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Anti-Mormons often try to smear the Mormon church over its teachings and policies regarding blacks prior to the 1978 revelation on the priesthood.  It is a source of embarrassment for the church, no doubt.

I stumbled upon this essay on the “Negro Doctrine” that first appeared in Dialog in 1973.

Here’s the link:

Mormonism’s Negro Doctrine: An Historical Overview

Fascinating read.

On another blog, Travis asks the question: What do I consider basic Mormon theology?  To avoid hijacking the other blog, I’m posting his question here so that we can continue the discussion.

Todd,
Thanks for the links to FAIR and Maxwell Institue. I will check them out. I don’t mean to hijack the thread but I don’t know anywhere else we can continue this discussion. What, in your opinion is basic mormon theology? I figured that if plural sealings were offered in the temple, then eternal polygamous marriages were part of the theology. I am not saying it’s wrong or right. I am just saying that if a temple ordiance sanctioned by the church is not part of it’s theology, then I am not sure what is. Also, I hope I am not comming off as confrontational, I am just trying to wrap my brain around your thought process.

For starters, I would consider the 13 Articles of Faith to be basic Mormon Theology.

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Would I consider anything beyond these basic Mormon theology?

Certainly, anything to do with the temple I would consider advanced Mormon theology.

Here’s a theme to develop: the role of the doctrine and practice of plural marriage by the early LDS church in establishing a distinctive church, now 100+ years after the practice was “officially” discontinued.

Believing as I do in the divine mission of Joseph Smith and organization of the LDS church, I’ve long been fascinated by the “why” around the doctrine of plural marriage.  Joseph clearly struggled with the concept, the practice presumably created schisms with the leadership hierarchy in the 1830’s and 40’s and beyond, and is still a widely known trait for which “the Mormons” are known today.

So, here’s my burgeoning theory…

God ordered the practice of plural marriage in order to keep His church distinctive through its formative years and beyond.

As I was surfing today, I happened upon an essay written by the renowned non-Mormon scholar of Mormonism, Jan Shipps, entitled “Is Mormonism Christian?” Reflections on a Complicated Question.  The essay is a very interesting read in and of itself, but I was particularly struck by the contrast Shipps makes between Joseph Smith’s church and the church of Thomas and Alexander Campbell; the latter succumbing to the “centrifugal pull of Protestant hegemony” to become just another “idiosyncratic Protestant denomination.” 

The factors Shipps cites as reasons Joseph’s church was able to withstand this centrifugal pull are: the Book of Mormon, the doctrine of the “gathering,” the leadership of the Prophet, and “all Mormonism’s other singular factors including…plural marriage” (p.448).

I’m becoming more and more convinced that the practice was imposed for a specific purpose known to a wise, all-knowing God and presumably not generally understood by adherents.  Time will reveal the wisdom of such a directive and cause us to marvel. 

But, all in good time…

I’ve finally taken the plunge.  After years of managing other people’s blogs, I’ve finally started my own.  We’ll see where this goes.

Todd