5 - 29 January 2024
Quiz password: brick
Racism was the cultural norm of the time - in the North and the South. Abolition was also about ending the concept of "Black Inferiority".
"They come into the world slaves mentally & physically. change their situation with the white & they would be like
them. They have souls & are subjects of salvation."
Joseph Smith
Joseph held some racist beliefs but didn't want to prohibit black saints' participation in the church
Elijah Able was a black saint who became a member of the 70 during Joseph's life.
- He received a minister's certificate
- Later, in 1908 future church leaders said that his ordination was declared null and void, even though there is no evidence this is true
Q. Walker Lewis was baptized and ordained as an elder in the priesthood.
- Walker Lewis was married to a white woman
Brigham starts out not very racist
"It's nothing to do with the blood, for of one blood, God made all flesh"
Brigham Young
"We have one of the best elders, an African in Lowell - a barber"
Brigham Young, referring to Walker Lewis
Much of the justification for the temple and priesthood ban comes from the Book of Abraham.
Parley P Pratt sees the bad things William McCary is doing and blames it on his race.
Brigham Young condemns Walker Lewis's son's interracial marriage:
"If they were far way from the Gentiles, they [referring to Walker Lewis's son and his wife] would all have to be killed - when they mingle seed it is death to all."
Brigham Young
- This reflected the broader idea at the time that interracial marriage would lead to the downfall of society