Black People And Early Mormonism
Early Mormonism had a range of doctrines related to race in regard to black people of African descent. References to black people, their social condition during the 19th century, and their spiritual place in Western Christianity as well as Mormon scriptures were complicated.
From the beginning, black people have been members of Mormon congregations, though there were varying degrees and forms of discrimination against blacks. When the Mormons migrated to Missouri they encountered the pro-slavery sentiments of their neighbors. Joseph Smith, Jr. upheld the laws regarding slaves and slaveholders, but remained abolitionist in his actions and doctrines. After the Mormons were expelled from Missouri, Smith took an increasingly strong anti-slavery position, and a few black men were ordained to the LDS priesthood.
Read more about Black People And Early Mormonism: New York Era (1820s and Early 1830s), Missouri Era (early 1830s To 1838), Nauvoo Era Prior To Smith's Death (1838 To 1844)
Famous quotes containing the words black, people and/or early:
“Quadroon mermaids, Afro angels, black saints
balanced upon the switchblades of that air
and sang.”
—Robert Earl Hayden (1913–1980)
“The little people must be sacred to the big ones, and it is from the rights of the weak that the duty of the strong is comprised.”
—Victor Hugo (1802–1885)
“Mormon colonization south of this point in early times was characterized as “going over the Rim,” and in colloquial usage the same phrase came to connote violent death.”
—State of Utah, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)