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The Church of Jesus Christ and Black People 1869-1878
There Were No Neutrals in Heaven
On Christmas day 1869, Elder Wilford Woodruff's journal records that "I attended the School of the Prophets. Many questions were asked. President Young answered them. Lorenzo Young asked if the Spirits of Negroes were Nutral [sic] in Heaven. He said someone said Joseph Smith said they were. President Young said No they were not. There was No Nutral spirits in Heaven at the time of the Rebelion [sic]. All took sides. He said if any one said that He Herd [sic] the Prophet Joseph Say that the spirits of the Blacks were Nutral in Heaven He would not Believe them for He herd Joseph Say to the Contrary. All spirits are pure that Come from the presence of God. The posterity of Cane [sic] are Black Because He Commit [sic] Murder. He killed Abel & God set a Mark upon his posterity But the spirits are pure that Enter their tabernacles & there will be a Chance for the redemption of all the Children of Adam Except the Sons of perdition."
Despite his denunciation, however, this belief was apparently widespread within the Church less than half a year later. On April 23, 1870, John S. Lindsay wrote an article called "The Origin of Races" in the Mormon Tribune (later the Salt Lake Tribune) that said, "With the Latter-day Saints, this belief in the origin of the black race is so closely interwoven with the doctrine of the preexistence of man as a spirit that, in examining one theory, touching upon the other will be to some degree unavoidable. Indeed, so inseparably connected are these doctrines in the Mormon faith that, if the one can be shown to be incompatible with the facts of science and grossly improbable to human reason, it may be readily assumed that the other is inconsistent and unreasonable also.
"Orthodox Mormonism teaches that the spirits of the black race are such as, at the time of the great warfare in heaven when Lucifer and his hosts were cast out, played an ignoble part, not evincing loyalty on the one hand, nor yet possessing sufficient courage to join with Satan and his band of rebels. To use a homely phrase, now current here, they were 'astraddle the fence,' waiting to see which side would conquer and ready to fall over among the victorious and popular party. We are informed that for this ignoble conduct they were condemned to suffer on this earth and pay the penalty of their disloyalty by dwelling in bodies inferior to those of their more loyal brethren - us white folks. In order to effect this, God is said to have cursed Cain with a skin of blackness, thus creating an ignoble lineage through which these spirits were doomed to come in accordance with his divine programme...
"Cain is said to have been cursed for shedding his brother's blood. This curse is believed to have consisted in God's changing the color of his skin from what was white and beautiful to a loathsome blackness. The Bible, however, does not so inform us; it merely states that God placed a mark upon him; and this mark was not put upon him as a curse but to serve him as a protection. His real curse was, that the earth should not henceforth yield to him her strength - 'A fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be' etc..
"Even admitting, to continue the argument, that he was cursed with blackness, it takes something more than a black skin to constitute a true type of the African race. Not only would God have been necessitated to change the color of his skin, but also his form and every feature, to destroy as many characteristics and create in him as many new ones as it takes to make up the essential difference between the white race and the black. Will some of our sage philosophers explain to us how God might have accomplished such a seeming impossibility - a miracle only to be surpassed by creating woman out of man's rib? True, it is written that all things are possible with Him. But how possible? Surely not in direct violation of His own laws, the laws of Nature. God cannot work in antagonism to His own universal laws. In all His wondrous works we beheld the nicest and most complete harmony. What harmony would there be in this? What wisdom? What prescience? God is manifest in all His works, the impress of infinite wisdom is to be read in all He does; but when men attribute to Infinite Wisdom works which their own puny judgment might overreach, the utility of which their reason can dare to question, 'tis time they assured themselves as to whether He has been the author of such proceedings or not.
"Leaving this palpable difficulty as to Cain's transformation for the reader to reason upon, we drift at once upon another equally stupendous in its nature, but the philosophy in connection with which we can better presume to handle because the direct interference of God is withdrawn, and the effect of that interference left to work its own results. It will readily be conceded by all that for Cain's crime he alone was cursed with blackness; and yet how heavy must have been the odium entailed, through that curse, upon his parents and their younger offspring! With what a crushing weight it must have fallen on the innocent sister who was doomed to become his wife, the mother of his children, her lovely and innocent nature mingling with his guilty one to give birth to those
'Who can but suffer many years and die,
Propagating death, and multiplying murder.'
How could the sister's pure soul find affinity in that of her fratricidal brother? Would she not shrink in horror from the embrace of that elder brother whose murderous arm had opened wide the door for death to stalk among humanity, by shedding a younger brother's blood?
"It is supposed by some that Cain found his wife after he went to dwell in the land of Nod; but a careful review of the passage from which such inference is drawn, will prove such a supposition unjustifiable; besides the theory of the creation we started with does not admit of the idea at all. If it did it would alter the case a little, for wherever Cain found his wife she must have been a fair daughter of earth, no curse of blackness resting on her. Now the pertinent inquiry comes in, could parents, one black, the other white beget a genuine African posterity? Nature loudly answers, No. How long would it have taken for this supposed curse upon Cain by amalgamation with the nobler and purer blood of the next of Adam's posterity, to resolve itself back into its first conditions? Let the curious investigate. It is a well-known fact that the best and noblest blood in cases of amalgamation keeps the ascendancy, and where the advantages are equal it never resolves itself into meaner conditions. And yet, in the face of this great natural law, the supporters of this flimsy theory bring a pure African descent from Cain down to the Deluge and even transmit it through the Ark by smuggling in a black woman as the wife of Ham, Noah's son, who, of course, was white, - thus introducing the same difficulties as at first, only reversing the color of the parents.
"The absurdities of this tradition are sufficient to comprise a volume, and, altogether, too multidudinous to be even touched upon in a hurried article like this, but a consideration of these few more prominent ones will lead the thoughtful reader to that of others.
"It was designed, in connection with this subject, to advert to the curse of the Lamanites, but, as space will not permit, suffice it to say that this theory involves the necessity of finding a curse for every tribe or race of men that we consider beneath us in civilization or inferior color.
"How much more rational and easy of comprehension are the lessons of nature and science on this subject. Nature is always true, her laws infallible. When will mankind learn to read her great volume of truth spread out before them on every hand, and place a just and proper value on traditions that have been handed down to them through ages of ignorance, superstition and idolatry?"
Despite his denunciation, however, this belief was apparently widespread within the Church less than half a year later. On April 23, 1870, John S. Lindsay wrote an article called "The Origin of Races" in the Mormon Tribune (later the Salt Lake Tribune) that said, "With the Latter-day Saints, this belief in the origin of the black race is so closely interwoven with the doctrine of the preexistence of man as a spirit that, in examining one theory, touching upon the other will be to some degree unavoidable. Indeed, so inseparably connected are these doctrines in the Mormon faith that, if the one can be shown to be incompatible with the facts of science and grossly improbable to human reason, it may be readily assumed that the other is inconsistent and unreasonable also.
"Orthodox Mormonism teaches that the spirits of the black race are such as, at the time of the great warfare in heaven when Lucifer and his hosts were cast out, played an ignoble part, not evincing loyalty on the one hand, nor yet possessing sufficient courage to join with Satan and his band of rebels. To use a homely phrase, now current here, they were 'astraddle the fence,' waiting to see which side would conquer and ready to fall over among the victorious and popular party. We are informed that for this ignoble conduct they were condemned to suffer on this earth and pay the penalty of their disloyalty by dwelling in bodies inferior to those of their more loyal brethren - us white folks. In order to effect this, God is said to have cursed Cain with a skin of blackness, thus creating an ignoble lineage through which these spirits were doomed to come in accordance with his divine programme...
"Cain is said to have been cursed for shedding his brother's blood. This curse is believed to have consisted in God's changing the color of his skin from what was white and beautiful to a loathsome blackness. The Bible, however, does not so inform us; it merely states that God placed a mark upon him; and this mark was not put upon him as a curse but to serve him as a protection. His real curse was, that the earth should not henceforth yield to him her strength - 'A fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be' etc..
"Even admitting, to continue the argument, that he was cursed with blackness, it takes something more than a black skin to constitute a true type of the African race. Not only would God have been necessitated to change the color of his skin, but also his form and every feature, to destroy as many characteristics and create in him as many new ones as it takes to make up the essential difference between the white race and the black. Will some of our sage philosophers explain to us how God might have accomplished such a seeming impossibility - a miracle only to be surpassed by creating woman out of man's rib? True, it is written that all things are possible with Him. But how possible? Surely not in direct violation of His own laws, the laws of Nature. God cannot work in antagonism to His own universal laws. In all His wondrous works we beheld the nicest and most complete harmony. What harmony would there be in this? What wisdom? What prescience? God is manifest in all His works, the impress of infinite wisdom is to be read in all He does; but when men attribute to Infinite Wisdom works which their own puny judgment might overreach, the utility of which their reason can dare to question, 'tis time they assured themselves as to whether He has been the author of such proceedings or not.
"Leaving this palpable difficulty as to Cain's transformation for the reader to reason upon, we drift at once upon another equally stupendous in its nature, but the philosophy in connection with which we can better presume to handle because the direct interference of God is withdrawn, and the effect of that interference left to work its own results. It will readily be conceded by all that for Cain's crime he alone was cursed with blackness; and yet how heavy must have been the odium entailed, through that curse, upon his parents and their younger offspring! With what a crushing weight it must have fallen on the innocent sister who was doomed to become his wife, the mother of his children, her lovely and innocent nature mingling with his guilty one to give birth to those
'Who can but suffer many years and die,
Propagating death, and multiplying murder.'
How could the sister's pure soul find affinity in that of her fratricidal brother? Would she not shrink in horror from the embrace of that elder brother whose murderous arm had opened wide the door for death to stalk among humanity, by shedding a younger brother's blood?
"It is supposed by some that Cain found his wife after he went to dwell in the land of Nod; but a careful review of the passage from which such inference is drawn, will prove such a supposition unjustifiable; besides the theory of the creation we started with does not admit of the idea at all. If it did it would alter the case a little, for wherever Cain found his wife she must have been a fair daughter of earth, no curse of blackness resting on her. Now the pertinent inquiry comes in, could parents, one black, the other white beget a genuine African posterity? Nature loudly answers, No. How long would it have taken for this supposed curse upon Cain by amalgamation with the nobler and purer blood of the next of Adam's posterity, to resolve itself back into its first conditions? Let the curious investigate. It is a well-known fact that the best and noblest blood in cases of amalgamation keeps the ascendancy, and where the advantages are equal it never resolves itself into meaner conditions. And yet, in the face of this great natural law, the supporters of this flimsy theory bring a pure African descent from Cain down to the Deluge and even transmit it through the Ark by smuggling in a black woman as the wife of Ham, Noah's son, who, of course, was white, - thus introducing the same difficulties as at first, only reversing the color of the parents.
"The absurdities of this tradition are sufficient to comprise a volume, and, altogether, too multidudinous to be even touched upon in a hurried article like this, but a consideration of these few more prominent ones will lead the thoughtful reader to that of others.
"It was designed, in connection with this subject, to advert to the curse of the Lamanites, but, as space will not permit, suffice it to say that this theory involves the necessity of finding a curse for every tribe or race of men that we consider beneath us in civilization or inferior color.
"How much more rational and easy of comprehension are the lessons of nature and science on this subject. Nature is always true, her laws infallible. When will mankind learn to read her great volume of truth spread out before them on every hand, and place a just and proper value on traditions that have been handed down to them through ages of ignorance, superstition and idolatry?"
Samuel and Amanda Chambers
Vidella Vance recounted that "Samuel [Davidson] Chambers, a large mulatto with straight white hair, affectionately remembered in the old L.D.S. Wilford Ward area as brother Chambers, or Sam, was born in Louisiana [Alabama according to other sources], May 21, 1834 [1831 according to other sources], to a Negro mother and a Danish father. He saw his mother [Hester Gillespie] sold into slavery when he was a young boy. He married, and soon after the birth of his son, Peter, his wife died. May 10, 1864 [May 4, 1858 according to other sources], Samuel married Amanda, a colored woman who was always loyal and devoted to her husband and the Church. Baptized by Mormon missionaries while in Mississippi, Samuel and his family traveled to Utah in 1870 with a group of colored Latter-day Saint converts [arriving on April 27].
"Samuel acquired twenty acres of land on Imperial Street (1700 East), near 33rd South in Salt Lake City, where he and Amanda planted large and small fruit trees, alfalfa and a garden. The neighbors who grew rhubarb, which they pulled when the stocks [sic] were large, received a cent a pound, and there was small market for it. Mr. Chambers taught them to pull the stalks while they were young and tender and tie them in bunches which easily sold for ten cents a bunch. Many people in the community remember the black currants Samuel sold. He and Amanda would sit under the currant bushes and pick the fruit, then while sitting under large black umbrellas, carefully clean them. Their best customers were the General Authorities of the Church. The President always received from Sam and Amanda a basket-gift of canned and fresh fruit and vegetables at Christmas time. Sam returned to Mississippi and brought to Utah some of his kin who lived with them at their home in Salt Lake City. It is said they hoped to share in Sam's fortune of about $60,000, but he sold the farm to the White brothers and put the money in the bank. Later, he signed most of it away to various benefits. Still lived in today are the two homes on Imperial Street which Samuel built, one of which his son Peter inherited. The Wilford Stake House now stands on what was part of the farm.
"Amanda, a fine cook, excelled in making chicken pie. Whenever there was a ward dinner she would bring one of her famous chicken pies 'for the cooks,' and they all looked forward to it. Many remember the simple but delicious dinners served in her home. Sam owned a beautiful, spirited horse which was the envy of all the young men of the community. On one occasion when they were digging a canal, he warned one of the boys to 'be careful of that horse. He's like dynamite, you never know when he'll go off.' Brother and Sister Chambers celebrated their golden wedding and invited the whole community, white and colored, to a bounteous supper in their home. Peter married an Indian woman who had been raised by a Mormon family in the community, and they were the parents of several children. The whole family contracted tuberculosis and succumbed."
"Samuel acquired twenty acres of land on Imperial Street (1700 East), near 33rd South in Salt Lake City, where he and Amanda planted large and small fruit trees, alfalfa and a garden. The neighbors who grew rhubarb, which they pulled when the stocks [sic] were large, received a cent a pound, and there was small market for it. Mr. Chambers taught them to pull the stalks while they were young and tender and tie them in bunches which easily sold for ten cents a bunch. Many people in the community remember the black currants Samuel sold. He and Amanda would sit under the currant bushes and pick the fruit, then while sitting under large black umbrellas, carefully clean them. Their best customers were the General Authorities of the Church. The President always received from Sam and Amanda a basket-gift of canned and fresh fruit and vegetables at Christmas time. Sam returned to Mississippi and brought to Utah some of his kin who lived with them at their home in Salt Lake City. It is said they hoped to share in Sam's fortune of about $60,000, but he sold the farm to the White brothers and put the money in the bank. Later, he signed most of it away to various benefits. Still lived in today are the two homes on Imperial Street which Samuel built, one of which his son Peter inherited. The Wilford Stake House now stands on what was part of the farm.
"Amanda, a fine cook, excelled in making chicken pie. Whenever there was a ward dinner she would bring one of her famous chicken pies 'for the cooks,' and they all looked forward to it. Many remember the simple but delicious dinners served in her home. Sam owned a beautiful, spirited horse which was the envy of all the young men of the community. On one occasion when they were digging a canal, he warned one of the boys to 'be careful of that horse. He's like dynamite, you never know when he'll go off.' Brother and Sister Chambers celebrated their golden wedding and invited the whole community, white and colored, to a bounteous supper in their home. Peter married an Indian woman who had been raised by a Mormon family in the community, and they were the parents of several children. The whole family contracted tuberculosis and succumbed."
Testimonies of Samuel Chambers
On May 1, 1873, according to the Eighth Ward records, Samuel Chambers "was appointed an assistant Deacon", without priesthood, and Amanda a Relief Society "deaconess". Brother Chambers represented his ward at monthly stake deacons' quorum meetings, where testimonies were customarily shared. From 1873 to 1876 the stake deacons' clerk, Thomas C. Jones, took shorthand notes of the testimonies and then transcribed summaries or nearly verbatim accounts. His record includes twenty-six occasions of Brother Chambers bearing his testimony, throughout which some recurring themes can be noted. Brother Chambers could not read or write himself at that time.
May 6, 1873: "Bro. Chambers said he received the gospel when he was quite a youth while slavery was, and he saved a little money, and came to the valley. He was glad to meet with the Saints, he desired to live with them while he lives, knows the Church is true and the Saints are the people of God. He knew it from the time the Elders laid their hands on him. He feels to be active in doing what he can do for the building up of the kingdom of God. The race he comes of fall away. He feels it is right, the servants of God should keep the Priesthood pure. He feels glad to have the privilege to pay tithing and donations." After this testimony, a Brother Cram said that "he has noticed Bro. Chambers at meeting a good while. He knows that he spoke by the Spirit of God. The greater the fall the greater the rise. If he hangs on he will be a savior to his brethren."
June 3: "Bro Chambers said It was a source of happiness to him to be here, feels to be the least of all the saints of God, but blest to be one of the number. It is joy to him to fill all calls made upon him. Asks an interest in our faith and prayers, that he may receive an exaltation in the kingdom of God. Feels to fulfill his duty. Had been 29 years in the Church, feels as youthful as ever. Is pleased to have the privilege of paying tithing. Did not come here to sit down and be still. Said when he had lived up to the law of tithing, he had never lacked anything. May God help us to be faithful." July 1: Bro Chambers said it always gives me pleasure to meet with the Saints, and speaking feelings to let you know how I get along and by so doing we may judge of each others feelings. It is good for us to meet together, and speak to each other. I ask an interest in your prayers that I may be faithful to the end. Amen."
August 5: "Bro Chambers said I love to meet with the Saints, no matter what meeting, it does me good. I have been 29 years in the church, and have never been dissatisfied yet. As I have been appointed a deacon I feel to fulfill my mission. I feel happy to meet any of my brethren. I hope I may always be valiant. May God help me as I grow older in days, that I may ever live with the saints, in time and in eternity." October 14: "Bro Chambers said it affords him satisfaction to meet and bear testimony. Said he must apologize for not being here at the last meeting, his wife had been sick, but said I have the privilege to be here to night and have the instructions that are given us. I feel least among the servants of God. I know it is the work of God, but I did not come to Utah to find it out. I ask an interest in your faith and prayers that I may prove faithful to the end. I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ Amen."
November 11: "Bro Chambers said notwithstanding all my weakness and failings, I feel to fulfill every calling, and desire to tend to every duty when called, and bear my testimony. I have a source of satisfaction in meeting with the Saints. Tho' a small company yet as the Saviour said 'Where two or three are met together in my name I will be in the midst to bless them.' I hope it may be the case to-night. I know we are the people of God, we have been led to these peaceful vallies of the mountains, and we enjoy life and many other blessings. I don't get tired of being with the Latter-day Saints, nor of being one of them. I'm glad that I ever took upon me the name of Christ. It is our privilege to call our families together, and we can sleep sweetly, and rise and thank God in the morning for his care through the night. It is good when we can go about our business, and return again, and find all right. I've a good woman, and that is a great blessing. I thank God, for my soul burns with love for the many blessings I enjoy. I've been blest from youth up, although in bondage for 20 years after receiving the gospel, yet I kept the faith. I thank God that I ever gathered with the Saints. May the Lord bless us and help us to be faithful is my prayer. Amen." After he sat down, John Picknell recorded that "Bro. Chambers has preached as good a sermon as I ever wished to hear."
December 9: "Bro Chambers said it is always a source of satisfaction to meet with the Saints. I feel strong in the gospel. I never feel encouraged to fall back but to do my duty. I thank God for all his blessings. I enjoy the good instructions given to us. May we go on, and fulfill our duty as a people is my prayer. Amen." February 10, 1874: "Bro Chambers said I feel as a little boy. I always feel to be humble and obedient and fulfill every thing placed upon me. I'm apt to forget sometimes. I'm sorry I forgot tonight. I have a testimony to bear. The oftener I bear testimony the better I feel, it strengthens me. May the Lord bless you."
May 12: "Bro Chambers said it is a source of satisfaction to me to feel that I have the Kingdom of God at heart. I have been a member of this Church a many years, yet it seems but a few days. I was baptized in the year 1844 and after that I was 21 years in bondage, during which time I never heard a word of the gospel. The spirit of God remained within me. In 1865 I was liberated. I then commenced to save means to gather [to Utah]. This took me 4 years. I have rejoiced in the blessings of God thro' all my life. Tho' lacking age and experience yet God kept the seeds of life alive within me. I feel to be as clay in the hands of the potter. I don’t boast in my own strength. I ask an interest in your prayers to help me to be faithful. I have joy in cleaning up and whatever I am called to do. I have my weaknesses in connection with all men. I pray that we may be as one to build up the Kingdom of God."
July 14: "Bro Chambers said I feel it is a source of satisfaction to have the privilege to rise and say a few words and bear my testimony. My weakness is great. We have to lay our cares and dependence on God daily. My mind wanders over many things and causes great reflections to arise. The President at a conference some time ago, prayed us as a people to live our religion and he repeated it last conference. It seems strange that the greatest among us should pray to [for] us. I feel to renew my covenant, and be obedient to the servants of the Almighty. It is not for me to direct, but for them to direct me. I feel to receive consolation this evening for I have felt to ask your faith and prayers before. I have known the gospel to be true ever since I was confirmed. I never set bounds how long I should serve the Lord but I hope to serve him always."
August 11: "Bro Chambers said I know this is the church and kingdom of God. I know it is my duty to bear testimony as well as my privilege. I feel timid, yet I ought not, because I know it is my duty to be obedient. I may rebel once, but I pray God to help me to keep the prize in view. I desire to live my religion, so that I can rise and say I know the gospel I embraced in my youth is true. This causes me to tell the truth. I ask an interest in your faith and prayers that I may live obedient to those set over us. I feel to step forward and vote [speak], and done it with all my power, and gave it all to my friends. I feel proud I've done it. I looked, and can't see when or where I’ve done wrong to any of the servants of God."
May 6, 1873: "Bro. Chambers said he received the gospel when he was quite a youth while slavery was, and he saved a little money, and came to the valley. He was glad to meet with the Saints, he desired to live with them while he lives, knows the Church is true and the Saints are the people of God. He knew it from the time the Elders laid their hands on him. He feels to be active in doing what he can do for the building up of the kingdom of God. The race he comes of fall away. He feels it is right, the servants of God should keep the Priesthood pure. He feels glad to have the privilege to pay tithing and donations." After this testimony, a Brother Cram said that "he has noticed Bro. Chambers at meeting a good while. He knows that he spoke by the Spirit of God. The greater the fall the greater the rise. If he hangs on he will be a savior to his brethren."
June 3: "Bro Chambers said It was a source of happiness to him to be here, feels to be the least of all the saints of God, but blest to be one of the number. It is joy to him to fill all calls made upon him. Asks an interest in our faith and prayers, that he may receive an exaltation in the kingdom of God. Feels to fulfill his duty. Had been 29 years in the Church, feels as youthful as ever. Is pleased to have the privilege of paying tithing. Did not come here to sit down and be still. Said when he had lived up to the law of tithing, he had never lacked anything. May God help us to be faithful." July 1: Bro Chambers said it always gives me pleasure to meet with the Saints, and speaking feelings to let you know how I get along and by so doing we may judge of each others feelings. It is good for us to meet together, and speak to each other. I ask an interest in your prayers that I may be faithful to the end. Amen."
August 5: "Bro Chambers said I love to meet with the Saints, no matter what meeting, it does me good. I have been 29 years in the church, and have never been dissatisfied yet. As I have been appointed a deacon I feel to fulfill my mission. I feel happy to meet any of my brethren. I hope I may always be valiant. May God help me as I grow older in days, that I may ever live with the saints, in time and in eternity." October 14: "Bro Chambers said it affords him satisfaction to meet and bear testimony. Said he must apologize for not being here at the last meeting, his wife had been sick, but said I have the privilege to be here to night and have the instructions that are given us. I feel least among the servants of God. I know it is the work of God, but I did not come to Utah to find it out. I ask an interest in your faith and prayers that I may prove faithful to the end. I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ Amen."
November 11: "Bro Chambers said notwithstanding all my weakness and failings, I feel to fulfill every calling, and desire to tend to every duty when called, and bear my testimony. I have a source of satisfaction in meeting with the Saints. Tho' a small company yet as the Saviour said 'Where two or three are met together in my name I will be in the midst to bless them.' I hope it may be the case to-night. I know we are the people of God, we have been led to these peaceful vallies of the mountains, and we enjoy life and many other blessings. I don't get tired of being with the Latter-day Saints, nor of being one of them. I'm glad that I ever took upon me the name of Christ. It is our privilege to call our families together, and we can sleep sweetly, and rise and thank God in the morning for his care through the night. It is good when we can go about our business, and return again, and find all right. I've a good woman, and that is a great blessing. I thank God, for my soul burns with love for the many blessings I enjoy. I've been blest from youth up, although in bondage for 20 years after receiving the gospel, yet I kept the faith. I thank God that I ever gathered with the Saints. May the Lord bless us and help us to be faithful is my prayer. Amen." After he sat down, John Picknell recorded that "Bro. Chambers has preached as good a sermon as I ever wished to hear."
December 9: "Bro Chambers said it is always a source of satisfaction to meet with the Saints. I feel strong in the gospel. I never feel encouraged to fall back but to do my duty. I thank God for all his blessings. I enjoy the good instructions given to us. May we go on, and fulfill our duty as a people is my prayer. Amen." February 10, 1874: "Bro Chambers said I feel as a little boy. I always feel to be humble and obedient and fulfill every thing placed upon me. I'm apt to forget sometimes. I'm sorry I forgot tonight. I have a testimony to bear. The oftener I bear testimony the better I feel, it strengthens me. May the Lord bless you."
May 12: "Bro Chambers said it is a source of satisfaction to me to feel that I have the Kingdom of God at heart. I have been a member of this Church a many years, yet it seems but a few days. I was baptized in the year 1844 and after that I was 21 years in bondage, during which time I never heard a word of the gospel. The spirit of God remained within me. In 1865 I was liberated. I then commenced to save means to gather [to Utah]. This took me 4 years. I have rejoiced in the blessings of God thro' all my life. Tho' lacking age and experience yet God kept the seeds of life alive within me. I feel to be as clay in the hands of the potter. I don’t boast in my own strength. I ask an interest in your prayers to help me to be faithful. I have joy in cleaning up and whatever I am called to do. I have my weaknesses in connection with all men. I pray that we may be as one to build up the Kingdom of God."
July 14: "Bro Chambers said I feel it is a source of satisfaction to have the privilege to rise and say a few words and bear my testimony. My weakness is great. We have to lay our cares and dependence on God daily. My mind wanders over many things and causes great reflections to arise. The President at a conference some time ago, prayed us as a people to live our religion and he repeated it last conference. It seems strange that the greatest among us should pray to [for] us. I feel to renew my covenant, and be obedient to the servants of the Almighty. It is not for me to direct, but for them to direct me. I feel to receive consolation this evening for I have felt to ask your faith and prayers before. I have known the gospel to be true ever since I was confirmed. I never set bounds how long I should serve the Lord but I hope to serve him always."
August 11: "Bro Chambers said I know this is the church and kingdom of God. I know it is my duty to bear testimony as well as my privilege. I feel timid, yet I ought not, because I know it is my duty to be obedient. I may rebel once, but I pray God to help me to keep the prize in view. I desire to live my religion, so that I can rise and say I know the gospel I embraced in my youth is true. This causes me to tell the truth. I ask an interest in your faith and prayers that I may live obedient to those set over us. I feel to step forward and vote [speak], and done it with all my power, and gave it all to my friends. I feel proud I've done it. I looked, and can't see when or where I’ve done wrong to any of the servants of God."
Samuel Chambers' Patriarchal Blessing
On September 5, 1874, Brother and Sister Chambers both received patriarchal blessings from Patriarch John Smith. Brother Chambers' blessing reads in part: "Brother Chambers, according to they desire, I place my hand upon thy head and pronounce and seal a blessing upon thee which shall be as the spirit may desire and I ask God the Eternal Father for His spirit on this occasion and that you may realize thy position and comprehend the keeping in store for thee, and I say just to thee, be firm in thy integrity, put thy trust in the Lord for He has heard thy petitions and knoweth the secrets of thy heart and will give unto thee, as thou shall merit. Therefore be upon thy guard, for He has witnessed thy trials and thee [sic] shall verily receive thy reward. He has delivered thee out of the hands of thine enemies, preserved thy life, delivered thee from bondage, and directed thy course westward, that ye may partake of the blessings in Zion and know for a surety that there is a God in Israel who will hear and answer the prayers of the honest in heart."
On November 10, fellow ward member Joseph McMurrin said of Brother Chambers, "It is a high and holy calling to be a deacon. I was a deacon in the old country, and am still one and Bro. Chambers is my assistant and he is faithful. If some white men are not more faithful than they are, the coloured will come out best in the end."
On November 10, fellow ward member Joseph McMurrin said of Brother Chambers, "It is a high and holy calling to be a deacon. I was a deacon in the old country, and am still one and Bro. Chambers is my assistant and he is faithful. If some white men are not more faithful than they are, the coloured will come out best in the end."
More Testimonies of Samuel Chambers
December 8: "Bro Chambers said, There is a call for us all, those of us who came here as well as those who were born here. We have met to exchange our views and ideas, as to our everyday duties. I have a great relish for the work I am engaged in. I realize it is all in the gospel. I was not so well placed as these young brethren here, most of you were born in the church. I was born in a condition of slavery, and received the gospel in that condition. I realized I had done right. I received the spirit of God. I was only between 12 and 13 years of age. I was from 23 to 25 years and never heard another word of the gospel. After the war I was made free, then I went to work 4 years and made money and came out here. It is not only to the Gentiles but also to the African, for I am of that race. The knowledge I received is from my God. It is a high and holy calling, without the testimony of God we are nothing. I pray God that we may live true and faithful to the end. Amen."
January 13, 1875: "Bro Chambers said I am the only one of the 8th Ward present as the rest are in the other room practising [sic] for a concert. I feel well in the kingdom of God, and always do in the line of my duty. I testify that the gospel is true. I have done so many a time in my youth. I feel blest. I feel to press forward. I feel to say 'God bless the Faithful.' Amen." February 9: "Bro Chambers said I am a boy as well as others. We have all the right to rejoice. The minutes of the last meeting were good and give encouragement to the deacons. We should realize we are called to act in the Kingdom of God, we should respond to every duty. I feel to give my assistance to roll on this work, for I know it is the work of God. I feel happy to be with you. I would like to hear from the young. It would be a source of joy to all of us. May God help us to be faithful. Amen."
May 11: "Bro Chambers said I always feel well to meet with the Latter-day Saints, tho' this evening I must plead slothfulness, tho' I try to attend to all duties. I can report the deacons of the 8th ward to be in the main good, tho' some don’t think till they are told. When I live in the discharge of my duty I feel well." July 13: "Bro Samuel Chambers bore testimony and said I am thankful to be here, and to be a Latter-day Saint. It is a privilege to know the gospel is true. I did not come to Utah to know of the truth of the gospel, but I received it away back where the gospel found me. I know it is of God, I am well and feel well to give all I have for the Kingdom of God. I desire to do right and live my religion, and keep the Sabbath day and give all my power and strength to the Kingdom of God."
September 14: "Bro Samuel Chambers said it always [does] me good to rise and speak. My reflections are I'm pleased I live in this day and age when God has spoken from the heavens. I know the brethren who teach us are men of God and if we will put away our weaknesses we shall grow, and I pray that we may ever continue. I've been a member of this Church over 31 years and I am not tired of it yet, and if these young brethren do right they will wish when they have been in it that long they [will] wish to live as long again."
October 12: "Arose and said it is always a source of pleasure for me to bear my testimony and inasmuch as we live our religion, we shall have the spirit of it. I feel more anxious today than I did in the beginning. We have at our head the Elders of Israel, our Fathers. When I reflect on these things it gives me joy and satisfaction. I feel to improve all the time that I may have the full power of my calling. I know the gospel is true. I received this knowledge in the country where the gospel came to me. I desire to have your faith and prayers, that I may prove faithful, for I realize I shall not have any reward unless I endure to the end. It is there where those who run well will get their reward. May God help us to be faithful is my prayer and desire. Amen."
December 14: "I desire to improve [all] the time, it has been my desire from my youth up. I came here for my religion. I disposed of all I had and have come here to help build up the kingdom of God. I desire to be an example to the young. When I realize the great privilege we enjoy in going forth into the waters of baptism, we have one of the greatest blessings we enjoy since we have been here on the footstool of God, I hope we may prove by our works we are determined to carry out the will of God. I'm pleased the Almighty has seen fit to call forth his holy priesthood. He has said you shall hear my voice, for I will declare it by my servants. May the Lord be with us. I realize it is the work of God. I did not come here to find it out, but went forth, not having kind parents as you have, but heard for myself between 10 and 12 years of age. We should be awake. It is a great privilege to us all to be permitted to speak. Joseph was a boy and also Samuel, and the Lord spoke to them, so we see the Lord is willing to speak to boys."
On January 12, 1876 the minutes record: "Said it seems to be my privilege to bear my testimony. We are blest with this privilege from time to time. I esteem it the more, the older I get. I am numbered in the quorum, with you, and if I don't bear my testimony, how do you know how I feel, or how you feel? But if I rise and speak, I know I have a friend, and if I hear you speak as I speak, I know we are one. I pray God to bless those who preside over us in this quorum for where they speak to us, it is the same as the word of God. May we be permitted to live on the earth, and do good to each other, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." Also at this meeting, "A vote of thanks was unanimously rendered Br. Chambers for being so faithful in the discharge of his duties as Deacon and that he be blessed."
June 12: "Was happy to meet, and feels determined to press forward and try to live his religion and do as he is told by those placed over him. Some think it is small to be a deacon. Said I think there is nothing small in the kingdom of God. David said 'I'd rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.' I thank God I've a name and standing in my church and kingdom of God. May we all be faithful and live up to every duty is my prayer in the name of Jesus." July 10: "I'm pleased being called upon to bear my testimony. I am glad to know I'm as well as I am. I did not come to this part of America to learn the gospel was true, for I knew that in my native part of the land. I knew it for my self. I testify that all who do the will of the Father shall know for themselves. May God bless us."
August 14: "Said I feel it is a duty to add my testimony to what has been said. I feel it a source of satisfaction to rise and bear testimony to the work of God. I feel there is much to come to pass and it will come shortly. It is our duty to sustain every move made by those over us. It has been said that 'God and one good man are a great majority.' I never regretted doing anything to build up the Kingdom of God. I'm pleased to live in this day and age 'when the Lord has set his hand again, a second time to recover a remnant of his people.' We are on a sure footing and we will live and if we live our religion we shall enjoy the Spirit of it. I never feel better than while I'm engaged in my duty. I pray God to help us to live our religion and be saved in the kingdom of God. Amen."
On September 11, Brother Chambers was the only one present besides the three men in the quorum presidency. He said, "I am always happy when I meet one, two, or three of my brethren in or out of meeting. It is a great satisfaction to me when I am permitted to speak something of our holy religion. I always feel happy when I have risen and given away to my words. I know it is the gospel of Jesus Christ, and we'll always feel happy, if we die before we wake. I always return my thanks to God for his care. If I put it off to a late hour I feel bad. I feel to press forward and be one with you. I feel happy to meet with my brethren and hear their determinations. I feel that their spirit is the same as mine. I think when we have passed the vail [sic] how we can re-count our troubles and trials over. I've always felt as I've been taught. It has fallen to my lot to have this spirit. I pray to God to help us do his will, that we may be exalted in his kingdom, it is my prayer in the name of Jesus."
October 9: "I feel to endorse the words of Bro Picknell. We are so few in number, but we have the blessing of God with us. We find it to be so and we can bear witness to the same. Whenever I've met with my brethren, few or many, I've felt blest and I will continue to have the blessing of God. If I neglect to do my duty I feel bad. I feel proud to be associated with this quorum, and to be with you tonight. I know it is of real worth, I feel to attend to every duty, and I wish I could do more. I look back upon my past life, and feel it has been for the best, the course that God has led me. May he still continue to bless us is my prayer."
November 13: "It comes to my turn to try and say a few words. I pray I may have the spirit of the Lord to enable me to say a little, and speak whatever the Spirit may give me. I rejoice I ever lived in this great and momentous age, for truly, in the days of my youth, tho' in bondage, I greatly longed to come here, tho' I never could see how it would be brought about. I desire to carry out every measure. I could not see (for a while) how I could pay tithing and live. But the Spirit said to me, 'All things are possible with God.' I never questioned it any longer. May the spirit of God be with us that we may never doubt. I feel thankful to be one with you. I pray God to bless you, brethren in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." Afterward James Leach observed, "I love to hear my brethren talk. Brother Chambers likewise. He will be a mighty man. There are not many of his kindred in this church. If we are faithful we don't know what the Lord has in store for us, if we will do his will."
January 13, 1875: "Bro Chambers said I am the only one of the 8th Ward present as the rest are in the other room practising [sic] for a concert. I feel well in the kingdom of God, and always do in the line of my duty. I testify that the gospel is true. I have done so many a time in my youth. I feel blest. I feel to press forward. I feel to say 'God bless the Faithful.' Amen." February 9: "Bro Chambers said I am a boy as well as others. We have all the right to rejoice. The minutes of the last meeting were good and give encouragement to the deacons. We should realize we are called to act in the Kingdom of God, we should respond to every duty. I feel to give my assistance to roll on this work, for I know it is the work of God. I feel happy to be with you. I would like to hear from the young. It would be a source of joy to all of us. May God help us to be faithful. Amen."
May 11: "Bro Chambers said I always feel well to meet with the Latter-day Saints, tho' this evening I must plead slothfulness, tho' I try to attend to all duties. I can report the deacons of the 8th ward to be in the main good, tho' some don’t think till they are told. When I live in the discharge of my duty I feel well." July 13: "Bro Samuel Chambers bore testimony and said I am thankful to be here, and to be a Latter-day Saint. It is a privilege to know the gospel is true. I did not come to Utah to know of the truth of the gospel, but I received it away back where the gospel found me. I know it is of God, I am well and feel well to give all I have for the Kingdom of God. I desire to do right and live my religion, and keep the Sabbath day and give all my power and strength to the Kingdom of God."
September 14: "Bro Samuel Chambers said it always [does] me good to rise and speak. My reflections are I'm pleased I live in this day and age when God has spoken from the heavens. I know the brethren who teach us are men of God and if we will put away our weaknesses we shall grow, and I pray that we may ever continue. I've been a member of this Church over 31 years and I am not tired of it yet, and if these young brethren do right they will wish when they have been in it that long they [will] wish to live as long again."
October 12: "Arose and said it is always a source of pleasure for me to bear my testimony and inasmuch as we live our religion, we shall have the spirit of it. I feel more anxious today than I did in the beginning. We have at our head the Elders of Israel, our Fathers. When I reflect on these things it gives me joy and satisfaction. I feel to improve all the time that I may have the full power of my calling. I know the gospel is true. I received this knowledge in the country where the gospel came to me. I desire to have your faith and prayers, that I may prove faithful, for I realize I shall not have any reward unless I endure to the end. It is there where those who run well will get their reward. May God help us to be faithful is my prayer and desire. Amen."
December 14: "I desire to improve [all] the time, it has been my desire from my youth up. I came here for my religion. I disposed of all I had and have come here to help build up the kingdom of God. I desire to be an example to the young. When I realize the great privilege we enjoy in going forth into the waters of baptism, we have one of the greatest blessings we enjoy since we have been here on the footstool of God, I hope we may prove by our works we are determined to carry out the will of God. I'm pleased the Almighty has seen fit to call forth his holy priesthood. He has said you shall hear my voice, for I will declare it by my servants. May the Lord be with us. I realize it is the work of God. I did not come here to find it out, but went forth, not having kind parents as you have, but heard for myself between 10 and 12 years of age. We should be awake. It is a great privilege to us all to be permitted to speak. Joseph was a boy and also Samuel, and the Lord spoke to them, so we see the Lord is willing to speak to boys."
On January 12, 1876 the minutes record: "Said it seems to be my privilege to bear my testimony. We are blest with this privilege from time to time. I esteem it the more, the older I get. I am numbered in the quorum, with you, and if I don't bear my testimony, how do you know how I feel, or how you feel? But if I rise and speak, I know I have a friend, and if I hear you speak as I speak, I know we are one. I pray God to bless those who preside over us in this quorum for where they speak to us, it is the same as the word of God. May we be permitted to live on the earth, and do good to each other, is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." Also at this meeting, "A vote of thanks was unanimously rendered Br. Chambers for being so faithful in the discharge of his duties as Deacon and that he be blessed."
June 12: "Was happy to meet, and feels determined to press forward and try to live his religion and do as he is told by those placed over him. Some think it is small to be a deacon. Said I think there is nothing small in the kingdom of God. David said 'I'd rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.' I thank God I've a name and standing in my church and kingdom of God. May we all be faithful and live up to every duty is my prayer in the name of Jesus." July 10: "I'm pleased being called upon to bear my testimony. I am glad to know I'm as well as I am. I did not come to this part of America to learn the gospel was true, for I knew that in my native part of the land. I knew it for my self. I testify that all who do the will of the Father shall know for themselves. May God bless us."
August 14: "Said I feel it is a duty to add my testimony to what has been said. I feel it a source of satisfaction to rise and bear testimony to the work of God. I feel there is much to come to pass and it will come shortly. It is our duty to sustain every move made by those over us. It has been said that 'God and one good man are a great majority.' I never regretted doing anything to build up the Kingdom of God. I'm pleased to live in this day and age 'when the Lord has set his hand again, a second time to recover a remnant of his people.' We are on a sure footing and we will live and if we live our religion we shall enjoy the Spirit of it. I never feel better than while I'm engaged in my duty. I pray God to help us to live our religion and be saved in the kingdom of God. Amen."
On September 11, Brother Chambers was the only one present besides the three men in the quorum presidency. He said, "I am always happy when I meet one, two, or three of my brethren in or out of meeting. It is a great satisfaction to me when I am permitted to speak something of our holy religion. I always feel happy when I have risen and given away to my words. I know it is the gospel of Jesus Christ, and we'll always feel happy, if we die before we wake. I always return my thanks to God for his care. If I put it off to a late hour I feel bad. I feel to press forward and be one with you. I feel happy to meet with my brethren and hear their determinations. I feel that their spirit is the same as mine. I think when we have passed the vail [sic] how we can re-count our troubles and trials over. I've always felt as I've been taught. It has fallen to my lot to have this spirit. I pray to God to help us do his will, that we may be exalted in his kingdom, it is my prayer in the name of Jesus."
October 9: "I feel to endorse the words of Bro Picknell. We are so few in number, but we have the blessing of God with us. We find it to be so and we can bear witness to the same. Whenever I've met with my brethren, few or many, I've felt blest and I will continue to have the blessing of God. If I neglect to do my duty I feel bad. I feel proud to be associated with this quorum, and to be with you tonight. I know it is of real worth, I feel to attend to every duty, and I wish I could do more. I look back upon my past life, and feel it has been for the best, the course that God has led me. May he still continue to bless us is my prayer."
November 13: "It comes to my turn to try and say a few words. I pray I may have the spirit of the Lord to enable me to say a little, and speak whatever the Spirit may give me. I rejoice I ever lived in this great and momentous age, for truly, in the days of my youth, tho' in bondage, I greatly longed to come here, tho' I never could see how it would be brought about. I desire to carry out every measure. I could not see (for a while) how I could pay tithing and live. But the Spirit said to me, 'All things are possible with God.' I never questioned it any longer. May the spirit of God be with us that we may never doubt. I feel thankful to be one with you. I pray God to bless you, brethren in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." Afterward James Leach observed, "I love to hear my brethren talk. Brother Chambers likewise. He will be a mighty man. There are not many of his kindred in this church. If we are faithful we don't know what the Lord has in store for us, if we will do his will."
Death of Brigham YoungBrigham Young died of a ruptured appendix on August 29, 1877. The anti-Mormon Salt Lake Tribune claimed the next day that "He was illiterate and he has made frequent boast that he never saw the inside of a school house. His habit of mind was singularly illogical and his public addresses the greatest farrago of nonsense that ever was put in print. He prided himself on being a great financer, and yet all of his commercial speculations have been conspicuous failures. He was blarophant [a made-up word; probably "loudmouth"], and pretended to be in daily intercourse [communion] with the Almighty, and yet he was groveling in his ideas, and the system of religion he formulated was well nigh Satanic." Nonetheless, the Saints under his direction had thrived in the desert and a university bearing his name testified of his respect for education.
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With him died his thoughts on black people, the priesthood, and the curses of Cain and Ham, leaving his successors from John Taylor onward to question and debate whether he had been speaking his personal opinions, doctrines revealed to him personally, and/or doctrines learned from Joseph Smith. Beyond this, the practical implications and scope of the ban had yet to be explicitly set forth. Elder Taylor and the other General Authorities were much more concerned with the increasing pressures of the federal government's anti-polygamy campaign. Nonetheless they spent some time discussing these issues and trying to figure them out.
Next: The Church of Jesus Christ and Black People 1879-1889
Next: The Church of Jesus Christ and Black People 1879-1889
