Elise is going on a mission in September! Please help her prepare by answering in the comments section the tough questions posted by family and friends each week(vote for your favorite so those commenting can win prizes)--or just give her advice! Thanks!
Friday, March 4, 2011
THIS WEEK'S TOPIC: Blacks and the Priesthood (Discussion led by Curt Bassett; Prize for best comment: Elise's first letter from her mission to you)
Mormons are racists and bigots, right? Why didn't the church let blacks have the priesthood?
I haven't thought about this topic in years but it was a big issue in The Church in the 60's and 70's. The first thing that people need to understand is that the issue was not black skin but being a descendant of Cain and a restriction of the Priesthood going to men of this lineage. The aborigines of Australia have skin as black as anyone, however, they were always allowed to hold the Priesthood. While serving a mission in Australia in the late 60's I saw aborigines bless and pass the sacrament on several occasions. This was about 10 years before President Kimble announced the revelation that the Priesthood would be available to all worthy male members.
I never served a mission, so I don't know how qualified I am to answer in this venue. However, I remember going through this issue before and after Pres. Kimball made the announcement that the priesthood would be able to be held by all worthy male members throughout the world. It was a "faithful-sifter" issue, as are so many of the controversial issues that Satan tries to use to dissuade members and non-members alike about the Lord's church. In the end, if we follow the prophet, we have no worries about being led astray. It was prophecied that Cain and his seed would become vagabonds upon the earth and in order that people would not slay them, they were given a curse on their skin. It was Cain's seed who were not allowed to hold the priesthood until such time as the Lord would allow it.
If asked this question, I would answer that a black man named Elijah Abel (one-fourth Negro) was ordained an elder in 1836. His desendants were also ordained to the priesthood.
I would then explain that God directs His one church through a living prophet. I would then read portions (if not all) of Official Declaration 2 dated June 8, 1978, which is found in your scriptures. See also http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/od/2?lang=eng
"...Aware of the promises made by the prophets and presidents of the Church who have preceded us that at some time, in God’s eternal plan, all of our brethren who are worthy may receive the priesthood, and witnessing the faithfulness of those from whom the priesthood has been withheld, we have pleaded long and earnestly in behalf of these, our faithful brethren, spending many hours in the Upper Room of the Temple supplicating the Lord for divine guidance.
He has heard our prayers, and by revelation has confirmed that the long-promised day has come when every faithful, worthy man in the Church may receive the holy priesthood, with power to exercise its divine authority, and enjoy with his loved ones every blessing that flows therefrom, including the blessings of the temple. Accordingly, all worthy male members of the Church may be ordained to the priesthood without regard for race or color."
I would not attempt to explain why God provided this revelation at that time, as opposed to at an earlier time. You might as well try to explain the timing of the Second Coming or what the sealed portion of the Golden Plates contains. You should never feel obligated to provide completely answer every question, especially when the answer has not been revealed to you.
To me the answer is as simple as acknowledging that God's time table is not the same as ours. Throughout history, there have been times where it wasn't the right time for something. A couple examples might include: Nephi being asked to kill Laban or Church members being asked to practice polygamy. There is a time and place for things, and the Lord needed the timing to be right to allow these faithful brethren the priveledge of holding the priesthood.
In adding to what Nick said, sometimes we don't know why the Lord does things the way he does, but there is always a reason. Maybe its just me, but the best way I learn and have my testimony strengthened is through personal experiences. After sharing all the deep doctrinal stuff that others have already shared, you could share how YOU had to go through a trial in your life and you didn't know why you had to go through it, but looking back you can see the reason why. You can see why the Lord had you go through what you did at that time in your life. Although we maybe can't see the reason why blacks couldn't have the priesthood now, someday (like in the future eternities)we will understand. The Lord does everything for a reason.
Maybe part of the curse that was put on the Blacks from the time of Cain was not just their dark skin to identify and protect them, but the fact that they would be the last ones to receive the privileges and the responsibilities of the priesthood and the Gospel. Missionaries were not sent here to the Dominican Republic until late in the year of 1978, the year every worthy young man could receive the priesthood. There were so many people from Haiti intermingled with the Dominicans. The countries of Africa and many other countries are the same way. When there were enough missionaries to take the Gospel to their countries, the Lord finally made the priesthood available to them. We just see the “little picture,” but the Lord sees the Beginning from the End, and He knows when the time was right for these great people to have these blessings. I’m glad He’s in charge.
The thing that I would teach or remind anyone who asks this question is that the priesthood is, in many ways, less a "gift" or a "power" or a "privilege" than it is a DUTY and a RESPONSIBILITY and a CALLING. Surely the priesthood is all of these things and more, but when we think of it in the latter terms rather than so much in the former ones, it suddenly doesn't seem like such an issue of fairness or bigotry anymore. Like so many difficult callings and things in the church--it is something that we are called to and humbly accept when the Lord asks, as opposed to something that we seek out and cry foul over when the Lord doesn't offer it on our timeline.
For example, even today, worthy women aren't allowed to hold the priesthood. In some politically correct circles I'm sure this is very concerning and seems very unjust. But as a worthy Sister Missionary who works every bit as hard and has sacrificed every bit as much as any elder, does this bother you, Elise? Most women that I know in the church aren't bothered in the least about this because they understand that the priesthood isn't used for any advantage for yourself anyway. It is a tool for serving others and, in that way, it is a tool that all races and sexes and peoples of the earth benefit from, whether directly or indirectly.
Admittedly, it's not an analogy that will take you very far, but it is a little bit like childbirth. Does being able to bear children bless women's lives? Of course. Is it also a great and difficult burden? You betcha. Do I have to bear a baby myself to receive the blessings of this gift/calling that Heavenly Father has given to mothers? No I thankfully do not. Is it unfair that as a man I will never know what it feels like to have life inside of me? No, not really--it's just life.
For some reason, dividing things on the gender line this way seems so much more acceptable and less taboo. Racial lines are so much more sensitive and right they should be when you look at the horrible lines that people have drawn on race throughout history. But in this particular case I would say that it is not something that is worth the energy to worry about so much. The priesthood has always been able to bless everyone just the same and, as others have said, the details about which channels it comes through are details that the Lord knows and surely has his reasons for. That's good enough for me.
I would pray to have a companion who thinks just like Blaine! Lots of great comments! I didn't want to comment but just commend you, Elise, for your desire to serve. Way to go.
Hi family, I'll lead this first topic that has plagued the Church for years. Eager to hear your thoughts and then I'll comment. Who's first?
ReplyDeleteI haven't thought about this topic in years but it was a big issue in The Church in the 60's and 70's. The first thing that people need to understand is that the issue was not black skin but being a descendant of Cain and a restriction of the Priesthood going to men of this lineage. The aborigines of Australia have skin as black as anyone, however, they were always allowed to hold the Priesthood. While serving a mission in Australia in the late 60's I saw aborigines bless and pass the sacrament on several occasions. This was about 10 years before President Kimble announced the revelation that the Priesthood would be available to all worthy male members.
ReplyDeleteKyle
I never served a mission, so I don't know how qualified I am to answer in this venue. However, I remember going through this issue before and after Pres. Kimball made the announcement that the priesthood would be able to be held by all worthy male members throughout the world. It was a "faithful-sifter" issue, as are so many of the controversial issues that Satan tries to use to dissuade members and non-members alike about the Lord's church. In the end, if we follow the prophet, we have no worries about being led astray.
ReplyDeleteIt was prophecied that Cain and his seed would become vagabonds upon the earth and in order that people would not slay them, they were given a curse on their skin. It was Cain's seed who were not allowed to hold the priesthood until such time as the Lord would allow it.
If asked this question, I would answer that a black man named Elijah Abel (one-fourth Negro) was ordained an elder in 1836. His desendants were also ordained to the priesthood.
ReplyDeleteI would then explain that God directs His one church through a living prophet. I would then read portions (if not all) of Official Declaration 2 dated June 8, 1978, which is found in your scriptures. See also http://lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/od/2?lang=eng
"...Aware of the promises made by the prophets and presidents of the Church who have preceded us that at some time, in God’s eternal plan, all of our brethren who are worthy may receive the priesthood, and witnessing the faithfulness of those from whom the priesthood has been withheld, we have pleaded long and earnestly in behalf of these, our faithful brethren, spending many hours in the Upper Room of the Temple supplicating the Lord for divine guidance.
He has heard our prayers, and by revelation has confirmed that the long-promised day has come when every faithful, worthy man in the Church may receive the holy priesthood, with power to exercise its divine authority, and enjoy with his loved ones every blessing that flows therefrom, including the blessings of the temple. Accordingly, all worthy male members of the Church may be ordained to the priesthood without regard for race or color."
I would not attempt to explain why God provided this revelation at that time, as opposed to at an earlier time. You might as well try to explain the timing of the Second Coming or what the sealed portion of the Golden Plates contains. You should never feel obligated to provide completely answer every question, especially when the answer has not been revealed to you.
To me the answer is as simple as acknowledging that God's time table is not the same as ours. Throughout history, there have been times where it wasn't the right time for something. A couple examples might include: Nephi being asked to kill Laban or Church members being asked to practice polygamy. There is a time and place for things, and the Lord needed the timing to be right to allow these faithful brethren the priveledge of holding the priesthood.
ReplyDeleteIn adding to what Nick said, sometimes we don't know why the Lord does things the way he does, but there is always a reason. Maybe its just me, but the best way I learn and have my testimony strengthened is through personal experiences. After sharing all the deep doctrinal stuff that others have already shared, you could share how YOU had to go through a trial in your life and you didn't know why you had to go through it, but looking back you can see the reason why. You can see why the Lord had you go through what you did at that time in your life. Although we maybe can't see the reason why blacks couldn't have the priesthood now, someday (like in the future eternities)we will understand. The Lord does everything for a reason.
ReplyDeleteMaybe part of the curse that was put on the Blacks from the time of Cain was not just their dark skin to identify and protect them, but the fact that they would be the last ones to receive the privileges and the responsibilities of the priesthood and the Gospel.
ReplyDeleteMissionaries were not sent here to the Dominican Republic until late in the year of 1978, the year every worthy young man could receive the priesthood. There were so many people from Haiti intermingled with the Dominicans. The countries of Africa and many other countries are the same way. When there were enough missionaries to take the Gospel to their countries, the Lord finally made the priesthood available to them. We just see the “little picture,” but the Lord sees the Beginning from the End, and He knows when the time was right for these great people to have these blessings. I’m glad He’s in charge.
The thing that I would teach or remind anyone who asks this question is that the priesthood is, in many ways, less a "gift" or a "power" or a "privilege" than it is a DUTY and a RESPONSIBILITY and a CALLING. Surely the priesthood is all of these things and more, but when we think of it in the latter terms rather than so much in the former ones, it suddenly doesn't seem like such an issue of fairness or bigotry anymore. Like so many difficult callings and things in the church--it is something that we are called to and humbly accept when the Lord asks, as opposed to something that we seek out and cry foul over when the Lord doesn't offer it on our timeline.
ReplyDeleteFor example, even today, worthy women aren't allowed to hold the priesthood. In some politically correct circles I'm sure this is very concerning and seems very unjust. But as a worthy Sister Missionary who works every bit as hard and has sacrificed every bit as much as any elder, does this bother you, Elise? Most women that I know in the church aren't bothered in the least about this because they understand that the priesthood isn't used for any advantage for yourself anyway. It is a tool for serving others and, in that way, it is a tool that all races and sexes and peoples of the earth benefit from, whether directly or indirectly.
Admittedly, it's not an analogy that will take you very far, but it is a little bit like childbirth. Does being able to bear children bless women's lives? Of course. Is it also a great and difficult burden? You betcha. Do I have to bear a baby myself to receive the blessings of this gift/calling that Heavenly Father has given to mothers? No I thankfully do not. Is it unfair that as a man I will never know what it feels like to have life inside of me? No, not really--it's just life.
For some reason, dividing things on the gender line this way seems so much more acceptable and less taboo. Racial lines are so much more sensitive and right they should be when you look at the horrible lines that people have drawn on race throughout history. But in this particular case I would say that it is not something that is worth the energy to worry about so much. The priesthood has always been able to bless everyone just the same and, as others have said, the details about which channels it comes through are details that the Lord knows and surely has his reasons for. That's good enough for me.
I would pray to have a companion who thinks just like Blaine! Lots of great comments! I didn't want to comment but just commend you, Elise, for your desire to serve. Way to go.
ReplyDelete