We actually already had this conversation a while back with other members of the Church.
LDS (Mormon) Only: Blacks, the Priesthood and the Seed of Cain
I was on one side, claiming that it had been a commandment and that no racism took place, and everyone else was against me. (Figures! ^^)
Anyways, you can go there to read my main points for why I believe the way I do.
I don't believe it was hatred, but I do believe racism was clearly involved, and I will argue that till the day I die -- with some pretty good evidence to support my position.
I would love to see this evidence.
Any time race is used as a disqualifier for anything, it's racism. There simply isn't any other meaning for racism.
I vehemently disagree.
For many centuries only Israelites could worship in the Temple.
Does that make God racist?
That said, I don't believe Mormons were ever taught to show any hostility towards Black people, that they were taught to discriminate against Blacks in secular matters, or that they were ever taught such nonsense as some people will accuse us of, namely that "Blacks are the spawn of Satan" or "Blacks are subhuman."
You're right. I don't know where people get that stuff.
You show me where the Lord commanded it.
In the link provided above I shared two First Presidency statements claiming that the ban was a commandment received from the Lord through revelation,
"August 17, 1949
“It is not a matter of the declaration of a policy but of direct commandment from the Lord, on which is founded the doctrine of the Church from the days of its organization, to the effect that Negroes may become members of the Church but that they are not entitled to the priesthood at the present time.”
“December 15, 1969
“From the beginning of this dispensation, Joseph Smith and all succeeding presidents of the Church have taught that Negroes, while spirit children of a common Father, and the progeny of our earthly parents Adam and Eve, were not yet to receive the priesthood, for reasons which we believe are known to God, but which
He has not made fully known to man.
Our living prophet, President David O. McKay, has said, “The seeming discrimination by the Church toward the Negro is not something which originated with man; but goes back into the beginning with God….
“Revelation assures us that this plan antedates man’s mortal existence, extending back to man’s pre-existent state.”
President McKay has also said, “Sometime in God’s eternal plan, the Negro will be given the right to hold the priesthood.”
Until God reveals His will in this matter, to him whom we sustain as a prophet, we are bound by that same will. Priesthood, when it is conferred on any man comes as a blessing from God, not of men.”
“Were we the leaders of an enterprise created by ourselves and operated only according to our own earthly wisdom, it would be a simple thing to act according to popular will. But we believe that this work is directed by God and that the conferring of the priesthood must await His revelation. To do otherwise would be to deny the very premise on which the Church is established.”
“We join with those throughout the world who pray that all of the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ may in due time of the Lord become available to men of faith everywhere. Until that time comes we must trust in God, in His wisdom and in His tender mercy.”
You can read both of the statements in full here:
Mormonism and racial issues/Blacks and the priesthood/Statements - FairMormon"
I'll show you ten or twelve scriptures that would completely blow that the idea that it was ever a commandment out of the water.
Alright shoot.
Just wondering why you didn't share them during that past discussion.
