#quorum of the twelve

[abeehiltz1159]

“With the gift of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the strength of heaven to help us, we can improve, and the great thing about the gospel is we get credit for trying, even if we don’t always succeed.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles “Tomorrow the Lord Will Do Wonders among You” (April 2016 General Conference)

[askmeamormonanything]

who's your LEAST favorite apostle? #controversial

Wait no no no I don’t want to choose… I love all the bretheren… 😢 Ok ok, if I HAD to choose… Quentin L. Cook. (If we’re being honest, I fell asleep for a couple minutes during his talk last conference. I was super super tired from the night before. It was a sunday and like an idiot I forgot to stock up on diet coke and dr. pepper the day before.)

[mindfulldsliving]

Laboring with the Lord: Transforming Lives through Missionary Work

We are called to be anxiously engaged in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, taking every opportunity to do so in word and deed. Doctrine and Covenants 123:12 reminds us that we may never know who among us is searching for the Gospel's light.

Embrace Missionary Work Today! We have found that sharing the gospel in simple, normal, and natural ways through the principles of “love, share, invite” greatly blesses the kingdom. Jesus Christ shared the gospel this way when He lived on earth. He shared His life and His love and invited all to come unto Him (see Matthew 11:28). To love, share, and invite as He did is a special blessing and…

[headlinehorizon]

Farewell to M. Russell Ballard: A Leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

M. Russell Ballard, a prominent leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has passed away at the age of 95. Learn about his legacy, his position within the church, and the upcoming changes in this latest news update.

[froody]

One thing about Mormonism I will give them is that they keep in-depth records and they’re all into genealogy so there is so much to read. So much of it is written in a way that is extremely biased but the sinisterness is just under the surface. They’ll proudly tell you this great man was with Joseph Smith in Nauvoo and fled persecution, survived cholera in Winter Quarters and went on to be a member of the Quorum of the Twelve and a successful “business leader” in Utah. But they’ll also document his two 15 year old wives. And his 42 year old first wife who died of exhaustion trying to keep their 14 children alive after he uprooted their lives to follow the doctrine of a professional conman. And they’ll treat that as holy.

[wardensantoineandevka]

I'm thinking about a bit of United Baronies executive processes and administrative systems, especially now that Kozma is dead. According to the letter that Kozma sent to Baron Hannigan of the Mid-Abyss, the United Baronies' Department of the Exterior conference is happening next traversal from the 8th to the 10th.

I note that this says "on Guilemoth" suggesting a location, but the episode has her dictating "in Guilemoth" suggesting a month name (or again a location, like a city). Either way, the sense is that the conference is coming up soon. Traversals are generally suggested to be analogous to years, so presumably this means that the conference will be happening in the first month of the traversal, which may or may not be called Guilemoth.

Assuming that the calendar in the cosmos is the same length as ours and has twelve months, that's next month! Multiple appendices date the tail end of season two and all of season three to be in the twelfth month of the traversal, and we know that the Vault bombing happens on the 16th, due to Patricia's meeting minutes:

Some months in the cosmos are known to last as long as over 40 days (per Lark's journal and the Upper Trust meeting agenda), at least in the year 624 given traversals are measured by the Fold's current. But, even so, this means the meeting is in about four weeks from the end of the series.

Kozma was soliciting Hannigan's support because she suggests that she cannot continue to hold quorum without it. Kozma is incredibly manipulative, so HOW true that is is a little in question, but I do not think Kozma would bother going through this trouble pressuring flakier barons if a quorum, and one in her favor, was already well certain. She's efficient!

But, regardless, the true matter of interest I have here is that it seems Kozma has been maintaining quorum for at least the Department of the Exterior (which we know little about, but do know maintains trade an travel routes) by threatening other barons into allying themselves with her. She additionally notes that the United Baronies isn't super united. Without Kozma keeping together a network of allies through pressure, threats, or otherwise, DOES the DotE — and other UB offices and legislative bodies and executive systems — currently have enough barons, and barons who are interested in participating in certain processes, to continue to hold quorum and maintain those processes?

[demoisverysexy]

halfway through the talk, jeffery mispronounces a word, and he falls through the trapdoor and we hear a sickening crunch. then oaks gets up and announces a new acting president of the quorum of the twelve.

[earthgeco]

@heathersdesk as promised here's the explanation of my theory about the importance of imperfection in the church for the perfection of the saints.

As is the way of the Lord this starts several years ago when I was on my mission, where I finally actually understood the importance of trials in our lives.

Newtons third law states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. If we want to walk forward we need to overcome two forces: gravity, and friction.

Gravity and friction make walking difficult, BUT if we did not have those oppositions there would be no movement. If there were a room with no gravity and no friction, there would be no movement. We would just flail around and never get anywhere, much less toward our goal.

Trials are our spiritual gravity and friction. They provide the opposing force from which we push. To be perfected is a process of trial and growth, trial and growth, trial and growth. It will not be easy but it the only way we can come unto Christ and become like our Heavenly Parents.

Last conference was hard for me and I only ended up watching about half a session, though I have since read some of the talks and quite liked them. It didn't push me out of the church, but it got close. I had recently come out as gender-queer and started using they/them. It made me wonder. I had received personal revelation from the Lord that my gender identity and expression was part of my eternal identity and supported by Them, so why was the quorum of the twelve and the first presidency teaching contrary to this? My answer as typical of the Lord came from an old institute teacher who I had once spent nearly an hour arguing with about trans rights. He was substituting for the class I was in and we were talking about the organization of the church.

Ephesians 4:11-17 teaches us about the organization of the church saying:

11.And he gave some, apostles; and to some, prophets; and to some, evangelists; and to some, pastors, and teachers;

12.For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13.Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

14.That we are henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and the cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive

15.But speaking the truth in love, may grow up unto him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

16.From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working inn the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

17.This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind.

The Church is organized intentionally it is imperfect by design.

"For the perfecting of the saints," trials are the biggest perfecting force in life. So we are perfected both by good and bad experiences within the church and by good and bad experiences with the members of the church.

"In the unity of the faith," becoming unified doesn't happen on accident, a common group dynamic model identifies "storming" or a period of disagreement and struggle as a fundamental part of growing an effective team. Overcoming the struggle is what unifies us.

"Be no more children, tossed to and fro," learning to love imperfect people and finding the good in everyone helps us learn who we are and what we believe which will ground us in Christ.

"But speaking the truth in love...even Christ," Recognizing that Christ is the truth and learning to share the his gospel with love helps us and those around us grow closer to him.

Each part and person in the church is important for the whole to improve every person every policy no matter how harmful it is is there for a reason, so each member of the church can learn and grow. That's not to say we must accept everything. It is often in fighting for change we grow the most. We are not the "true church" because we are the best, or even that we are right about everything. This is the true church because we have the living gospel and we learn and grow together. We work together for the edifying and perfecting of the saints.

[nerdygaymormon]

LDS LGBTQ Anniversaries for 2023

For 8 years I’ve been in charge of creating my stake’s calendar. In addition to stake meetings & activities, I include holidays and significant LDS anniversaries like when it was the 175th anniversary of the founding of Sunday School or 40 years ago priesthood and temple blessings were restored to members of African descent. 

This year there's only 1 significant anniversary I put on the calendar: Sept 21st will be 200 years since the angel Moroni first appeared to Joseph Smith.

For readers of this blog, here’s a few anniversaries this year that may be of interest:

75 years ago

April 1948 - Gay BYU students Kent Goodridge and Richard Snow met with church president George Albert Smith. They were in love and wanted to get a clarification of their ‘status.’ President Smith treated them with great kindness and told them to "live their lives as best they could" in their companionship. They had gambled making this appointment and worried they could be excommunicated on the spot, instead they left feeling loved and valued. 

Unfortunately, this live-and-let-live attitude didn’t last long as President Smith's successor, David O. McKay, felt homosexuals "should be excommunicated without any doubt, that the homosexual has no right to membership in the Church."

30 years ago

May 18, 1993 - Apostle Boyd K. Packer gave an address to the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve, and the Presiding Bishopric, in which he stated there are three great threats to the LDS Church: the gay/lesbian challenge, the feminist movement, and scholars 

September - The September Six are excommunicated for publishing scholarly work against or criticizing church doctrine or leadership. This was widely reported in national press and resulted in a chilling effect on academics challenging approved church narratives

25 years ago

October - Mormon-raised Russell Henderson and his friend Aaron McKinney tortured Matthew Shepard and left him for dead in Wyoming. The shocking crime made international news. The outrage over this crime eventually lead to the Matthew Shepard Act in 2009 which expanded the federal law’s definition of “hate crime” to include sexual orientation and gender identity. In 2018, Matthew's ashes were moved to the Washington National Cathedral

15 years ago

Chieko Okazaki, the first person of color to serve in an LDS Church general organization presidency, was first counselor in the General Relief Society President when she published a book in which she wrote “A family with a gay child is not a failed family. It's a family with a member who needs special love and understanding and who has love and understanding to give back.”

California’s Prop 8 - Church leadership heavily encouraged members donate time and money to pass Prop 8 which would ban same-sex marriage in California. About 1/2 of the money raised for its passage came from Mormons. The proposition passed and immediately there were protests at temples in Los Angeles and Salt Lake City, and the church received a lot of negative exposure. Since then the church has preferred behind-the-scenes roles in its efforts to combat queer rights

10 years ago

Dec 20, 2013 - Same-sex marriages became legally recognized in Utah. Seth Anderson & Michael Ferguson, both former Mormons, are the first gay couple to get married in Utah 

5 years ago 

January 2018 - The documentary "Believer" featuring Imagine Dragon's lead singer Dan Reynolds premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Reynolds discussed the intersection of LGBTQ people in the Mormon community. Later in the year he appeared on The Ellen Degeneres Show and The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and spoke of LGBTQ Mormons and suicides

January 2018 - Josh Weed, the most famous LDS gay man in a mixed-orientation marriage, announces that he & his wife will get a divorce. They apologize to everyone who ever had their story held up as an example that gay people can get married and stay in the Church.

February 2018 - Church-run Family Services states it no longer provides reparative therapy or sexual orientation change efforts

February 2018 - Richard Ostler starts a podcast called “Listen, Learn, and Love,” which has LGBTQ members/former members share their stories

March 2018 -  BYU sponsors its first LGBT campus event, a panel of four students--Kaitlynn Wright, Ben Schilaty, Sarah Langford and Gabriel Cano–answer student-submitted questions

As president of the LGBTQAI+ and Allies Club, Jill Stevenson worked with administration at Southern Virginia University, a predominantly-LDS liberal arts college, to get the university to officially recognize the club, and to allow same-gender dancing on campus

June 2018 - The Church’s Family Search website starts allowing same-sex marriages to be recorded

July 2018 - The Provo Freedom Festival allows LGBTQ groups to participate in the parade due to a contract it had signed with the city of Provo which included a non-discrimination clause.

Dec 2018 - Stacey Harkey, a cast member on BYUTV’s popular show Studio C, comes out as gay

[j-the-latter-gay-saint]

We are saddened to announce that President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has died. After a recent brief hospital stay, he returned to his home where he attended to duties as he was able to before passing away at approximately 11:15 p.m. November 12, 2023 surrounded by loved ones. He was 95.

[abeehiltz1159]

“If we give our heart to God, if we love the Lord Jesus Christ, if we do the best we can to live the gospel, then tomorrow—and every other day—is ultimately going to be magnificent, even if we don’t always recognize it as such. Why? Because our Heavenly Father wants it to be!”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles “Tomorrow the Lord Will Do Wonders among You” (April 2016 General Conference)

[cloverplayssnakegame]

The Laurel Class President and the Great Plan of Happiness 

It was late September 2019, and I was around the age of 16. I was invited into my bishop's office, and he offered me the calling of Laurell class president. I accepted the calling because it was surely from God, and I waited for the bishop to set me apart as president of the Laurel class. I fasted and prayed to have the wisdom to be a good and faithful servant to my fellow young women and my Heavenly Father.

Two weeks later, during the women’s session of the General Conference, it was announced that there would be no Laurels, Mia Maids, or Beehives and that wards would instead be allowed to set up classes however deemed necessary.  

I waited roughly four months for the bishop to decide whether I should be sustained as a young women's leader. During that time, I still went to meetings as if I was going to be sustained and did the responsibilities as a class president all without proper recognition. He pulled me into an empty classroom sometime in early January of 2020; he told me that in the time it took to figure out how to distribute the Young Women's classes, he realized that one of my friends was meant to be class president instead. I took this graciously. It was from Heavenly Father, after all, and accepted my calling.

I was the second counselor

Serving under a female class president 

Serving under a female young women's president 

Serving under a male bishop 

Serving under a male stake president 

Serving under an all-male regional quorum of the seventy 

Serving under an all-male general quorum of the seventy

Serving under the all-male quorum of the twelve apostles

Serving under the male first presidency

Serving under a male prophet. 

Presumably, that male prophet serves under God.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

There is a story in the New Testament about a woman with an issue of blood. When she hears about Jesus, she finds him, and she touches his robe and her blood dries up. Jesus tells her it wasn't his power but her faith that made her whole. That was the simplified version of the story I was told as a child, at least. It was taught to me as a lesson to have faith in the church and in our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. 

Now, as I'm older, some would call me cynical; I would simply say that I'm more precise in my hope. 

It is important to note that menstrual blood was considered ritually unclean, and women were not to be touched while they were bleeding. A woman who is chronically bleeding like the woman in the story, would basically be unable to join in her society. So it is significant that this woman felt that she could feel worthy to touch someone she believed to be a prophet, and Jesus did not feel insulted by touching someone who is a cultural outcast. If I were to be tasked with teaching a primary lesson about the woman with an issue of blood I would not try to wow them with the idea that there are magical men within the church and we can be made whole by having faith in them. I would liken it to their lives which should hopefully be somewhere in reality. I would tell them that this woman would not have needed a literal act of God if she had a place within her community, and purposely including the excluded is a radical and Christlike act that can change a person's life. 

Maybe that's why I probably won't be in charge of teaching primary any time soon, 

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me,

Still, all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

 “I bless you the day will come for you to enter the Temple to receive the eternal covenants Heavenly Father would have you make with Him. I, also, bless you to make and keep sacred covenants with your husband and sustain, support, and love him. He in turn, I promise you, will love you and enjoy the life you build together” 

~Heavenly Father 

  Within a Mormon context, the word sustain has a particular meaning. Whenever a new person is given a calling the members of the ward will be asked to raise their arms to the square to sustain the leadership. This gives the illusion of democracy. Weirdly it also serves as a reminder that the Church’s leadership only has power to the extent the membership feeds it. Within this paragraph of my patriarchal blessing, I am blessed that I will find a man who I will sustain as my leader and I will support and love him. This isn't a commandment or advice or a request this is a blessing; Divine providence states I will one day stumble into a man and feel that he is worthy enough to sustain, support, and love as much as- or more than- I sustain support and love God. My promise to follow an all-knowing all-powerful deity is placed in the same breath as my calling to marry a man.

I couldn't physically throw away my patriarchal blessing. Some remaining malignant scrupulosity simply wouldn't let me get rid of it. I kept it tucked away at first when I got to college. I felt a bit as if I had buried McKenna Johnson the Laurel Class President beneath the floorboards of my dorm. She whispers sometimes about the life she should be living. Her heartbeat still rings in my ears though it gets softer and softer with each passing day. I let my patriarchal blessing sit alone and unread for a while as I reconstructed my life. I made it into a snowflake an art form based on creating beauty and meaning by cutting something apart. I used a cheap tarot deck I wasn't using, to make a suitable background. I have the galaxy-themed back of the cards cut into the predictions for my life. Because the Universe always finds a way to remind us that it has no respect for our small minds' view of the future. 

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

In my senior year of high school, I started writing a story that I ultimately dropped and abandoned. It was about two sister missionaries who fell in love. The story would need to end in a sad way where the girls go their separate ways because they have a sacred duty to their heavenly father. The story was revolutionary in my mind because I would allow the girls one chaste little kiss, and they don't regret it and appreciate the lessons they learned from each other. I did not fully know that sister missionaries are not meant to have first names for the eighteen months they spend as missionaries. So it was, ultimately, a useless task to figure out meaningful names for the star-crossed lovers. I named the junior companion Rosemary, which would later be shortened to Rose as she grows as a character. She goes from being called a herb, which is meant to be diced and consumed, to a flower that is simply meant to be grown and appreciated for its simple beauty. Tying her transformation to her budding relationship with her companion makes it a nice little story of self-discovery.  I named Rose's senior companion Clover. It's my favorite flower and it's also a weed. This is thematically significant because I made Clover openly bisexual in a mission environment that isn’t super open to queerness. She is being defiant by existing beautifully. I wanted her to have unique but fantastic answers to gospel-related questions and a different perspective on life than Rose, so I made Clover a convert. I spent a while dwelling on what she would be like before Mormonism. I gave her a bob haircut and a lot of extra piercings, and I even dared- just once- to draw a picture of her in a crop top. I spent a lot of time thinking about these characters and this story, and all I needed to do to continue writing was find a good reason for Clover to join the Mormon church. 

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down, Darkness be over me, my rest a stone; Yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to Thee.

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

The Orlando temple’s real front door is cemented shut. It's this ornate cement door that is built exclusively for Jesus Christ to open when he comes to earth again. The temple designers were either creepy or short-sighted because the door leads directly into the bride's dressing room. I spent a lot of time sitting at the temple's front door, it felt like the most important spiritual part of the building's exterior.  Even as I was in the process of losing my faith, I would still come back to sit at the temple’s door. At this point, the temple’s back doors might as well have been cemented shut. I couldn't bring myself to pay tithing anymore, so my temple recommend would remain expired into the eternities. When I lead tours of a lifesize recreation of the Tabernacle from Mose’s time I was assigned to lead people to the doors into the courtyard, then go back to grab the next group and never to go in. Every tour over and over, my script would mention that only Levites were allowed into the courtyard, and only the high priest was allowed into the holy of holies. It gave me a little sense of hope while I led those tours. In the old days, non-Levites were not allowed into the temple, and now most people don't know what a Levite is. If I follow this logic to its conclusion, maybe there will be a day where the god chosen people are not excluding queer people; they will have moved on to a different social construct to exclude. 

Now that I am thousands of miles away from the cement door leading into the bride’s room. I can see that the inside of the temple only has meaning because there are vastly more people outside of the temple. I spent a long time touching the door- hoping for my faith to make me whole. My faith failed me, but maybe that was the best thing that could’ve happened. 

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

“Purity that demands exclusion isn't real purity, maybe paradise is a lie.” You might think that this is a quote from a wise and important person, but it is not. This is a quote from The Fucking trampoline episode from the sitcom Community. I'm always amazed at the wisdom that can be found within the most absurd.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

Outside of my preexisting biases, I do like the word Sustain. There is power in choosing what is important to strengthen support and suffer within your own life. I can bear testimony now that my new world is worth sustaining. I have a second piercing. It's very small, but I feel quite edgy and cool every time I see it. I wear crop tops and drink tea. I've discovered that most of the world gets to have a second Saturday to truly rest. I can laugh loudly at the pure absurdity of Mohonri Moriancumer’s trans-Atlantic submarines. I can allow the sad story of Helen Mar Kimbals’ life to exist uninterrupted and unquestioned. At least one part of my patriarchal blessing came true, I found a boy worth sustaining, and then another guy and we love the life we are building together. I steal my partner’s bed while I call my other partner. I can sit inside my own body with pure peace and bliss. Like the missionary I named after a wildflower I dont have a single good reason to go back to where I was before.

 I am Clover

my room

the building my room is in

my college

my town

Idaho

The United States of America

The continent of America

The world

The Solar System 

The Milky Way Galaxy

The Cosmos 

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

Or if on joyful wing cleaving the sky 

Sun moon and stars forgot

Upward I fly 

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

[heathersdesk]

I'm never going to find it again, but some lovely child of God was trying to reconcile the removal of punitive actions against the LGBTQ+ community in the LDS Church at large with the CES crackdown on church school campuses by saying that CES doesn't represent the First President or the Quorum of the Twelve.

I hate to be the one to tell anyone this, but the First Presidency and some members of the Quorum of the Twelve are CES. The First Presidency are the Board of Trustees for all church-owned schools. Christofferson and Rasband are board members. How the Honor Code is shaped and enforced is traceable directly back to the First Presidency.

So I get the desire to separate CES and their actions from the larger Church. But that's just not an accurate way to understand this situation.

A more accurate way to understand it would be that the Church is trying to target its punitive sanctions against the LGBTQ+ community specifically at young people, the current generation who is:

Most likely to fight back, thereby getting broad support from outside the Church and inspiring real change. Especially since they have the historical and media literacy to recycle the same playbook from the 70s by which young people used BYU in the media to ultimately change the racial restriction policies, they don't want BYU students to do the same thing with the LGBTQ+ community. By filtering these students out, they want to prevent the consolidation of power on the public stage/lessen legal liability for queer students against the Church.

Least likely to back down/accept conversation therapy and mixed orientation marriages as solutions.

More susceptible (they hope) to being forced back into the closet. There's a flailing hope that if they can get to young people early enough, they can stop them from ever questioning or discovering their queerness at all.

Dallin H. Oaks has been a bully against the queer community for decades. He spent a significant portion of his tenure hunting queer students among the student body and overseeing the development of pain aversion conversion therapy techniques against them. It's not a stretch to say that he thinks enough pain will suppress the Church's queer "problem." He's been the author and orchestrator of queer suffering for so much of his tenure in the Church.

To the extent that the Church is capable of any real change in respect to the LGBTQ+ community, I don't think it will happen until Oaks dies and no longer has control of the levers of power.

I know no one likes to hear/admit that change in the Church, a lot of times, is just waiting for the right people to die... but we have a long history of being able to prove how true that is with our senior leadership. Nevertheless, I have long said that I think this is where we are.

And at 91 years old, I don't think we realistically have too much longer to wait🤷‍♀️

Being part of change in the Church has to include being realistic about who/what we're up against. Getting these things nailed down is essential to understanding the milestones to reach for and what can realistically be accomplished where we are right now.

[alliluyevas]

One of the graves I most wanted to visit was Helen Mar Kimball Whitney: Helen was an avid diarist, and I've read about 800 pages of her diary entries recorded mostly over the last decade of her life after her husband died, so I feel like I "know" her from her writing. She also has a very poignant and frankly pretty upsetting life story, and I wanted to pay my respects to her.

Helen was the oldest daughter of early church leader Heber Kimball, and the only surviving daughter he had with his first wife, Vilate. Helen's parents converted to Mormonism when she was three years old. When she was five, her family relocated to Kirtland, Ohio, where the church was then headquarted, and where Heber was ordained as one of the original Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. When Helen was fourteen, her life dramatically changed when her father took a plural wife and then arranged a marriage between his daughter and 37-year-old Joseph Smith. Helen was his youngest wife. A little more than a year later, she became a fifteen-year-old widow after Smith's assassination. Helen's later in life reflections of this period mingle memories of her teenage unhappiness with an adult perspective of religious piety and duty, which is reflected by contemporary letters from her father urging Helen to be obedient through trials in search of promised spiritual blessings.

Later, seventeen-year-old Helen married Horace Whitney, the older brother of her best friend Sarah Ann, who she had apparently had a crush on since before her first marriage, right before they left Nauvoo for Utah along with the majority of the church. Settling in Salt Lake City, Helen and Horace had eleven children, six of whom survived to adulthood. Eventually, Horace married again, and Helen lived in a house next to her sister-wife, Mary Cravath Whitney. Helen struggled significantly with chronic physical health issues beginning in her late teens, starting with difficult pregnancies and births. She also suffered from what she described alternately as issues with her nerves, melancholy, "deathly spells", and demonic attacks. Because of her disabling psychological and physical health issues, she often felt that she was not able to socialize or engage with her hobbies the way she wanted to. In her early teens, Helen had sung in the Nauvoo church choir, played piano, and had several roles in amateur theater productions. Horace, who played the violin, was also artistic, and their children were involved in music and theater as well. Her main creative outlet as an adult seems to have been writing--in addition to her prolific and vivid diary entries, she published articles and poetry in Mormon women's magazines, as well as two pro-polygamy pamphlets.

Helen experienced a lot of loss and trauma in her life, from the pressures of her early marriage to the deaths of several of her children in infancy. A little more than a year after the death of her husband, the family went through another tragedy: her younger son, Charlie, who was 21, killed himself. Helen struggled with both grief and shock at the nature of his death for the rest of her life. Another thing that drew me to the Whitney family gravesite was wanting to document Charlie's headstone. According to his mother's diary, he was buried next to his father, but there was no information on FindAGrave and I thought the headstone might no longer be extant. Thankfully, I was able to photograph Charlie's simple headstone and I will be creating a page on FindAGrave for him.

I'm very glad that I was able to see Helen and her family and leave flowers: her diary was very moving to me and I have a lot of sympathy for her. She seems like she was a very intelligent, talented woman who dealt with a lot of really difficult, crushing things in life, and I wish she hadn't had to. Especially given how much grief she experienced and that I know she hoped to reunite with her family in heaven, it was sort of comforting to see them all buried together, and the Whitney section is very beautiful.

The top image is Helen as an older woman. Middle is Horace and Mary. The bottom picture is her five surviving children, son Orson and daughters Lily, Genevieve, Florence, and Helen (clockwise from left). This picture was taken after Charlie died, I don't think there are any pictures of him. I was able to find the graves of every Whitney child except Helen--the area where she and her husband are supposed to be buried is kind of not in good repair and I suspect if the graves were in-ground plaques they may have grown over--you can see that one of Orson's wives had grown over and I had to kind of dig out her plaque. Charlie, Lily, and Genevieve are buried in the same plot as their parents, along with several half-siblings from Horace and Mary's marriage. Florence is with her husband's family, as is Helen (allegedly, as I wasn't able to locate the grave). (She's also named on the grave as F. Marion, though her family did not call her by her middle name. Maybe later in life.) Orson is buried with his wives in a different part of the cemetery next to his uncle, Solomon Kimball, who was Helen's youngest full brother whom she was very close to. (Note: Solomon was a widower who remarried, not a polygamist. Orson, on the other hand, had two wives at the same time).

[gentlehand]

Followers of the Prince of Peace by Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

As his followers, we are His peculiar people, called to proclaim his virtues, promoters of peace so generously offered through Him and His atoning sacrifice. This peace is a gift promised to all who turn their hearts to the Savior and live righteously; such peace gives us strength to enjoy mortal life and enables us to endure the painful trails of our journey.

[fusion360]

Blacks in Mormonism: Mormon Church Black People 

A Journey of Inclusion and Progress

Welcome to a platform dedicated to exploring the rich tapestry of beliefs and teachings within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Today, we embark on a significant exploration of the relationship between the Mormon Church and Black people. With a commitment to inclusivity and understanding, we delve into the historical journey, the challenges faced, and the progress made toward greater equality within our faith community with Blacks in Mormonism.

The current status of Black people in the Mormon Church is a complex and evolving issue. On the one hand, there have been significant advances in recent years. In 1978, the church reversed its ban on Black people holding the priesthood and participating in temple ordinances. Since then, Black Mormons have served in a variety of leadership roles, including as bishops, stake presidents, and general authorities. The church has also made efforts to increase diversity in its membership and leadership, and it has donated millions of dollars to Black organizations.

On the other hand, Black Mormons still face challenges in the church. Some Black Mormons report feeling marginalized or discriminated against, and they may be less likely to participate in church activities. The church has been criticized for its history of racism, and it has not yet apologized for its past teachings on race.

Here are some specific examples of the challenges that Black people still face in the Mormon Church:

Racism and discrimination. Some Black Mormons report feeling marginalized or discriminated against by other members of the church. This can take many forms, such as being excluded from social activities, being treated with suspicion, or being told that they are not as worthy as white members.

Lack of representation. Black Mormons are still underrepresented in leadership roles in the church. As of 2022, there are only two Black general authorities, and there are no Black members of the church's First Presidency or Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Uncomfortable history. The church's history of racism is a source of pain for many Black Mormons. The church taught for many years that Black people were less valiant in the pre-mortal life, and that this was the reason for their skin color. This teaching has been disavowed by the church, but it can still be a source of hurt for Black Mormons.

Despite these challenges, many Blacks in Mormonism find great strength and community in the church. They believe that the church's teachings are true, and they find comfort in the church's emphasis on family and service. The church has also made significant progress in recent years, and it is committed to creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all of its members.

I. Early History: Black People in the Early Mormon Church

In the early days of the Mormon Church, Black individuals played a vital role in its foundation. One remarkable figure was Elijah Abel, a faithful member who became one of the first Black men to receive the priesthood. His ordination in 1836 stands as evidence of the Church's initial openness and acceptance of Black individuals.

Furthermore, we must acknowledge the significant contributions of Jane Manning James, a Black woman who joined the Church and devoted her life to the faith. Her unwavering faith and commitment exemplify the resilience and dedication of Black Mormons during the early years

II. Racial Restriction and the Priesthood Ban

The issue of race within the Mormon Church took a complex turn when a priesthood ban was instituted in the mid-1800s, restricting Black individuals from holding the priesthood. It is essential to recognize that this policy stemmed from cultural and social influences of the time rather than inherent doctrinal principles.

The reasons behind this ban varied, with some early Church leaders believing that Black people were not eligible for the priesthood due to interpretations of scripture and perceived notions of lineage. While these beliefs have since evolved, it is crucial to acknowledge the historical context and the impact this restriction had on Blacks in Mormonism, who yearned for full participation and acceptance within the Church.

III. The Lifted Ban and Changing Perspectives

The year 1978 marked a significant milestone in the Mormon Church's journey toward greater inclusivity. In that year, the revelation known as Official Declaration 2 was received, lifting the priesthood ban and affirming the equality and divine worth of all individuals. This revelation marked a pivotal moment, highlighting the Church's commitment to progress, inclusion, and unity among its diverse membership.

The decision to lift the ban was guided by a deep understanding that all individuals, regardless of race, are beloved children of God and deserving of equal opportunities within the Church. This transformative event opened doors for Black Mormons to serve in leadership positions, receive temple blessings, and engage fully in the spiritual life of the faith community.

IV. Progress and Inclusion in the Modern Era

In the modern era, the Mormon Church continues to make strides toward fostering a more inclusive and diverse community. Efforts have been made to address historical and cultural challenges while promoting racial equality and understanding among members.

The Church actively encourages members to embrace diversity and engage in open dialogue to build bridges of empathy and understanding. Programs such as FamilySearch and the Genesis Group provide platforms for fostering connections and supporting Blacks in Mormonism. These initiatives serve as catalysts for unity and education, allowing members to learn from one another's unique experiences.

V. The Legacy and Contributions of Black Mormons

The legacy of Black Mormons within the faith community is one of resilience, faith, and invaluable contributions. From early pioneers like Elijah Abel and Jane Manning James to modern leaders and members, Black individuals have left an indelible mark on the Mormon Church.

Their contributions span various fields, including education, civil rights advocacy, arts, and entrepreneurship. Their unwavering commitment to the gospel principles and their unique perspectives enrich the Church's tapestry, emphasizing the importance of diverse voices in shaping the collective spiritual experience.

VI. Challenges and Continuing the Journey

While progress has been made, it is essential to acknowledge that challenges still exist for Black Mormons. The Church recognizes the need to address historical racial disparities and build bridges of understanding. It is through education, compassion, and open dialogue that we can continue to create an environment of inclusion and love for all members.

As we move forward, let us renew our commitment to learning, understanding, and celebrating the contributions of Black individuals in the Mormon Church. By actively seeking opportunities to listen, learn, and support one another, we can ensure a future where all members feel valued, included, and cherished.

Conclusion:

The journey of Blacks in Mormonism is a testament to the transformative power of inclusion and progress. While acknowledging the complexities and challenges of the past, we look to the future with hope and commitment to fostering a community that embraces the diversity of its members.

Let us continue to learn, engage, and celebrate the contributions of Black individuals within the Mormon Church. Together, we can build a vibrant and inclusive spiritual community where all are welcomed and cherished as beloved children of God.