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by Laurie Stevens on May 22nd, 2004

Laurie Stevens

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Why did the Mormon church not give blacks the priesthood before 1978?

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Answers. 3 helpful answers below.

  • by Andy Is Wicked Married to Penal Colony on June 28th, 2004

    Andy Is Wicked Married to Penal Colony

    According to a Web Q&A I came across (http://www.mormonhaven.com/priest.htm#8):

    Before 1978 the Blacks were denied the priesthood. Doesn't this prove that Mormons were prejudiced against them?

    A. In most religions and cultures there will always be a few who are prejudiced. However, the Church, its leaders and most members denounce the viewpoint that one race is either superior or inferior to other races. A statement by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1987 says:

    "We repudiate efforts to deny to any person his or her inalienable dignity and rights on the abhorrent and tragic theory of the superiority of one race or color over another." (Church Global Media Guide)

    President Spencer W. Kimball taught:
    "We do wish that there would be no racial prejudice_. Racial prejudice is of the devil_. There is no place for it in the gospel of Jesus Christ. (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, pp. 236).

    Church critics today try to associate the Church with widespread prejudice against Blacks. What is especially ironic about this false attack is that the anti-Mormons of the 1830's tried to stir up passions against the Church based upon Latter-day Saint opposition to slavery as summarized in our scriptures:
    "... it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another." (D&C 101:79)

    It is true until 1978, Blacks of African descent were not eligible to hold the priesthood or participate in certain temple ordinances. This restriction however, originated from God. It did not come from any man. It should be noted that the issue was one of genealogy and not skin pigmentation. For example, Black men from non-African descent were allowed to hold the priesthood. On the other hand, Caucasian, Asian, and Hispanic men who had some Black African ancestry were not allowed to hold the priesthood.
    Before 1978 many leaders of the Church fully expected that those of African decent would someday receive the priesthood. Otherwise, we would not be able to take the full blessings of the gospel to "every nation , kindred, and tongue"(D&C 133:37) as we have been commanded.
    In 1978 President Spencer W. Kimball finally received the long awaited revelation which would bring this about. Since then, all members of the Church have been eligible to participate in all priesthood and temple blessings. Blacks, including African races, have always (both before and after 1978) been allowed baptism in the Church. In addition, while many denominations have historically segregated their Churches (i.e., blacks in one building, whites in another), Latter-day Saints have always had an integrated congregation.

    President Spencer W. Kimball taught:
    "Intolerance by Church members is despicable. A special problem exists with respect to blacks because they may not now [1972] receive the priesthood. Some members of the Church would justify their own un-Christian discrimination against blacks because of that rule with respect to the priesthood, but while this restriction has been imposed by the Lord, it is not for us to add burdens upon the shoulders of our black brethren. They who have received Christ in faith through authoritative baptism are heirs to the celestial kingdom along with men of all other races. And those who remain faithful to the end may expect that God may finally grant them all blessings they have merited through their righteousness. Such matters are in the Lord's hands. It is for us to extend our love to all." (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p.237)
    As we can see, members of the Church were specifically charged not to use the priesthood ban as an excuse for racial intolerance.

    President Joseph Fielding Smith taught:
    No church or other organization is more insistent than THE CHURCH of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints, that the Negroes should receive all the rights and privileges that can possibly be given to any other in the true sense of equality as declared in the Declaration of Independence. They should be equal to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." They should be equal in the matter of education. They should not be barred from obtaining knowledge and becoming proficient in any field of science, art or mechanical occupation. They should be free to choose any kind of employment, to go into business in any field they may choose and to make their lives as happy as it is possible without interference from white men, labor unions or from any other source. In their defense of these privileges the members of the Church will stand. (Answers to Gospel Questions, Vol.2, p.185)
    It should be noted that President Smith's comments were made in the 1950's (decades before the priesthood ban was lifted) and are quite meaningful when considered in historical context. (Much of this information came from John Walsh, see http://www.mormonhaven.com/kc.htm)

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  • by Alatea on November 6th, 2005

    Alatea

    If you research LDS history their position becomes very clear.
    LDS "Prophet" Brigham Young said that blacks were not worthy
    of the priesthood or blessings.
    Journal of Discourses, Vol. 7, p. 290, 1859

    David Briscoe and George Buck refer to June 9, 1978 as "Black Friday" because this was the day that Mormon leaders announced the death of the anti-black doctrine (see Utah Holiday, July 1978, page 33). Prior to that time blacks of African lineage were not allowed to hold the Priesthood nor go through the temple even though they lived exemplary lives.

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  • by Felix Black on November 4th, 2009

    Felix Black

    If Isaiah,Jeremiah,Ezekiel and Daniel all prophets said that Black men/women are, "...uncouth, uncomely, disagreeable and low in their habits, wild and seemingly deprived of nearly all the blessings of the intelligence that is generally bestowed upon mankind. . . ."I would find it hard to believe that they were prophets of God. By the way the words were said by Brigham Young, second President and Prophet of the Mormorn church.
    Words like these coming from people proclaiming to be "prophets of God" are not only disturbing but outright ludacris!
    He also said..“But let them apostatize, and they will become gray-haired, wrinkled, and black, just like the Devil" Wow!
    Felix...and im BLACK

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