Shocking Mormon Racism

Key early Mormon leaders defended slavery and forbade any member who had even a drop of African blood in their veins from entering into their temples, from priesthood ordination, and from leadership callings. No matter how worthy, even if they had 99% white ancestry and only 1 black ancestor, they were denied. This corresponded with political leanings that concerned segregation and slavery.

January 23, 1852 Speech

This speech contains Brigham Young’s public defense of slavery and his first recorded public articulation of a priesthood restriction based on Black African ancestry. The University of Utah has a transcript and downloadable PDF. (J. Willard Marriott Digital Library)

Transcript/PDF:
University of Utah transcript (Jan. 23, 1852)

Also see:

This Abominable Slavery (University of Utah)

It includes:

• Original legislative speeches
• Contemporary transcriptions
• Legislative debates
• Drafts of the slavery bill
• Historical commentary explaining how the law evolved before becoming the 1852 “Act in Relation to Service.” (Utah Digital Exhibits)

Brigham Young, before Territorial Legislature, January 23, 1852, CR 100 912, Church History

1. Brigham Young speaks on slavery and for the first time publicly articulates a racial priesthood
   restriction, January 23, 1852.1
   Document
   I have this section in my hand. [In] reading it over [I] made [a] little alteration in it. In [the] first
   place, with regard to slavery, inasmuch as I [believe2] in [the] Bible, [inasmuch as I] believe in [the]
   ordinances of [God and in the] priesthood order of God, I believe in slavery. Just as far as this act [is
   concerned], we believe in making this [African] creature amenable to certain [laws]; in their freedom they
   have subjected themselves to cursing. [In their] families, [in their] classes, [and] in their various capacities
   [they] have brought curses upon themselves and until the curse is removed by Him who has put the curse
   on this class, I am not authorized to [re]move it. I am a firm believer in slavery. I think this is reasonable
   according to the revelations; the Lord has revealed [that] the children of men [are to] be agents to
   themselves, unto the Lord their God.3
   Now to the case before us with regard to slavery. [The bill] here [is] pertaining to slaves [who
   are] Africans [or] English, [or] Dutch, or ourselves. I go in for making just such laws as we want. [We
   are] perfectly independent of any other nation under [the] heavens. [We should] do that [which] we want
   
2. Young here is making the case that he has no right to free the slaves because slavery is traceable to the curse of
   Ham in the Bible (Genesis 9:25). In his estimation, God placed a curse on Canaan and therefore God would have to
   remove it. In essence, Young argued that he did not have the right to free another person’s slaves and then claimed
   that his position was “reasonable according to the revelations.” He then paraphrases the wording contained in four verses of LDS scripture: that men are “agents to themselves.” In Moses 6:56, for example, it reads, “And it is given unto them [humankind] to know good from evil; wherefore they are agents unto themselves . . . .” (For the other references see Doctrine and Covenants 29:39; 58:28; and 104:17). Young seems to suggest here that slave masters
   are “agents unto themselves” and it is up to them, not the legislature, to decide to free their slaves. It is a decidedly
   racial reading of “the revelations” in that it does not allow for black slaves to be “agents unto themselves,” only
   white enslavers. to be done regardless of [the] abuses of despotic governments. Whether they deem it to be right or wrong [is of] no matter to me, but to do the thing we ought to do to secure those blessings we are in pursuit of,
   that is my mind on in this matter.
   The case [of slavery] comes up [and] causes feelings, or did because we have always already men
   in this valley [who brought their slaves with them] and [we] have had those who came here and have left.
   They came in good faith.5
   They [Black Africans] enjoy the rights of receiving the first principles of [the] gospel which is
   liberty to all. These servants enjoy the privilege of being baptized [and having] hands laid on [their heads]
   for the Holy Ghost. They enjoy [the privilege] of so living before the Lord, [before their] masters, [and
   before their] friends [so] as to enjoy the spirit of [the] Lord continually. As far as6 [the] comforts [of]
   salvation, light, truth, enjoyment, [and] understand[ing] [are concerned] the blacks have the same
   privilege [as] white [men except] they cannot hold the priesthood. Inasmuch as they cannot bear any share
   in [the] priesthood, I ask7 whether they can bear rule in any place until that curse is removed?
   Consequently, they are “servant of servants.”8 We are [all] servants [as] Brother George9 has stated. He is
   [a] slave driven from his home. We are [all] servants. Now suppose we have [a negro] servant? It is just,
   right, [and] reasonable according to [the] holy priesthood [but I] say nothing about abuses.
   Though the enlightened nation England has abolished slavery yet the most damnable slavery
   exists there. And you cannot die [here from starvation in the midst of plenty]. Find a black man [or]
   woman [in the U.S.] that [has traveled through the period of his or her life in hunger in the midst of
   plenty, yet there are] millions of them [in the cities of Europe who have lived close] by the luxuries of life
   4 Young is likely referring to Congress or “the government” here.
   5 The implication here is that enslavers came to Utah Territory in good faith that their property in slaves would be
   protected.
   6 Watt wrote the word “as” twice here.
   7 George Watt often changed a question Brigham Young addressed to the congregation to a statement, as he did here
   when he transcribed this speech. See his transcribed version in parallel columns below.
   8 Genesis 9:25.
   9 Likely referring to George A. Smith.
   and [yet] die with starvation.10 That is [a] meaner slavery than to set them to work growing cotton. I
   would not wish to go to the enlightened nation of England because they are so far sunken in degradation
   and iniquity [that they] know not what slavery is. People do not know what it is but such a thing shall and
   will exist until the Lord God shall remove [it, until then it will] and [ought to] exist.11
   [Many] brethren in the south [have means vested in slaves]. Those of their servants want to come
   here, [but] when they come here, the devil [is] raised. This one talking, that one talking, [and a] strong
   abolitionist feeling [prevails with some people] whispering etc., [saying “do you think it’s right, I am
   afraid it is not right.”] I know it is right. There should be a law made to have the slaves serve their masters
   because they are not capable of ruling [themselves].12
   The Lord God said that cursed [be] old Cain and [God] said that [only after] the last drop of [the]
   blood of Abel receives the priesthood and enjoys the blessings [of it], then Cain is calculated to have his
   share [but] not until then. Consequently I am firm in [my] belief of servitude.
   The caption of this bill I do not like. I have altered it and [inserted] “an act in relation to manual
   service” instead of “African slavery.” Then I have taken the liberty to alter the latter part of it, “be it
   enacted.” I am willing [that] the bill be thrown back.
   I would like masters to treat well their servants [and] to see that every person of [sic] in [the]
   territory [is] well used. When a master has a Negro and uses him well [he is] better off than [if] he was
   free. You will find they are far better off here to be.13 As for masters knocking down [and] breaking [the]
   legs of [their] servants, I have [as little] opinion of that as anybody, but good wholesome servitude—I
   know nothing better than that.
   Suppose I am in England and bring over [to America] 100 persons, males and females, and they
   pledge themselves to work so long to [be able to] get with those they love and [then what] if they come
   10 Because this section of Watt’s shorthand is choppy we have relied on the wording and intent of Watt’s own
   transcription for our insertions within the brackets.
   11 We have relied on the wording and intent of Watt’s own transcription for our insertions within the brackets.
   12 We have relied on the wording and intent of Watt’s own transcription for our insertions within the brackets.
   13 Watt crossed out part of this sentence and did not complete it.
   here and abuse their benefactors? See [the] abuse [heaped] on Dan Jones who prevailed on Sister Lewis to
   spend every dime [she had]?14 They curse her and him. I say they ought to be her servants. This they
   [will] continue [to do] until they go [to] hell. [There are] many more such cases. In [the] future let them
   perform their labors according to writing, or I hope it will be in writing.15
   Brigham Young before Territorial Legislature in parallel columns, January 23, 1852.
   George D. Watt’s shorthand16 George D. Watt’s longhand17
   I have this section in my hand
   reading it over made little alteration in it in
   first place
   with regard to slavery inasmuch as I
   remember18 in Bible believe in
   ordinances of priesthood order
   of God I believe
   in slavery just as far as this act we believe in
   making this creature amenable to certain
   [loss/laws?] in their freedom they
   have subjected themselves to cursing
   families classes in their
   Speach by Gov. Young in Counsel on A Bill
   relating to Affrican Slavery. Jan. 23d 1852
   I have this section in my hand refering to
   slavery headed “An bill Act in relation to
   Affrican slavery.” I have read it over, and
   made A few alterations. I will remark
   with regard to slavery, In as much I as I
   beleive in the Bible, inasmuch as I
   beleive in the ordinances of God, in the
   Priesthood and order, of God, I
   must beleive in Slavery.
   This coulerd race
   have been subjected to severe curses, which
   they have in
   14 Dan Jones (1810-1862) was born in Wales and immigrated to America where he captained a boat on the
   Mississippi River. He converted to Mormonism in 1843 at Nauvoo, Illinois. He returned to Wales as a missionary
   where he had tremendous success. In February 1849 he sailed from Liverpool as one of 249 Saints who emigrated
   on board the Buena Vista. Elizabeth Lewis (1812-1895) was also on board the Buena Vista; she possessed the means
   to aid many of her fellow converts to immigrate to the United States. The company arrived in the Salt Lake Valley
   in October 1849 and in December Dan Jones married Elizabeth Lewis as a plural wife. When Elizabeth died in
   1895, the Deseret News printed notice of her passing on its front page and noted that “She was well known to the
   early residents of Utah as the wife of the late Captain Dan Jones. She received the Gospel in Wales and emigrated in
3. At that time she was quite wealthy, and used her means with great liberality in enabling the Welsh Saints to
   come to Utah. In the year named she fitted out an entire company across the plains. She was known in early days
   here as ‘the Welsh queen,’ because of her beauty and dignified bearing. She remained firm to her religious
   convictions.” See “Death of Sister Jones” and “Deaths,” Deseret News, 6 May 1895, 1, 5; Ronald D. Dennis, “Dan
   Jones, Welshman,” Ensign, (April 1987).
   15 Here Young signals his preference for contractual labor agreements.
   16 Brigham Young, before Territorial Legislature, January 23, 1852, CR 100 912, Church History Department
   Pitman Shorthand transcriptions, 2013-2021, Addresses and sermons, 1851-1874, Miscellaneous transcriptions,
   1869, 1872, 1889, 1848, 1851-1854, 1859-1863, Utah Territorial Legislature, 1852 January-February, CHL.
   17 Brigham Young, January 23, 1852, Historian’s Office reports of speeches, 1845-1885, CR 100 317, box 1, folder
   14, CHL.
   18 Written remember; probable intent is believe. Watt sometimes wrote br for bl, and vice versa – the symbol br
   would represent remember, and the symbol bl would represent believe.
   various capacities have brought curses upon
   themselves and until the curse is removed by
   him who has put the curse on this class
   I am not authorized to move it I am a firm
   believer in slavery I think this is reasonable
   according to the revelations the Lord has
   revealed the children of men be agents to
   themselves unto the Lord their God
   now to the case before us with regard to
   slavery here pertaining to slaves Africans
   English Dutch or ourselves
   I go in for making just such laws as we want
   perfectly independent of any other nation
   under heavens do that we want to be done
   regardless of abuses of despotic governments
   whether they deem it to be right or wrong no
   matter to me but to do the thing we ought to
   do to secure those blessings we are in pursuit
   of
   that is my mind on in this matter the case
   comes up causes feelings and or did because
   [–?] we have always already men in this
   valley and have had those who came here and
   have left they came in good faith
   they enjoy the rights of receiving the
   first principles of gospel which is liberty
   to all these servants enjoy the privilege of
   being
   baptized
   hands laid on for the Holy Ghost
   they enjoy of so living before the
   Lord masters friends as to enjoy the spirit
   of Lord continually as far as as [sic]
   comforts salvation light truth
   enjoyment understand
   the blacks have the same
   privilege white they cannot
   hold the priesthood inasmuch as they cannot
   bear any share in priesthood I ask19 whether
   they can
   there families, and their classes, in
   their various capasities brought upon
   themselves. And until the curse is removed by
   him who placed it upon them they must suffer
   under its consequences;
   I am not autherised to remove it. I am A firm
   beleiver in slavery.
   Now to the case before us with regard to
   slavery, with regad [to] slaves that [are]
   affricans, or that are English, or that [are]
   Dutch, or ourselves,
   I go in for making laws Just such laws as we
   want upon that matter,
   independant of any other nation
   under the heavens; let us do that we want to
   be done regardless of the abuses of despotic
   Governments. Whether they deem it to be
   right or wrong is no matter to me, but to do
   the thing we ought to do, to secure those
   blessings we are in pursuite of ought to be the
   first, and most weighty consideration with us;
   that is my mind upon this matter. This case
   comes up and causes feelings of not A
   pleasing carracter in the minds of some.
   The affrican enjoyes the right of receiving the
   the first principles of the Gospel, this liberty
   is held out to all these servants, they enjoy the
   liberty of being baptized for the remission of
   sins, and of receiving the holy Gohst by the
   laying on of hands;
   they enjoy the priviledge of living humble
   before the Lord their great master, so as to
   enjoy the spirit of the Lord continually; in
   short as far as the common comforts of life, is
   salvation, light, truth, engjoyment and the
   understanding is conserned the black affrican
   has precisely the same privilege, as the white
   man. Tthey cannot hold the preisthood,
   and inasmuch as they cannot bear any ch
   19 George Watt often changed a question Brigham Young addressed to the congregation to a statement, as he did
   here.
   bear rule in any place until that curse is
   removed consequently they are servant of
   servants we are servants Brother George has
   stated
   he is slave driven from his
   home we are servants now
   suppose we have servant
   it is just right reasonable
   according to holy priesthood say nothing
   about abuses
   though the enlightened nation England has
   abolished slavery yet the most
   damnable slavery exists there and
   you cannot die find a
   black man woman that [walk?]
   millions of them by
   the luxuries of life and die with
   starvation
   that is meaner slavery than to set them to
   work growing cotton I would not wish to
   go to the enlightened nation of England
   because they are so far sunken in degradation
   and iniquity know not what slavery is people
   do not know what it is
   but such a thing shall and will exist until the
   Lord God shall remove [away?]
   and [ought?] exist
   brethren in the south
   those of their servants want to come here
   when they come here the devil raised this one
   talking that one talking
   strong abolitionist feeling
   whispering etc.
   share in the preisthood they cannot bear rule,
   and until they cannot
   bear rule in any place until the curse is
   removed from them, they are A servant of
   servants; we are
   servants, as Bro. Geo. Smith has
   stated, he says he is A slave, has been
   driven from his home, and his rights, we are
   all slaves servants; now suppose that we
   should have A servant, and he should be A
   negro,
   it is all right it is perfectly reasonable, and
   stricktly according to the Holy preisthood. I
   loath the abuses that are heped to which
   the slave in A great many instances is
   exposed, although as A general thing that part
   of the negro race that are in servile bondage,
   are much more comfortable, and better
   provided for, than thousands the lower classes
   of the nations of Europe.
   Though the enlightened nation England, has
   abolished slavery in her colonies, yet the most
   damnable slavery exists at the very heart of
   the nation. I am bold to say that you cannot
   find A black man or woman, in the U. S. that
   has travaled through the period of his life in
   hungar in the midst of plenty, Yet there are
   millions upon milions who have in the Cities
   of Urope who have lived amidst the choisest
   lugzuries of life, and died at last in starvation;
   thousands died of starvation in England, the
   year that I was in that country.
   That is meaner slavery than to set them to
   work in growing cotten, and shugar &c. I
   would not wish to go to the enlightened nation
   of England to know what slavery is
   because they are so far sunken in
   iniquity and so deeply degraded; the people
   contend about it to know what it is; we know
   it exists,
   and such a thing shall and will exist until the
   Lord shall remove it, until then it will
   and ought to existe. There is A many
   Bren in the south a A great amount of whose
   means is vested in slaves,
   I know it is right there should be a law made
   to
   have the slaves serve their masters because
   they are not capable of ruling the
   Lord God said that cursed old Cain and said
   that
   the last drop of blood of Abel that was [upon
   it?] receives the priesthood and enjoys the
   blessings
   then Cain is calculated to have his share [if it
   is?] not until then consequently I am firm in
   belief of servitude the caption of
   this bill I do not like I have
   altered it and instead an act in relation to
   manual service instead of African slavery
   then I have taken the liberty to alter the latter
   part of it “be it enacted
   I am willing the bill be thrown back
   I would like masters to treat well their
   servants.
   To see that every person of in territory well
   used when a master has a Negro and uses
   him
   well better off than he was free you will find
   they are far better off here to be
   as for masters knocking down
   breaking legs of servants
   I have opinion of that as anybody
   but good wholesome servitude I know
   nothing better than that.
   Suppose I am in England and bring over 100
   persons males and females and they pledge
   themselves to work so long to get with those
   they love
   and if they come here and
   abuse their benefactors see abuse on Dan
   Jones
   who
   prevailed on Sister Lewis to spend every
   dime
   they curse her and him I say they ought to be
   those servants want to come here with their
   masters, when they come here the devil is
   raised; this one is A talking, and that one is
   wondering.
   A strong Abolitionist feeling has power over
   them, and they commence to
   wisper round their veiws upon the subject,
   saying “do you think its right, I am afraid it is
   not right”;
   I know it is right, and there should be A law
   made to have the slaves serve their masters
   because they are not capable of ruling
   themselves; When the Lord God cursed old
   Cain, he said, “until
   the last drop of Ables Abels blood
   receives the preisthood, and enjoyes the
   blessings of the same, Cain shall bear the
   curse;”
   then Cain is callculated to have his share next,
   and not until then; consequently I am firm in
   the beleif that they ought to dwell in
   servitude. The Caption of this Bill, I dont like,
   I have therefore taken the liberty to alter it. I
   have said “an act in relation to manual
   service” instead of Affrican Slavery; I have
   also altered the latter part of it.
   I am willing the Bill should be thrown back to
   be remodeled. and
   I would like Masters to behave well to their
   servants, and to see that every person in this
   Territory is well used. When A master has A
   negro, and uses him well, he is much better
   off than if he was free;
   as for Masters knocking down and
   whiping them, and breaking their limbs of
   their servants
   I have as little opinion of that as any person
   can have, but good wholesome servitude I
   know there is nothing better than that.
   Supose I am in England, and bring over 100
   persons, males, and females and they pledge
   themselves to pay me in labour
   but as soon as they arrive here they refuse to
   abide by their contract and turn round and
   her servants. This they continue until they go
   [ink blot] hell
   many more such cases
   let in future let them perform
   their labors according to writing or I hope it
   will be in writing
   abuse their benifacters. See the abuse that Dan
   Jones has received, who
   prevailed upon Sister Lewis to spend almost
   every Dime she possessed to help individuals
   to this place; they curse both her, and him. I
   say they ought to be her servants, and this
   they will continue to do waxing worse, and
   worse until they go down to Hell. Many more
   such cases could be brought to bear. There
   should be A law to govern this, that those who
   have made contracts to labour, they may
   perform their labours according to said
   contracts.