he see his seed? Did he honour his Father's law by complying with it, or did he not? . . .
At this doctrine the long-faced hypocrite and the sanctimonious bigot will probably cry, blasphemy! . . . How much soever of holy horror this doctrine may excite in persons not impregnated with the blood of Christ, and whose minds are consequently dark and benighted, it may excite still more when they are told that if none of the natural blood of Christ flows in their veins, they are not the chosen or elect of God. Object not, therefore, too strongly against the marriage of Christ, . . .
Is there no way provided for those to come into this covenant relation who may not possess, in their veins, any of the blood of Abraham or of Christ? Yes! By doing the works of Abraham and of Christ . . . (Journal of Discourses, vol. 4, pp. 259-260; see also vol. 2, pp. 80-82; The Seer, by Orson Pratt, 1853, pp. 172, 178)
However, the Bible never mentions that Jesus had a wife or children. In fact, his statement that "the Son of man hath not where to lay his head" (Matt. 8:20) would seem to indicate that he was not maintaining a family. Also, at the cross Jesus asked John to take care of his mother, but said nothing about taking care of a wife or children (see John 19:26-27). If in fact Jesus was leaving a widow with children surely he would have asked someone to take care of them as well.