Does the Book of Mormon discuss Cain and being cursed?

Question

I just watched a show on ABC about polygamists. They said the Book of Mormon says Cain was cursed with black skin. I went to the lds.org web site and did a word search in the Book of Mormon, but nothing was returned with any combination of those words. Maybe I heard wrong, or maybe this was just something those polygamists believe. The Bible tells us Cain was cursed with a mark so no one would kill him, so it's not out of the realm that the Book of Mormon would touch on the subject, but I cannot find the reference. Anyone know what they were referring to?

Answer 1

I know what they were refering to but there is no such thing stated in the Book of Mormon anywhere. Some people have speculated that the curse given to Cain was black skin, but it is only speculation. And is possible that the polygamists adopted that as doctine, but the lds religion(mormon) does not believe that.

The statement below is not true.

Answer 2

First, there is no mention of Cain in the Book of Mormon. Adam and Eve, yes. Mary, yes. Isaiah, yes. But not Cain. I didn't see the special, but I do know that many polygamist groups have twisted what Mormonism is and are so far away from Mormonism anymore. Mormons are not polygamist and do not affiliate with these groups.

Answer 3

Simply, no.

There are individuals in the Book of Mormon who were cursed with dark skin, but these were not the decendants of Cain. There have been some people (some within the Mormon faith) who have said they believe the curse described in the Bible, which only states that the curse upon cain was one anyone could see/recognize. This is just one interpretation.

Answer 4

Not the "curse", exactly - that is discussed more by Brother Brigham (Young) in his prophetic discourses. In the Book of Mormon, Cain and his descendants are said to have covenanted with Satan to organize the first of the secret combinations that later flourished among the Jaredites and the Nephites (see Helaman 6:27; Ether 8:15). The most well known of those groups was called "Gadianton's robbers and murderers" (Helaman 6:18). The devil was considered to be the founder of such "secret combinations of murder" (see 2 Nephi 9:9; 26:22). According to Helaman 8:28, the "secret band" among the Nephites was authored by "Gadianton and the evil one who seeketh to destroy the souls of men." The Book of Moses confirms the devil's role and provides more details about the oaths and secrecy associated with Cain's family (see Moses 5:29-31, 49-52).

Answer 5

The Book of Mormon doesn't say much about Cain. There are only 2 references that I could find in the index, and neither one mentions anything about black skin. The people who are referred to as having a dark skin were Laman and Lemuel and their descendants. In fact, Nephi (their younger brother) actually had a vision of the Lamanites (not necessarily the inhabitants of the ancient city of Lamanai in Belize, but this is referring to Laman and Lemuel themselves) and their descendants becoming dark before it even happened (1 Nephi 12:23 for the vision, 2 Nephi 5:21 for a reference to the literal event). However, in Jacob 3:9, the Nephites are told, in effect, to stop thinking they are better than the Lamanites because of the difference in skin color, because at least the Lamanites (at that time) were more faithful in honoring and sustaining their families and the family structure as delineated by God than the Nephites were in general. There are actually more references to spiritual darkness than literal darkness in the Book of Mormon. I have often been fascinated by the concept of "scales of darkness" falling from the eyes of those who have come to a knowledge of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior of the world (see 2 Nephi 30:6). This particular verse is actually referring to the wonderful Jewish people. I have posted this comment from LDS scholar Cleon Skousen before, but here it is again, paraphrased, that it does not matter to the Lord what color your skin is, but only your degree of obedience. Have a happy day, and I send you a virtual gummy bear, any color you want.
P.S. See link below regarding another answerer's inaccurate appraisal of the Mormons being involved in slavery. As a whole, the Mormons did not practice slavery.

Answer 6

First, i might want to concentrate of doctrines you learn outdoors the church represented to be the doctrines of the church. lots of those at the on the spot are not fullyyt suitable - adequate to particularly incorrect - noticeably because you study them "someplace." Milk in the previous meat. stroll in the previous you run. that's my answer. have you ever prayed about and recieved an answer about the e book of mormon? once you may and performance performed that, you'd be waiting for different doctrines. even as that's admirable you're so diligent in reading, as a convert to, and a lower back missionary for the church i might want to assert i imagine you particularly opt to commence with the basics in the previous you pass any further. Is the e book of mormon real? replaced into joseph smith a real prophet? is this particularly God's church? no matter if it really is, then the church's doctrines are real. If that's no longer, then they are not. once you recognize those issues, and then are baptized and shown and recieve the present of the holy ghost, you'll learn a lot a lot swifter than you'll from the position you at the on the spot are. yet when that's no longer real....save your self the skill. i'm putting forward....it really is time that you ought to hit your knees and pray in actual reality to get an answer and then make a committment to adhere to the answer you recieve out of your Heavenly Father. so some distance as God once being a guy - i might want to in elementary words discuss for relaxing, as unusual as that looks, if you're a catholic/protestant, you've faith Jesus IS God and for this reason - definite - he's a guy - with a tangible body - and once lived on a planet or perhaps had a mortal mom. Milk in the previous meat. Line upon line. have you ever recieved the first truths you've been given? (The e book of mormon is yet another testomony of christ, that's the Lord's church, Joseph Smith replaced right into a prophet) If no longer, do not anticipate to recieve more desirable. if so - then act upon them and follow the Lord. 2 nephi 28:30 For behold, subsequently saith our lord god: i visit provide unto the little ones of adult adult males line upon line, theory upon theory, the following a touch and there a touch; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn expertise; for unto him that receiveth i visit provide more desirable; and from them that shall say, we've adequate, from them will be taken away even that which they have.

Answer 7

You didn't find it because it is not in The Book of Mormon. If the ABC show you watched dealt w/ polygamy it probably had nothing to do w/ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. There are sects that have broken away from our church that have corrupted our teachings (such as the FLDS or fundamental Latter Day Saints) They practice polygamy and have misinterpreted our teachings for their own wicked ways. They are in No way affiliated w/ our church and the general population should be aware of this.

Answer 8

That isnt the reason the LDS church didnt allow blacks apart in priesthood. The church received a revelation and was told not to, there is no official reason. Any reason you hear is just a rumor.

Answer 9

I think that Cookie and Straightup have expressed my belief in a much more eloquent way than I will be able to without having access to my texts at home, so I just want to advise you to read through their answers carefully. Good Luck on your quest for knowledge!

Answer 10

The bible says a mark was put on Cain but it doesn't say that it was put onto his descendants. Mormons were slave owners but they didn't discriminate, they made slaves out of people who were not Mormon of several other races. Their Prophet Brigham Young told them that the day they let blacks (he used a much nastier word) hold the priesthood would be the day the church fell and crumbled, in the 70's a lawsuit was brought against the church for this reason but their current prophet had a revelation that God told him it was OK for blacks to hold the priesthood, how convenient!