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Early Mormonism

"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!"
Galatians 1:8

"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit."
Matthew 7:15-17

TOPICAL INDEX
Exposes
Joseph Smith Jr. and Family
Eyewitness Statements
Divine Revelation
Book of Abraham
Slavery - God's Will
Murder?

Brigham Young
False Prophecies
Doctrinal Issues
Murder?
  • Wallace Bowman
    •
  • Jesse Hartly
    •
  • Henry Jones
    		•  Book of Mormon
    Textual Difficulties
    Modern Words
    Modern Revival Scenes
    Other Modern Ideas
    Modern Discoveries
    Some Additional Self-betrayals

    Reformation of 1856
    Doctrine of Blood Atonement
    Human Sacrifice
    * "Grayed Out" titles will be added soon


    Joseph Smith Jr. and Family

    SLAVERY - GOD'S WILL

          All Mormons generally believe that their Prophet, Joseph Smith, was strenuously opposed to slavery. However, on the pages of the old Mormon paper, The Messenger and Advocate, of April, 1836, may be found an article contributed by him expressly advocating it. He believed in it as representing the will of Jehovah concerning the black man. We quote from this article:
           "If slavery is an evil, who could we expect should first learn it? Would the people of the Free States, or would the Slave States? All must readily admit, that the latter would first learn this fact.
            . . . It is my privilege then to name certain passages from the Bible, and examine the teachings of the Ancients upon the matter, as the fact is inconvertible, that the first mention we have of slavery, is found in the Holy Bible, pronounced by a man who was perfect in his generation, and walked with God.
            And so far from that prediction being averse from the mind of God, it remains as a lasting monument to the decree of Jehovah, to the shame and confusion of all who have cried out against the South, in consequence of their holding the sons of Ham in servitude! "And he said, Cursed be Canaan, a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. Blessed be the Lord God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant."
            . . . The curse is not yet taken off from the sons of Canaan
      . . . those who are determined to pursue a course, which shows an opposition, and a feverish restlessness against the designs of the Lord, will learn when perhaps too late, for their own good, that God can do His own work, without the aid of those who are not directed by His Counsel.
            The Scripture stands for itself; and I believe that these men were better qualified to teach the will of God, than all the Abolitionists in the world."       [1]
         In the Church history only the two closing paragraphs are quoted from this article, [2] from which the fact is covered over that Smith believed and advocated slavery as a divine principle.
          His attitude is further set forth in the following:
           "Question 13th. Are the Mormons abolitionists? Answer: No, unless delivering the people from priestcraft and the priests from the power of Satan, should be considered such - but we do not believe in setting the negroes free." [3]
         These facts will be something of a revelation to most of the Mormons of today.


    FOOTNOTES: [1] Quoted in Millennial Star, Vol. 15, PP. 739-741, [2] "Church History," (R), 2:58. [3] The Elders' Journal, July, 1838. La Rue, William Earl, The Foundations of Mormonism, Fleming H. Revell, 1919, pages 26 - 28.


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