2 thoughts on “Three Mormon Myths About Blacks and the Priesthood”

  1. brigham young hated negros..he did not want them in the temples or marrying white people..he was very racest so he had a revalation from god..they couldnt hold priesthood or go to the temples for a150 years

  2. Hi Fred – sorry to have neglected to reply. Scholars see Brigham Young’s racial attitudes as being comparable to those of Abraham Lincoln’s views and others at the time who viewed Blacks, in my words, as second-class and emerging citizens. So I think they would say they did not hate Blacks, but were patronizing with a moderate racism while also helping to emancipate. From what I have read, Brigham Young directly or indirectly helped 15 or more Blacks in Utah to be emancipated before the Civil War and I don’t think there were more than about 50 enslaved.

    Also as far as I know there were no revelations that Brigham received on this topic. He made statements of policy that are doubtful as to having a solid doctrinal basis. Instead they reflect the regrettable, but common racial views of the time. I am not sure if there is a good comparison today, but the closest I can think of would be for severely disabled men who are judged. rightly or wrongly, as not being ready or able to hold the priesthood.

    See http://www.blacklds.org/mauss and http://www.blacklds.org/april-2006-conference-talk-by-president-hinckley.

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