I read this, and thought how can a Religion be based on hatred and abhorrent thoughts, not love? - Mister Sister
Brigham Young was a prophet of the early Mormon Church and the direct successor to Joseph Smith following Smith’s martyrdom. As devout adherents to the teachings of Brigham Young, Fundamentalist Mormons believe the following regarding people of African descent : 1) they are not worthy of ordination into the Mormon fundamentalist priesthood, 2) nor may people of African extraction participate in the Endowment Ceremony, 3) nor may they have a marriage (called a “sealing”) celebrated in a fundamentalist Mormon church. Additionally African Americans may not participate in church “ordinances,” so they cannot be baptized, nor may they receive communion in a Mormon fundamentalist church. All of the preceding rituals are necessary to achieve the highest degree of “exaltation” in the afterlife, called “entering into the fullness of glory in the Celestial Kingdom.” Even one drop of African blood disqualifies someone from ever being a member of a Mormon fundamentalist group. These prohibitions against church membership for dark skinned individuals were imposed because Brigham Young taught that people with black skin were the descendants of Cain:
“You see some classes of the human family that are black, uncouth, uncomely, disagreeable and low in their habits, wild, and seemingly deprived of nearly all the blessings of the intelligence that is generally bestowed upon mankind …. Cain slew his brother. Cain might have been killed, and that would have put a termination to that line of human beings. This was not to be, and the Lord put a mark upon him, which is the flat nose and black skin. Trace mankind down to after the flood, and then another curse is pronounced upon the same race—that they should be the ‘servant of servants’; and they will be, until that curse is removed; and the Abolitionists cannot help it, nor in the least alter that decree.” Mormon Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Volume 7, page 290. (1859)
In 1852, while addressing the Utah Territorial legislature, Mormon Prophet Brigham Young stated, "Any man having one drop of the seed of Cain (African blood) ... in him cannot hold the Priesthood and if no other Prophet ever spoke it before I will say it now in the name of Jesus Christ I know it is true and others know it.”
In 1978, the mainstream LDS church removed the ban which prohibited people of African descent from entering the priesthood, participating in ordinances, or receiving their “endowment.” Mormon fundamentalist groups adamantly refuse to change their position on this issue. The position of the fundamentalists regarding African Americans is an example of how the fundamentalist practice of the Mormon faith is actually more reflective of the original teachings of the Mormon prophets than the current teachings of the mainstream LDS church.
One wonders why the press has not questioned the Browns as to why they are members of a group which advocates discrimination. What do you think?
EXCELLENT POST written by: PRETTY IN PINK!!!!
THANK YOU so much for educating us and helping us come to intelligent decisions!!
WE LOOK FORWARD TO MORE from YOU!
EXCELLENT POST written by: PRETTY IN PINK!!!!
THANK YOU so much for educating us and helping us come to intelligent decisions!!
WE LOOK FORWARD TO MORE from YOU!
I wonder if the press isn't aware of the discrimination. It actually takes time to do research so as to ask real questions. Besides, most of the reporters the Browns are willing to talk to aren't going to ask anything that will piss them off.
ReplyDeleteOh, I think it's "overlooked". He's got a college named after him! I certainly didn't know about him other than a Mormon leader before this. I told my husband last night Pink was writing on this topic, and he said, I bet it the group is linked to the KKK, the Masons certainly were. And, he was right. To base a religion on hatred, well, that's no religion, that's a CULT. Just another fine example of what they DON'T want you to know.
ReplyDeleteWell isn't this sickening? Why is it so many of us didn't realize or know about the Mormon Racism?
ReplyDeleteThe more I read, the more I realize that this "Sister Wives" is political, like Robyn said.
Thank you Pretty in Pink, this was VERY enlightening for me. Definite talk at the dinner table tonight!
Well, another fine example of Blasphemy.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few incidental mentions of race in the Bible (e.g., that Ethiopian's skin was different, Jeremiah 13:23), but there is nothing saying one race is superior to another. Moses was married to a Cushite (Ethiopian) woman (Numbers 12:1-16), and God was angry with Aaron and Miriam for criticizing that marriage.
There are SEVERAL passages that say we all came from Adam and Eve. Why was their so little talk of race in the bible?
ONE WOULD ASSUME, ALL PEOPLE ARE EQUAL.
I loved the show, I might like People, but I will always hate the Mormon religion and watch out for it from this day on.
(Too lazy to look it up) But, if I remember correctly, there's NO mention of race in the bible other than God punishing Aaron and Miriam for saying something about Moses' wife being an Ethiopian. I think the lack of it being spoken was that it was unimportant, that we were all one with the lord.
ReplyDelete(Uh, should of looked above)
Acts 26: And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
The statement 'of one blood' is the definitive biblical statement on race in terms of creation in the purely physical human sense. As stated, this is borne out by modern genetics. Sometimes different races are a closer match, say for a kidney, than brothers. (So I hear, is their a DR. in the HOUSE?
Did they just DECIDE this about Cain? And, what if they all were black?
Do you feel most Mormons feel this way today, even if they changed the rules again in 1978?
You know what I think, they SAVED a lot of Blacks from having to go through that hell of a religion.
In 1852, while addressing the Utah Territorial legislature, Mormon Prophet Brigham Young stated, "Any man having one drop of the seed of Cain (African blood) ... in him cannot hold the Priesthood and if no other Prophet ever spoke it before I will say it now in the name of Jesus Christ I know it is true and others know it.”
ReplyDeleteWell, CAIN is probably sittin' in Heaven, and ole Brigham probably didn't get a planet, so he might be a little "burnt" by now.
Brigham Young, Joseph Smith, and Warren Jeffs were all brilliant men, misunderstood by their society at times, but brilliant.
ReplyDeleteAbove poster, I'd rip into you but your not smart enough to spell M O R M O N!
ReplyDeleteWarren Jeffs will shortly spend the rest of his brilliant days in a jail cell, after the government finished playing the audiotape of him raping a 12 yr. old.
ReplyDeleteBye Bye Warren.
Brigham Young had 57 wives!
ReplyDeleteHEY, I'm no Fan of Warren Jeffs,
ReplyDeleteIs the Audiotape online yet, IF SO, SEND IT TO ME, so I can put it on here! Thanks!
Many Christians in the era of slavery justified it as part of the curse dealt to Canaan because his father, Ham, saw his grandfather, Noah, naked. Here's a link to a brief explanation: http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_slav1.htm
ReplyDeleteAs for the Mormon church & racism. I'm old enough (just barely!) to remember race riots & mandatory busing to end segregation. Plus I live in rural Idaho, where there are a lot of highly educated and respected people who believe that if you're not a white Christian, you're evil and/or subhuman. I don't expect the LDS church to apologize for the sins of their forefathers, since it seems like they've discarded institutional racism, just as they have polygamy.
Now, Smith was the reader of the special tablets which became the book of Mormon, (his way is of reading them is about like me holding two cigarettes towards my window and saying I am seeing words) - and the Mr. Young comes along and he can make up NEW Revelations? Well, isn't that special?
ReplyDeleteWonder what the new leader might have a prophesy on? I, am to take, all your money, all your money, all your money. To fend off the Blacks, Hispanics, and Muslims in secret? I have a hard time fathoming that anyone would see this a God fearing group.
Very good Article. Sometimes there's not a lot to say but, Thanks, Pretty in Pink, for teaching me what the Browns believe.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pretty in Pink. Excellent and accurate article. I bet the Browns' contract with TLC stipulates they are not allowed to answer questions about their religion.Can you imagine the public's reaction to this stuff, as well as to the truth about why the women are really in this (religious obligation, threats of "destruction" inability to get to Mormon heaven any other way etc. etc.) Would really blow the Browns' "tolerant" act out of the water!
ReplyDeleteOh, and why hasn't the press asked about these things in interviews with the Browns? TLC watchdogs won't allow any questions they haven't pre- approved.Tough reporters and interviewers won't be allowed within a mile of the Browns.
ReplyDeleteSorry if I'm getting tedious with three posts in a row! One final point - the Browns themselves know that their agenda to de-criminalize and then legalize polygamy, would be severely hampered by the truth about their beliefs. It would really mess up their "acceptable face of polygamy" image.
ReplyDeleteFreeAndClear,
ReplyDeleteYOU are one of the people I come hear to READ! NEVER think you can't post a 100 times if you want to, I say!
WE actually want to hear MORE from you, MORE of your reactions to the posts and whats being said, for you are the one that ACTUALLY knows, most of us are chairside spectators.
But I am confused, the Browns owned their home, I know of others that do, so the AUB does not have you sign everything over?
Here's the problem with this story. Old News. there are many blacks in the Mormon church.
ReplyDeleteStarting about 1996, LDS Church Public Affairs has told journalists and non-mormon inquirers that "the Church has never taught that black people are cursed, has never taught that black people are the children of Cain and we do not know the reason why blacks were banned from the priesthood and temples for 130 years." They are lying. Mormon history is being rewritten. This is known as "The Curse of Cain Cover-Up". It is unknown how "aware" the First Presidency (governing body of the Church consisting of the President of the Church and two Apostles who serve as Counsellors) is of how LDS Church Public Affairs is lying to people about the Curse of Cain legacy. The "head" of LDS Church Public Affairs since 1996 is Elder Russell Ballard of the Quorum of Twelve (Apostles). To apologize for the Curse of Cain legacy would be highly embarassing to Mormon Church leaders. Many black and white Mormons want the First Presidency to issue a "public repudiation" of the Curse of Cain Legacy (i.e. Curse of Cain Doctrine and Priesthood-ban Policy), but such a public repudiation would be embarassing to Church leaders. It would mean admitting to a 130 year old "mistake" by men-- although they do not claim to be infallible-- nevertheless do NOT like to admit past mistakes. To admit past mistakes would cause too many Mormons to begin to ask "If they could make a mistake for 130 years by banning blacks from the priesthood and temples, what mistakes are they making NOW?" Admitting such a "mistake" would cause many Members of the Church to begin to 'question' their leaders about current doctrines and programs. Church leaders do not want this, so no "public repudiation" and/or "apology" is expected.
ReplyDeleteThe Canaanites were the children of Canaan son of Noah. Their descendants today are the Lebanese and Palestinians and Egyptians. They are not black Africans. They are of the same "race" as the Jews and Arabs. The notion by early Mormon leaders that "Canaanites" referred to "Negroes" is an error.
ReplyDelete"The Curse of Cain Doctrine" was always called "a doctrine of the Church" by Church leaders. At no time was it ever presented as "opinion" or "speculation". It was called "a doctrine of the Church" in the "Statement of the First Presidency on the Negro Question" issued in 1949 ("The 1949 Statement") which is about as "official" as one can get in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "The Curse of Cain Doctrine" was never referred to as "folklore" until about the mid-1990s.
Great Article, great comments, I've learned quite a bit.
ReplyDelete"Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteHere's the problem with this story. Old News. there are many blacks in the Mormon church"
Here's the problem with your comment - Fundamentalist Mormons (like Kody and company) STILL BELIEVE in the Curse of Cain and that people of African descent are still unworthy of the priesthood, and that they were evil in the pre-existence.
"I don't expect the LDS church to apologize for the sins of their forefathers, since it seems like they've discarded institutional racism, just as they have polygamy."
ReplyDeleteThe LDS church no longer practices discrimination against Blacks, but the fundamentalist Mormons all do - that is the point of this post. Most, but not all Christian churches disavow belief in inferiority of Black people, unless it is a "church" run by skinheads. Fundamentalist Mormons are adamantly opposed to admitting Blacks to the priesthood to this date - that is the point of this post. Stop trying to play the apologist and attempting to deflect valid criticism of a cult.
Very Good Article, Pretty in Pink. You were way too nice-they are an awful group.
ReplyDeleteAUB Fun Fact for Today : There was also an exodus from the AUB in the 1990′s when the AUB priesthood hierarchy accidentally conferred the priesthood upon a man who converted from LDS to AUB who appeared to be white but had some African ancestry.
ReplyDeleteI love fun facts! Keep them coming!
ReplyDeletePart 3 of the man with 80 wives (Aug) you can hear Warren Jeffs talking about black men.
ReplyDeleteThe LDS now say they embrace the black man. So the AUB, Kingston, and the others in the Independent groups- do they now have black members? WE ALL KNOW FLDS doesn't fancy them.xd
ReplyDeleteGREAT ARTICLE! I am catching up here, not been on here too long, wonderful writing.