Dan's Post

   
       A friend of mine (I consider him a friend) posted on FB the statement that the Church (of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, hereinafter referred to as The Church) "then (in 1970) taught that 'Negroes' were not eligible for exaltation.' (hereinafter referred to as That Statement) " I responded that I was exceptionally disappointed that he promoted false doctrine. Dan and I share a common background and I hold him in high regard, thus I hold him to a higher standard. He (and others) wanted to know "where was the false doctrine in that post." 
       The Church teaches as doctrine, that all humankind lived pre-mortally with God the Father and others, among them, Jesus Christ. The Church teaches as doctrine that a Plan was presented to all of God's children; the Plan included coming to earth to gain a mortal body, having the opportunity to make and keep covenants with God, and in so doing be resurrected, return to God, and qualify for eternal life with God in an exalted state. 
      The Church teaches as doctrine that Jesus Christ, knowing we as mortals would not be able to keep God's laws perfectly, stepped forward to offer Himself as an atoning sacrifice on our behalf and to redeem ALL of God's children who are willing to make and keep covenant.
       The Church teaches as doctrine that those who affirmed the Plan of Salvation earned the right to come to earth and gain a mortal body. Those who did not were cast out of heaven, never to receive a body, and became Satan and his followers (see Revelation 12:4). 
      That Statement (Dan's) is false. It could only be true if The Church taught as doctrine 'Negroes' voted for the Plan of Salvation even knowing that they stood no chance of making and keeping covenants in mortality. This is untrue. The Church invites all as a matter of practice and doctrine to make and keep covenant.
      That Statement is false. It could only be true if The Church taught as doctrine Christ's offer of redemption only extends to certain select races, ethnicities or genders. That is so untrue it pains me to even write it to make a point. The Church teaches as doctrine Christ's atonement applies to all and redemption is offered to everyone.
      That Statement tries to make this argument: at one point 'Negroes' were denied the opportunity to enter a temple and make and receive covenants of exaltation (endowment, sealing) therefore by practice, they 'taught Negroes were not eligible for exaltation.' Even here, That Statement falls short. At best, this is an erroneous conclusion (I don't care who makes it) based on facts. For That Statement to be true, it would have to apply equally to everyone in any part of the world who never had an opportunity to enter a temple, regardless of why they couldn't enter.
       That Statement is false and its conclusion erroneous because The Church teaches and practices as doctrine precisely the opposite: temples are built not only for redeeming and exalting the living, but also to redeem and exalt 'the dead'--those who for whatever reason, never had the opportunity to make and keep covenants of exaltation while in mortality.