"If I Didn't Care"

     The title is a nod to one of my favorite songs by The Ink Spots-- a group of very talented musicians of the mid-20th century.  I'll explain the reason why I chose that title in a bit.

     Today marks one of my favorite times of year: it's the start of Black History Month!  If there's anything you should know about me, I LOVE the richness of the culture of African Americans!  Among my favorite authors, poets, and musicians were black!  From Toni Morrison to Nat King Cole, the incredible literature, art, and music-- what's not to love about it?  Now many a rumor has surfaced from the dawn of time about the church's stance with black people.  Many believe [still] that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints discriminates black people due to their "Caucasian superiority."  I myself thought that the church had this stance before I knew anything about the church, but it is simply not true!  Let me explain.

     When the Restored Church was officially organized in the late 1820's, Joseph Smith and his buddies took in EVERYONE to hear the gospel, regardless of race, creed, and ethnicity.  Many new converts in the time were actually African American.  In a time when slavery was rampant and every other pastor, preacher, and professor of faith owned a few, disregarding their stance as people, the Latter-day Saints were firm on their stance on abolition.  Many were persecuted for this stance, yet still, they held strong to this belief.  Throughout church history, there has not been a single instance of segregated services while other churches have made it the norm.

     Oh, then, what about the priesthood?  Why weren't they allowed to have the priesthood until 1978?

     Simple.  A church leader named Brigham Young said that the times were not right for them to have so, but they were allowed to be baptised and likewise perform baptisms for the dead.  Mr. Young then went on to say that one day they would receive the priesthood and the blessings thereof even more than anyone else.  The day came on June 8, 1978.  This trial of faith has proved to be one of the greatest blessings to the church and to the African people:

Dear Brethren:

 

 As we have witnessed the expansion of the work of the Lord over the earth, we have been grateful that people of many nations have responded to the message of the restored gospel, and have joined the Church in ever-increasing numbers. This, in turn, has inspired us with a desire to extend to every worthy member of the Church all of the privileges and blessings which the gospel affords.
 Aware of the promises made by the prophets and presidents of the Church who have preceded us that at some time, in God’s eternal plan, all of our brethren who are worthy may receive the priesthood, and witnessing the faithfulness of those from whom the priesthood has been withheld, we have pleaded long and earnestly in behalf of these, our faithful brethren, spending many hours in the Upper Room of the Temple supplicating the Lord for divine guidance.
 He has heard our prayers, and by revelation has confirmed that the long-promised day has come when every faithful, worthy man in the Church may receive the holy priesthood, with power to exercise its divine authority, and enjoy with his loved ones every blessing that flows therefrom, including the blessings of the temple. Accordingly, all worthy male members of the Church may be ordained to the priesthood without regard for race or color. Priesthood leaders are instructed to follow the policy of carefully interviewing all candidates for ordination to either the Aaronic or the Melchizedek Priesthood to insure that they meet the established standards for worthiness.
 We declare with soberness that the Lord has now made known his will for the blessing of all his children throughout the earth who will hearken to the voice of his authorized servants, and prepare themselves to receive every blessing of the gospel.*
 

Sincerely yours,

Spencer W. Kimball

N. Eldon Tanner

Marion G. Romney

The First Presidency

 

     A trial of faith.  No other phrase puts this ordeal best than that.  God has put it upon the African people because He knew that those who accepted the gospel were capable of staying strong to the faith enough so that the blessings would appear.  Emphasizing, God did not put His children on Earth to fail.  He knew the tremendous strength of His children enough to put a challenge or an adversity like that.

 

     So this time in history, remember what the church has done for the advancement of ALL people, not just white people.  Like me, the church loves black people.  Standing shoulder to shoulder, we remember their contribution to the betterment of society and the love that we have as children of God.

*Official Declaration 2 of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.