Here are some of my thoughts about the Priesthood and Temple ban. As a lead in: I am a Black member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was baptized 24 years ago, on Tuesday evening, 10 March 1998, in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Even being born and raised as a Baptist, I had heard of the “Curse of Cain” teaching, which is a total unscriptural teaching. It was a widely accepted teaching in early Christendom, especially among Protestants, to explain why some people had darker skin than others. With that came the erroneous idea that Blacks were cursed because of Cain’s wrongdoing, and therefore they are an inferior group of people. This trend of thought was also used to solidify the justification for slavery. Sadly, this teaching was also upheld by some of the early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
However, in their defense and in all fairness, it was perhaps largely due to their upbringing and what they had been taught to believe from an early age.
I want to point out that I prefer to say “group of people” vs “race” because the word “race” is only used in scriptures to denote a foot race or in running the race of life. People are not referred to in scriptures according to the color of their skin or as a “race” of people. People are generally referred to in scriptures as peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations. The word “race,” interpreted to mean an identifiable group of people who share a common descent, was introduced into English in the late 16th century (about 1580), from the French “rasse” (1512) and the Italian “razza.”
In the scriptures, referring to the mark that was placed upon Cain, God is only speaking to one individual, namely Cain. He was not addressing an entire nation of people. Furthermore, the mark had absolutely nothing to do with the color of Cain’s skin. It was a mark placed solely upon Cain for his protection. We are not told what the mark was, where it was placed, or how big the mark was. We can only surmise that it was placed in a prominent place that made it visible to everyone who encountered Cain.
As far as the priesthood ban being a revelation from God, personally, I never bought into that. Why? Because it does not align with the teachings of scripture. Why would a loving Heavenly Father withhold blessings from one specific group of His children for such an extended period (more than 100 years – a century)? To do so would completely nullify the unequivocal truth that God is not a respecter of persons.
It also does not align with the fact that even in the Old Testament, the Levites prepared the way for people to enter in and partake of sacred ordinances, whereas the priesthood and temple ban shut a group of people, namely Blacks, completely out. Let us not forget that there has never been any real evidence presented to substantiate that the priesthood ban was a revelation from God. Thus, it became more of a practice and not necessarily a doctrine of the Church. The thought became, “This is the way that it always was, so this must be how God wants it to be.”
And may I go on record as unequivocally declaring that if the erroneous, if not blasphemous, teaching of the “Curse of Cain” idea were to hold true, then the teaching of the Church’s second Article of Faith would be invalid. It would need to be ripped out, wadded up, and thrown in the trash.
Personally, I think that the priesthood and temple ban was a mistake. It should have never happened as there is no real scriptural basis to support such an action. (For the record I was once studying to be a Baptist preacher. I have now read the Bible 12 times in its entirety, the Book of Mormon 12 times in its entirety, and the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price, some 13 times each in their entirety). Again, I boldly testify that there is no scriptural basis for any action such as the priesthood or temple ban. And for the record, there are LDS scholars who will back what I am saying. There is nothing wrong with admitting that our Church leaders could be wrong about something.
So, knowing what I knew before becoming a member of the Church, and what I know now, why am I still a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? I am a member because of my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the fact that this is His Church. I do not worship a “religion,” a religious institution, or Church leaders — past, present, nor future. My hope, my trust, my confidence, my faith is in the Lord Jesus Christ alone.
I love all my brothers and sisters, but I do not go to Church on Sundays because of them or to worship them. I attend Church on Sundays to worship the Lord Jesus Christ — Him and Him alone. He is the reason that I live, breathe, and have my very existence. It is because of Him that I can do the things that I do. Without Him, I could do absolutely nothing. All praise, glory, honor, and adoration belong to Him. It is all because of Him!
Men are mortals — flesh and blood — and are prone to make mistakes and utterly fail at times. God knows that. It was true of men of old and renown, including prophets, apostles, and disciples, and it is still true today. But God is loving, patient, and kind. He never makes mistakes. He never fails! If there were or are any mistakes made, those mistakes were or are made by men, not by God. I do not believe that God wanted the priesthood and temple ban to happen, but He allowed it to happen.
My dear brothers and sisters, there is an ocean of difference in God wanting something to happen, and God allowing something to happen.Here are some of my thoughts about the Priesthood and Temple ban. As a lead in: I am a Black member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was baptized 24 years ago, on Tuesday evening, 10 March 1998, in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Even being born and raised as a Baptist, I had heard of the “Curse of Cain” teaching, which is a total unscriptural teaching. It was a widely accepted teaching in early Christendom, especially among Protestants, to explain why some people had darker skin than others. With that came the erroneous idea that Blacks were cursed because of Cain’s wrongdoing, and therefore they are an inferior group of people. This trend of thought was also used to solidify the justification for slavery. Sadly, this teaching was also upheld by some of the early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, in their defense and in all fairness, it was perhaps largely due to their upbringing and what they had been taught to believe from an early age.
I want to point out that I prefer to say “group of people” vs “race” because the word “race” is only used in scriptures to denote a foot race or in running the race of life. People are not referred to in scriptures according to the color of their skin or as a “race” of people. People are generally referred to in scriptures as peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations. The word “race,” interpreted to mean an identifiable group of people who share a common descent, was introduced into English in the late 16th century (about 1580), from the French “rasse” (1512) and the Italian “razza.”
In the scriptures, referring to the mark that was placed upon Cain, God is only speaking to one individual, namely Cain. He was not addressing an entire nation of people. Furthermore, the mark had absolutely nothing to do with the color of Cain’s skin. It was a mark placed solely upon Cain for his protection. We are not told what the mark was, where it was placed, or how big the mark was. We can only surmise that it was placed in a prominent place that made it visible to everyone who encountered Cain.
As far as the priesthood ban being a revelation from God, personally, I never bought into that. Why? Because it does not align with the teachings of scripture. Why would a loving Heavenly Father withhold blessings from one specific group of His children for such an extended period (more than 100 years – a century)? To do so would completely nullify the unequivocal truth that God is not a respecter of persons.
It also does not align with the fact that even in the Old Testament, the Levites prepared the way for people to enter in and partake of sacred ordinances, whereas the priesthood and temple ban shut a group of people, namely Blacks, completely out.
Let us not forget that there has never been any real evidence presented to substantiate that the priesthood ban was a revelation from God. Thus, it became more of a practice and not necessarily a doctrine of the Church. The thought became, “This is the way that it always was, so this must be how God wants it to be.” And may I go on record as unequivocally declaring that if the erroneous, if not blasphemous, teaching of the “Curse of Cain” idea were to hold true, then the teaching of the Church’s second Article of Faith would be invalid. It would need to be ripped out, wadded up, and thrown in the trash.
Personally, I think that the priesthood and temple ban was a mistake. It should have never happened as there is no real scriptural basis to support such an action. (For the record I was once studying to be a Baptist preacher. I have now read the Bible 12 times in its entirety, the Book of Mormon 12 times in its entirety, and the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price, some 13 times each in their entirety). Again, I boldly testify that there is no scriptural basis for any action such as the priesthood or temple ban. And for the record, there are LDS scholars who will back what I am saying. There is nothing wrong with admitting that our Church leaders could be wrong about something.
So, knowing what I knew before becoming a member of the Church, and what I know now, why am I still a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? I am a member because of my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the fact that this is His Church. I do not worship a “religion,” a religious institution, or Church leaders — past, present, nor future. My hope, my trust, my confidence, my faith is in the Lord Jesus Christ alone.
I love all my brothers and sisters, but I do not go to Church on Sundays because of them or to worship them. I attend Church on Sundays to worship the Lord Jesus Christ — Him and Him alone. He is the reason that I live, breathe, and have my very existence. It is because of Him that I can do the things that I do. Without Him, I could do absolutely nothing. All praise, glory, honor, and adoration belong to Him. It is all because of Him!
Men are mortals — flesh and blood — and are prone to make mistakes and utterly fail at times. God knows that. It was true of men of old and renown, including prophets, apostles, and disciples, and it is still true today. But God is loving, patient, and kind. He never makes mistakes. He never fails! If there were or are any mistakes made, those mistakes were or are made by men, not by God. I do not believe that God wanted the priesthood and temple ban to happen, but He allowed it to happen. My dear brothers and sisters, there is an ocean of difference in God wanting something to happen, and God allowing something to happen.
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