What A-Bott Black Mormons

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCKLMgr5srwjfIL-FT9pFKMYKlCSyhUxtmIdItCZ3YKSZrEJvshCiekONncYmS0g1bG2obsw22prAWDFg8b1gAEvBA2TTs3KCyyKqA4GUvi5YDzemdkwjU5qPyonETb1WHJ3kffFJuy0/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCKLMgr5srwjfIL-FT9pFKMYKlCSyhUxtmIdItCZ3YKSZrEJvshCiekONncYmS0g1bG2obsw22prAWDFg8b1gAEvBA2TTs3KCyyKqA4GUvi5YDzemdkwjU5qPyonETb1WHJ3kffFJuy0/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a>Imagine that a loved one comes to you and tells you that they have been deeply hurt by words uttered by another. What do you do? You may speak to the person that hurt them, you may try to comfort them, you may know how they are feeling and share a personal experience with them, and you may hurt because they hurt, or shed tears because seeing them weep causes you to do the same.<br /><br />As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we are taught that all mankind are sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father, therefore we are all brothers and sisters. We are one another’s loved ones; in essence we are a family.<br /><br />In a recent <i>Washington Post</i> article entitled <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/the-genesis-of-a-churchs-stand-on-race/2012/02/22/gIQAQZXyfR_story.html" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">The Genesis of a church's stand on race</a>, BYU religion professor Brother Randy L. Bott was attributed to making the following statements:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: justify;">“God has always been discriminatory” when it comes to whom he grants the authority of the priesthood, says Bott, the BYU theologian. He quotes Mormon scripture that states that the Lord gives to people “all that he seeth fit.” Bott compares blacks with a young child prematurely asking for the keys to her father’s car, and explains that similarly until 1978, the Lord determined that blacks were not yet ready for the priesthood.</div></blockquote><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRsleTtNqXoOok3mOBuBz6-5h_wHSujt8yrOO-adokiAwrjnsaQ5nVwS8vBL3YqzS76C15X3f502YUPPVsSBR812zEPvna4bXzcUX5k-BF8ehspmpLDT5IZ22vQ46Gwxk2Cs1ae3TswU/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRsleTtNqXoOok3mOBuBz6-5h_wHSujt8yrOO-adokiAwrjnsaQ5nVwS8vBL3YqzS76C15X3f502YUPPVsSBR812zEPvna4bXzcUX5k-BF8ehspmpLDT5IZ22vQ46Gwxk2Cs1ae3TswU/s320/2.jpg" width="125" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_L._Bott" target="_blank">Randy L. Bott</a>, BYU Provo </td></tr></tbody></table><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: justify;">“What is discrimination?” Bott asks. “I think that is keeping something from somebody that would be a benefit for them, right? But what if it wouldn't have been a benefit to them?” Bott says that the denial of the priesthood to blacks on Earth — although not in the afterlife — protected them from the lowest rungs of hell reserved for people who abuse their priesthood powers. “You couldn't fall off the top of the ladder, because you weren’t on the top of the ladder. So, in reality the blacks not having the priesthood was the greatest blessing God could give them.” </div></blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;">The saying goes "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." How untrue. We felt the sting of these words as did many of God's other children. Sometimes it may seem as though a particular issue has nothing to do with us and if we don't relate to the plight of another it can be easy to be apathetic. As Christians we believe in following the Savior's example by doing as he did; loving one another, bearing each other's burdens, comforting the weak and lifting each other up, because yes, we are our brother's keeper.<br /><br />Family members do not always see eye to eye and the things we choose to do and say can deeply impact and affect our brothers and sisters, as do our responses to their feelings. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints responded to the <i>Washington Post</i> article with <a href="http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/racial-remarks-in-washington-post-article" target="_blank"><i>Church Statement Regarding 'Washington Post' Article on Race and the Church</i></a> and also issued the following official statement:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><i><a href="http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/race-church" target="_blank">The Church and Race: All Are Alike Unto God</a>:</i> The gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone. The Book of Mormon states, “black and white, bond and free, male and female; … all are alike unto God” (2 Nephi 26:33). This is the Church’s official teaching.</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SNOs6NHrUnd7CIczTlDDk62qOhhXKLpgtmJIes2mzeSnYbjfQed3nF-vvflh0VWIyfTQFZ7UUeuFPgyyVD2r2-c4T6RfMD-vxSkAzEPk6ZDkTHtTKVvMayd5dmy4kvVmbiXetdXsGUA/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SNOs6NHrUnd7CIczTlDDk62qOhhXKLpgtmJIes2mzeSnYbjfQed3nF-vvflh0VWIyfTQFZ7UUeuFPgyyVD2r2-c4T6RfMD-vxSkAzEPk6ZDkTHtTKVvMayd5dmy4kvVmbiXetdXsGUA/s200/1.jpg" width="160" /></a></div>People of all races have always been welcomed and baptized into the Church since its beginning. In fact, by the end of his life in 1844 Joseph Smith, the founding prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, opposed slavery. <span style="background-color: #eeeeee;">During this time some black males were ordained to the priesthood.</span> At some point the Church stopped ordaining male members of African descent, although <span style="background-color: #eeeeee;">there were a few exceptions.</span> <span style="background-color: #eeeeee;">It is not known precisely why, how or when this restriction began in the Church, but it has ended. </span>Church leaders sought divine guidance regarding the issue and more than three decades ago extended the priesthood to all worthy male members. The Church immediately began ordaining members to priesthood offices wherever they attended throughout the world.</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;">The Church unequivocally condemns racism, including any and all past racism by individuals both inside and outside the Church.</span> In 2006, then Church president Gordon B. Hinckley declared that <span style="background-color: #eeeeee;">“no man who makes disparaging remarks concerning those of another race can consider himself a true disciple of Christ. Nor can he consider himself to be in harmony with the teachings of the Church. Let us all recognize that each of us is a son or daughter of our Father in Heaven, who loves all of His children.”</span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Recently, the Church has also made the following statement on this subject: “The origins of priesthood availability are not entirely clear. <span style="background-color: #eeeeee;">Some explanations with respect to this matter were made in the absence of direct revelation</span> and references to these explanations are sometimes cited in publications. <span style="background-color: #eeeeee;">These previous personal statements do not represent Church doctrine.</span>” </blockquote>We highlighted portions of the statement that had especially particular meaning to us. The acknowledgment that prior to 1978, black Saints held the Priesthood and some where even ordained during the "restriction," brings new life and awareness to the stories of black pioneers such as <a href="http://www.sistasinzion.com/2011/06/elijah-abel-black-mormon-pioneer.html" target="_blank">Elijah Abel</a> and his family. The statement firmly shows the Church's intolerance of racism, even past racism by members. And it speaks to issues such as those of the statements in the <i>Washington Post</i> article, making it clear that explanations that have been given regarding why blacks were not given full membership in the Church are pure speculation.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwt-TBJpuMl21fc4FMKpw5EsBVAhmiMLMX25qx-gDi8vaAHVumfAp66XDsd-YrGoOAGXxVIK9-uWJDTSMTJqhrTc9SjaEa9LY-HvOgBWmKjycmMAjRCriIIFdZrYluLnyJtlaBSX6duE/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwt-TBJpuMl21fc4FMKpw5EsBVAhmiMLMX25qx-gDi8vaAHVumfAp66XDsd-YrGoOAGXxVIK9-uWJDTSMTJqhrTc9SjaEa9LY-HvOgBWmKjycmMAjRCriIIFdZrYluLnyJtlaBSX6duE/s200/2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>We have been asked by many if we are "satisfied" with the Church's response or if we "buy it?" We can tell you that statements such as those in the <i>Washington Post</i> article and the unsolicited explanations offered to us by Church members and leaders cut to the core. Many times it has been said, "What can you do?" "They'll never respond." "They don't care how black Mormons feel." A response has been made, "they" do care.  The Church's statement speaks directly to some of our qualms. We were also asked, "So that's it, it's fixed?" Our response is; there is always work to do in God's kingdom.<br /><br />We have read and reread these statements and urge all to do the same. Just as the spotlight is shone on the questions about our faith, so should it shine on the much needed responses. So share, tweet, retweet, pin and post, because we think that they are well worth reading, processing, digesting, thinking and praying on. Remember, the family that prays together stays together and we truly feel blessed to be a part of our family in Christ.<br /><br />Your Sistas in the Gospel,<br />Sista Beehive & Sista Laurel</div>

What A-Bott Black Mormons

Imagine that a loved one comes to you and tells you that they have been deeply hurt by words uttered by another. What do you do? You may spe...

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Tell Me the Stories

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVy6Cc_kKu90Hn6wOipkq8GZGMQ2HmulUDHADFLqu63QWVwZ0Zuvs0g3PrFs-0qcF97BNo7sxQmyOBptLmnzDUjpuTlcHZ_8NZTbMouTGeJyDGrnichnbJ6GgtCCRISC1QRbCxG33LSc/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVy6Cc_kKu90Hn6wOipkq8GZGMQ2HmulUDHADFLqu63QWVwZ0Zuvs0g3PrFs-0qcF97BNo7sxQmyOBptLmnzDUjpuTlcHZ_8NZTbMouTGeJyDGrnichnbJ6GgtCCRISC1QRbCxG33LSc/s400/1.jpg" width="321" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amanda & Samuel D. Chambers/Black Mormon Pioneers</td></tr></tbody></table>July 24th is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pioneer_Day_(Utah)">Pioneer Day</a>, an official holiday in the State of Utah. The holiday celebrates those who emigrated to the Salt Lake Valley during the pioneer era. Today some <a href="http://lds.org/">Latter-day Saints</a> will celebrate our pioneer heritage by telling stories of remembrance of our own pioneer ancestors or of pioneers whose stories have made an impact on us.<br /><br />Outside of Utah, we too learn the stories of <a href="http://mormon.org/">Mormon</a> pioneers. Their stories are used in church lessons and talks as examples of faith, perseverance, service and so on.<br /><br />Sometimes church members who are not of pioneer descent, or are new converts can feel intimidated and in awe of those members who have a rich pioneer history and are able to feel connected to the early saints. We all want to feel a connection to the history of our faith. It isn't always possible, but sometimes we are given that opportunity.<br /><br />When we Sistas were growing up we often wondered were there any people who looked like us, saints of African descent, among the pioneers. We each learned of black pioneers at different times, and different life experiences brought us to the knowledge of these members. We don't share the stories of black Mormon pioneers because they are black and we are black, but because for us it was joyous to find diversity in the gospel, even in the early history of the church. Every member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a story and in every story there is value. We try to share stories that maybe you haven't heard before.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Samuel and Amanda Chambers</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div>In 1844 LDS missionaries were having a hard time having their message received, but <a href="http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=024644f8f206c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=594f46581c79b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1">Samuel Davidson Chambers</a>, a 13 year old slave was touched by what he heard. Samuel was born on May 21, 1831 in Alabama. After hearing and believing the missionaries message, without the permission of his master, he snuck away from the plantation at night and was baptized a member of the LDS faith.<br /><br />After baptism Samuel was not able to interact with his religion for 21 years, but he remained faithful and steadfast. Brother Chambers stated that he had "known the gospel to be true ever since I was confirmed," that he "greatly longed" to be with the other Saints in Utah, but because he was a slave he "could never see how it would be brought about." After the civil war, Samuel and his family were freed from slavery and they began to save money to be able to join the LDS saints in Utah. In 1870 Samuel, his wife <a href="http://www.blacklds.org/chambers">Amanda Leggroan Chambers</a>, and his son Peter began the journey west. They traveled with Amanda's brother Edward Leggroan, his wife and their three children. Their party arrived in Salt Lake City on April 27, 1870. Chambers said, "I did not come to <place w:st="on"><state w:st="on">Utah</state></place> to know the truth of the gospel, but I received it way back where the gospel found me."<br /><br />In Utah the Chambers family cultivated 30 acres of land. Their property had two brick homes, Amanda and Samuel lived in one, Peter Chambers and his family lived in the other. Their farm did very well and Samuel, Peter and even sometimes Amanda would deliver goods by wagon. The Chambers were faithful in paying their tithing and contributed to the temple fund even though they were unable to partake of the temple blessings. (We have asked ourselves if we would have had the faith necessary to contribute to the building of a temple that we could not enter.)<br /><br />Brother Chambers was known for bearing powerful testimony of the gospel and was a defender of his faith. He loved sharing his faith and giving copies of the Book of Mormon. Even though Samuel held no priesthood office the Chambers were very active in the church. The Chambers were well liked and in 1924 Amanda and Samuel celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary and had quite the turn out. Samuel died four years after Amanda on November 9, 1929. They died as faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and until the end they were as Samuel stated in his testimony, "active in doing what he could for the building up of the kingdom of God."<br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Until we meet again,<br />Sista Beehive & Sista Laurel</div>

Tell Me the Stories

Amanda & Samuel D. Chambers/Black Mormon Pioneers July 24th is Pioneer Day , an official holiday in the State of Utah. The holiday celeb...

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