The History of The History of Blacks Blacks and the and the

LDS PriesthoodLDS Priesthood

Copyright: Darius Gray Copyright: Darius Gray 2006. Please do not 2006. Please do not reproduce without reproduce without permission.permission.

Greatest Story of the Greatest Story of the Twentieth CenturyTwentieth Century

At the end of 1999 At the end of 1999 The Church The Church NewsNews conducted a poll to conducted a poll to determine which events of the determine which events of the 1900s were the top Church 1900s were the top Church stories of the past century.stories of the past century.

The The century's top storycentury's top story

The revelation extending the The revelation extending the priesthood to all worthy males.priesthood to all worthy males.

Where to Begin?Where to Begin?

Old HistoryOld History More recent HistoryMore recent History Publications Publications Current DayCurrent Day

The Most The Most CurrentCurrent

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

Pres. HinckleyPres. Hinckley

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

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

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

President President HinckleyHinckley

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

Now the HistoryNow the History

A A PartialPartial Chronology Chronology Pertaining to Blacks and Pertaining to Blacks and

the LDS Priesthoodthe LDS Priesthood

Instead of Instead of HandoutsHandouts

http://cc.usu.edu/~fath6/BlacksPriesthood.htmhttp://cc.usu.edu/~fath6/BlacksPriesthood.htm

AndAnd

www.ldsgenesisgroup.org/howtoreach.htmlwww.ldsgenesisgroup.org/howtoreach.html

1830:1830: The Book of Mormon is The Book of Mormon is published. The Book uses a published. The Book uses a dark‑skin motif as a sign of dark‑skin motif as a sign of sinfulness by the Lamanites: sinfulness by the Lamanites: "The Lord God did cause a "The Lord God did cause a skin of blackness to come skin of blackness to come uponupon[the Lamanites]", cf. 1 Ne. [the Lamanites]", cf. 1 Ne. 5:21. 5:21.

(See: Marvin Perkin’s piece (See: Marvin Perkin’s piece on “Blackness” on “Blackness”

www.ldsgenesisgroup.owww.ldsgenesisgroup.org/howtoreach.htmlrg/howtoreach.html))

Genesis Chapter Genesis Chapter 1010

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

Prophetic Prophetic StatementsStatements

18321832 Joseph Smith Jr. Joseph Smith Jr. predicts an predicts an insurrection beginning insurrection beginning in South Carolina in in South Carolina in which slaves would which slaves would rise up against their rise up against their masters and great masters and great bloodshed would bloodshed would result. (D&C 87) result. (D&C 87)

Early Black Early Black MemberMember

18321832 Elijah Abel Elijah Abel baptized. In early years baptized. In early years there is dispute over there is dispute over his exact ethnicity. his exact ethnicity. Some Report him as Some Report him as white, which seems white, which seems impossible given later impossible given later actions regarding him.actions regarding him.

Caution Caution UrgedUrged

18331833 W. W. Phelps editorial in the W. W. Phelps editorial in the Evening and Morning Star "Free Evening and Morning Star "Free People of Color" expresses an People of Color" expresses an anti‑slavery viewpoint and outlines anti‑slavery viewpoint and outlines procedures for the migration of free procedures for the migration of free Blacks to Missouri: "So long as we have Blacks to Missouri: "So long as we have no special rule in the church, as to no special rule in the church, as to people of color, let prudence guide.”people of color, let prudence guide.”

A BeginningA Beginning

18341834 According to According to Zebedee Coltrin Zebedee Coltrin (as (as recalled in 1879, some recalled in 1879, some 45 years later)45 years later) Joseph Joseph Smith, in the presence Smith, in the presence of Coltrin, receives a of Coltrin, receives a revelation that Blacks revelation that Blacks are not to be are not to be ordained. ordained.

The MemoryThe Memory

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

The The Prophet’s Prophet’s

ViewView Nov. 1835Nov. 1835 Joseph Smith Joseph Smith

reaffirms his earlier reaffirms his earlier proclamation that Elders proclamation that Elders are to avoid going are to avoid going "unto...slaves or "unto...slaves or servantsservants...unless ...unless granted permission by granted permission by their masters."their masters."

Early Early ScripturesScriptures

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

March 1836March 1836

Elijah Abel ordained an Elijah Abel ordained an Elder by Joseph Smith Elder by Joseph Smith Jr. (Eunice Kinney: “My Jr. (Eunice Kinney: “My Testimony of the Testimony of the Latter-day Work”) Latter-day Work”)

The certificate of The certificate of ordination is dated 3 ordination is dated 3 Mar 1836.Mar 1836.

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

Dec 1836:Dec 1836: Elijah Abel is ordained a Elijah Abel is ordained a Seventy. Ordination is performed by Seventy. Ordination is performed by Zebedee Coltrin according to Zebedee Coltrin according to certificate. certificate.

Able becomes a duly licensed Able becomes a duly licensed minister of the Gospel for missionary minister of the Gospel for missionary work in Ohio. He also serves work in Ohio. He also serves missions to New York and Canada. missions to New York and Canada.

Priesthood Not Priesthood Not QuestionedQuestioned

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

18421842 Pearl of Great Price Pearl of Great Price completedcompleted

(Note: work on the Pearl of Great Price (Note: work on the Pearl of Great Price began about 1837). The work makes two began about 1837). The work makes two references relevant to the issue at hand: references relevant to the issue at hand:

Enoch ministers the gospel to surrounding Enoch ministers the gospel to surrounding nations but does not go to those of the nations but does not go to those of the lineage of Cain, who are identified as lineage of Cain, who are identified as being "black." The LDS community has being "black." The LDS community has traditionally interpreted Moses 7 as traditionally interpreted Moses 7 as referring to a black skin color rather than referring to a black skin color rather than "black" in deeds or spirituality. "black" in deeds or spirituality.

1843:1843: Apostles Heber C. Apostles Heber C. Kimball, Orson Pratt and Kimball, Orson Pratt and John Page restrict Elijah John Page restrict Elijah Abel's missionary work to his Abel's missionary work to his own people. own people.

Abel's Priesthood seems not Abel's Priesthood seems not at issue. at issue.

Elijah Abel serves another Elijah Abel serves another

mission. mission.

More Than More Than OneOne

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

1844: Joseph Smith Jr. campaigns 1844: Joseph Smith Jr. campaigns for the presidency of the United for the presidency of the United States on an anti-slavery platform States on an anti-slavery platform aimed at ending slavery by 1850. aimed at ending slavery by 1850.

Smith states, “Break off the Smith states, “Break off the shackles from the poor black shackles from the poor black man, and hire him to labor with man, and hire him to labor with other human beings, for an hour other human beings, for an hour of virtuous liberty on earth is of virtuous liberty on earth is worth a whole eternity of worth a whole eternity of bondage...." bondage...."

The Horrible DayThe Horrible Day

Jun 1844Jun 1844 Martyrdom of Joseph Martyrdom of Joseph Smith Jr.Smith Jr.

Later that yearLater that year Nov 1844:Nov 1844: Apostle Wilford Apostle Wilford

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

1844-45:1844-45: The Lowell, MA The Lowell, MA area is visited by Apostles area is visited by Apostles Ezra T. Benson and Ezra T. Benson and Brigham Young, neither of Brigham Young, neither of whom mentions any whom mentions any problem with a Black man problem with a Black man holding the priesthood. holding the priesthood.

Brigham Young's later Brigham Young's later (1847) statement makes it (1847) statement makes it clear that he is aware of clear that he is aware of Walker Lewis' Priesthood. Walker Lewis' Priesthood.

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

A Third OneA Third One

Oct 1846:Oct 1846: William “Black Pete” William “Black Pete” McCary baptized and ordained McCary baptized and ordained by Apostle Orson Hydeby Apostle Orson Hyde

Black PeteBlack Pete

Fall 1847:Fall 1847: Black "prophet," William Black "prophet," William McCary seduces a number of Mormon McCary seduces a number of Mormon women into his own polygamy rites. women into his own polygamy rites. McCary is subsequently McCary is subsequently excommunicated. excommunicated.

Brigham Young declares Blacks Brigham Young declares Blacks ineligible for certain temple ordinances, ineligible for certain temple ordinances, possibly reacting to the William McCary possibly reacting to the William McCary affair. affair.

The New The New Prophet Prophet SpeaksSpeaks

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

The Earliest The Earliest Statement On Statement On

Priesthood Priesthood RestrictionRestriction

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

Mississippi SaintsMississippi Saints

1850: Twelve Mormon slave owners 1850: Twelve Mormon slave owners possess between 60 and 70 black slaves possess between 60 and 70 black slaves in Deseret Territory. There is one Apostle, in Deseret Territory. There is one Apostle, Charles C. Rich, among these slave Charles C. Rich, among these slave

owners. owners. 1852: “An Act in Relation to Service” 1852: “An Act in Relation to Service”

gives legal recognition to black gives legal recognition to black slaveholding in the Territory of Deseret.slaveholding in the Territory of Deseret.

Reduced Reduced OptionsOptions

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

Conflicting Conflicting AccountsAccounts

1879: 1879: Zebedee Coltrin claims that Abel Zebedee Coltrin claims that Abel was dropped from the quorum of was dropped from the quorum of Seventy when Joseph Smith Jr. learned Seventy when Joseph Smith Jr. learned that Abel was Black. that Abel was Black.

Apostle Joseph F. Smith Challenges Apostle Joseph F. Smith Challenges Coltrin’s claim. He shows two Coltrin’s claim. He shows two certificates of Abel’s re-ordination to the certificates of Abel’s re-ordination to the office of Seventy. office of Seventy.

Accuracy MattersAccuracy Matters

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

Fast ForwardFast Forward

1880:1880: Elijah Abel again denied the endowment, Elijah Abel again denied the endowment, this time by the Quorum of the Twelvethis time by the Quorum of the Twelve

1883:1883: Elijah Abel still on record as a Seventy Elijah Abel still on record as a Seventy

1884:1884: Elijah Abel is sent on his third mission. Elijah Abel is sent on his third mission.

He returns home and dies in Dec. of 1884. He returns home and dies in Dec. of 1884.

The ObituaryThe Obituary

Published Dec. 26, 1884 in Deseret NewsPublished Dec. 26, 1884 in Deseret News

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

Second Second ReviewReview

1895: Elijah Abel, now 11 1895: Elijah Abel, now 11 years dead, is again discussed years dead, is again discussed by the Quorum of Twelve. by the Quorum of Twelve.

Joseph F. Smith again rebuffs Joseph F. Smith again rebuffs claims that Abel had been claims that Abel had been dropped from the priesthood. dropped from the priesthood. On the contrary, he makes two On the contrary, he makes two new claim: new claim:

that Abel's original ordination that Abel's original ordination was done under the direction was done under the direction of Joseph Smith Jr., and that of Joseph Smith Jr., and that Abel was ordained a High Abel was ordained a High Priest after being a Seventy.Priest after being a Seventy.

Brother Abel’s Next Brother Abel’s Next GenerationGeneration

27 Nov 190027 Nov 1900: : Enoch Abel, son Enoch Abel, son of Elijah and Mary Abel, of Elijah and Mary Abel, ordained an Elder.ordained an Elder.

A ReversalA Reversal

1908:1908: Joseph F. Smith, on unspecified Joseph F. Smith, on unspecified grounds, reverses his former position grounds, reverses his former position about Elijah Abel's status and now about Elijah Abel's status and now claims that Joseph Smith himself claims that Joseph Smith himself declared Abel's ordination "null and declared Abel's ordination "null and void." void."

However, on However, on 5 Jul 19345 Jul 1934 Elijah Abel, Elijah Abel,

grandson of Elijah Abel, is ordained a grandson of Elijah Abel, is ordained a priest.priest.

And, And, 29 Sep 193529 Sep 1935 Elijah Abel, grandson Elijah Abel, grandson

of Elijah Abel, is ordained an Elder.of Elijah Abel, is ordained an Elder.

Comments in our Comments in our LiteratureLiterature

June 1958:June 1958: B. R. McConkie publishes B. R. McConkie publishes Mormon DoctrineMormon Doctrine. Under heading for . Under heading for "Negroes" he states that Negroes are "Negroes" he states that Negroes are lineage of Cain through Ham's wife. They lineage of Cain through Ham's wife. They were less valiant in the pre-existence, are were less valiant in the pre-existence, are banned from the Priesthood, and the banned from the Priesthood, and the gospel message is not to be carried to gospel message is not to be carried to them. them.

J. Reuben J. Reuben ClarkClark

"They [General authorities] … sometimes … have spoken ‘out of turn.’

“…“…You will recall the You will recall the Prophet Joseph declared Prophet Joseph declared that a prophet is not that a prophet is not always a prophet.”always a prophet.”

Pres. ClarkPres. Clark

. . . even the President of the Church, himself, may not always be "moved upon by the Holy Ghost," when he addresses the people. This has 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 VoicesOther Voices 1969:1969: President Hugh B. Brown President Hugh B. Brown

proposes that the Church's proposes that the Church's policy be reversed and that policy be reversed and that Blacks be given the Priesthood. Blacks be given the Priesthood. This policy was approved by the This policy was approved by the Quorum of Twelve and the First Quorum of Twelve and the First Presidency with President McKay Presidency with President McKay and Harold B. Lee absent. and Harold B. Lee absent.

(President McKay was disabled (President McKay was disabled due to age and President Lee due to age and President Lee was traveling on Church was traveling on Church business.)business.)

Re-voteRe-vote

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

President President KimballKimball

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

The Long Promised DayThe Long Promised Day

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

Elder Bruce R. McConkie Elder Bruce R. McConkie “ALL ARE ALIKE“ALL ARE ALIKE

UNTO GOD”UNTO GOD”BYU 1978BYU 1978

““Forget everything that I have Forget everything that I have said, or what President said, or what President

Brigham Young or President Brigham Young or President George Q. Cannon or George Q. Cannon or

whomsoever has said in days whomsoever has said in days past that is contrary to the past that is contrary to the

present revelation. present revelation. We spoke We spoke with a limited understanding with a limited understanding

and without the light and and without the light and knowledgeknowledge that now has come that now has come

into the world.into the world.

"We get our truth and our light line "We get our truth and our light line upon line and precept upon upon line and precept upon

precept. We have now had added precept. We have now had added a new flood of intelligence and a new flood of intelligence and

light on this particular subject, light on this particular subject, and and it erases all the darkness and all it erases all the darkness and all the views and all the thoughts of the views and all the thoughts of the past. the past. They don't matter any They don't matter any

more.”more.”

Elder Bruce R. McConkieElder Bruce R. McConkie

Elder OaksElder Oaks ““God made a covenant with God made a covenant with

Abraham and promised him Abraham and promised him that through him, all families or that through him, all families or nations of the earth would be nations of the earth would be blessed …. If ye be Christ’s, blessed …. If ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed…then are ye Abraham’s seed…

Neither riches Neither riches nor lineagenor lineage nor nor any other privileges of birth any other privileges of birth should cause us to believe that should cause us to believe that we are better one to another.  we are better one to another.  Indeed, the Book of Mormon Indeed, the Book of Mormon says that we must not ‘esteem says that we must not ‘esteem one flesh above another’.”one flesh above another’.”

President President HinckleyHinckley

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