schreech wrote:Simon Belmont wrote:
"This Negro, who, in the pre-existence lived the type of life which justified the Lord in sending him to the earth in their lineage of Cain with a black skin, and possibly being born in darkest Africa--if that Negro is willing when he hears the gospel to accept it, he may have many of the blessings of the gospel. In spite of all he did in the pre-existent life, the Lord is willing, if the Negro accepts the gospel with real, sincere faith, and is really converted, to give him the blessings of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. If that Negro is faithful all his days, he can and will enter the celestial kingdom. He will go there as a servant, but he will get celestial glory"
Are you also ashamed of your leader's teachings? Feel free to not act like a tool and answer honestly, for once....
I don't know if Pahoran has finally conceded this to be a quote from Brigham Young, but I think that is where it comes from.
Let me tell you what I think about it.
I would not say I am "ashamed" of what Brigham Young said.
(I am "ashamed" of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, so I do have that emotion within me.) ;^)
But I think Brigham Young was simply expressing the common 19th century American white man's view on blacks.
It is possible to emphasize the "servant" part of the quote, which sounds racist (and likely is).
But it is also possible to emphasize the "celestial kingdom" part of the quote, and see Brigham Young as allowing for blacks to be exalted along with white Mormons (albeit as servants).
I think it would be wonderful if Brigham Young had continued the policy started by Joseph Smith of ordaining black men to the Priesthood and treating them equally with whites; and I think it would be wonderful if Brigham Young (and associates) had never given public expression to the racist sentiments of the times (as you quoted).
But while I think it would be wonderful, I doubt it is terribly realistic to expect.
All the Best!
--Consiglieri