Why were Blacks banned from having the Priesthood...?

[_jon]

Now I know that there has been a lot of speculation about this across the decades. I know a lot of people here were taught the 'black people were less valiant' angle.

But what has the Church said was the official, doctrinal purpose/reason for banning Black people from holding the Priesthood?

Please resist testimony bearing and stick with official Church pronouncements and teachings.

Thanks

[_The Nehor]

But what has the Church said was the official, doctrinal purpose/reason for banning Black people from holding the Priesthood?

As I am pretty sure you already know there wasn't one.

[_Polygamy-Porter]

But what has the Church said was the official, doctrinal purpose/reason for banning Black people from holding the Priesthood?

As I am pretty sure you already know there wasn't one.

Yeah --today their isn't one.

The second prophet of God's only true church made many statements over the pulpit concerning why they could not be given the priesthood and stated that the second coming of Christ would occur before they would be given the right.

He also stated that interracial marriage (black and white) was forbidden and would result in death on the spot.

[_cafe crema]

But what has the Church said was the official, doctrinal purpose/reason for banning Black people from holding the Priesthood?

As I am pretty sure you already know there wasn't one.

Why not?

[_Malcolm]

Hi Jon,

I guess that the only 'honest' answer has to be the prejudiced mind of Brigham Young. We know that Joseph Smith ordained Elijah Abel, or at least allowed him to be ordained an Elder, so whatever we try to hang on Joseph Smith, the priesthood ban does not seem to settle on his shoulders.

We have no reasonable reason for this ban other than bad old prejudice against the black man during the second administration of the church.

We can opine and surmise all we want, but there never will be an honest answer to this question from the COB. The one true God which we are told "is the same today, forever," changed his mind in 1978 but like most 'revelations' we never really get to the facts or the reason, I doubt we ever will. That which is irrational stays irrational, I guess.

[_jon]

He also stated that interracial marriage (black and white) was forbidden and would result in death on the spot.

Interestingly this counsel about interracial marriage is still a current, active teaching (albeit in slightly watered down wording) in the Church - it is in the current Young Men's teaching manual.

[_Themis]

I know a lot of people here were taught the 'black people were less valiant' angle.

This was a prevalent teaching in the church pre-1978. After it declined significantly. It really is based on racist thinking and teaching by leaders and members of the church, not that racist thinking was not prevalent throughtout much of society. The idea that blacks were less valiant is due to teaching that our stations in this life have to do with what we did in the pre-mortal life. Since blacks were thought to be less then whites and restricted from the priesthood, it is logical that it must be because they were not as valiant. If other religions had simlar beliefs about a pre-mortal life, they probably would have taught similar things.

Here is an interesting letter from the FP on the topic and was directed to a prominent member who wrote them of his concerns about the priesthood ban.

"Dear Brother Nelson:

"As you have been advised, your letter of June 16 was received in due course ... We have carefully considered [its] content; and are glad to advise you as follows:

"We make this initial remark: the social side of the Restored Gospel is only an incident of it; it is not the end thereof.

"The basic element of your ideas and concepts seems to be that all God's children stand in equal positions before Him in all things. Your knowledge of the Gospel will indicate to you that this is contrary to the very fundamentals of God's dealings with Israel dating from the time of His promise to Abraham regarding Abraham's seed and their position vis-a-vis God Himself. Indeed, some of God's children were assigned to superior positions before the world was formed.

"We are aware that some Higher Critics do not accept this, but the Church does. Your position seems to lose sight of the revelations of the Lord touching the pre-existence of our spirits, the rebellion in heaven, and the doctrines that our birth into this life and the advantages under which we may be born, have a relationship in the life heretofore.

"From the days of the Prophet Joseph Smith even until now, it is has been the doctrine of the Church, never questioned by any of the Church leaders, that the Negroes are not entitled to the full blessings of the Gospel.

"Furthermore, your ideas, as we understand them, appear to contemplate the intermarriage of the Negro and White races, a concept which has heretofore been most repugnant to most normal-minded people from the ancient patriarchs till now. God's rule for Israel, His Chosen People, has been endogamous [meaning 'marriage within a specific tribe or similar social unit']. Modern Israel has been similarly directed.

"We are not unmindful of the fact that there is a growing tendency, particularly among some educators, as it manifests itself in this are, toward the breaking down of race barriers in the matter of intermarriage between whites and blacks, but it does not have the sanction of the Church and is contrary to Church doctrine.

"Faithfully yours,

[signed]

George Albert Smith
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
David O. McKay

The First Presidency"

(John J. Stewart and William E. Bennett, Mormonism and the Negro," [Orem, Utah: Community Press, 1960], pp. 46-47; see also,

July 17, 1947

[_The Nehor]

As I am pretty sure you already know there wasn't one.

Why not?

God would have to answer that. If He wants to speak He can. If He chooses not to that is also His prerogative.

[_zeezrom]

I remain totally baffled at why the leadership doesn't want to admit to a judgment error made by earlier prophets.

[_Tchild]

I remain totally baffled at why the leadership doesn't want to admit to a judgment error made by earlier prophets.

Well, for a church that trumpets "continuing revelation" as a central aspect that makes the LDS a "true" church, a restored church compared to all the apostate churches of the world...not actually understanding or receiving "revelation" concerning the saving ordinances of a portion of mankind, doesn't look so good.

If the church admits to error, it must admit that for over 100 years the whole body of leadership was not capable of knowing what God wanted via revelation. Either that, or God actually didn't want blacks to hold the priesthood for some inexplicably silly and arbitrary reason.