I recently concluded an ongoing virtual conversation with an intelligent and perhaps well-motivated (?) LDS correspondent who informed me that the institution of Black Slavery was brought up in his High Priests' class late last year.
He enlarged upon the matter with a quote from Lyndon W. Cook's 1981 "The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith," which, evidently, has practically the same status among Mormons as their canonical D&C.
To make a long story short -- a great war will eventually break out in South Carolina, against the rest of the USA, with European powers coming to the aid of the modern rebels, followed by the Black slaves revolting and the illegal emigrants (Lamanites) joining with them to "vex the Gentiles with a sore vexation..."
Anybody here recall this being part of an LDS lesson taught last year?
I suppose that, in order for this great 1832 "revelation" to "come to pass," that America's Indians (and migrant workers?) and Blacks must somehow have their current situations greatly changed. But how?
My correspondent went on to quote Elder Willard Cleon Skousen on these matters -- but I think all of that was his personal opinion, and not what was presented in High Priests' class.
Very interesting. One of my nephews went through the temple and told his dad he found it confusing. In answer, nephew was given a copy of Skousen's book.
I have been meaning to give it a quick skim since then.
Remember, back when all these "revelations" were written, JS and BY were drooling over the possiblity of war and chaos engulfing the United States - North and South killing fields of combat, slaves revolting, Native Americans "vexing" the "Gentiles" - that into this power vaccuum they could make their own play for domination and power.
Of course Lincoln held it all together and made a significant blow against slavery.
So JS's "revelation" is looking a little thread-bare in 2014.
This cult enslaves the mind - vastly more efficient: - The enslaved must maintain their own income. - The enslaved must provide for their own food, shelter, clothing, medical care. - The enslaved can never be free of their own human drives, re-categorized as sin, and so, perpetually unworthy, are forever bound to the cult for their salvation; - The enslaved devote royalties to the cult, which are tax free - for the cult. - The enslaved devote substantial time to the cult in fulfillment of inspired 'callings from god' - ensuring that the cult never has to pay for basic maintenance servicing of their holdings.
zenjamin Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Reinstated? > > This cult enslaves the mind - vastly more > efficient: > - The enslaved must maintain their own income. > - The enslaved must provide for their own food, > shelter, clothing, medical care. > - The enslaved can never be free of their own > human drives, re-categorized as sin, and so, > perpetually unworthy, are forever bound to the > cult for their salvation; > - The enslaved devote royalties to the cult, which > are tax free - for the cult. > - The enslaved devote substantial time to the cult > in fulfillment of inspired 'callings from god' - > ensuring that the cult never has to pay for basic > maintenance servicing of their holdings. > > Oh, no reinstatement is required.
Oh, I think that my correspondent was talking about more than just that ---> people as "property" ---> their children born into servitude in the cotton fields ---> sales on the auction block ---> rapes by "Ol' Massa."
Time was when agents of a southern plantation owner could stroll through the alleys of Philadelphia, hoodwink anybody with black skin, and convey the victims down past the Mason-Dixon to a life of never-ending drudgery -- to be shot in the back (without legal review) for escape attempts.
I meant THAT sort of slavery -- which could only be brought back after that infamous "thread" that the Constitution hangs by has been fully severed and the Articles of Confederation brought back into effect as the foundation of the nation.
The inevitable Jon McNaughton painting soon to follow...
Why would anyone apply a supposed prophecy from 1832 to 2014 when the years of the Civil War were 1861-1865?
I call it a supposed prophecy since there was a lot of turmoil over the slavery issue that it was probably evident that eventually it would go to War rather then letting states succeed in seceding from the union and everything else that was going on.
was family first Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > huh? > > Why would anyone apply a supposed prophecy from > 1832 to 2014 when the years of the Civil War were > 1861-1865? > > I call it a supposed prophecy since there was a > lot of turmoil over the slavery issue that it was > probably evident that eventually it would go to > War rather then letting states succeed in seceding > from the union and everything else that was going > on.
The Living Prophet cannot lead the Church astray... As it has been spoken; so let it be written... etc. etc. etc.
More than just turmoil...there was the Nullification Crisis of 1832 taking place in South Carolina (in all the newspapers, of course) during the same weeks the revelation was received.
Since that revelation didn't come to pass (even though the Civil War had some likeness), the Mormons are left to emphatically claim that slavery must be reenacted at some point in the future so the "revelation" can be made true.
Otherwise, wouldn't Joseph Smith cease to be a prophet, seer and revelator?