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Setting the Record Straight: Blacks & the Mormon Priesthood
For over a century The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints prohibited the ordination of men who had Black African ancestry to offices in its priesthood. This "priesthood ban" was lifted in 1978 to the delight of most Church members, but puzzling questions and folklore surrounding the origin and reasons for the ban have lingered in Mormon popular culture.
88 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2007
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July 16, 2021
Very well written and faith promoting.
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September 30, 2008Yesterday I frequented our local “Bountiful Book Store” to purchase some Boy Scout item for my son. As I was walking in I saw an advertisement for a new book series called “Setting The Record Straight”. This is a 5 part series sub-titled “The Book of Mormon”, “Mormons & Polygamy”, “Mormons & Masons”, ”Joseph Smith & The Mormon Prophet” and “Blacks & The Mormon Priesthood”. I decided to purchase the latter book just to give the series a chance to prove itself first.
As I read the jacket of “Blacks & The Mormon Priesthood” I thought to myself
“Gee. Maybe this book will help me understand a little more on this subject.” Boy was I wrong.
I've finished the book and think it is one of THEE worst reads ever. I know this is a strong statement but you didn't read this book. And if you have then you know what I am talking about.
The Jacket cover sold me . . . and I think the book is going to sell me out.
Like I said the book sounded wonderful. The author is a man of African Descent who holds a PhD, was a member of the Church before the 1978 Revelation.
So what went so wrong with it? Well the online snippet for this book reads:
"The book answers the questions surrounding why male black members of the Church were banned from holding the priesthood."
This question was answered in the early part of this book and the answer to this question is:
"We don’t know."
That was the answer.
Before I was a member of the Church my wife and I walked about this issue.
She asked me “So, you think that someone in the Church knows why the ban was in place?”
I told her “Yes. I do!” But what I was really thinking was . . . . they are a billion dollar corporation of course someone knows the answer. They keep statistic about everything under the sun and under the Sunstone. Someone has to know. These people who know about this issue are keeping it silent. Why are they keeping so quiet? I don't know that answer.
If you remember in the movie “Independence Day”. The part when the president didn’t know about the alien space craft that ‘his’ government had in a lab.
I think the leaders of the Church are not the keepers of the ARC. However there are people in the Church whose whole mission is to keep the “secrets” of the Church. The Keepers of the Vault.
On just about every subject he brought up, the answer to the question was. . . . . We don’t know.
Let me give you an example. The first sub-chapter of the book is titled: The Priesthood Ban: What We Don’t Know for Sure—or Not at All.
The first part of this book, in Personal insights From a Black Man in Zion, Marcus Martins states he was the first Black man to go on a full time mission after the ban was lifted. The foot notes read:
“Brother Elijah Able, a (member of the third quorum of the) seventy, was the first member with Black African ancestry to serve a full-time missions for the Church in the nineteenth century”.
If the Priesthood Ban was instituted in 1830, the first year the Church was established, then how did Brother Able become ordained an Elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood and also Ordained to the Office of Seventy?
Marcus never explained why he was ordained. Or if it was a problem in the Church. These are some of the questions I wanted answered in this book.
As I read further, he did answer a question regarding the Priesthood Ban. But the answer was neither official nor unofficial. It was his own hypothesis. And how we should not question God.
In my mind this book should have had a different title. It probably wouldn’t sell as many copies but it would have a title that told the truth:
“Blacks & the Mormon Priesthood: Don’t Question God“
or
“Blacks & the Mormon Priesthood: The Ban is now in the past (stop bringing it up already. . . gosh!)“
There was one, out of many, off topic remarks that was made in this book. This one really shocked me when I read it:
"So if someone can’t bear the thought of being with me in eternity, he or she is welcome to head or another kingdom."
In my research I have read many racist remarks made by church leaders and this statement is up there with the best. How dare he say that about other people? How dare he say that? Oh, if you want to know the title of the next sub-chapter in the book here it is:
“Dealing with Statements from the Past.”
But what about that hateful statement from the present.
I did go to college and attended writing courses. If I was to ever hand in a paper of this sort to any one of my professors, I would have failed the course no questions asked. This book is one of the worst reads. If you were thinking about purchasing this book on the publishers website please think again. They didn’t even have it listed nor do they have an ecommerce site of their own if it was listed. You are taken to another site to search for and purchase this book.
And like I said in the first place . . . . I was really disappointed with this book. . . on so many levels.
For real answers to your questions about the “Black Mormon Priesthood Ban” check out:
Blacks in the Scriptures
www.blacksinthescriptures.com
or
John Delihn’s Mormon Stories Podcast
www.mormonstories.org
Episode #26 Blacks and the LDS Priesthood
Do not . . . I repeat Do not purchase this book. We wouldn't want to encourage them to write a sequel.
As I read the jacket of “Blacks & The Mormon Priesthood” I thought to myself
“Gee. Maybe this book will help me understand a little more on this subject.” Boy was I wrong.
I've finished the book and think it is one of THEE worst reads ever. I know this is a strong statement but you didn't read this book. And if you have then you know what I am talking about.
The Jacket cover sold me . . . and I think the book is going to sell me out.
Like I said the book sounded wonderful. The author is a man of African Descent who holds a PhD, was a member of the Church before the 1978 Revelation.
So what went so wrong with it? Well the online snippet for this book reads:
"The book answers the questions surrounding why male black members of the Church were banned from holding the priesthood."
This question was answered in the early part of this book and the answer to this question is:
"We don’t know."
That was the answer.
Before I was a member of the Church my wife and I walked about this issue.
She asked me “So, you think that someone in the Church knows why the ban was in place?”
I told her “Yes. I do!” But what I was really thinking was . . . . they are a billion dollar corporation of course someone knows the answer. They keep statistic about everything under the sun and under the Sunstone. Someone has to know. These people who know about this issue are keeping it silent. Why are they keeping so quiet? I don't know that answer.
If you remember in the movie “Independence Day”. The part when the president didn’t know about the alien space craft that ‘his’ government had in a lab.
I think the leaders of the Church are not the keepers of the ARC. However there are people in the Church whose whole mission is to keep the “secrets” of the Church. The Keepers of the Vault.
On just about every subject he brought up, the answer to the question was. . . . . We don’t know.
Let me give you an example. The first sub-chapter of the book is titled: The Priesthood Ban: What We Don’t Know for Sure—or Not at All.
The first part of this book, in Personal insights From a Black Man in Zion, Marcus Martins states he was the first Black man to go on a full time mission after the ban was lifted. The foot notes read:
“Brother Elijah Able, a (member of the third quorum of the) seventy, was the first member with Black African ancestry to serve a full-time missions for the Church in the nineteenth century”.
If the Priesthood Ban was instituted in 1830, the first year the Church was established, then how did Brother Able become ordained an Elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood and also Ordained to the Office of Seventy?
Marcus never explained why he was ordained. Or if it was a problem in the Church. These are some of the questions I wanted answered in this book.
As I read further, he did answer a question regarding the Priesthood Ban. But the answer was neither official nor unofficial. It was his own hypothesis. And how we should not question God.
In my mind this book should have had a different title. It probably wouldn’t sell as many copies but it would have a title that told the truth:
“Blacks & the Mormon Priesthood: Don’t Question God“
or
“Blacks & the Mormon Priesthood: The Ban is now in the past (stop bringing it up already. . . gosh!)“
There was one, out of many, off topic remarks that was made in this book. This one really shocked me when I read it:
"So if someone can’t bear the thought of being with me in eternity, he or she is welcome to head or another kingdom."
In my research I have read many racist remarks made by church leaders and this statement is up there with the best. How dare he say that about other people? How dare he say that? Oh, if you want to know the title of the next sub-chapter in the book here it is:
“Dealing with Statements from the Past.”
But what about that hateful statement from the present.
I did go to college and attended writing courses. If I was to ever hand in a paper of this sort to any one of my professors, I would have failed the course no questions asked. This book is one of the worst reads. If you were thinking about purchasing this book on the publishers website please think again. They didn’t even have it listed nor do they have an ecommerce site of their own if it was listed. You are taken to another site to search for and purchase this book.
And like I said in the first place . . . . I was really disappointed with this book. . . on so many levels.
For real answers to your questions about the “Black Mormon Priesthood Ban” check out:
Blacks in the Scriptures
www.blacksinthescriptures.com
or
John Delihn’s Mormon Stories Podcast
www.mormonstories.org
Episode #26 Blacks and the LDS Priesthood
Do not . . . I repeat Do not purchase this book. We wouldn't want to encourage them to write a sequel.
April 11, 2008
A great example of wisdom when something causes such hard feelings between people. He has an amazing attitude and grasp of what truly applies to this big question mark in the LDS culture and history.
October 1, 2007
This author has amazing insights, knowledge and attitude.
September 3, 2024
It was interesting to read about this topic that I haven't delved into before. Marcus H. Martins shares his personal life experiences as a black member of the Church of Jesus Christ. He was baptized in 1972 when the priesthood ban was still in effect. He shares his perspectives which I found very positive, full of strong faith and hope. I had to jot down some notes or I'll forget everything I read.
The main points I got from this book:
*We don't know the origin or reason for the ban. Several hypotheses were discussed:
- Noah's Curse on Canaan: a centuries-old tradition which was a common story at the time. Hypothesis #1: Early leaders of the LDS church had knowledge of these ancient traditions and absence of a specific revelation, contributed to caution extending priesthood ordination to men with black ancestry.
- Hypothesis #2: Premortality Hypothesis: People of the Black race had been less valiant in the premortal existence. (no scriptural support)
- Hypothesis #3: Preparedness hypothesis: Before 1978, Blacks weren't ready for the priesthood or that Whites weren't ready to see Blacks receive it. (based on stereotypes)
- Hypothesis #4: Selective-Ordination Hypothesis: points to Old Testament to show that throughout history the Lord at times imposed restrictions on who could hold the priesthood.
*Several quotes were shared like these:
"It's not the pattern of the Lord to give reasons."
"reasons which we believe are known to God, but which he has not made fully known to man." -pg. 9
"Because of his unfathomable purposes, the Lord appears to have remained mostly silent about the issue until June 1, 1978." - pg. 39
"Whatever the reason for the ban, it remains with the Lord himself." -pg. 54
2 Nephi 2:24: "All things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things"
*Why did the ban last so long? Martin's hypotheses:
- Church leaders' belief that leaders of the past had already discussed the matter so didn't need further discussion. pg.42
- Focus was on most urgent matters and priesthood ban affected what appears to be only a small percentage of the Church membership of that era. During Spencer W. Kimball's administration that priority moved up as the church became more world-wide. pg. 42-43
- "The Lord's timetable is often a mystery, and it is possible that only when the Savior Jesus Christ returns to the earth may we know the precise answer." -pg. 41
*Martin's personal views:
-The ban may be remembered as an undeniable fact in history---- but never as a significant factor in shaping the present. pg. 4 & 80
-"Perpetuate whatever is good, improve it if possible, and teach people the lessons from the past without reliving or reopening old wounds." -pg. 79
He didn't feel like he missed out on anything of eternal significance. "Between 1972 and 1978 I could not hold the priesthood, but I had the power of the Holy Ghost and the promise of eternal life. And the question is, wasn't that enough?" -pg. 40
- "The priesthood is the Lord's. The Church is the Lord's. He allows his priesthood to be bestowed upon whomever he wants to give it to." -pg. 79
- "I believe that a person from a racial group seen unfavorably by the majority has to wait on the Lord and be merciful with those who underrate others for any reason." "I have enough faith to wait on the Lord." pg. 47-48
- "I would argue that the priesthood ban, perhaps more particularly the hypotheses used to justify it, afforded me and other Latter-day Saints with Black African ancestry a still ongoing opportunity to display the depth of our commitment to the Lord and his kingdom in a specific way that our fellow Latter-day Saints of other races will never be able to experience." -pg. 54
*The revelation of 1978 was a powerful spiritual experience for everyone present. It was essential to the preparation for the Second Coming because all blessings are available to all faithful regardless of race or nationality. pg. 51-52
My favs:
"Few human traits throughout history have been used more persistently as a justification for so much hatred, brutality, inhumanity, and pain than race." pg. 41
"I remind you that no man who makes disparaging remarks concerning those of another race can consider himself a true disciple of Christ." - Pres Hinckley pg. 55
"We have more light and knowledge today than we did in 1900 or in 1920 or in 1950. We have become a little bit wiser as a people, and we are now striving to become a little gentler, a little bit more Christlike." -pg. 56
"Remember that what we call "Mormonism" includes not only the doctrine revealed from heaven but also countless personal views and practices." "I defined religion as the lifestyle developed by individuals and families as they follow or practice the components of the church." -pg.71
The main points I got from this book:
*We don't know the origin or reason for the ban. Several hypotheses were discussed:
- Noah's Curse on Canaan: a centuries-old tradition which was a common story at the time. Hypothesis #1: Early leaders of the LDS church had knowledge of these ancient traditions and absence of a specific revelation, contributed to caution extending priesthood ordination to men with black ancestry.
- Hypothesis #2: Premortality Hypothesis: People of the Black race had been less valiant in the premortal existence. (no scriptural support)
- Hypothesis #3: Preparedness hypothesis: Before 1978, Blacks weren't ready for the priesthood or that Whites weren't ready to see Blacks receive it. (based on stereotypes)
- Hypothesis #4: Selective-Ordination Hypothesis: points to Old Testament to show that throughout history the Lord at times imposed restrictions on who could hold the priesthood.
*Several quotes were shared like these:
"It's not the pattern of the Lord to give reasons."
"reasons which we believe are known to God, but which he has not made fully known to man." -pg. 9
"Because of his unfathomable purposes, the Lord appears to have remained mostly silent about the issue until June 1, 1978." - pg. 39
"Whatever the reason for the ban, it remains with the Lord himself." -pg. 54
2 Nephi 2:24: "All things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things"
*Why did the ban last so long? Martin's hypotheses:
- Church leaders' belief that leaders of the past had already discussed the matter so didn't need further discussion. pg.42
- Focus was on most urgent matters and priesthood ban affected what appears to be only a small percentage of the Church membership of that era. During Spencer W. Kimball's administration that priority moved up as the church became more world-wide. pg. 42-43
- "The Lord's timetable is often a mystery, and it is possible that only when the Savior Jesus Christ returns to the earth may we know the precise answer." -pg. 41
*Martin's personal views:
-The ban may be remembered as an undeniable fact in history---- but never as a significant factor in shaping the present. pg. 4 & 80
-"Perpetuate whatever is good, improve it if possible, and teach people the lessons from the past without reliving or reopening old wounds." -pg. 79
He didn't feel like he missed out on anything of eternal significance. "Between 1972 and 1978 I could not hold the priesthood, but I had the power of the Holy Ghost and the promise of eternal life. And the question is, wasn't that enough?" -pg. 40
- "The priesthood is the Lord's. The Church is the Lord's. He allows his priesthood to be bestowed upon whomever he wants to give it to." -pg. 79
- "I believe that a person from a racial group seen unfavorably by the majority has to wait on the Lord and be merciful with those who underrate others for any reason." "I have enough faith to wait on the Lord." pg. 47-48
- "I would argue that the priesthood ban, perhaps more particularly the hypotheses used to justify it, afforded me and other Latter-day Saints with Black African ancestry a still ongoing opportunity to display the depth of our commitment to the Lord and his kingdom in a specific way that our fellow Latter-day Saints of other races will never be able to experience." -pg. 54
*The revelation of 1978 was a powerful spiritual experience for everyone present. It was essential to the preparation for the Second Coming because all blessings are available to all faithful regardless of race or nationality. pg. 51-52
My favs:
"Few human traits throughout history have been used more persistently as a justification for so much hatred, brutality, inhumanity, and pain than race." pg. 41
"I remind you that no man who makes disparaging remarks concerning those of another race can consider himself a true disciple of Christ." - Pres Hinckley pg. 55
"We have more light and knowledge today than we did in 1900 or in 1920 or in 1950. We have become a little bit wiser as a people, and we are now striving to become a little gentler, a little bit more Christlike." -pg. 56
"Remember that what we call "Mormonism" includes not only the doctrine revealed from heaven but also countless personal views and practices." "I defined religion as the lifestyle developed by individuals and families as they follow or practice the components of the church." -pg.71
September 10, 2020
Excellent!
Excellent discussion of the various aspects of the decision in 1978.
The author didn’t shrink from differing views but ultimately for him it came down to his faith and trust in God.
Also various sources and quotes pulled in to further enlighten the discussion.
I came to reading this after watching the video Brother Martinez (sp?) made in 2020 regarding the social justice protests and riots. I highly recommend this book and the more recent video.
Excellent discussion of the various aspects of the decision in 1978.
The author didn’t shrink from differing views but ultimately for him it came down to his faith and trust in God.
Also various sources and quotes pulled in to further enlighten the discussion.
I came to reading this after watching the video Brother Martinez (sp?) made in 2020 regarding the social justice protests and riots. I highly recommend this book and the more recent video.
September 16, 2021
Great book, and helpful for clarifying issues.
July 18, 2016
Relative to other books of the same series, this particular book leaves a lot to be desired. While the subject matter is certainly interesting enough, and more so that it's from the point of view of an active, black LDS professor, it does nothing to answer questions.
What I mean is that he simply recognizes each common rumour and misconception about the priesthood ban and debunks it with distorted logic. He does offer some hypothesis as to the possible reasons for the ban, but none are satisfactory. If you've read what Bruce R. McConkie said on the subject following the lifting of the priesthood ban, that's basically the same conclusion as this book.
This series does have some good reads though. If you can find Mormons and Masons or Mormons and Homosexuality; they are far more rewarding reads. I think I heard that this series is no longer in print so finding them may be difficult, but it may answer some burning questions; depending on the individual and the questions.
What I mean is that he simply recognizes each common rumour and misconception about the priesthood ban and debunks it with distorted logic. He does offer some hypothesis as to the possible reasons for the ban, but none are satisfactory. If you've read what Bruce R. McConkie said on the subject following the lifting of the priesthood ban, that's basically the same conclusion as this book.
This series does have some good reads though. If you can find Mormons and Masons or Mormons and Homosexuality; they are far more rewarding reads. I think I heard that this series is no longer in print so finding them may be difficult, but it may answer some burning questions; depending on the individual and the questions.
July 26, 2008
I loved how this book explores and explains the ban on the priesthood for blacks. It's great that it's written by a black member of the church who is also a great scholar. Everything he says is personal testimony or explained within the context of doctrine. It's a short book but maybe not described as a "quick read."
Want to read
December 21, 2015I'm interested about this book since one of the reviewers explained a lot about the book that make it seem like it doesn't do much good. I wonder how it compares to things like the documentary, "Nobody Knows..." hmmmm
June 26, 2013
Very well worded book! There really is no absolute answer for why blacks were denied the priesthood, but the main point now is that it is all in the past and God will reveal it to us when the time is right, so why continue to beat upon the subject.
July 26, 2014
Well-researched, with some great insights, but not the most exciting read. That said, it will be my standard go-to book from now on whenever someone has a sincere question or strong (but shallow) opinion about this important, but somewhat nuanced, topic.
April 14, 2008
Very insightful!!
February 25, 2015
This was GREAT. Learned a ton. My favorite is the last paragraph. It is also important to read in conjunction Darius Gray's Standing on the Promises series.
November 6, 2010
It was ok. Martins tries to make this a scriptural, spritual book. It's not very historical, but there was some interesting info about Ham.
April 6, 2016
Didn't provide some of the historical context I was interested in, but there were some good perspectives from the author, who was affected by the ban.
March 7, 2013
I learned some things from this book and appreciated the author's story and insight about being black and a member of the LDS Church pre-1978.
May 23, 2016
Excellent, powerful read. I readily recommend it to most, if not all.
More on the blog...
https://unklethan.wordpress.com/2016/...
More on the blog...
https://unklethan.wordpress.com/2016/...
April 25, 2009
Very good, lets you decide.
April 19, 2017
I thought this book was really well written. Written from a black priesthood holder's view and one that had to wait until the ban was lifted. He wrote it without personal bias as he dispels all the myths of the "why's."
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews