Blacks and the Mormon Church
The history of early Black members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormon Church) is a significant and complex aspect of the church’s history. These early Black members played crucial roles despite facing various challenges, including racial discrimination and restrictive policies. Black people and early Mormonism includes some notable figures and events related to the history of early Black members of the LDS Church.
Elijah Abel was born in Maryland in 1808. He was baptized into the LDS Church in 1832, becoming one of its earliest Black members. Abel was ordained to the priesthood in 1836 by Joseph Smith, making him one of the few Black men to receive the priesthood during this early period. Abel served several missions for the church, including missions to Canada and the United States. His missionary work and commitment to the church were significant contributions to the early LDS community. Despite his ordination, Abel faced racial prejudice and was barred from participating in temple ordinances. His life reflects the complexities and contradictions in the church’s racial policies.
Image caption: Elijah Abel
Jane Manning James was born free in Connecticut in 1822. She converted to the LDS Church in the early 1840s and led a group of Black converts from Connecticut to Nauvoo, Illinois. James worked as a domestic servant in Joseph Smith’s household and later in Brigham Young’s household after the church moved to Utah. Jane Manning James repeatedly petitioned church leaders to receive temple endowments and sealings. While she was allowed to perform baptisms for the dead, she was denied other temple blessings during her lifetime. James is remembered for her faith and perseverance. Her story highlights the struggles and faith of early Black members within the LDS Church.
Green Flake was born into slavery in North Carolina around 1828. He was baptized in 1844 and was later sent to Utah with the first company of Mormon pioneers in 1847. Flake’s contributions to the pioneer effort were significant. He was part of the vanguard company that entered the Salt Lake Valley, and his labor helped establish the early Mormon settlement in Utah. After arriving in Utah, Flake was eventually freed and lived the remainder of his life in the Utah Territory, contributing to the community’s development.
Racial Policies and Challenges
The early years of the LDS Church were marked by evolving and often contradictory attitudes towards race. Initially, Blacks in Mormonism were not restricted from priesthood ordination or temple attendance. Brigham Young became the church’s second president and voiced an opinion that Black men were prohibited from being ordained to the priesthood. This ban became codified and lasted from the 1850s until 1978. The reasons for this ban have been widely debated, with explanations ranging from theological justifications to societal influences.
Connected to the priesthood ban, Black members were also restricted from participating in temple ordinances, which are considered essential for salvation and exaltation in LDS theology. These restrictions significantly affected the spiritual lives and status of Black members within the church.
The 1978 Revelation
A pivotal moment in the history of Black members of the LDS Church came in 1978. Under the leadership of President Spencer W. Kimball, the church received what it described as a revelation that ended the priesthood and temple restrictions for individuals of African descent. This revelation, now canonized as Official Declaration 2 in the Doctrine and Covenants, marked a significant shift in church policy for Black people and Mormon priesthood.
The 1978 revelation allowed Black men to be ordained to the priesthood and all Black members to participate in temple ordinances. This change was met with joy and relief by its members and marked a significant step towards racial inclusivity within the church.
Despite the revelation, the legacy of the priesthood and temple restrictions continues to affect the church. Issues of race and inclusion remain topics of discussion and reflection within the LDS community. The church has taken steps to address its racial history, including publishing essays that provide context and clarification on these issues.
Conclusion
The history of early Black members of the LDS Church is one of faith, resilience, and complexity. Figures like Elijah Abel, Jane Manning James, and Green Flake exemplify the contributions and challenges faced by Black members in the church’s formative years. The implementation and eventual lifting of racial restrictions reflect broader societal attitudes and the evolving understanding of race within the LDS Church. As the church continues to grow and diversify, the stories of its early Black members remain integral to its history and ongoing efforts towards inclusivity and reconciliation.