OOPS — THERE GOES THE PRIESTHOOD

The following is copied from the tract booklet, “OOPS — THERE GOES THE PRIESTHOOD,” which was published by the Utah Christian Tract Society.  Utah Christian Tract Society was founded in 1956 and continued until 1990, when UCTS merged with Mormonism Research Ministry, who gave me permission to post it here.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

On June 1, 1978, the Presidency and the Twelve Apostles of the Mormon Church voted to permit Negros to hold the Priesthood.  The Priesthood is regarded as the ultimate authority by which they are empowered to carry on their ministry here on earth.  Mormons maintain that without it, none of their ordinances would have any value with God.

Previously, no Negro was allowed to hold the Priesthood because he was under a curse.  The Mormon Prophet, Brigham Young, declared that one drop of Negro blood was sufficient to bring a person under the curse and bar him from the Priesthood.

Brigham Young, in true prophetic style, anticipated the day when the Church would reverse itself on this matter.  He declared that if the time ever came when the Presidency and the Twelve Apostles should meet and CONFER THE PRIESTHOOD ON THE NEGROES, immediately THE PRIESTHOOD WOULD BE TAKEN FROM THE CHURCH AND THE CURSE BE GIVEN IN ITS PLACE.  Prophet Young declared:

“. . . the first presidency, the twelve, the high counsel, the Bishopric, and all elders of Israel, suppose we summon them to appear here, and here declare that it is right to mingle our seed with the black race of Cain, that they shall come in with us and be partakers with us of all the blessings God has given to us.  On that very day, and from the hour we should do so, the priesthood is taken from this Church and kingdom, and God leaves us to our fate.  The moment we consent to mingle with the seen of Cain, the Church must go to destruction, — we should receive the curse which has been placed upon the seed of Cain, and never more be numbered with the children of Adam who are heirs to the Priesthood until that curse be removed.”  (Brigham Young Address, Feb. 5, 1852, Ms d 1234, Box 488, Folder 3, L.D.S. Archives).

President Young further taught that the curse would remain on Cain until the last of Adam’s seed had received the Priesthood.  “I tell you what I know . . . the Lord told Cain that he should not receive the blessings of the priesthood nor his seed . . . until the redemption of the earth,” “the curse on them was to remain upon them, until the residue of the posterity of Michal (Adam) and his wife receive the blessings . . . and hold the keys of the priesthood, until the times of the restitution shall come.”

Even more recently, Mormon President Joseph Fielding Smith in his book, “The Way to Perfection” made this positive statement:  “Not only was Cain called upon to suffer, but because of his wickedness, he became the father of an inferior race.  A curse was placed upon him and that curse has been continued through his lineage and must do so while time endures.”

Also Mormon Apostel Bruce R. McConkie stated: “As a result of his rebellion, Cain was cursed with a dark skin: he became the father of the Negroes, and those spirits who are not worthy to receive the priesthood, are born through his lineage.” (Mormon Doctrine, pg. 109, 1966 edition).

Were the prophets Brigham Young and Joseph Fielding Smith correct?  Could they, as Prophets of the Church be misled and mistaken?  Or, are the present Church Authorities in error?  How can one know which Mormon leadership to follow?

One thing is certain — Mormons today CAN NOT BE SURE ANY LONGER THAT THEY HOLD THE PRIESTHOOD, the professed key to their authority.

Praise God, there is something MORE AUTHORITATIVE THAN THE MORMON PRIESTHOOD, however.  Those who have come to Jesus Christ as He presents Himself in the Bible, find that He has a Priesthood that can never be lost.  It is based upon the authority of His resurrection and the fact that He lives forever and can never be touched by death (“the power of an endless life” Heb. 7:25).  The Bible declares He can never lose it to another for His priesthood is “unchangeable” (Heb. 7:24).

By His priestly authority, He can cleanse from the guilt of sin (Heb. 9:14; 10:22) — something the Mormon priesthood never claimed the power to do.  By His Priesthood, He was able to offer one sacrifice for sins forever to pardon your life-time of sins (Heb. 9:26, 28; 10:12).  That sacrifice was the offering of Himself upon the cross (Heb. 7:27; 10:5-10).  By it, He rescued us eternally from sin’s condemning power, obtaining for us eternal redemption (Heb. 9:12).

By His power, He opened heaven to us, having torn away the veil or curtain that kept us out (Heb. 10:19-22).  He invites us to come boldly to His heavenly throne where He mercifully hears our prayers and graciously sends us help and forgiveness (Heb. 4:16; 10:22).  He can completely identify with all our heartaches, sorrows and sufferings because He too suffered in this world (Heb. 2:10, 17-18; 4:15; 5:8).  He earnestly wants to rescue you from perishing (Heb. 2:3).

Come boldly to Him in prayer and ask Him to forgive you, and by the power of His Priesthood, to rescue you from the power of sin and Satan (Heb. 2:14, 15).  He is able to save you completely — “to the uttermost” (Heb. 7:25) if you come to God through Him. 

Depend upon Him to be true to His Word — His promise, to rescue you when you ask Him to save and forgive you.  When you trust Him, you can be absolutely sure that He will never fail you.  After all, HE CAN NEVER LOSE HIS PRIESTHOOD AND HIS POWER TO SAVE!