The History of Blacks and the LDS Priesthood

The History of Blacks and the LDS Priesthood n Copyright: Darius Gray 2006. Please do not reproduce without permission.

Greatest Story of the Twentieth Century At the end of 1999 The Church News conducted a poll to determine which events of the 1900 s were the top Church stories of the past century.

The century's top story n The revelation extending the priesthood to all worthy males.

Where to Begin? n Old History n More recent History n Publications n Current Day

The Most Current n "As a person grows older, he becomes a softer touch, has a kindlier manner. As this happened to me, I've wondered why is there so much hatred and conflict in the world, so much pride and jealousy?

Pres. Hinckley n “Racial strife still raises its ugly head, even among church members. There are reports of racial slurs and denigrating remarks among us. This is unacceptable. I remind you that no man who makes disparaging remarks concerning those of another race can consider himself a true disciple of Christ.

n "How can any man holding the Melchizedek Priesthood arrogantly assume that he is eligible for the priesthood whereas another who lives a righteous life but whose skin is of a different color, is ineligible?

n “We rejoiced in the 1978 revelation in the temple. There was no doubt in my mind or those of my associates that was revealed was the will of God. I have often spoken of the diversity among us and taught that each of us is a son or daughter of God.

President Hinckley n “There is no basis for racial hatred among the priesthood. If you have such feelings, go before the Lord and ask forgiveness. ”

Now the History n. A Partial Chronology Pertaining to Blacks and the LDS Priesthood

Instead of Handouts http: //cc. usu. edu/~fath 6/Blacks. Priesthood. htm And www. ldsgenesisgroup. org/howtoreach. html

1830: The Book of Mormon is published. The Book uses a dark‑skin motif as a sign of sinfulness by the Lamanites: "The Lord God did cause a skin of blackness to come upon [the Lamanites]", cf. 1 Ne. 5: 21. (See: Marvin Perkin’s piece on “Blackness” www. ldsgenesisgroup. org/ howtoreach. html)

Genesis Chapter 10 n July 1831 Joseph Smith identifies Negroes as lineage of Ham: "The first Sabbath after our arrival in Jackson county, Brother W. W. Phelps preached to a western audience. . . wherein were present specimens of all the families of the earth; Shem, Ham and Japheth; … quite a respectable number of negroes‑‑descendants of Ham. . . " (History of the Church, 1: 190).

Prophetic Statements n 1832 Joseph Smith Jr. predicts an insurrection beginning in South Carolina in which slaves would rise up against their masters and great bloodshed would result. (D&C 87)

Early Black Member n 1832 Elijah Abel baptized. In early years there is dispute over his exact ethnicity. Some Report him as white, which seems impossible given later actions regarding him.

Caution Urged n 1833 W. W. Phelps editorial in the Evening and Morning Star "Free People of Color" expresses an anti‑slavery viewpoint and outlines procedures for the migration of free Blacks to Missouri: "So long as we have no special rule in the church, as to people of color, let prudence

A Beginning n 1834 According to Zebedee Coltrin (as recalled in 1879, some 45 years later) Joseph Smith, in the presence of Coltrin, receives a revelation that Blacks are not to be ordained.

The Memory n “Brother Joseph kind of dropped his head and rested it on his hand for a minute, and then said, ‘Brother Zebedee is right, for the spirit of the Lord saith the Negro has no right nor cannot hold the priesthood. ’"

The Prophet’s View n Nov. 1835 Joseph Smith reaffirms his earlier proclamation that Elders are to avoid going "unto. . . slaves or servants. . . unless granted permission by their masters. "

Early Scriptures n 1835‑ 39: Various sections of Doctrine and Covenants present a universalistic view of the gospel being for all peoples and races and peoples being equal in the Gospel

n March 1836 Elijah Abel ordained an Elder by Joseph Smith Jr. (Eunice Kinney: “My Testimony of the Latterday Work”) The certificate of ordination is dated 3 Mar 1836.

n Mar 1836: Elijah Abel given a Patriarchal Blessing by Joseph Smith Sr. No lineage is declared. Patriarchal blessing states, "Thou shalt be made equal to thy brethren, and thy soul be white in eternity and thy robes glittering. " Sometime in the Kirtland era, Abel is washed anointed in the Kirtland Temple.

n n Dec 1836: Elijah Abel is ordained a Seventy. Ordination is performed by Zebedee Coltrin according to certificate. Able becomes a duly licensed minister of the Gospel for missionary work in Ohio. He also serves missions to New York and Canada.

Priesthood Not Questioned n Jun 1839: Elijah Abel's activities discussed, but his holding the Priesthood is not questioned, in a meeting attended by Joseph Smith, Jr.

1842 Pearl of Great Price completed n n (Note: work on the Pearl of Great Price began about 1837). The work makes two references relevant to the issue at hand: Enoch ministers the gospel to surrounding nations but does not go to those of the lineage of Cain, who are identified as being "black. " The LDS community has traditionally interpreted Moses 7 as referring to a black skin color rather than "black" in deeds or spirituality.

n n n 1843: Apostles Heber C. Kimball, Orson Pratt and John Page restrict Elijah Abel's missionary work to his own people. Abel's Priesthood seems not at issue. Elijah Abel serves another mission.

More Than One n 1844 or earlier Walker Lewis, a Black member and barber in Lowell, MA ordained an Elder by William Smith (a younger brother of Joseph Smith Jr. )

n n 1844: Joseph Smith Jr. campaigns for the presidency of the United States on an anti-slavery platform aimed at ending slavery by 1850. Smith states, “Break off the shackles from the poor black man, and hire him to labor with other human beings, for an hour of virtuous liberty on earth is worth a whole eternity of bondage. . "

The Horrible Day n Jun 1844 Martyrdom of Joseph Smith Jr.

Later that year n Nov 1844: Apostle Wilford Woodruff visits Lowell, MA and observes that “a Coloured Brother who was an Elder" (presumably Walker Lewis) was present. No remark about the existence of a Black Elder being contrary to doctrine or practice.

n n 1844 -45: The Lowell, MA area is visited by Apostles Ezra T. Benson and Brigham Young, neither of whom mentions any problem with a Black man holding the priesthood. Brigham Young's later (1847) statement makes it clear that he is aware of Walker Lewis' Priesthood.

n 27 Apr 1845: Orson Hyde refers to Negroes as the cursed lineage of Canaan and says that the curse of servility which they bore was for their actions in the preexistence.

A Third One n Oct 1846: William “Black Pete” Mc. Cary baptized and ordained by Apostle Orson Hyde

Black Pete n n Fall 1847: Black "prophet, " William Mc. Cary seduces a number of Mormon women into his own polygamy rites. Mc. Cary is subsequently excommunicated. Brigham Young declares Blacks ineligible for certain temple ordinances, possibly reacting to the William Mc. Cary affair.

The New Prophet Speaks Brigham Young says, “It’s nothing to do with the blood for of one blood has God made all flesh, …we have one of the best Elders, an African [i. e. , Walker Lewis] in Lowell. ”

The Earliest Statement On Priesthood Restriction n Feb 1849: Brigham Young declares, “Because Cain cut off the lives [sic] of Abel. . . the Lord cursed Cain's seed and prohibited them from the Priesthood. "

Mississippi Saints n n 1850: Twelve Mormon slave owners possess between 60 and 70 black slaves in Deseret Territory. There is one Apostle, Charles C. Rich, among these slave owners. 1852: “An Act in Relation to Service” gives legal recognition to black slaveholding in the Territory of Deseret.

Reduced Options n 1853: Elijah Abel not allowed by Brigham Young to receive his endowment.

Conflicting Accounts n n 1879: Zebedee Coltrin claims that Abel was dropped from the quorum of Seventy when Joseph Smith Jr. learned that Abel was Black. Apostle Joseph F. Smith Challenges Coltrin’s claim. He shows two certificates of Abel’s reordination to the office of Seventy.

Accuracy Matters n Bro. Coltrin's memory is shown to be unreliable: His claimed date (1834) for Joseph Smith's announcing the alleged ban is impossible, since Coltrin himself ordained Abel a Seventy in 1836.

Fast Forward n n n 1880: Elijah Abel again denied the endowment, this time by the Quorum of the Twelve 1883: Elijah Abel still on record as a Seventy 1884: Elijah Abel is sent on his third mission. He returns home and dies in Dec. of 1884.

The Obituary Published Dec. 26, 1884 in Deseret News Died, Elijah Abel -- of old age and debility, consequent upon exposure while laboring in the ministry in Ohio. He joined the Church and was ordained an Elder as appears by certificate dated March 3 rd, 1836. He was subsequently ordained a Seventy, as appears by certificate dated April 4, 1841. He died in full faith of the Gospel.

Second Review n n 1895: Elijah Abel, now 11 years dead, is again discussed by the Quorum of Twelve. Joseph F. Smith again rebuffs claims that Abel had been dropped from the priesthood. On the contrary, he makes two new claim: that Abel's original ordination was done under the direction of Joseph Smith Jr. , and that Abel was ordained a High Priest after being a Seventy.

Brother Abel’s Next Generation n 27 Nov 1900: Enoch Abel, son of Elijah and Mary Abel, ordained an Elder.

A Reversal n n n 1908: Joseph F. Smith, on unspecified grounds, reverses his former position about Elijah Abel's status and now claims that Joseph Smith himself declared Abel's ordination "null and void. " However, on 5 Jul 1934 Elijah Abel, grandson of Elijah Abel, is ordained a priest. And, 29 Sep 1935 Elijah Abel, grandson of Elijah Abel, is ordained an Elder.

Comments in our Literature n June 1958: B. R. Mc. Conkie publishes Mormon Doctrine. Under heading for "Negroes" he states that Negroes are lineage of Cain through Ham's wife. They were less valiant in the preexistence, are banned from the Priesthood, and the gospel message is not to be carried to them.

J. Reuben Clark n n "They [General authorities] … sometimes … have spoken ‘out of turn. ’ “…You will recall the Prophet Joseph declared that a prophet is not always a prophet. ”

Pres. Clark n . . . even the President of the Church, himself, may not always be "moved upon by the Holy Ghost, " when he addresses the people. This happened about matters of doctrine (usually of a highly speculative character) where subsequent Presidents of the Church and the peoples themselves have felt that in declaring the doctrine, the announcer was not "moved upon by the Holy Ghost. "

Other Voices n 1969: President Hugh B. Brown proposes that the Church's policy be reversed and that Blacks be given the Priesthood. This policy was approved by the Quorum of Twelve and the First Presidency with President Mc. Kay and Harold B. Lee absent. (President Mc. Kay was disabled due to age and President Lee was traveling on Church business. )

Re-vote n When President Lee returns, he calls for another vote and the measure is defeated.

President Kimball n 1973: Upon becoming President of the Church, S. W. Kimball is asked about the position of the Church regarding blacks and the priesthood. He states, "I am not sure that there will be a change, although there could be. ”

The Long Promised Day n 1 Jun 1978: Revelation is received granting the Priesthood to those of African Negro descent. Concerning the revelation Kimball states, "I offered the final prayer … this revelation and assurance came to me so clearly that there was no question about it. . I knew that the time had come. "

Elder Bruce R. Mc. Conkie “ALL ARE ALIKE UNTO GOD” BYU 1978

“Forget everything that I have said, or what President Brigham Young or President George Q. Cannon or whomsoever has said in days past that is contrary to the present revelation. We spoke with a limited understanding and without the light and knowledge that now has come into the world.

"We get our truth and our light line upon line and precept upon precept. We have now had added a new flood of intelligence and light on this particular subject, and it erases all the darkness and all the views and all the thoughts of the past. They don't matter any more. ” Elder Bruce R. Mc. Conkie

Elder Oaks n n “God made a covenant with Abraham and promised him that through him, all families or nations of the earth would be blessed …. If ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed… Neither riches nor lineage nor any other privileges of birth should cause us to believe that we are better one to another. Indeed, the Book of Mormon says that we must not ‘esteem one flesh above another’. ”

President Hinckley n “There is no basis for racial hatred among the priesthood. If you have such feelings, go before the Lord and ask forgiveness. ”