THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

THE COUNCIL OF THE TWELVE

47 E. SOUTH TEMPLE STREET

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH

May 26, 1967

PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL

Honorable Stewart L. Udall

Secretary of the Interior

Washington, D .C.

Dear Stew:

Thanks for your thoughtfulness sending me a copy of your letter dated May 16 to President David O. McKay; also a copy of your article "An Appeal for Full Fellowship For the Negro", which is to appear in the Dialogue Magazine. This article you released to the press for national consumption.

No one will question your right to make such a statement, but I sincerely believe you should have submitted the article here to determine the facts before releasing it to the press, because there are some mis-statements. Your statement has done the church a great dis-service. Any misunderstandings within the church should be ironed out among ourselves and not paraded before the world.

I can visualize your article being a stumbling block to George Romney if he decides to run for President. It certainly creates many difficult problems to him and any other church member seeking State or National office. We in the church, must remember that instruction and guidance come down from above and not from below, otherwise this church would just be another church.

As you know, the Apostle Paul writing to the Corinthian saints said that the things of man are understood by the spirit of man but the things of God are understood by the spirit of God. Man does not know the mind and will of God, therefore he is not in position to declare against the things God has revealed.

In this article you stated that the Prophet Joseph Smith was pro-negro. I don't think the prophet was against the negroes, however it appears you are not familiar with some of the statements made by him concerning this race of people. In his teachings, as compiled by President Joseph Fielding Smith, page 269, under status of the negro, we find the following statement recorded:

"At 5 went to Mr. Sollars with Elders Hyde and Richards. Elder Hyde inquired the situation of the negro. I replied, they came into the world slaves, mentally and physically. Change their situation with the whites, and they would be like them. They have souls, and are subjects of salvation. Go into Cincinnati or any city and find an educated negro who rides in his carriage, and you will see a man who has risen by the powers of his own mind to his exalted state of respectability. The slaves in Washington are more refined than many in high places, and the black boys will take the shine off many of those they brush and wait on. Elder Hyde remarked, 'Put them on the level, and they will rise above me'. I replied, if I raised you to be my equal, and then attempted to oppress you, would you not be indignant and try to rise above me, as did Oliver Cowdery, Peter Whitmer, and many others, who said I was a fallen prophet, and they were capable of leading the people although I never attempted to oppress them, but hare always been lifting them up?"

Then this significant statement:

"Had I anything to do with the negro, I would confine them by strict law to their own species, and put them on a national equalization."

Again, in the "History of the Church", volume II, commencing at page 436, the prophet expresses his views on abolition. I am attaching hereto his statement and ask you to pay particular attention to the last paragraph on page 438 which I have underlined. Also refer to Abraham, 1st Chapter, the 21 to 27 verses inclusive.

Now Stewart, you know the Lord has a chosen people who stem through the loins of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the twelve sons of Jacob. The children of Israel were forbidden by the Lord to take wives not only from the descendants of Cain and Ham but from the other nations among whom the children of Israel sojourned. The Apostle Peter said of them:

"But ye are chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

"Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained merch [mercy]." (1st Peter 2:9-10).

In Exodus, chapter 6, the 7th verse, the Lord said:

"And I will take you to me for a people."

It was through Israel, particularly through his son Joseph, that all nations of the earth were to be blessed in the latter days. Now can we accuse God of not knowing what he is doing? Because he does not agree with the concepts of man today doesn't prove him wrong. The atheist or the non-Christian does not prove that the savior was not the son of God, our law-giver, redeemer and king. What God does man should not attempt to interfere. God himself placed the curse upon the negro and it is up to him and not to man to lift that curse. The church cannot lift the restriction against the negro until God authorizes it. As to the timing, or if it ever occurs, we do not know but must assume that if a negro accepts and lives the gospel, even though there may be some limitations, his opportunities eternally place him in a more favorable position to be rewarded for his faithfulness. We have many negro members in the church. The greater part of them are very faithful and devoted, yet are cognizant of their limitations. We try to be helpful to those who become church members. Because men want to change the order God has ordained does not mean that the good Lord will approve.

Now our company employ negroes. One has been with us over 35 years. We hold these negro employees in high regard and place much confidence in them. I don't want you to think I hold anything against the negro, but I fully support the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the teachings of the Lord as given to Father Abraham. The extremeists of modern religious and social thought mentioned by you does not justify repudiating the counsels and the acts of our God. You know, as well as I do, that all men are not created equal. We learn this fact from the Book of Abraham also. It is true we may have equal rights, opportunities and privileges, but that doesn't mean that we are all equally endowed. We have leaders, we have followers and those in between. Some are rich, some are poor, some enjoy good health, some are weighted down by their physical ailments. Because the people, among whom Christ lived, did not receive him as their Lord and Redeemer, doesn't disprove his divine status. There are hundreds of millions of people who do not believe in the Christ and many who do not believe in God but that doesn't prove they both do not exist.

I am including a recent letter addressed to President David O. McKay written by John E. Olson, Jr., M.D., dated May 2, 1967.

Now Stew, this letter is for your own consumption. I don't believe any one here intends to excite controversy over your article. It would only add fuel to the fire and nothing is to be gained. This outburst is unfortunate. A few other brethren have been guilty of attempting to destroy the image of the church. I am sure the work of the Lord will continue to go forward because the destiny of his latter day kingdom is clear. In spite of oppositions and road blocks, the good Lord will look after his own. I have this confidence and testimony. This letter does not require an answer. I am writing accepting full personal responsibility for it. I appreciate my friendship with you and the Udall families for whom I have great love and respect.

Most sincerely,

[signature]

Delbert L. Stapley

DLS:jl

Enc.

P.S. Again I request that this letter, or any part of it, is not given to the press nor is the letter to be used in any way. You are a member of the church and I thought that you personally should have the information I am sending you. It is not to be shared with any one else. The present National situation will be greatly aggravated should it fall into other hands. I know I can trust you with its contents.