Keystone Ep. 24: Brigham Young, slavery, and the apostle that said NO
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Jan 9, 2025 W. Paul Reeve, a prominent scholar specializing in Mormon studies, joins the conversation to unravel the complex history of slavery in Utah Territory. He discusses Joseph Smith's changing views and Brigham Young's nuanced stance on the subject. Listeners will learn about the experiences of enslaved individuals in the Latter-day Saints community and the legislative decisions made in the 1850s. Additionally, Reeve highlights the moral dilemmas faced by church leaders and the broader implications of these historical perspectives on race and justice.
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Joseph Smith's Evolving Stance on Slavery
- Joseph Smith's views on slavery evolved.
- He initially aimed to avoid disrupting the racial order, but later advocated for gradual compensated emancipation.
Early Arrival of Slavery in Utah
- Three enslaved Black individuals arrived in Utah two days before Brigham Young in 1847.
- Two of them, Greenflake and Oscar Smith, were baptized Latter-day Saints.
Nuances of Unfree Labor
- The 1850s saw a spectrum of unfree labor, from apprenticeships to chattel slavery.
- Utah's Act in Relation to Service aimed to navigate these complexities.