Race in the Pearl of Great Price
315 Primary Sources
Date | Summary | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
300 BC - | Leon Levy Digital Library produces photograph of the 4Q2 Genesis fragment from the Dead Sea Scrolls manuscript. | Unknown Non-LDS | Late | |
300 BC - | John C. Reeves translates 1Q Genesis Apocryphon. | Unknown Ancient | Translation | |
200 BC | Alfred Ralphs offers Greek Septuagint version of Genesis 4:15 that mentions the "mark" or "sign" of Cain. | Alfred Ralphs Non-LDS | Direct | |
170 BC | James H. Charlesworth translates text regarding Cain as a "dark calf." | Unknown Non-LDS | Translation 3rd Hand | |
50 BC - | Text of a Dead Sea Scroll thanksgiving hymn references "darkness" as expression of sadness. | Unknown Non-LDS | Direct | |
50 BC - | DSS text (1st century B.C.E.) relays Ham account, uses chet. | Unknown LDS | Scribed Summary 3rd Hand Late | |
35 - | Alexander Sperber reproduces Aramaic text of Targum Onkelos for Genesis 4:5. | Alexander Sperber Non-LDS | Reprint Ancient | |
60 - | PA interprets Ham to mean "heat," with no claimed connection to Africa or color. | Philo of Alexandria Non-LDS | Direct Reprint | |
100 - | Uncertain Syriac text indicating "black" or "sad." | Unknown Non-LDS | Unsourced Late Ancient | |
100 - | Targum Neofiti Genesis 4:5 reproduced by Alejandro Díez Macho. | Alejandro Díez Macho Non-LDS | Reprint Ancient | |
200 - | E. G. Clarke reproduces text of Genesis 4:5 of Targum Pseudo-Jonathan. | E. G. Clarke Non-LDS | Reprint Ancient | |
220 - | Babylonian Talmud states that Ham's "skin turned black." | Unknown Non-LDS | 3rd Hand Late | |
245 - | O interprets Ex. 8:17 to refer to be a raven (some interpreted "blackness" to be significant--and connected to Ham). | Origen Non-LDS | Direct Reprint | |
370 - | RHBA identifies H as "charcoal colored." | Rabbi Hiyya bar Abba Non-LDS | Scribed Verbatim 3rd Hand Late | |
400 - | Codex Vaticanus reference to Cain. | Unknown | Ancient | |
400 - | Septuagint records Ham account, using chi (χ) rather than the Greek equivalent of chet [ח]. | Septuagint | Scribed Summary 3rd Hand Late | |
609 - | Ali Ünal offers translation re: Cain. | Ali Ünal Non-LDS | Reprint Translation | |
700 - | AAAL offers an account of Cain where identified as "black." | Unknown Non-LDS | Translation 3rd Hand Late Secondary | |
700 - | Ka'b al-Ahbār explains Ham knowing his children by their black skin color. | Ka'b al-Ahbār Non-LDS | Direct Reprint Translation | |
900 - | Pseudo-Jerome connects magi to sons of Noah. | Unknown Non-LDS | Translation 3rd Hand Late | |
1000 | LCE use chet for "Ham" (Gen. 9:22-24.) | Noah Non-LDS | Scribed Verbatim Reprint Translation 3rd Hand Late | |
1008 | Leningrad Codex editor scribes Masoretic text of Genesis 4:15 describing the "mark" or "sign" of Cain. | Cain Non-LDS Ancient | Scribed Verbatim 3rd Hand Late | |
1008 | LCE scribe writes C as "casting down" his face. | Cain Non-LDS | Scribed Verbatim 3rd Hand Late | |
Dec 1100 | Stephen A. Kaufman's edition of Targum Onkelos offers an Aramaic paraphrase of Genesis 4:15 that discusses Cain's "mark" or "sign." | Stephen A. Kaufman Non-LDS | Direct Reprint Translation | |
1200 - | Harry Sperling and Maurice Simon offer translation of Kabbalah text re: C's curse. | Unknown Non-LDS | Translation Secondary | |
1200 - | HS and MS offer translation re: Ham. | Unknown Non-LDS | 3rd Hand Late | |
1504 | Stephen A. Kaufman offers a transcription of the Aramaic text of Targum Neofiti that includes a paraphrase of Genesis 4:15. | Stephen A. Kaufman Non-LDS | Direct | |
1512 | Sefaria publishes an online Hebrew text of Bereishit Rabbah 22:12. | Sefaria Non-LDS | Direct Ancient | |
1611 | King James Bible publishers offer English translation of Genesis 4:15 about the "mark" or "sign" of Cain. | King James Bible Online Non-LDS | Translation 3rd Hand Late Ancient | |
1620 | Thomas Peyton identifies Cain as "black." | Thomas Peyton Non-LDS | Direct Reprint | |
1625 | Apocryphal account of Cain being killed by an arrow after being mistaken for an animal. | Unknown Non-LDS | Late | |
1733 | Elihu Coleman rejects that Cain and Canaan share a common lineage. | Elihu Coleman Non-LDS | Direct | |
Oct 16, 1785 | Paul Erdmann Iserts comments on alleged "Cain" origins for Africans. | Paul Erdmann Iserts Non-LDS | Direct Reprint | |
1828 | Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines "black" as a "a negro; a person whose skin is black." | Noah Webster Non-LDS | Secondary | |
1830 | David Walker criticizes use of Cain mythology to justify enslavement. | David Walker Non-LDS | Direct | |
1830 | Book of Mormon introduction refers to "black and white" people. | Nephi Ancient | Scribed Verbatim Translation | |
1830 | BOM text frequently used to describe "dark-skinned" people by some interpreters. | Nephi | Scribed Verbatim Translation 3rd Hand Late | |
Jun 1830 - | In Moses 7, Enoch was commanded not to teach people of Canaan. | Joseph Smith, Jr. LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Jun 1830 - | The Book of Moses records that "the seed of Cain were black and had not place among them." | Joseph Smith, Jr. LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Dec 1830 | Joseph wrote in his journal that the Lord revealed the contents of the Book of Moses. | Joseph Smith, Jr. LDS | Scribed Verbatim Direct | |
1830 | David Walker criticizes use of Cain lore for black origins. | David Walker Non-LDS | Direct | |
1831 - | Joseph translates Moses including the phrase that Canaanites had "blackness" come upon them. | Joseph Smith, Jr. LDS | Scribed Verbatim Direct | |
Feb 1831 - | Joseph adds that Canaan is cursed with a "vail of darkness" in his Bible translation. | Joseph Smith, Jr. LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Jul 1833 | Phelps says "we have no special rule in the church, as to people of color." | W. W. Phelps LDS | Direct | |
Jul 16, 1833 | Evening and Morning Star reports policy of not admitting Black people to the state or Church. | Evening and Morning Star LDS | Direct | |
Jul 16, 1833 | Richards clarifies previous article by saying that the Church has nothing to say about slavery and opposes free Black people entering the state on legal grounds. | Willard Richards LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
1834 | David Child rejects the curse of Cain theory. | David Child Non-LDS | Direct | |
1834 | Wheatley discusses the outcome of her enslavement and describes Africans in Cain-like terms. | Phyllis Wheatley Non-LDS | Direct | |
Feb 6, 1835 | W. W. Phelps states that the mark and curse of Cain is black skin. | W. W. Phelps LDS | Direct Reprint | |
Mar 1835 | W. W. Phelps believes black skin is an indicator of spiritual standing. | W. W. Phelps LDS | Direct | |
Aug 1835 | JS & OC present statement prohibiting baptism of black people. | Joseph Smith, Jr. LDS | Direct | |
Dec 31, 1835 | Unknown author composes hymn that celebrates future missionary work in Africa. | Unknown LDS | Direct | |
Apr 1836 | Messenger and Advocate comments on scriptural support for priesthood and temple restrictions. | Messenger and Advocate LDS | Direct | |
Apr 1, 1836 | Joseph sees Black people as subject to the curse of Canaan. | Joseph Smith, Jr. LDS | Direct Reprint | |
Apr 1836 | Angelina Grimke criticizes use of Canaan myth to justify enslavement. | Angelina Grimke Non-LDS | Direct | |
Apr 1836 | Messenger and Advocate calls for masters of slaves to be converted and kind as well as calling emancipation "destructive" and interracial marriage "devilish." | Messenger and Advocate LDS | Direct | |
Apr 1836 | Messenger and Advocate states that people can buy and free slaves provided they go to a different continent. | Messenger and Advocate LDS | Direct | |
Apr 1836 | M&A comments on "degrading nature" of Black people. | Messenger and Advocate LDS | Direct | |
1837 | Adam Clarke refers to Noah giving Ham Africa. | Adam Clarke Non-LDS | Direct Secondary | |
Apr 1837 | Theodore Weld criticizes use of Canaan lore to justify slavery. | Theodore D. Weld Non-LDS | Direct | |
1838 | Weld criticizes use of Cain myth for African origins. | Theodore D. Weld Non-LDS | Direct | |
Jul 1838 | Woodruff describes working with Joseph Ball during the winter. | Wilford Woodruff LDS | Direct | |
Aug 1838 | Elders' Journal says there are Black people who "[wear] white skins." | Joseph Smith, Jr. LDS | Direct | |
Nov 17, 1838 | A writer to the Colored American criticizes the Cain myth. | Vindicator Non-LDS | Direct Reprint Journalism | |
Dec 31, 1838 | Edward Patridge relates how a team of Black people carried goods to the saints and were attacked. | Edward Partridge LDS | Holograph Direct | |
Aug 17, 1840 | John Patten charges Elijah Fordham with playing a violin at a Black gala. | Hosea Stout LDS | Holograph Direct | |
1841 | James W. C. Pennington criticizes use of Bible lore to describe African origins. | James W. C. Pennington Non-LDS | Direct | |
May 5, 1841 | William I. Appleby copies Abraham 1:26–27, describing priesthood restriction of Pharaoh, into his journal on May 5, 1841. | William I. Appleby LDS | Holograph Direct | |
Jan 25, 1842 | Willard Richards records in Joseph's journal that Joseph described Black people as "sons of Cain." | Joseph Smith, Jr. LDS | Scribed Verbatim Direct | |
Feb 1842 | Book of Abraham states Pharaoh was restricted from the priesthood because of lineage. | Willard Richards LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
May 28, 1842 | William Smith speculates that Boggs was shot "by one of his own negroes." | William Smith LDS | Direct | |
Jan 2, 1843 | Orson Hyde stated that emancipation will empower Black people. | Joseph Smith, Jr. LDS | Direct Scribed Paraphrase | |
Jun 7, 1843 | Nauvoo Neighbor states that Black people are industrious. | Nauvoo Neighbor LDS | Scribed Verbatim Reprint | |
Jun 14, 1843 | Nauvoo Neighbor reports that a Black man was involved in a crime and he was burned to death. | Nauvoo Neighbor LDS | Direct | |
Jul 1, 1843 | Campbell writes an account of Saints in Clay County. | Robert L. Campbell LDS | Scribed Verbatim Direct | |
Jul 19, 1843 | Letter to editor of Nauvoo Neighbor condemns the lynching of Black people. | Saul Among the Prophets LDS | Direct | |
1844 | R. B. Lewis quotes Pompee Valentin-Vastey criticizing theorists who associate black people with Cain. | Pompée Valentin-Vastey Non-LDS | Reprint | |
Mar 6, 1844 | Hyrum tells Jane Manning James that the one who put the mark on her forehead can remove it. | Hyrum Smith LDS | Scribed Verbatim Reprint | |
Mar 10, 1844 | William Clayton reports Alexander Badlam commenting on the "unfortunate race of beings the negroes." | Alexander Badlam LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Apr 6, 1844 | John Taylor promises patriotic principles will protect Black people as well as "any other man." | John Taylor LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Dec 31, 1844 | Lucy commented on how "unlovely" the hut was that Salisbury had to give birth in. | Lucy Mack Smith LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Feb 1845 | William Clayton includes a summary of the events leading the Martyrdom in the Council of Fifty minutes. | William Clayton LDS | Direct | |
Apr 1, 1845 | John Taylor cites Genesis to assert the priesthood curse of Ham's descendants. | John Taylor LDS | Direct | |
Apr 27, 1845 | Hyde uses premortal explanation to give an opinion on origins of Black people. | Orson Hyde LDS | Scribed Verbatim Reprint Late | |
Apr 27, 1845 | Hyde uses premortal explanation to give an opinion on origins of Black people. | Orson Hyde LDS | Scribed Verbatim Reprint Late | |
1845 | Lucy mentions that there are Black people on their boat. | Lucy Mack Smith LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Jan 14, 1847 | Revelation to Brigham Young describes reasons the Saints left Nauvoo for the West. | Brigham Young LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Mar 26, 1847 | Brigham says he doesn't care about the blood or color of McCary. | Brigham Young LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Apr 25, 1847 | Parley P. Pratt refers to Ham lineage as cursed with regards to the priesthood. | Parley P. Pratt LDS | Scribed Verbatim Direct | |
Apr 25, 1847 | Pratt refers to Ham lineage as cursed with regards to the priesthood. | Parley P. Pratt LDS | Scribed Verbatim Direct | |
Jun 2, 1847 | William Appleby says that ordination of Black members could lead to intermarriage. | William I. Appleby LDS | Holograph Direct | |
Jun 16, 1847 | Appleby writes he is ashamed to meet a white woman married to a Black man. | William I. Appleby LDS | Holograph Direct | |
Dec 2, 1847 | Brigham criticizes interracial marriage and mentions "if they were far away from the Gentiles they would all [h]av[e] to be killed." | Brigham Young LDS | Scribed Verbatim Direct | |
Feb 13, 1849 | Brigham says that Africans are cursed descendants of Cain. | Brigham Young LDS | Scribed Verbatim Direct | |
Jun 1, 1851 | Brigham states that the curse of Ham makes Black people servants and he forbids slavery. | Wilford Woodruff LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
1852 | John Fletcher writes that Ham's degraded condition resulted from marriage with the cursed race of Cain. | John Fletcher Non-LDS | Direct | |
1852 | Josiah Priest rejects Cain theory in favor of Ham theory. | Josiah Priest Non-LDS | Direct | |
1852 | John Fletcher argues that Ham married a descendant of Cain. | John Fletcher Non-LDS | Direct | |
1852 | Frederick Douglass pokes fun at the idea of the Biblical curse of Ham. | Frederick Douglass Non-LDS | Direct | |
1852 | Wilford Woodruff's summary of a February 13, 1849 meeting in which Brigham Young states that black people are inelligible for the Priesthood because of the curse of Cain. | Brigham Young LDS | Scribed Paraphrase 2nd Hand Reprint | |
1852 | Wilford Woodruff records reference to the curse of Cain and how that impacts blessings. | Wilford Woodruff LDS | Scribed Summary Reprint | |
Jan 16, 1852 | Wilford Woodruff reports that Brigham offered an explanation for the ban. | Wilford Woodruff LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Jan 16, 1852 | Wilford Woodruff records Brigham explaining a restriction on priesthood and temple blessings for any man having "one drop of the seed of Cane in him." | Brigham Young LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Jan 23, 1852 | Brigham states Black people can't "bear rule" while cursed. | Brigham Young LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Jan 23, 1852 | Brigham expresses his belief in a Biblical curse on Black people. | Brigham Young LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Feb 5, 1852 | Brigham says that, as a prophet he knows, Black people are the children of Cain and "cannot bear rule in the priesthood." | Brigham Young LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Feb 5, 1852 | Brigham denounces interracial marriage and gives an explanation for the priesthood and temple restrictions. | Brigham Young LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Feb 5, 1852 | Brigham affirms the right of citizenship for Black people but denies the right of governance. | Brigham Young LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Feb 5, 1852 | LaJean Carruth transcribes of Brigham's speech instituting the priesthood and temple restrictions. | Brigham Young LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Feb 5, 1852 | Brigham expresses belief in the curse of Cain. | Brigham Young LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Apr 3, 1852 | Deseret News uses Cain rationale for ban. | Deseret News LDS | Direct Journalism | |
Aug 29, 1852 | Orson Pratt holds Africans and other groups have a "degraded parentage" and valiant premortal spirits "kept in reserve" will not receive their bodies. | Orson Pratt LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Apr 1853 | Orson Pratt offers premortal explanation of race and ban. | Orson Pratt LDS | Direct | |
1856 | George A. Smith expresses priesthood ban rationale. | George A. Smith LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Oct 9, 1859 | Brigham says that Black people cannot hold priesthood office because of the curse of Cain. | Brigham Young LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
1860 | Pro-slavery advocate Nathan Lord argues that the curse of Cain was perpetuated through intermarriage with Ham's line. | Nathan Lord Non-LDS | Direct | |
Oct 8, 1860 | Brigham says "we are all the children of one Father, whether we be … black or white." | Brigham Young LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Dec 31, 1860 | Brigham tells Horace Greeley that slavery is "of divine institution" and will persist until the curse of Ham is removed. | Horace Greeley Non-LDS | Scribed Verbatim Journalism | |
Sep 25, 1861 | Brigham Young says he would confer any blessing possible on Isaac Manning. | Brigham Young LDS | Scribed Summary | |
1862 | J. W. Etheridge offers an English translation of the Targum Onkelos that paraphrases Genesis 4:15 about the "mark" or "sign" of Cain. | J. W. Etheridge Non-LDS | Direct Translation | |
Oct 6, 1863 | Brigham states that curse of Ham still exists on Black people. | Brigham Young LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
1867 | Paul de Lagarde offers reprint of MS Leiden regarding Ephrem's view of Ham's blackness. | MS Leiden LDS | Scribed Verbatim Reprint | |
Sep 25, 1869 | RWH criticizes Church for preventing blacks from civil or religious leadership. | R.W. Hume Critic Non-LDS | Direct | |
Dec 25, 1869 | Brigham teaches Lorenzo Young that nobody was neutral in the war of heaven and teaches the curse of Cain. | Brigham Young LDS | Scribed Paraphrase | |
Apr 9, 1871 | Brigham teaches that Cain was cursed with black skin. | Brigham Young LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Jan 12, 1873 | George Q. Cannon references the curse of Cain. | George Q. Cannon LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
1874 | Brown rejects Cain origin for peoples of African ancestry. | William Wells Brown Non-LDS | Direct | |
Jul 4, 1874 | Brigham refers to the priesthood and temple restrictions. | Brigham Young LDS | Unsourced Journalism | |
May 6, 1879 | Smith reports on Able's ordination. | Elijah Able LDS | Scribed Summary Late | |
May 31, 1879 | L. John Nuttall records John Taylor citing "some parties" who criticized notion of ban. | Unknown LDS | Scribed Paraphrase 2nd Hand | |
May 31, 1879 | Zebedee Coltrin and Abraham Smoot defend priesthood ban. | Zebedee Coltrin LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Jun 4, 1879 | First Presidency meeting minutes record John Taylor's conclusion that Elijah Able was ordained before the "word of the Lord was fully understood." | John Taylor LDS | Scribed Summary 2nd Hand Secondary | |
Nov 15, 1880 | John Taylor comments on importance of submitting decisions to body of Church. | John Taylor LDS | Scribed Paraphrase | |
1880 | FS recites conventional thought re: premortal justification of restriction. | Fanny Stenhouse Resigned Critic | Direct | |
1880 | EBS justifies priesthood ban in poem using premortal unworthiness explanation. | Emily B. Spencer LDS | Direct | |
Nov 20, 1881 | George Q. Cannon articulates the priesthood restriction. | George Q. Cannon LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
1882 | Taylor attributes priesthood restriction to Cain's descendance through Ham's wife. | John Taylor LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Oct 25, 1883 | H. M. Turner alludes to restriction on Elijah Able. | H. M. Turner Non-LDS | Direct Journalism | |
Dec 13, 1884 | George Q. Cannon expresses vision of kingdom of God, assuming blacks will not be members. | George Q. Cannon LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Dec 27, 1884 | Jane Manning James indicates that her race was through Ham. | Jane Manning James LDS | Scribed Verbatim Direct | |
Feb 4, 1885 | JSR comments on hesitance for black baptism and black membership prohibition. | James S. Russell LDS | Scribed Verbatim Journalism | |
Jun 3, 1885 | Deseret News commenter theorizes on descendants of Cain. | Unknown LDS | Direct Journalism | |
Apr 1888 | Henry Carroll recalls "Black" Pete's activities in Kirtland. | Henry Carroll Resigned Critic | Direct | |
Jul 31, 1888 | Charles Lavigerie mentions extensive ivory holdings in East Africa. | Charles Lavigerie Non-LDS | Direct Reprint Secondary | |
Oct 1, 1890 | Heber J. Grant records that Lorenzo Snow was glad that revelation could bring a change to the priesthood ban. | Heber J. Grant LDS | Secondary | |
Oct 1, 1890 | Abraham H. Cannon recalls that Brigham told Lorenzo Snow that blacks couldn't hold priesthood through premortal actions. | Brigham Young LDS | Scribed Summary Reprint | |
Mar 25, 1893 | George Q. Cannon notes the Anglo-Saxon nature of Utah. | George Q. Cannon LDS | Direct Journalism | |
Apr 14, 1894 | George Q. Cannon articulates premortal designation for lineage. | George Q. Cannon LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Jul 15, 1894 | Juvenile Instructor rejects knowledge of neutrality in premortality. | Juvenile Instructor LDS | Direct | |
Oct 16, 1894 | Woodruff attributes priesthood restriction to Cain's murder of Abel. | Wilford Woodruff LDS | Direct | |
Aug 22, 1895 | George Q. Cannon supports upholding restriction in mixed-race scenarios to avoid "complications." | George Q. Cannon LDS | Scribed Paraphrase Reprint | |
Aug 22, 1895 | Cannon states that Joseph taught that the seed of Cain could not receive the priesthood. | George Q. Cannon LDS | Reprint Unsourced | |
Dec 19, 1895 | Le Roy Snow offers premortal explanation for certain classes. | Le Roy Snow LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Oct 5, 1896 | Richards says that Joseph taught that the "seed of Cain" would not receive their "final redemption" until after the "seed of Abel . . . should all have their opportunity." | Franklin D. Richards LDS | Scribed Verbatim Reprint | |
Dec 16, 1897 | Cannon states that he was told by John Taylor in Nauvoo about Joseph Smith's priesthood ban teachings. | George Q. Cannon LDS | 2nd Hand Reprint Late | |
May 9, 1899 | Missionaries tell Broad Ax of kind treatment by Black Americans in South. | Broad Ax Non-LDS | Direct Scribed Summary Journalism | |
Dec 30, 1899 | Deseret Evening News debates on what ordinances black people can receive based on Brigham's language. | Deseret Evening News LDS | Direct Journalism | |
1900 | Thomas W. Young relays premortal explanation that Church leaders use to justify restriction. | Thomas W. Young Critic Non-LDS | Direct | |
Mar 1, 1900 | Cannon cites what John Taylor told him in Nauvoo about his conversation with Joseph about the priesthood ban. | George Q. Cannon LDS | Direct Reprint | |
Aug 18, 1900 | GQC cites reports from BY and JS justifying priesthood ban. | George Q. Cannon LDS | Direct Reprint | |
Oct 6, 1900 | Grant tells a morality story using a minstrel show and n-word. | Heber J. Grant LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Nov 1, 1903 | Salt Lake Tribune cites report of patriarch claiming that Black people have no place in heaven. | The Salt Lake Tribune Critic Non-LDS | Direct Scribed Paraphrase Journalism | |
Nov 28, 1903 | DN repudiates SLT report on EB's funeral. | Deseret News LDS | Direct Journalism | |
Dec 17, 1903 | Deseret News explains black people's place in heaven. | Deseret News LDS | Direct Journalism | |
Apr 9, 1905 | JFS uses story of GW to show black people should not outdo white people in courtesy. | Joseph F. Smith LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Apr 7, 1906 | J. Golden Kimball says same persecutors of LDS are also lynchers. | J. Golden Kimball LDS | Direct | |
Jan 31, 1907 | JFS rejects premortal explanation, affirms Cain explanation. | Joseph Fielding Smith LDS | Direct | |
Aug 26, 1908 | Joseph F. Smith states that all ordinations of Black people must be rendered null and void. | Joseph F. Smith LDS | Scribed Paraphrase 2nd Hand | |
1909 | 1909 edition of Hasting's Dictionary of the Bible proposes that "Ham" is derived from Egyptian kem "black." | James Hastings Non-LDS | Direct Secondary | |
Oct 4, 1909 | David O. McKay uses "negro" to describe those who reject importance of labor. | David O. McKay LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Dec 1, 1909 | John Whitaker cites "one drop" rule in justifying restricting Nelson Ritchie from receiving sealing. | John Whitaker LDS | Direct Reprint | |
Aug 31, 1910 | Richard Barry comments on LDS views on black people in 20th-century. | Richard Barry Non-LDS | Direct | |
1914 | Samuel Lee offers a transcription of the Syriac Peshitta Pentateuch, including a translation of Genesis 4:15, describing the "mark" or "sign" of Cain. | Samuel Lee Non-LDS | Holograph Ancient | |
1914 | A Christian Peshitta text provides a Syriac translation of Genesis 4:15. | Unknown Non-LDS | Direct Ancient | |
Apr 4, 1915 | MJB argues for race as a product of premortal designation. | Melvin J. Ballard LDS | Direct | |
Apr 7, 1916 | Rey Pratt hopes for eradication of "racial feelings." | Rey Pratt LDS | Direct | |
Oct 8, 1916 | Walter P. Monson uses "descendants of Cain" to chide those who fail to warn their neighbor. | Walter P. Monson LDS | Direct | |
Oct 4, 1918 | HJG uses story to mock black people, uses n-word. | Heber J. Grant LDS | Direct | |
1922 | Nigeria governor Sir Frederick Lugard observes presence of natural resources throughout Africa. | Sir Frederick Lugard Non-LDS | Direct | |
Jan 25, 1922 | JET invokes Cain to explain priesthood ban origins. | James E. Talmage LDS | Scribed Summary Journalism | |
Oct 6, 1922 | Charles Penrose suggests that capacity to recognize truth is rooted in race. | Charles W. Penrose LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Apr 4, 1925 | Charles Nibley celebrates emancipation of slavery and overthrow of part of Constitution. | Charles Nibley LDS | Direct | |
May 3, 1926 | Pageant depicts Mormons in same light as "negroes." | The Capitol Journal Non-LDS | Direct Journalism | |
1931 | Joseph Fielding Smith attributes priesthood ban to Joseph Smith's teachings. | Joseph Fielding Smith LDS | Direct | |
Apr 7, 1939 | George F. Richards attributes blackness to premortal unworthiness. | George F. Richards LDS | Direct | |
Jan 25, 1940 | J. Reuben Clark proposes that the Twelve review past statements and make a ruling on whether "one drop" of blood disqualifies someone from receiving the priesthood. | J. Reuben Clark LDS | Scribed Summary Reprint | |
Sep 1941 | JCM writes to JJM advising segregation of blood in blood banks. | James C. Magee Non-LDS | Reprint Secondary | |
Jun 23, 1942 | FP tells ETB to make accommodations for white Church members' discomfort with Blacks. | First Presidency LDS | Direct | |
Jun 30, 1944 | John A. Widstoe cites premortal unworthiness that black skin could be a mark. | John A. Widstoe LDS | Direct | |
1945 | Joseph Fielding Smith explains the application of Moses 7 in missionary work among the "Canaanites." | Joseph Fielding Smith LDS | Direct | |
Jun 1945 | Albright notes that origins of Ham's name are unknown. | William F. Albright Non-LDS | Direct Secondary | |
Aug 31, 1945 | JAW rejects notions of "master race." | John A. Widstoe LDS | Direct | |
Apr 6, 1946 | Harold B. Lee celebrates teaching against racism at time of WWII. | Harold B. Lee LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Apr 6, 1946 | CEY uses allegations of miscegenation advocacy as example of "motive questioning." | Clifford E. Young LDS | Direct | |
May 5, 1947 | First Presidency tells Spongberg that the Church makes no effort to proselytize black people. | First Presidency LDS | 2nd Hand Reprint | |
Jun 26, 1947 | Lowry Nelson replies to Heber Meeks and references past instances of racism, didn't realize was a policy. | Lowry Nelson LDS | Direct | |
Jun 26, 1947 | Lowry Nelson references the premortal life as one of the reasons for the priesthood ban. | Lowry Nelson LDS | Direct | |
Jul 17, 1947 | The First Presidency explains rationale for priesthood ban in a letter to Lowry Nelson. | George Albert Smith LDS | Direct | |
Jul 23, 1947 | Heber Meeks mentions priesthood ban/adjacent teachings as potential reasons to stay out of Cuba. | Heber Meeks LDS | Direct | |
Sep 30, 1947 | Negro Digest criticizes Church for priesthood ban. | Negro Digest Critic Non-LDS | Direct | |
Oct 4, 1947 | GFR uses black people as cautionary tale on valiance. | George F. Richards LDS | Direct | |
Oct 8, 1947 | LN criticizes traditions of ban. | Lowry Nelson LDS | Direct | |
Nov 3, 1947 | David O. McKay explains that denying the priesthood to Black Saints is part of the eternal plan of God, based on the book of Abraham and related to factors in premortal life. | David O. McKay LDS | Direct | |
Nov 12, 1947 | The First Presidency warns Lowry Nelson to "re-orient your thinking." | First Presidency LDS | Direct | |
Apr 12, 1948 | J. Reuben Clark advocates segregation in blood banks "to protect the purity of the blood streams of the people of this Church." | J. Reuben Clark LDS | Direct | |
Aug 12, 1948 | HJ and RB reject notions that "white blood" differs from "black blood." | Ruth Benedict (anthropologist) Non-LDS | Reprint | |
1949 | 1949 First Presidency provides a statement on the priesthood and temple restriction for Black Saints to an anonymous correspondent. | First Presidency LDS | Direct | |
Aug 17, 1949 | LEB produces typescript of 1949 FP statement. | First Presidency LDS | 2nd Hand Reprint | |
Oct 9, 1949 | NA highlights presence of natural resources in Nigeria. | Nnamdi Azikiwe Non-LDS | Direct | |
Apr 6, 1950 | David O. McKay notes that individual freedom is undermined through racial animus. | David O. McKay LDS | Direct | |
Nov 20, 1950 | Chicago Daily Tribune announces that the American National Red Cross will not segregate blood. | Chicago Daily Tribune Non-LDS | Direct Journalism | |
1951 | Abraham Levene translates a commentary on Genesis 4:15 from early Syrian Christians mentioning the "mark" or "sign" of Cain. | Abraham Levene Non-LDS | Direct Translation Ancient | |
Jul 31, 1951 | DrWB dismisses racial identification with blood. | Dr. William Brady Non-LDS | Direct | |
Aug 17, 1951 | William E. Berrett provides expanded version of 1949 First Presidency statement dated August 17, 1951. | First Presidency LDS | Direct Reprint | |
Apr 4, 1952 | Eldred G. Smith notes that descendants of Cain are not eligible to receive priesthood. | Eldred G. Smith LDS | Direct | |
Apr 1953 | WRB notes that LDS Hospital segregates black and white blood banks. | Wallace R. Bennett LDS | Direct | |
Jan 19, 1954 | DOM notes experience dealing with the priesthood ban. | David O. McKay LDS | Direct | |
Mar 10, 1954 | David O. McKay alludes to lifting the "black til proven white" restriction in South Africa. | David O. McKay LDS | Direct | |
May 17, 1954 | WB inquires about ban study committee. | Wallace R. Bennett LDS | Direct | |
Aug 27, 1954 | Mark E. Petersen justifies segregation based on beliefs about consequences of interracial marriage. | Mark E. Petersen LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Aug 27, 1954 | Elder Mark E. Peterson condemns the civil rights movement and defends Latter-day Saint theology and practices related to priesthood and temple restrictions for Black Saints. | Mark E. Petersen LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Apr 6, 1955 | Clifford E. Young celebrates lack of racial animosity in congregation in Hawaii. | Clifford E. Young LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
1958 | McConkie defends priesthood ban based on scriptural interpretation. | Bruce R. McConkie LDS | Direct | |
1958 | Bruce R. McConkie publishes several articles containing common Latter-day Saint views about Black people in his 1958 volume, Mormon Doctrine. | Bruce R. McConkie LDS | Direct | |
1963 | JFS tells EE that no revelation exists on premortal explanation for ban. | Joseph Fielding Smith LDS | Scribed Paraphrase | |
1963 | Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1963 ed.) states that Ham's name is not derived from the Egyptian words for "Egypt" or "Nubia." | Frederick C. Grant Non-LDS | Direct Secondary | |
Oct 5, 1963 | Hugh B. Brown says "load him with bitter racial prejudice and you have a Disraeli." | Hugh B. Brown LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
May 18, 1965 | LA suggests Church isn't racist for its support to other ethnic minorities. | Leon Anderson | Direct | |
Aug 17, 1965 | AD holds that Christ supersedes all racial "cursing." | Adam Duncan (Utah Executive Commission on Civil Rights) LDS | Scribed Summary Journalism | |
Sep 1966 | ALM finds that Mormons are slightly more racist than other some other Christians. | Armand L. Mauss LDS | Direct Secondary | |
Nov 22, 1966 | Jim Todd offers analysis of ramifications of priesthood ban being lifted. | Jim Todd (Utah Daily Chronicle Columnist) | Scribed Verbatim Direct Journalism | |
Sep 29, 1967 | Ezra T. Benson says God only knows why no priesthood for "seed of Cain." | Ezra Taft Benson LDS | Scribed Verbatim Direct | |
Oct 9, 1967 | Bruce R. McConkie associates black people with spiritual inferiority. | Bruce R. McConkie LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
Dec 15, 1969 | N. Eldon Tanner and Hugh B. Brown sign a statement under the name of the First Presidency saying that the origins of ban are not known. | N. Eldon Tanner LDS | Direct | |
1970 | Stephen G. Taggart argues that Joseph Smith originated the priesthood/temple ban in response to conditions in the South. | Stephen G. Taggart LDS | 2nd Hand | |
Jan 10, 1970 | N. Eldon Tanner and Hugh B. Brown sign a statement under the name of the First Presidency saying that the origins of ban are not known. | N. Eldon Tanner LDS | Direct Reprint | |
Jan 21, 1970 | SCOTUS rules that schools that segregate aren't tax-exempt. | Des Moines Tribune Non-LDS | Direct Journalism | |
Jun 21, 1970 | NYT reports on conservative/liberal discussion on priesthood restriction. | Stephen G. Taggart LDS | Direct Journalism | |
Dec 31, 1970 | The Church uses Cain justification in black ordinations in Brazil. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints LDS | Direct | |
May 12, 1972 | Wallace Turner cites statistics regarding percentage of Mormons/non-Mormons who think blacks want to destroy Church. | Wallace Turner Non-LDS | Direct Scribed Summary Journalism | |
1973 | Hugh W. Nibley concludes that the Priesthood restriction has its origin with God. | Hugh W. Nibley LDS | Direct | |
Jan 1973 | Lester Bush offers source on how John Taylor felt Joseph was wrong on Elijah Able's ordination. | Lester E. Bush LDS Disaffected | Secondary | |
Apr 1973 | LEB writes seminal article offering critical origin analysis of priesthood/temple restriction. | Lester E. Bush LDS Disaffected | Secondary | |
Jun 1977 | BRM tells SWK that there is no scriptural barrier to lifting the ban. | Edward L. Kimball LDS | Secondary | |
1978 | LeGrand Richards discusses the role of Brazil in Official Declaration 2. | LeGrand Richards LDS | Direct | |
Apr 1978 | Newell Bringhurst argues that the origins of the priesthood ban are unclear. | Newell G. Bringhurst LDS Disaffected | Direct Secondary | |
1979 | Ronald K. Esplin states his view that Brigham's views on priesthood ban were rooted in revelation. | Ronald K. Esplin LDS | Secondary | |
1979 | Esplin concludes that Brigham's views on priesthood ban were rooted in revelation. | Ronald K. Esplin LDS | Secondary | |
1980 | William Wilson and Richard Paulsen offer history of Mormon use of Cain account. | William Wilson LDS | Scribed Summary 2nd Hand Secondary | |
Apr 6, 1980 | BRM celebrates "seed of Cain" receiving the priesthood. | Bruce R. McConkie LDS | Direct | |
1982 | Blau highlights use of two kinds of letters for _chet_. | Joshua Blau Non-LDS | Secondary | |
1983 | Lipscomb offers and English translation of ancient Armenian Christian Adam traditions in his Ph.D. Dissertation that comments on Genesis 4:15 mention of the "mark" or "sign" of Cain. | William Lowdnes Lipscomb Non-LDS | Direct Translation Ancient | |
1983 | Ephraim Isaac's translation of the "Animal Apocalypse" offers color-driven animal depiction of Noah account. | Ephraim Isaac | Translation Ancient | |
1983 | Lipscomb provides a transcription of ancient Armenian Christian traditions relating to Genesis 4:15 and the "mark" or "sign" of Cain. | William Lowdnes Lipscomb Non-LDS | Direct Translation Ancient | |
1984 | Görög-Karady highlights how Vili see selves as prototypical humans and white people as cursed. | Veronika Görög-Karady Non-LDS | Secondary | |
1985 | Jacob Neusner provides an English translation of Genesis Rabbah 22:12 on Genesis 4:15, which mentions the "mark" or "sign" of Cain. | Jacob Neusner Non-LDS | Direct Translation Ancient | |
May 18, 1989 | MDH comments on racial attitudes during mission to Cincinnati (esp. re: L/MH). | Marion D. Hanks LDS | Scribed Verbatim Reprint | |
1992 | Michael Maher offers an English translation of Targum Pseudo-Jonathan that includes a paraphrase of Genesis 4:15 discussing the "mark" or "sign" of Cain. | Michael Maher Non-LDS | Translation | |
1992 | Editors of Pirke de-Rabbi Eliezer publish a French translation of an ancient Jewish commentary relating to Genesis 4:15 and the "mark" or "sign" of Cain. | Eliezer Ancient | Direct | |
1992 | Martin McNamara offers an English translation of Targum Neofiti that paraphrases Genesis 4:15. | Martin McNamara Non-LDS | Direct Translation | |
Jan 1994 | Gordon Hyden and Donald Williams note relative stability of Tanzania post-independence, in spite of generalized post-colonial instability. | Gordon Hyden Non-LDS | Secondary | |
1995 | Rabbi Y. Herczeg translates Rashi commentary into English, with its interpretation of Cain's "mark" or "sign" as mentioned in Genesis 4:15. | Shlomo Yitzchaki (Rashi) Ancient | Direct Translation | |
1996 | David O. McKay describing the priesthood and temple ban as a practice rather than a doctrine, as reported by Sterling M. McMurrin. | Sterling M. McMurrin Disaffected | Scribed Paraphrase 2nd Hand Reprint Late | |
1996 | Sterling M. McMurrin reports that he arranged meetings with the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and drafted a First Presidency statement on civil rights read at the October 1963 General Conference. | Sterling M. McMurrin Disaffected | Scribed Verbatim | |
1997 | Johannes Glenthøj gives an analysis of possible Cain deaths. | Johannes Glenthøj Non-LDS | Secondary | |
1998 | Leonard J. Arrington reports that an apostolic committee found no scriptural support for restriction. | Adam S. Bennion LDS | 2nd Hand Late | |
1998 | EBF, HBB's grandson, recounts HBB's efforts to lift the restriction. | Edwin B. Firmage LDS | 2nd Hand Late | |
1998 | Scholar James L. Kugel describes various ancient ideas about the "mark" or "sign" of Cain. | James L. Kugel Non-LDS | Secondary | |
1998 | James L. Kugel summarizes ancient Jewish traditions surmising that Cain was mistakenly killed by his descendant, Lamech. | James L. Kugel Non-LDS | Secondary Ancient | |
May 19, 1998 | FP/Q12 deny existence of proposal for repudiating ban. | First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles LDS | Journalism | |
Oct 19, 1999 | In 1999, RJ recalls DOM saying Lord told him not to inquire about ban further. | Richard W. Jackson LDS Disaffected | Reprint 3rd Hand Late | |
2000 | History of the Cain-as-cursed-wanderer motif. | Liturgical Press Non-LDS | Secondary | |
2000 | Nibley links the "blackness" of Cain with the soot and gime of metalworking. | Hugh W. Nibley LDS | Direct Secondary | |
2000 | Nibley suggests that the priesthood restriction is related to matriarchal succession rather than race. | Hugh W. Nibley LDS | Direct Secondary | |
2001 | Gay Robins gives an overview of color symbolism in ancient Egypt and the colorization of foreigners. | Gay Robins Non-LDS | Secondary | |
2001 | Bible scholars Dogniez and Harl offer a translation into French of the Greek Septuagint text of Genesis 4:15 that speaks of the "mark" or "sign" of Cain. | Cécile Dogniez Non-LDS | Direct Translation | |
2002 | Haynes describes widespread explanation for black skin and slavery in the 1830's based on Noah's curse of Canaan. | Stephen R. Haynes Non-LDS | Direct | |
2002 | Stephen Haynes argues that associating Biblical curse language with Black people was common in the mid-nineteenth-century. | Stephen R. Haynes Non-LDS | Secondary | |
2002 | Historian D. Michael Quinn reports J. Reuben Clark's recommendation that branches for Black Saints be created and that men be organized into preparatory Aaronic priesthood groups. | D. Michael Quinn Excommunicated | Direct | |
2002 | SRH explains how H account played to "honor culture." | Stephen R. Haynes Non-LDS | Direct Secondary | |
2003 | Joseph highlights Lemuel Hayne's criticism of Canaan myth. | John Saillant Non-LDS | Secondary | |
2003 | Goldenberg reviews the interpretation of the color symbolism of the Animal Apocalypse. | David Goldenberg Non-LDS | Direct | |
2003 | Goldenberg explains how Cain became associated with black skin. | David Goldenberg Non-LDS | Direct | |
2003 | David Goldenberg explains that the persistence that Ham was black originated from saying his name meant black. | David Goldenberg Non-LDS | Direct Secondary | |
2003 | David Goldenberg explains how Ham was misread. | David Goldenberg Non-LDS | Direct Secondary | |
2004 | Daniel C. Matt offers an English translation of the Zohar that interprets the "mark" or "sign" of Cain mentioned in Genesis 4:15. | Moses de León Ancient | Direct Translation | |
2005 | Richard D. Draper, S. Kent Brown, and Michael D. Rhodes identify "seed of Cain" with "skin pigmentation." | Richard D. Draper LDS | Secondary | |
2005 | Draper, Brown, and Rhodes describe Ham/Canaan as "Black." | Richard D. Draper LDS | Secondary | |
2005 | Latter-day Saint scholars Richard D. Draper et al. observe that Cain's "mark is not the same as the curse, which carried multiple penalties." | Richard D. Draper LDS | Direct | |
2005 | Stephen A. Kaufman offers a transcription of Targum Pseudo-Jonathan for Genesis 4:15 that discusses Cain's "mark" or "sign." | Stephen A. Kaufman Non-LDS | Direct | |
2005 | Caroline Elkins offers brief treatment of war violence during Kikuyu uprising. | Caroline Elkins Non-LDS | Direct Secondary | |
2007 | Marvin Meyer provides an English translation of an early Christian text that describes Cain as "the sun." | Marvin Meyer Non-LDS | Direct Translation Ancient | |
2008 | Matthew Bowman writes on Bigfoot/Cain connection. | Matthew Bowman LDS | Direct Secondary | |
2008 | Richard Newman's biography highlights RA's experience with integrated Methodist revivals. | Richard S. Newman Non-LDS | Secondary | |
2010 | J. Reuben Clark told that transfused blood disintegrates rapidly. | J. Reuben Clark LDS | Direct Reprint | |
2010 | J. Reuben Clark told by doctors that LDS Hospital segregated blood and that blood changes after a certain amount of time. | J. Reuben Clark LDS | Direct Reprint | |
2010 | J. Reuben Clarks records the Quorum of the Twelve disagreeing on the "one drop" of blood rule for priesthood exclusion. | J. Reuben Clark LDS | Direct | |
Jun 2010 | TG explains when ARC desegregated blood. | Thomas Guglielmo Non-LDS | Direct Reprint Secondary | |
Jun 2010 | TG summarizes GCR statement on ARC refusing blood plasma from Black donors. | Thomas Guglielmo Non-LDS | Direct Secondary | |
2011 | Eric Foner explains antebellum American racism. | Eric Foner Non-LDS | Secondary | |
2013 | Genesis 10:15–20 (KJV) outlines the lineage of Ham and Canaan. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints LDS | 2nd Hand | |
2013 | Modern 2013 edition of Abraham 1:21–27 in the Pearl of Great Price. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints LDS | Standard Works | |
2013 | Moses 7:8, 22 in the current 2013 edition of the Book of Moses. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints LDS | Standard Works | |
Feb 21, 2013 | Armand Mauss discusses efforts to campaign church leadership to repudiate ban. | Armand L. Mauss LDS | Direct Reprint | |
Dec 1, 2013 | In the Gospel Topics Essay, the Church denounces past theories and racism. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints LDS | Direct | |
2015 | Reeve discusses historical reasons for the priesthood ban. | W. Paul Reeve LDS | Direct | |
Jul 2015 | Ryan Stuart Bingham argues in JMH that the "blackness" of Cain and Canaanites in Moses and Abraham referred to race and skin color. | Ryan Stuart Bingham Disaffected | Direct Secondary | |
Jul 2015 | Ryan Stuart Bingham argues that Joseph's racial views influence his interpretations in Facsimile 3 of the Book of Abraham. | Ryan Stuart Bingham LDS | Direct Secondary | |
2019 | Glenn David Bauscher offers an English translation of the Syriac Peshitta translation of Genesis 4:15, which mentions the "mark" or "sign" of Cain. | Glenn David Bauscher Non-LDS | Direct Translation Ancient | |
Aug 5, 2019 | Church historian Snow comments on writing of race/priesthood essay. | Steven E. Snow LDS | Scribed Verbatim | |
2021 | Stephen Smoot addresses Dan Vogel's argument about race in the Pearl of Great Price. | Stephen O. Smoot LDS | Direct Secondary | |
2021 | Dan Vogel argues that the Pearl of Great Price describes the origins of Black people. | Dan Vogel Disaffected Critic | Direct Secondary | |
2021 | World Population Review report that less than 1% of Zimbabweans are white. | World Population Review Non-LDS | Direct | |
May 18, 2021 | Moss summarizes Rwandan weather. | Stephen Moss Non-LDS | Direct Journalism | |
Dec 22, 2022 | Samuel Berman offers an English translation of Midrash Tanchuma Bereshit 10, commenting on Genesis 4:15's mention of Cain's "mark" or "sign." | Samuel A. Berman Non-LDS | Direct Ancient | |
Dec 22, 2022 | Samuel A. Berman provides a Hebrew transcription of the Midrash Tanchuma discussion of Genesis 4:15, which mentions Cain's "mark" or "sign." | Samuel A. Berman Non-LDS | Direct Ancient |