He further said that an Ethiopian could not reach the state of exaltation necessary to entrance into heaven. His soul was doomed before birth.The patriarch's remarks caused awe and consternation among the hearers and precipitated an ecclesiastical scrimmage. . . Abel was a negro, and according to the remarks of Patriarch Miner, is the only one of his race who ever succeeded in gaining entrance within the pearly grates. The reason he was so successful in accomplishing that feat, according to the patriarch, was his loyalty and his service to Joseph the Prophet, and his belief that the Mormon religion is the only religion that ever happened.