LDS Priesthood Ban and Slavery: A Failure to Repent and Embrace True Christian Justice

The attempt to defend the LDS priesthood ban and slavery under Brigham Young by comparing them to biblical laws or suggesting they were “benevolent” misses the profound moral failures involved and falls far short of true Christian repentance and accountability. Christians must reject any justification that minimizes sin or excuses systemic injustice, no matter the era or context.

First, the claim that LDS leaders have no reason to apologize for blocking Black men from the priesthood because Christian churches do not apologize for failures related to biblical commands misunderstands the gospel entirely. Jesus’ law is one of love, repentance, and restoration. When the church or its leaders sin, true Christian humility calls for confession, repentance, and seeking forgiveness. Silence or deflection is not godly. Christ’s example was to take responsibility for sin and call others to repentance, even when it was unpopular (John 8:11; 1 John 1:9).

Second, the priesthood ban was a clear injustice rooted in racial prejudice, regardless of any “religious duties” or legal restrictions claimed by Brigham Young. The Bible calls all people equal before God (Galatians 3:28), and Jesus broke down every dividing wall of hostility (Ephesians 2:14). Using religion to justify racial discrimination or slavery is a grave distortion of Scripture and a stain on any faith community. The fact that some LDS leaders opposed the ban does not erase decades of harm caused by official policies that excluded Black members from full participation.

Third, while Brigham Young’s “benevolent” laws on slavery in Utah may superficially seem less harsh than Southern chattel slavery, slavery itself is a sin, an offense against God’s image in every person (Genesis 1:27). No system of slavery can be called just or Christian, regardless of regulations. The Bible’s repeated theme is liberation and justice for the oppressed (Isaiah 1:17; Luke 4:18). Defending any form of human bondage as “temporary” or “civilizing” ignores the call to love and freedom in Christ.

Fourth, Christian churches today wrestle honestly with their own histories of racism, oppression, and failures. Many have issued sincere apologies, reformed their policies, and worked toward racial reconciliation and justice. True Christianity requires repentance and transformation, not defensive revisionism or relativism.

In conclusion, the LDS attempts to excuse past racial policies and slavery under the guise of religious responsibility fail the test of biblical truth and Christian love. The gospel calls us to confess sin, seek forgiveness, and actively oppose injustice. There is no place for racial discrimination or slavery in the body of Christ. The church must not only acknowledge its past errors but repent and strive for genuine equality and unity in Christ alone.

Supporting Bible Verses (NLT):

Galatians 3:28 — “There is no longer Jew or Gentile... for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 2:14 — “He himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one.”

Genesis 1:27 — “God created human beings in his own image.”

Isaiah 1:17 — “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression.”

Luke 4:18 — “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me... to set the oppressed free.”

1 John 1:9 — “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us.”