FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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Detailed response to CES Letter, Prophets: Difference between revisions
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During the first two decades of the Church’s existence, a few black men were ordained to the priesthood. One of these men, Elijah Abel, also participated in temple ceremonies in Kirtland, Ohio, and was later baptized as proxy for deceased relatives in Nauvoo, Illinois. There is no evidence that any black men were denied the priesthood during Joseph Smith’s lifetime. | |||
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In 1852, President Brigham Young publicly announced that men of black African descent could no longer be ordained to the priesthood, though thereafter blacks continued to join the Church through baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. Following the death of Brigham Young, subsequent Church presidents restricted blacks from receiving the temple endowment or being married in the temple. Over time, Church leaders and members advanced many theories to explain the priesthood and temple restrictions. None of these explanations is accepted today as the official doctrine of the Church. | |||
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Today, the Church disavows the theories advanced in the past that black skin is a sign of divine disfavor or curse, or that it reflects actions in a premortal life; that mixed-race marriages are a sin; or that blacks or people of any other race or ethnicity are inferior in any way to anyone else. Church leaders today unequivocally condemn all racism, past and present, in any form.<br>—"Race and the Priesthood," ''Gospel Topics'', lds.org (2013) {{link|url=http://www.lds.org/topics/race-and-the-priesthood?lang=eng}} (lds.org) | Today, the Church disavows the theories advanced in the past that black skin is a sign of divine disfavor or curse, or that it reflects actions in a premortal life; that mixed-race marriages are a sin; or that blacks or people of any other race or ethnicity are inferior in any way to anyone else. Church leaders today unequivocally condemn all racism, past and present, in any form.<br>—"Race and the Priesthood," ''Gospel Topics'', lds.org (2013) {{link|url=http://www.lds.org/topics/race-and-the-priesthood?lang=eng}} (lds.org) | ||
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Revision as of 02:20, 7 December 2013
Response to "Prophets Concerns & Questions"
| [[../Polygamy & Polyandry Concerns & Questions|Polygamy/Polyandry Concerns & Questions]] | A FAIR Analysis of:
[[../|Letter to a CES Director]] |
[[../Kinderhook Plates and Translator & Seer Claims Concerns & Questions|Kinderhook Plates and Translator/Seer Claims Concerns & Questions"]] |
A few question their faith when they find a statement made by a Church leader decades ago that seems incongruent with our doctrine. There is an important principle that governs the doctrine of the Church. The doctrine is taught by all 15 members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. It is not hidden in an obscure paragraph of one talk. True principles are taught frequently and by many. Our doctrine is not difficult to find.
The leaders of the Church are honest but imperfect men. Remember the words of Moroni: “Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father … ; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been” (Ether 12꞉6).
— Elder Neil L. Anderson, "Trial of Your Faith," Ensign (November 2012).
The leaders of the Church are honest but imperfect men. Remember the words of Moroni: “Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father … ; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been” (Ether 12꞉6).
— Elder Neil L. Anderson, "Trial of Your Faith," Ensign (November 2012).
- Response to section: Adam-God
- Response to section: Blood Atonement
- Response to section: Polygamy
- Response to section: Blacks Ban
- Response to section: Mark Hofmann
- Response to question: "Why would I want them following the prophet when a prophet is just a man of his time?"
Response Section
Adam-God
Blood Atonement
Polygamy
Blacks Ban
Mark Hofmann
"Why would I want them following the prophet when a prophet is just a man of his time?"
==Notes (click to expand)