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LDS black leaders call for spirit of unity
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I cannot understand why, especially in view of the wonderful, faithful black members of the church clear back to the the beginning, anyone would object--I personally have NEVER met anyone in the church who wasn't pleased, and I've lived all over the country.
To my brothers and sisters, whoever you are, wherever you are, and from whatever background you are, may we love and serve each other.
I pray the gospel will continue to spread to all corners of the earth. I've always pictured the Lord at the head of a long table with many empty chairs and him weeping with joy when an empty chair was filled. He wants all of us of every color, hue and ethnicity to be with him. If people are open-minded enough to investigate and pray with real intent, they will receive a testimony of Christ and his Church as these fine people have done.
I remember when the announcement was made. Like so many others, I wept with joy. It is really incredibly rewarding to see great spirits like those highlighted stepping forward to lead us to Christ. They have my deepest regard and respect.
Thank you for a wonderful article.
"This is a refreshing story. Too often minority leaders in America focus on something that pulls us apart. It is so wonderful to hear of leaders who speak of matters that bring us together."
That's the problem and nothing has really changed because of your attitude. If blacks lick our boots and forgive us for every past injustice we applaud them for doing so because it benefits us but when they do the opposite and condemn us for our current racism we feign outrage.
"I wish more of these leaders could be more prominent to offset the outlandish hypocrisy of bigots like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton."
That's what this really comes down to isn't it? If they are good "boys" and do what "blacks" should do and lick your boots you praise them but if they challenge you current racism you accuse them of being bigots.
The one thing the Church needs to do on this for any real healing to take place is to say that the priesthood ban was not inspired of God and that it was the result of racism on the part of members and leaders of the Church.
"Though they may not fully understand the reasons for the LDS Church's one-time ban on priesthood for black males, three black leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called for a spirit of unity amid the growing diversity within the church on Sunday"
We need to LEARN FROM HISTORY, (not dwell in it), so that we don't do that same wrong all over again from History, and a lesson was found in it.
I had a "flashback" after reading this story - when a BLACK called for a spirit of unity amid the growing diversity within the church - it almost reminded me of what Rodney King had said as well, with his "can't we all just get along" after the riots in CA. GET OVER IT WILL YA?. No matter how it's said, it's still "playing the race-card."
We spend too much energy affirming who we are rather than seeking a testimony of the divinity of our Savior Jesus Christ, and earnestly trying to become like Him. When we know Christ, we know ourselves. No one, black nor white, will stand in this church without a firm testimony of its truthfulness, .
What a difference between that meeting and what happened on the streets of Salt Lake in the Gay Pride Parade. One seeking God's glory. The other, their own pride.
Elijah Abel (July 25, 1810 � December 25, 1884) was the first black elder and seventy in the Latter Day Saint movement, and one of the few black members in the early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to receive the priesthood.
Abel was born in Maryland as a slave. He was baptized into the Church of Christ in September 1832.
Abel was ordained an elder on March 3, 1836 in Kirtland, by Joseph Smith, Jr. In December 1836, he was ordained a seventy. In 1839, Abel was made a member of the Nauvoo Seventies Quorum. He worked as a mortician. He was a carpenter by profession and assisted in the construction of temples in Kirtland, Nauvoo, and Salt Lake City.
In 1843, Abel served a mission in New York.
In 1847, he accompanied Brigham Young to Utah Territory. In 1884 he served a final mission in Canada, during which he became ill. He died upon his return home.
Abel's son Enoch and Enoch's son Elijah � were ordained to the priesthood: Enoch was ordained an elder on November 27, 1900; and Elijah was ordained an elder on September 29, 1935.