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‍Chapter 18 -The Blacks and the Priesthood

Welcome to the Mormon Mann YouTube channel. I am Kendall, the Mormon Mann.

In this playlist “Joseph Smith and the Bible,” I am challenging over 80 of Joseph Smith’s teachings, and I am doing it using only the Bible.

In this video I will be challenging the policy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that kept the black members of the Church from holding the priesthood.

Do to requests to address this policy, I am jumping ahead of several other topics. I will fill in those topics as time progresses.

A Warning About False Prophets

In a few of my other videos in this series, I show where Christ is warning all good Christians to beware of false prophets and false teachers.

Knowing that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or the Mormon Church is the only Christian church that claims to have a continuing living prophet at the head of the church, Christ is actually calling our church out!

Mark 13:21,22

21. And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:

22. For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

This is one of the reasons I created this series—to test Joseph Smith’s teachings against the Bible alone.

In this series, I challenge difficult doctrines such as:

• The Book of Mormon as additional scripture

• Polygamy

• Temple practices

• Salvation vs. exaltation

Make sure to subscribe so you can follow the full series.

Clarifying the Historical Claim

The second most controversial teaching of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was the policy of not allowing the blacks to receive the priesthood and temple ordinances.

In reality, this was not a teaching or policy of Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith actually baptized and gave the priesthood to several blacks before he was martyred in 1844.

The policy of not allowing the black members to receive the priesthood was started by Brigham Young.

I will go into the reason he started this policy by the end of this video.

This church policy withstood from our second prophet, Brigham Young’s time through the turbulent 1960’s when the United States were finally offering the black American’s the rights afforded them by the constitution. 

During the early 1970’s, this policy withstood the United States government’s pressure to abolish this policy.

The Key Question

In spite of all this government and social pressure, why did the church refuse to extend the “priesthood and temple blessings” to the blacks?

The answer is quite simple…it is because the Lord Jesus Christ is the head of the church, not the president or the apostles. 

The Lord Jesus Christ knows what is best for His church and His saints. 

It was not until June 8, 1978 that through a revelation from the Lord to the then President, prophet, seer, and revelator of the Church, Spencer W. Kimball, that “all of the privileges and blessings which the gospel affords” be extended to every worthy member of the Church “without regard for race or color.”

This solution is great for the people who have testimonies of the divinity of the prophet Joseph Smith. 

It is for the people who do not yet believe in the sacred calling of Joseph Smith that must be shown some kind of biblical support for this policy.

The Criticism: Prejudice and Bigotry

The problem that must be addressed here is, as the “anti-Mormons” claim, the policy of Joseph Smith is very prejudicial and as some have claimed is…bigotry.  These two terms are defined as:

prejudice – 2c. an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed characteristics.[1]

bigot – one obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his own opinions and prejudices.[2]

As these “anti-Mormons” use these terms to over-emphasize the Church’s policy on the blacks and the priesthood, one can see that their claims are exaggerated. 

At no time in the history of the Mormon Church has there been an “irrational attitude of hostility” directed towards the blacks. 

In fact, it is historically recognized that there were members of the church who were of the black race since the days of Joseph Smith. 

Black members of the church have always been extended the fellowship and baptism into the Church. 

As we learned in Chapter 5: The Priesthood, it is a requirement for a person to receive the ordinance of baptism by the proper authority in order to enter into the kingdom of God.

John 3:5

5. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Never in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has the Church denied the ordinance of baptism to a qualified (fully repentant) person of the black race or any other color or culture. 

Therefore, the black members have never been denied the opportunity to enter into the highest degree of “glory”—the Celestial Kingdom, where our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ dwells. 

The only opportunity the blacks were denied was the opportunity to receive the “priesthood and temple blessings.”

Let me make it clear…at no time in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has the Church held policies that were prejudice or bigoted against our wonderful brothers and sisters of the black race.

Additionally, those who have known the church, also know that there have been the dark colored or black skins of the Pacific Islanders who have always received the priesthood and temple blessings of the Church. 

A Biblical Pattern of Restricted Blessings

In following the theme of this book—if Joseph Smith was a true prophet, there would be some kind of Biblical support for all of Joseph Smith’s teachings—or he would not be a true prophet. 

It is now my responsibility to show that there has been similar policy, i.e., keeping the “priesthood and temple blessings” from certain groups or races of people, in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. 

I will not address policies of prejudice and bigotry, as there were no such policies in the Mormon Church.

This policy and practice of the Lord not extending the “priesthood and temple blessings” to certain groups of people will be easier to identify and prove than any other topic in this series. 

It is clear in the Bible and almost all Christian religions agree with most of the following policies that were in practice in the Bible:

Old Testament Israel

1. The Jews were the only ones allowed the higher priesthood.  (See Chapter 5: The Priesthood)

2. The Jews with the priesthood were the only ones allowed into the temples.  (See Chapter 14: The Temples)

3. The Levites were the only ones who received the Aaronic Priesthood. When they could not prove their genealogy as being from the Levites, they were “put from the priesthood.”

Ezra 2:62

These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.

Jesus’ Ministry

The Lord Jesus Christ did not preach His new gospel to anybody but the Jews.

Expansion to the Gentiles

It was after His resurrection that Christ extended the “priesthood and temple blessings” to the gentiles in the Mediterranean area.  These “priesthood and temple blessings” were not preached to the African nations or the Asian nations.

Romans 2:10

But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

Ephesians 3:5,6

5. Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;  6. That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

The Argument Being Made

The Priesthood

It is clear in all the mainstream Christian religions of today, with the exception of the Catholic Church, the priesthood is not a blessing that is afforded to them. 

The Catholic Church still claims to hold the priesthood, which was handed down from Pope to Pope since the apostle Peter. 

All other Christian religions are breakaway apostate groups from the Catholic Church or a non-denominational start up.

Most of these religions do not even claim the priesthood is necessary...all you need is faith. (See Chapter 1: The Apostasy and Chapter 4: The Priesthood)

The Temples

It is clear that in all the Christian religions, the blessings of the temple are not extended to their membership.

Each Christian Church who declare, “there is no need for temples,” unfortunately exclude themselves and their membership from the blessings and ordinances from our modern-day temples.  See Chapter 14: The Mormon Temples

It is interesting to note that in the beginning of the Old Testament, this policy of not extending the “priesthood and temple blessings” to all people was from Jehovah,…who is the Lord Jesus Christ!

Question: Would we call the Jesus Christ prejudiced and a bigot for working through Israel first?

Of course not! And I hope not.

The “all knowing” Jehovah first set up His Kingdom on earth through the Jewish people. 

He was also known to withdraw the “priesthood and temple blessings” from the Jewish people when they lost their ability to keep His commandments and remain pure. 

Extending the Priesthood and Temple Blessings

After Jesus Christ was crucified, through His original apostles, He extended the “priesthood and temple blessings” to the gentiles in the Mediterranean area. 

This was the second group of people who received these blessings.

When there is a first and a second, there must also be a first and a last! 

In the case of the “priesthood and temple blessings,” a portion of the descendants of Abraham, the tribe of Judah, was the first to receive these blessings. 

The last to receive the “priesthood and temple blessings” were the blacks, on June 8, 1978.

Question:  Why were the blacks the last to receive the “priesthood and temple blessings?”

A Proposed Explanation

As explained in Chapter 13, The Plan of Salvation: The Mortal Earth Life, we are here on earth to prove our faith in God. 

Maybe this policy of the “priesthood and temple blessings” being withheld from the blacks was to test one or all of the following groups of people:

1. The blacks.

2. The members of the LDS Church who were around when the change came to allow the blacks to receive the priesthood and enter into the temples.

3. The anti-Mormons who seem to degrade this policy of our Church, and call us racists, when in fact it was and always has been the policy of the Lord to keep the “priesthood and temple blessings” from some groups of people.

4. All of the current modern day Christian religions who do not have the “priesthood and temple blessings” afforded to them.

Prejudice Towards Joseph Smith and the Mormons

It is my observation that the negative movement against Joseph Smith and the particular policy of not offering the “priesthood and temple blessings” to the blacks was and is a ruse used by the “anti-Mormons” in order to persecute Joseph Smith and the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

This persecution is in fact “an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed characteristics,” in this case, against Joseph Smith and the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, even down to these modern days!

This persecution has been directed, in the most part, from other Christian religions that do not have the “priesthood and temple blessings” in their own churches. 

Few Be There That Find It

Reviewing again the following scriptures:

Matthew 7:13,14

13. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 

14. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Matthew 7:21-23

21. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 

22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?  And in thy name have cast out devils?  And in thy name done many wonderful works? 

23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

It is clear that many Christian religions that accept the Lord and think to do His will, will not “enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

Reviewing again the parable of the “10 virgins” (Matthew 25:1-13), there will be half of the virgins, or Christians, that are not prepared with enough oil in their lamps, and will be shut out of the “marriage supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:7-10).

Question:  What do you think the Lord will do about a person who condemns the policy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for not offering the “priesthood and temple blessings” to the blacks, when in fact, this has been the policy of Jehovah since the beginning of the Old Testament?

The answer:

Matthew 10:41

He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.

Prophecy and Fulfillment

It was prophesied in Isaiah that at some point all people will be afforded the right to the “priesthood and temple blessings” or the covenants offered by the Lord. 

At one point, in the following example, “the sons of strangers,” remember, the strangers were people that were not allowed in the Temple.

These strangers were apparently not offered the “priesthood and temple blessings.” 

But in the end, “all people” will have the temple blessings, which include the opportunity to make the sacred covenants with the Lord in the “Holy Mountain” (Temple) where they can be “joyful in my house of prayer!”

Isaiah 56:6,7

6. Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 

7. Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

Question:  How could have Brigham Young, in this case, truly been a prophet, if he had allowed everybody to have the “priesthood and temple blessings” from the beginning of the restoration?

If Brigham Young did extend the priesthood and Temple blessings to the blacks, then this prophesy of Isaiah’s could not have been fulfilled!

Every Jot and Tittle

Recalling the following prophecy:

Matthew 5:17, 18

17. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. 

18. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Final Claim of the Chapter

The concluding argument is:

• Biblical precedent exists for restricted access to priesthood-like roles

• Therefore, the LDS priesthood restriction is framed as consistent with that pattern

• Its later removal aligns with prophecy of universal inclusion

Conclusion

Brigham Young clearly taught that the “priesthood and temple blessings” should be withheld from the blacks. 

This policy lasted until June 8, 1978, when the then president of the Church, Spencer W. Kimball, received a revelation from the Lord permitting everybody without regard to race or color would be given the opportunity to receive the “priesthood and temple blessings.” 

This policy is clearly supported by the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments where the Lord only allowed the Jewish people into the priesthood and the temples. 

It was not until after Christ’s resurrection that He sent the twelve apostles to the gentiles living in the Mediterranean area with the gospel and the “priesthood and temple blessings.” 

It was not until after the restoration of the gospel, finally on June 8, 1978, that the “priesthood and temple blessings” were extended to all people, “without regard to race or color.”

The Biblical Support Chart

Is the following topic supported in the Bible? Yes or No

1. Does the Bible support Joseph Smith’s policy of excluding the “priesthood and temple blessings” from the blacks? Yes

(Ezra 2:62; Rom 2:10; Eph 3:5,6; Isa 56:3-7)

Closing

This policy concerning the Blacks and the Priesthood is another one of Joseph Smith’s fruits as a prophet!

This concludes the last video in this series that challenges Joseph Smith’s teachings with the Bible.

One last video will be a review of the Biblical Support Challenge Chart that is following what support, if any, the Bible gives to Joseph Smith’s teachings.

The final result will be surprising and even enlightening!

Thank you for joining me on this topic on the Blacks and the Priesthood.

If you believe that I showed where the Bible also shows where the priesthood and Temple blessings were withheld from certain people, please click the “like” button below.

If you want to make sure you have access to the entire series of my biblical challenges to Joseph Smith’s teachings, please click on the Table of Contents button that follows.

Thank you for joining me today. I hope you have a great rest of your day and week. I hope to see you in my next video. Good Bye!

[1] Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., Springfield, Massachusetts, 1990, page 928.

[2] Ibid, page 149.