Church History Matters

Once people come to terms with the uncomfortable idea that Brigham Young committed an error in endorsing a priesthood ban on church members with black African ancestry, a puzzling question naturally follows: “If the ban was an error, then why didn’t it get corrected earlier than 1978?! There were nine Church presidents between Brigham Young and Spencer W. Kimball and 101 years between President Young’s death in 1877 and President Kimball’s revelation in 1978. So why did it take so long to correct this mistake and again offer full privileges to black Africans in the Church as they had enjoyed in Joseph Smith’s day?”     In today’s episode of Church History Matters, we attempt to offer at least the beginning of an answer to this question by tracing the key moments and decisions in the leadership councils of the Church when, instead of correcting this error, they came to conclusions that led to an unfortunate hardening in place of the priesthood ban. In this episode, the years 1879, 1904, 1907, and 1908 will sadly be added alongside the year 1852 as we piece together both the timeline and the reasoning behind this ban. For show notes and transcript for this and other episodes go to https://doctrineandcovenantscentral.org/church-history-matters-podcast/   

The historical record shows that Joseph Smith did not implement or endorse any practices or policies which specifically prevented Church members with black African ancestry from fully participating in priesthood offices or temple worship. But in 1847, only three years after Joseph’s death, attitudes and teachings of some church leaders began to shift away from full inclusion of blacks, to partial exclusion—until only five years later, in 1852, President Brigham Young first publicly articulated a priesthood restriction on blacks in the church.  In today’s episode of Church History Matters, we probe what exists in the historical record to learn what happened between 1847 and 1852 to precipitate this divergence in attitudes and teachings about blacks away from Joseph Smith’s more inclusive teachings and practices.  We’ll then look at the context and content of Brigham Young’s first public articulation of the priesthood restriction and attempt to answer the very important question, “Was Brigham Young inspired by God to institute the priesthood ban, or is this an example of an uninspired error?” For show notes and transcript for this and other episodes go to https://doctrineandcovenantscentral.org/church-history-matters-podcast/   

Exploring Joseph Smith's approach towards race and slavery in a racially charged culture. Understanding the racial situation in the early 19th century America. The origins of the Church and its views on race, including Joseph Smith's teachings. Persecution and racial tensions faced by the Saints in Missouri. Joseph Smith's approach towards blacks in the early Mormon Church, advocating for equality. Joseph Smith's radical views on ending slavery. The lack of policy regarding blacks during Joseph Smith's time and the mystery of the subsequent ban.

This podcast delves into the racial climate in America during the founding of the church, exploring the racist views held by prominent figures like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. It discusses the influence of science, scripture, and misinterpretation on racial prejudices, debunking misconceptions around biblical texts. The podcast emphasizes the need to understand the historical context of the church's establishment, including the discriminatory practices towards black Africans.

Dr. Brian Hales, an expert on polygamy and the history of Joseph Smith's plural marriages, discusses tough polygamy questions. He addresses Joseph Smith's regrets, denial of polygamy, marriage while men were away on missions, refusal of proposals, Emma's relationship to plural marriage, and the reasons behind its existence. The importance of unbiased historical analysis and debunking reductionist statements is emphasized. They also explore Joseph Smith's denials, approach to plural marriage, regrets, and the significance of keeping covenants.

Explore the tumultuous history of plural marriage in the LDS Church, from public announcements to legal battles and eventual decline. Learn about the impact of the Edmunds Tucker Act, the George Reynolds trial, President Woodruff's Manifesto, and the emergence of the FLDS Church. Dive into the complexities, controversies, and societal pressures that led to the end of plural marriage within the Church.

Explore the turbulent marriage of Joseph and Emma Smith in 1843, with Emma's resistance to plural marriage leading to conflicts. Learn about John C. Bennett's scandalous past and vengeful actions in Nauvoo. Dive into Emma's struggles with plural marriage, her confrontations with Joseph's other wives, and her eventual collaboration with Joseph. Discover the role of William Law in Joseph Smith's death and the motives behind the Carthage Jail attack. Uncover the history of plural marriage after Joseph Smith's death.

Explore the complexities of Joseph Smith's practice of plural marriage in Nauvoo as John C. Bennett's exposure, Hyrum Smith's opposition, and Emma Smith's struggles come to light. Learn about Bennett's illicit affairs, Hyrum's changing views, and Emma's turmoil with the concept of plural marriage. Dive into the challenges faced by these historical figures in this engaging podcast episode.

Discover the intricate world of Joseph Smith's trial and error approach to plural marriage, including sealings with married women and a 14-year-old. Explore the impact on his relationships with Emma and Oliver Cowdery. Delve into his creative use of sealing power and his struggles with the concept of polygamy.

Plural marriage—a form of religious polygamy (or polygyny to be technical)—is one of the most controversial and faith-challenging aspects of the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was difficult when it was first introduced in the early Church and, although it was discontinued over 130 years ago, it is still a difficult issue for many both within and outside of the Church to reckon with.  So why was it introduced into the Church in the first place? When did Joseph Smith first learn that this practice would be restored? Why did he delay practicing it? How did he and others who were asked to live it initially respond? And what were the four theological reasons given by the Lord in the Doctrine and Covenants to justify the practice of plural marriage?  In this episode of Church History Matters we explore the best sources to answer these and related questions. And while we know that learning the answers to these questions may not fully remove one’s wrestle with this issue, we believe it can sure help. For show notes and transcript for this and other episodes go to https://doctrineandcovenantscentral.org/church-history-matters-podcast/