The Priesthood Ban

[ldsfaqs]

To clarify,it seems to me that the ban was on the african blacks and not other aboriginals,please confirm or deny.

Absolutely correct.... A fact that needs to be said much more.

There were some black lineages that had a wait a little bit for official approval, but generally speaking, blacks of all other races WERE given the Priesthood.

[ldsfaqs]

Before I joined the Church, I was very bothered by the frankly inadequate responses I received from some members who, I realize now, were simply not informed about the nature of non-doctrinal folk traditions (ie, giving post-hoc rationalizations about a "curse", or how blacks were "less-valiant in the preexistence", etc).

I am not sure I would have investigated the Church more deeply if the ban had still been in place. The male-only Priesthood is tough enough for me (and based on similarly tenuous tradition, as far as I can see). Here is some excellent background on the history of how it all went down, for anyone who's not familiar with it: https://docs.google....=CLm4-fMN&pli=1

My experience with my own family's skeptical (to say the least) questions regarding the Church's position on racial matters shows that we can still do more to understand the background and transmit it more accurately to others. There is still a need for us to be familiar with this material, so I hope people take the time to read the entirety of the amazing story of how President Kimball and the brethren wrestled the Lord in prayer like Enos and received answers to the concerns of the Saints.

(By the way, can I just say right here that President Kimball was the absolute man? Cuz' he totally was.)

I would agree, much more needs to be done in how members are explaining this issue, and not really explaining it.

I once left the Church myself primarily over this issue, and also similar to you, over women not getting the Priesthood, and also Polygamy.

But, fortunately I eventually kept learning, and that's when I understood the Lord's will and all the facts related to these matters, especially through the scriptures and knowing Church history better.

Indeed.... I joined the Church during President Kimball's administration, and I even was home taught by his brother. These were wonderful men, possibly my most favorite prophet spiritually speaking, one that I've known since being alive anyway. I have no doubt that President Kimball received a revelation from God on this issue.

[David T]

Here is some excellent background on the history of how it all went down, for anyone who's not familiar with it: https://docs.google....=CLm4-fMN&pli=1

This needs a repeat: if you haven't read the linked paper yet, do so. Reading it should be a prerequisite for anyone making any public opinions about the source and history of the restriction.

Here's the link again: Spencer W. Kimball and the Revelation on Priesthood, by Edward Kimball, - BYU STUDIES

[Messenger]

To clarify,it seems to me that the ban was on the african blacks and not other aboriginals,please confirm or deny.

Others have already answered, but the greater question thought should always be, do WE descriminate? I think the answer is that most of humanity does in one way or another. And perhaps we as individuals should re-visit this.

[David T]

"How can any man holding the Melchizedek Priesthood arrogantly assume that he is eligible for the priesthood whereas another who lives a righteous life but whose skin is of a different color is ineligible?" - President Hinckley, April 2006

There's a great story about when this was addressed, and what was going on in the background that specifically had President Hinckley make this address. The story also speaks of an additional 1998 revelation on the subject that was approved by President Hinckley to be taught.

Edited August 18, 2011 by nackhadlow