June 1, 2018

"Grapple" (Short Essay: Mormons Grapple With Race Decades After Ban on Black Leaders | Newsmax.com)




A bit of history since the inception of the Church in 1830 there have been many Black members – again people fail to understand the Scriptures – Every worthy person who’s entered thru baptism to the Saviors Church was entitled to all of the blessings entitled to every active worthy member of the Church. Many early members didn’t hold the Priesthood and again few held various leadership positions. Before 40 years ago there were many Black members of the Church – they joined because it was true all who’ve joined for the right reason have joined because of the testimony of the Holy Ghost.

One should not make the mistake that all join because the Church is true – but some to gather information to use against the Church (we’ve had at least one Catholic Priest and a Nun who he married who now work for the Catholic Church to answer questions about Mormons). In many areas especially in the Deep South some Baptist ministers having their socially dependent members join for the welfare system in the Church – but they don’t last long.

The fastest growing membership currently is throughout Africa. And actually there are more members outside the US than inside. Why is this? Because the Church is True – there can be no other reason. If fact in the first twenty years whole congregations in England would join the Church and in the South many towns (whites/blacks) would join the Church. Even with all of the contention – violence – mobs – most endured the persecution. Especially the Handcart Companies crossing the plains. Intellectually many would disagree and depart – why – Plato more important than what they had learned – old habits are hard to break. I know many today who understand and even know of the truth but will refuse to leave their religions of tradition in their families. (Note: intellectually one can never gain a testimony of truth!)

Race has never been the problem – the world and historically msm – ministers/priests/rabbi’s – indeed most of the educated population will never understand what they don’t read or study and only listen to the quote ‘fake news/history’ – and know it can stir emotions – hate is a great driver of nails and coffins.

One of the common jokes in the Church where there are many Black members is that how easy they had it until they received the Priesthood. We’ve had a Black Bishop and a Black Stake President here in the deep south Ward and Stake I live in. Indeed there are many Blacks who serve in leadership positions especially within the Temples and Missionary fields – and among the several Quorums of the Seventy. A leadership position is only a lifetime calling in the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve. And all of these are called through revelation and not of men. Further none – not one are paid when called to serve wherever in the Church they’re called.  

The medias playing on the bias of long ingrained lies. It’s been this way since the Restoration of the Gospel in 1830. And they’re always asking for apologies while giving not one for the homes burned – women and girls raped and murdered – little babies murdered and of the course the men – including the Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. and his brother Hiram while being held in jail on false charges by a mob in Illinois. Missouri even had an extermination order which wasn’t rescinded until the 3rd quarter of the 20th Century. (Note: an attorney tired to use it in defense of a man who’d murdered a Mormon.)

Yes there are certain areas where there are ‘feelings’ but that’s true wherever you are – and even more so in the Black congregations throughout the US. Feelings are embraced and encouraged by those who hate – msm – and many more seeking to cause separation – slavery of their own for political power.

Once more this is much deeper than any msm or superficial worlds will ever understand. My suggestion would be to pick up a copy of the Book of Mormon – the Bible and read and cross reference to see for oneself – but do understand this would be too simple to do. https://www.lds.org/?lang=eng You can also go to this site and listen to the Scriptures and do your own research.

Again if you’d like me to go further I can – but I’ll end with this – some of the first Black members of the Church walked 600 miles across NY/Ohio in the winter knowing if they got stopped they could be considered runaway slaves (which they weren’t) to be where the Church was.

We do not grapple with this issue – no one is forced to join the Church and those who are members are not forced to stay. We do our own research – question everything and seek answers – James 1:5. My recommendation would be to do the same. Anyone who takes another’s word for their eternal salvation will get exactly what they’re told to expect and nothing more. Living in a world where Heaven Doesn’t Matter - poet Channing Pollock wrote in 1937 – about his Aunt Jane Heaven Doesn’t Matter:  Shall we like her, or ourselves, as disembodied spirits? I’ve never thought of myself as a materialist, but the things I’ve enjoyed all seem to have required body and mind. . . .
In the resurrection, there is to be no marriage nor giving in marriage—and that’s a big drawback, too. Personally, I can’t conceive a heaven without it. My own ego is so inextricably blended with that of my wife, and my own happiness has been so long part of hers. Nor would it help much to be vaguely associated with her in spirit. Married life is made up of so many physical and mental contacts, of so many shared fears and hopes, sorrows and joys, pains and comforting’s that both of us, and millions of other wives and husbands, couldn’t help missing terribly in any conceivable resort of souls. [Reader’s Digest, 30 (January 1937):23]
We’ve important choices to make – individually and as families – too many put them off – in the name of Jesus the Christ – amen – c/ork

“Grapple”

cji
6/2/18

How often to fight
being stiff necked
or bull headed
to grapple with truth
choosing misunderstanding
raising false tales
offending the righteous
leading the sheep falsely
secure there is no God
and if there it so what
selling their birthright
for worldly things
for worldly things!


Copyright © 2018 – cji

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