Brigham denounces interracial marriage and gives an explanation for the priesthood and temple restrictions.

Date
Feb 5, 1852
Type
Speech / Court Transcript
Source
Brigham Young
LDS
Hearsay
Scribed Verbatim
Reference

Brigham Young, Speech before Territorial Legislature, February 5, 1852, Brigham Young Office Files, CR 100 317

Scribe/Publisher
George D. Watt
People
George D. Watt, Brigham Young
Audience
Utah Territorial Legislature
Transcription

In the priesthood I will <tell> you what it will do, where the children of God to mingle there seed with the seed of Cain it would not only bring the curse <of being deprived of the power of the priesthood> upon themselves but they entail it upon their children after them, and they cannot get rid of it. If a man in an ungaurded moment should commit such a transgression, if he would walk up and say cut off my head, and kill man woman and child it would do a great deal towards atoning for the sin. Would this be to curse them? no it would be a blessing to them—it would do them Good that they might be saved with their Bre[thren]. A man <would> shuder should they here us take about killing folk, but it is one of the greatest blessings to some to kill them, allthough the true principles of it are not understood. . . Suppose we summons them to appear here and here declare it is right to mingle our seed with the black race of Cain, that they shall come in with with us and be partakers with us of all the blessings God has given to us. On that very day, and hour we should do so, the priesthood is taken from this Church and kingdom and God leaves us to our fate. The moment we consent to mingle with the seed of Cain the Church must go to destruction we should receive the curse which has been placed on the seed of Cain and never more be removed with the children of Adam who are heirs to the priesthood until that curse be removed.

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