I'm pretty sure that people of all races can become ministers. In fact, we are all ministers if we believe in Christ.
Which makes it even more disturbing, imo, that there was racism for so long within your church.
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As a Mormon do you believe in.....(Part 1)
- Thread starter NomyRomy
- Start date
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I'm pretty sure that people of all races can become ministers. In fact, we are all ministers if we believe in Christ.
Which makes it even more disturbing, imo, that there was racism for so long within your church.
The Mad Hatter 2002
Member
God of the OT? What is the OT?
Prometheus
Semper Perconctor
The Old Testament.
The Mad Hatter 2002
Member
So they re-translated the OT to say that blacks were inferior and then later changed it? Im just a little confused.
Polaris
Active Member
God has chosen lineage as a way to assign certain responsibilities on several different occasions. Why? I don't know, ask him.
Prometheus said:
The bottom line is that the Lamanites througout the Book of Mormon were not cursed, but enjoyed all gospel blessings based on their righteousness.
Prometheus said:
You're making an incorrect association here. The fact that the blacks were
not given the priesthood has nothing to do with the Lamanites.
Polaris
Active Member
Yep, they can. All worthy men can hold the priesthood.
kmkemp said:
Did you read my post? I showed clear evidence that the Lamanites were not subject to "religious racism" -- they were called to be prophets.
Polaris
Active Member
Yeah, you clearly are confused.
Katzpur
Not your average Mormon
Okay, I think I see what you're getting at. There is a difference between "doctrine" and something that is a "practice" or a "policy." There never was an official doctrine that prohibited Blacks from holding the priesthood. There was never a revelation denying them this privilege (at least not to my knowledge) and there is nothing in our Standard Works (our canon) that describes a ban. There was, however, a practice that was in place for many years. It's a practice I never felt comfortable with. I can't even begin to tell you how thrilled I was when I heard the announcement that came 29 years ago this month. The "Official Declaration" that gave the priesthood to Blacks was canonized. It is doctrine. There is no documented revelation institution the policy that denied them the priesthood in the first place -- at least not that I'm aware of.
Katzpur
Not your average Mormon
Yes, that would be the "priesthood of all believers." We reject that doctrine.
The Mad Hatter 2002
Member
Well, thanks for clearing that up for me. Since you are a mormon, explain it to me. Becky said earlier that it was the case that blacks were not accepted to be priests at some point. When and Why?
Prometheus
Semper Perconctor
I don't believe He exists. Perhaps you should ask Him and get back to me with an answer. I'll wait.
Why, then, was it denied of them?
PHOTOTAKER
Well-Known Member
ok... wasn't the frist black elder in the time that Joseph smith was still alive? who was that??? Elija?? he was also a member of the seventy too if i remember right... his son was an elder was stake pres too or something... and there was another person too can't remember his name... but there were other too... and i thought the determaning factor was there linage, if it was from Canaan or Ham (this is in Gen 9:25-27) then they could not hold the presthood for a little seasion...
Polaris
Active Member
God has always limited the responsibilities of the priesthood to people of certain lineage. In Old Testament times only descendents of Levi could hold the priesthod. In New Testament times it was opened up to all descendents of Jacob (Isreal).
In recent times it's true there was a period of time in which those of African descent were general denied the priesthood (though there were exceptions). Today all worthy males may hold the priesthood regardless of lineage. Over time God has allowed more and more people to bear the resposibilites of his priesthood. It has nothing to do with malicient discrimination. It simply has to do with decree from God -- it's his priesthood.
Polaris
Active Member
Blindinglight
Disciple of Chaos
Genetics are simply what composses the organic meat bags that house our souls. It does not have anything to do with what we are capable of doing. I find it to be foolish that a god would show preferences of race or lineage. My parents, grand parents, and likly great grandparents were christian. Does that somehow entitle me to something just for at least 3 Christian generations?
I'm sorry, but I just do not see how it is a "right" to baptise someone when they believed something entirly different. The Jews have been greatly angered over this issue in the past before, and I completly agree with there reasoning on the issue.
Polaris
Active Member
As far as salvation is concerned there is no preference given to any race/lineage/etc. Just because God selects certain people to take on certain responsibilites doesn't mean he prefers them or deems them a superior race.
yuvgotmel
Well-Known Member
Is that your official doctrine NOW after the Human Rights Movement a few decades ago?
It's interesting that the Mormonism changed their practice of exclusion of blacks around 29 years ago (1978).
Guitar's Cry
Disciple of Pan
Remember, though, that spirituality must evolve with human understanding.
The Mad Hatter 2002
Member
Ok, thank you for explaining it. Now with your conclusion, are you saying that God decided not to be racist after a period of time? I think thats what I just read with your statement that is highlighted.
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