06-22-2006, 10:11 PM | #1 |
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We haven't really discussed the ban....
on blacks and their ability to hold the priesthood.
Interestingly enough one of the most refreshing things about the prophet was his ability to see past skin color. -He allowed Elijah Abel to stay with his family -He was intimately associated with Elijah Abel -Elijah Abel was one of the men at the death bed of his father -Stated, 'Go to Cincinnati and find an educated negro, who rides in his carriage, and you will see a man who has rise by the powers of his own mind to his exalted state of respectability.' -Appointed Abel as an undertaker in Nauvoo -Allowed Abel to have the priesthood, advance to the office of a Seventy, (different than our seventies today) and allowed him to serve two full time missions. (Abel served three, the last he fell ill, and right before his mission was denied the rights to enter the temple but was called to serve a mission) Now, an honest question, is it acceptable to say that Brigham and his fellow apostles were completely wrong in the way they treated subsequent blacks? Does this prove that apostles and the prophet can lead the church astray in certain aspects? Does it cement the apostles, who commented numerous times, on the 'fence sitting negro,' as ignorant or as racists? |
06-22-2006, 10:22 PM | #2 | |
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Now for your questions: It is not acceptable to say BY and subsequent apostles were completely wrong. This does not prove that apostles and prophets can lead the Church astray. And it does not make any apostles racist. |
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06-22-2006, 10:33 PM | #3 | |
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06-22-2006, 10:34 PM | #4 | |
Charon
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"... the arc of the universe is long but it bends toward justice." Martin Luther King, Jr. |
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06-22-2006, 10:41 PM | #5 | |
Charon
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I guess what I am trying to say is: would you care to explain your positions in a bit more detail.
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"... the arc of the universe is long but it bends toward justice." Martin Luther King, Jr. |
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06-22-2006, 10:42 PM | #6 | |
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I tend to think that a lot of the church policies regarding blacks stemmed from racism of Brigham Young. Smith was opposed to slavery and viewed blacks as just another son or daughter of God. Young had differing views, and I think his views may have bled into church doctrine. I can't ever understand why so many following prophets adhered to Young's policies and statements on the issue while ignoring Smith's. The only conclusion I can come to is racism. It doesn't mean they weren't prophets. It just means they were human. I think we do a great disservice to the church when we elevate prophets to the level of infallibility as so many do today. Smith had lots of faults, faults I wasn't really aware of until I read Rough Stone Rolling. I think the church would be better served to show us that the prophet is just a man with a very important calling, still subject to error and prejudice. To me, it makes the prophet that much more accessible and gives me more confidence that I can make it. |
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06-22-2006, 10:49 PM | #7 | |
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I'd like an explanation/reaction to this scripture before I comment. |
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06-22-2006, 10:54 PM | #8 |
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It was the Lord's will to repress the blacks and Joseph Smith was trying to trump Him?
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06-22-2006, 10:57 PM | #9 |
Charon
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I'll bite.
Many prophets, including BY, have stated that we should attempt to get a spiritual confirmation on whether or not what a church leader tells us in fact true; i.e., whether or not said prophet was truly speaking for the Lord in a particular instance. This implies that prophets are human and fallible. If you are going to argue that prophets are infallible, then I say good luck. You have a tough job ahead of you.
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"... the arc of the universe is long but it bends toward justice." Martin Luther King, Jr. |
06-22-2006, 10:57 PM | #10 | |
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