Mormonism's Virgin Birth Problem

Did God the Father have intercourse with Mary to produce Jesus?

While the LDS Church claims to believe in the story of the virgin birth of Jesus, past Latter-day Saint authorities have stated that Jesus was begat by literal pro creation between Mary and God the Father. 

Brigham Young taught:

“I believe the Father came down from heaven, as the Apostles said he did, and begat the Saviour of the world; for he is the only-begotten of the Father, which could not be if the Father did not actually beget him in person.”

Journal of Discourses 1:238

Orson Pratt later taught:

“Therefore, the Father and Mother of Jesus, according to the flesh, must have been associated together in the capacity of Husband and Wife; hence the Virgin Mary must have been, for the time being, the lawful wife of God the Father;”

The Seer p. 158

While Latter-day Saints may claim this was never official or canonized teaching, who else would lay people listen to other than the prophet himself on these issues?

In the 1970’s there was a manual for LDS families to conduct their Family Home Evenings. In it there was this picture (click to enlarge)… along with this quote from at the time Prophet Joseph F. Smith:

“Mary, the virgin girl, who had never known mortal man, was his mother.”

1972 Family Home Evening Journal (Found at mrm.org)

Notice the language, Mary had never known “mortal man” but heavenly father is an immortal man. That’s how past Latter-day Saints can justify calling Mary a virgin. But it is clear to see on this view, Mary is only a virgin up until she isn’t anymore. This isn't much of a virgin at all.

At this time the LDS Church does not take an official position on how exactly the conception of Jesus occurred, but what isn’t ruled out is the possibility of God the Father engaging in intercourse with Mary. This not only undermines the claim of the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ, God coming in human form, it also means God the Father had an incestuous sexual relation with his own spirit-daughter.

Avoid the mess of this teaching and remember Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith are not a package deal. Pick Jesus, Not Joseph.