5tev3 wrote:In August 17, 1949 the first presidency had this to say: "Why are so many of the inhabitants of the earth cursed with a skin of blackness? It comes in consequence of their fathers rejecting the power of the holy priesthood, and the law of God. They will go down to death. And when all the rest of the children have received their blessings in the holy priesthood, then that curse will be removed from the seed of Cain, and they will then come up and possess the priesthood, and receive all the blessings which we now are entitled to."rewcox wrote: While President Joseph F. Smith was interrogated, at one point he read Jacob 2:30. The Prophet confirmed that Jacob 2:30 allows God to command plural marriage if He chooses.
That is the fact.
You see, the church was using Book of Mormon scriptures regarding the Lamanites ("a skin of blackness" is a direct reference there) and applying that as an explanation as to why people of African descent had dark skin and teaching that said dark skin was the result of a curse. Recently, the church had this to say:
This is from the Church's gospel topics essay titled "Race and the Priesthood": 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 unrighteous 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.
This means that the Book of Mormon scriptures regarding a relationship between a curse and dark skin in no way applies to people with black skin today. There is a similar pattern here, scripture from the Book of Mormon being used to support a modern situation, then later disavowed. It is interesting to note that the priesthood ban and polygamy were announced at the same event in 1852.
So consider this fact: Church presidents and leaders have taught false things as truth before. Ezra Taft Benson once said: "there are also apostate doctrines that are sometimes taught in our classes and from our pulpits and that appear in our publications. And these apostate precepts of men cause our people to stumble. As the Book of Mormon, speaking of our day, states: “They have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men” (2 Nephi 28:14). (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, Pg.89 90)
The truth is that sometimes people, church presidents or other leaders included, are wrong. Not because they are bad or uninspired, because they are mortal. Moses doubted, David sinned, Peter denied, Lehi murmured, Nephi struggled, Joseph disobeyed, just like we all do.
If you don't believe me, just read D&C 107, no one is exempt from making mistakes not even the entire quorum of the twelve collectively: "...in case that any decision of these quorums is made in unrighteousness..." (vs.32) and "And inasmuch as a President of the High Priesthood shall transgress, he shall be had in remembrance before the common council of the church, who shall be assisted by twelve counselors of the High Priesthood; And their decision upon his head shall be an end of controversy concerning him. Thus, none shall be exempted from the justice and the laws of God, that all things may be done in order and in solemnity before him, according to truth and righteousness. (vs.82-84)
To disabuse anyone from misinterpreting my motives here, I would like to state unequivocally that I trust the leadership of the LDS Church more than any other body of individuals that I can think of, I just do not deify them into a state of infallibility. I listen and give heed to their counsel as directed by the Spirit and I seek in every way to uphold and sustain them in what must be a terribly difficult task. I do not think myself wiser or better qualified to a fraction of what they handle every day.
As an independent individual who has agency, a mind, and the freedom within our theology to study, ponder, and discover, I agree with Brigham Young when he stated:
“I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by him. I am fearful that they settle down in a state of blind self-security, trusting their eternal destiny in the hands of their leaders with a reckless confidence that in itself would thwa[r]t the purposes of God in their salvation, and weaken that influence they could give their leaders did they know for themselves, by the revelations of Jesus, that they are led in the right way. Let every man and woman know, by the whisperings of the Spirit of God to themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not.”
You can disagree with my interpretation of Jacob 2:30, that's fine, you have every right and I will not question your motives or intelligence. There is a case to be made for that verse being interpreted in the common way that it is now. I have proposed another interpretation backed up with resources and documentation. I'm not going to make my case any further on Jacob 2:30, if anyone would like to examine it, they can read my post or review this thread. Most are already familiar with the common interpretation and references and make up their own mind.
Stop and think about what you are advocating here Brother. You are saying that every faithful member of the church's highest Priesthood bodies who remained true and faithful from the time of Joseph Smith until the early 1900's some 60 or 70 years later received false and corrupted revelation and were guided by false spirits when they testified of the truthfulness of the doctrine of celestial or plural marriage as coming from the Lord. Every One of these men are being accused here of having revelations from adversarial sources. This applies to all the Sisters who claimed revelation on this principle as well. Do you understand the magnitude of this line of thinking?