In this thought-provoking discussion, Dr. Paul Reeve, Chair of the History Department at the University of Utah and expert on race in Latter-day Saint history, explores the parallels between historical church policies on race and current LGBTQ+ restrictions. He delves into the implications of the priesthood ban for Black members, questions prophetic authority, and the complexities of scriptural interpretations. Reeve advocates for critical engagement with faith, promoting inclusivity and a reevaluation of past doctrines to embrace all of God’s children.
The historical church policies on race and current restrictions on gay marriage highlight a cultural legacy, yet differ in doctrinal foundations.
Reconciling prophetic infallibility with past errors involves recognizing the role of agency and the importance of personal faith exploration.
Acknowledging and learning from historical injustices can empower the church community to advocate for inclusivity and racial equality moving forward.
Deep dives
Historical Connections: Race and Sexuality Policies
There is a perceived connection between the historical church policy restricting black individuals from priesthood and temple ordinances and the contemporary policy prohibiting gay temple marriages. Some church members argue that if past leaders made errors in understanding race-related doctrines, the same could occur with current views on sexuality. The discussion emphasizes that both issues stem from cultural assumptions of their respective times. However, there are key distinctions; the racial restrictions had historical precedents in the church's doctrine, whereas current teachings on gay marriage lack similar historical or doctrinal foundations.
Prophetic Fallibility and Accountability
The conversation delves into the challenge of reconciling the idea of prophetic infallibility with historical errors made by church leaders, particularly regarding racial restrictions. Many feel conflicted about maintaining faith in modern leaders while recognizing that past prophets have led the church astray on critical issues. It’s proposed that agency is the crux of the matter; God does not override human free will, even among prophets. This perspective reassures individuals that recognizing and questioning past mistakes is part of spiritual growth, encouraging personal engagement in faith.
Understanding Scriptural Justifications
The origins of the racial restrictions in church history have been examined, particularly in connection to scriptural interpretations such as the Book of Abraham. Although some argue that certain passages from the Book of Abraham contributed to the justification of the priesthood ban, evidence shows that these ties are more retrospective than doctrinal. The context of Abraham's story highlights themes of repentance rather than innate racial curses. It is suggested that the narrative arc of scripture ultimately does not support racial limitations on blessings, pointing instead to universal access to God’s promises through righteousness.
Learning From History: A Call to Action
The discussion emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and learning from historical racial injustices within the church in order to fulfill the call for Latter-day Saints to lead out against prejudice. Understanding this history is crucial for development and making strides toward racial equality and justice. By confronting the past with honesty and empathy, the church community can find new ways to advocate for inclusivity, drawing on the values of Zion. This proactive approach not only addresses historical wrongs but also establishes a foundation for a more united and equitable future.
The Role of Unity in Revelation
Unity among church leaders is highlighted as a powerful factor that led to the 1978 revelation lifting the priesthood and temple ban. It is noted that earlier, a lack of consensus among leaders contributed to prolonged policy entrenchment. President Kimball’s efforts to cultivate a spirit of cooperation and collective reflection among the Twelve Apostles were integral to receiving divine guidance. This underscores the lesson that achieving consensus and shared purpose among leaders is essential for progressing on difficult issues and could guide future revelations.
Some people see a connection between the Church’s past restrictive policy towared blacks in the Church and the Church’s current restrictive policy toward gays in the Church—specifically prohibiting gay temple marriage. In what ways are these two issues similar and in what ways are they different? How can church members reconcile (a) the teaching that the prophet / president won't ever lead the church astray with (b) the fact that church presidents for over a century taught false doctrine about blacks? How might the scriptural basis of the Lamanites being cursed with a “skin of blackness” (2 Ne 5:21) have influenced early church leaders’ thoughts on justifying the initial priesthood and temple restrictions? And what should we make of that curse anyway? Why didn't God clearly communicate earlier to his prophets that it was His will that ALL His children would receive the blessings of the priesthood and the temple?
In this episode of Church History Matters, we dive into all of these questions and more with Dr. Paul Reeve, as scholar on race in Latter-day Saint history.
