Why DID Mormonism Teach That Black People Were Inferior To White Members of The Church?

Question

I Have Heard That Mormon Faith Didn't Allow Blacks To Hold Priesthood Until The 70's. I Also Believe That Brigham Young Taught That Blacks Were An Inferior Race To White People

Any Thoughts? Why would a God-Loving religion teach such absurd abstract thoughts??

Answer 1

Okay... First, the answerers here need to STOP assosiating Mormonism with Christianity. The two may appear similar, but they're nothing alike.

For a tangible picture, try looking at it this way. Take a jar of your favorite mayonnaise. I'll use Miracle Whip. Now, without removing the label or changing anything in the jar, remove the mayonnaise and replace it with Crisco Shortening and replace the lid.

It still looks the same doesn't it? Same color? But let's see you put some on your BLT sandwhich! The two LOOK the same, but that's where the similarities end. The SUBSTANCE is different.

Now... Onto the question at hand. Mormonism teaches that Lucifer (AKA Satan) and Jesus were brothers, both eldest sons of the Mormon god. Both aspired to be the Saviors of the world. Lucifer suggested a dictatorship where he would dominate the will of man, but Jesus suggested giving man his free will. In the end, Jesus was chosen and his plan accepted.

Angry, Lucifer led a rebellion against Jesus, and one third of that god's children fought with him. Those who fought with Lucifer were cast out of heaven, to be denied forever earthly, fleshly bodies. Those who fought most valiently with Jesus were sent to earth with bodies of white skin and born to Mormon families. These were called the "whitesome and delightsome". Those, according to Mormon teaching, who remained neutral in the battle were cursed with dark skin.

I don't remember the rest of the details, but this is the basic story. Again, it shows just how different Christianity (which has no such teaching in it) is from Mormonism.

Hopefully this will help to explain everything.

Answer 2

Obviously, you don't know your Mormon history.

There has always been a quiet debate about the succession of the LDS prophet following the murder of Joesph Smith. One group followed Brigham Young and went to Utah, the other stayed behind and settled up around Illinois to become the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saint (RLDS).

Even within the Young-followers there were murmurs about the truth of the Young's teachings, to include that black people carried the Mark of Cain. Those who were with Joesph Smith at the time before his death knew this couldn't be true. How?

Joesph Smith himself gave the priesthood to the freed slaves.

The beliefs espoused by Young were always questionable, but were followed as Church doctrine, not as core Church belief -because Joesph Smith's own hand always taught differently.

Since there aren't really any black people in the places where Mormonism is big (Utah, Southern Idaho, Western Wyoming, Nevada, Eastern California), it was kind of forgotten and never brought up until the missionary work was expanded into the urban areas and Africa, in the late 1960s.

"Hey, Prophet, do we still believe this?"

"Believe what?"

"That black people possess the Mark of Cain."

"We do?"

"Yeah, it was placed into being by Young."

"Oh, one of those rules. Nah, not really. Why didn't we change this before?"

"Never came up."

"Man, that's a little embarrassing."

"Yeah."

Answer 3

There is a lot of frightening stuff you can find about any religion. A lot of the Muslims really believe in Holy War and a lot of the Muslims believe that most dogs (Saludis excepted) are under the control of the Devil. The LDS people - I am not one - are generally law abiding and helpful and the teaching has been withdrawn long ago.

Answer 4

Although it is not excusable, racism was very prevalent in the 19th century when the religion was created. Hell, even Gandhi didn't like Black People. I think the church waited as late as the 70s because it didn't want to admit its fault.

Answer 5

I'm not a religous scholar or anything, but wasn't that pretty much the belief of all religous people of that time? Didn't the Christian founding father's own slaves and believe they were animals that didn't have souls? Why single out Mormons?

Answer 6

Christianity is successful because it molds itself to the wishes of the persons in power. From the time to Constantine to the time of Hitler, McCarthy and Franco, the Christian churches have always supported what is "popular," never what is "right."

The last time they opposed the powerful as an institution was when they were fed to lions, in the 2nd century CE.

Answer 7

That was taught in this country up until about 50 years ago within most all religions. Where have you been. Romney must have you worried if you are starting this smear campaign this early. Hillary is this you?

Answer 8

Because like all religion and God in general it is man made. So therefore it is subject to change with the whims of the people who are its leaders and followers.

Answer 9

WHEN did "Mormonism" teach that black people were inferiour to white members?

I don't think that Brigham Young taught taht blacks were inferiour.

Answer 10

Many sects of Christianity have held that belief at one time or another. Times and interpretations change.