Jane Manning James - wasmormon.org

Biddy Mason – From Enslaved Mormon Pioneer to Free Philanthropist

“If you hold your hand closed, nothing good can come in. The open hand is blessed, for it gives in abundance, even as it receives.” - Biddy Mason | wasmormon.org

Biddy Mason’s life is a powerful testimony of perseverance, resilience, and quiet resistance. Born into slavery in Georgia in 1818, she was never given a choice about the course of her life—but she made powerful choices when finally given the chance. Her story intersects with the early Mormon Church in a way that many today …

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Green Flake, The Man and Slave Labor The Church Accepted as Tithing

“One family of enslavers in Nauvoo was the Flake family. They enslaved a man named Green Flake. While building the Nauvoo Temple, families were asked to donate one day in ten to work on the temple. The Flake family used Green's forced labor to fulfill their tithing requirement.” - Joel Flake "Green Flake: His Life and Legacy" | wasmormon.org

Today, the LDS Church no longer condones slavery, and leaders assert that the church has always been against slavery and racism, but there is a hidden history of racism and even slavery in the church. There are even instances where slaves were given as tithing to the church—the church used slave labor in temple construction. Green Flake …

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Jane Manning James: Faithful Servant, Denied Sisterhood, Sealed into Slavery

Jane Elizabeth Manning James (a Negro) Do you wish to be attached as a Servitor for eternity to the prophet Joseph Smith and in this capacity be connected with his family and be obedient to him in all things in the Lord as a faithful Servitor? (Yes.) President Joseph F. Smith acting for and in behalf of the Prophet Joseph Smith: Do you wish to receive Jane James as a Servitor to yourself and family? (Yes.) By the authority given me of the Lord I pronounce you, Jane James, a Servitor to the Prophet Joseph Smith (President Joseph F. Smith acting for and and in his behalf) and to his household for all eternity, through your faithfulness in the new and everlasting covenant, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. | Book of Temple Ordinances - Salt Lake Temple Adoption Record: Book A. Sealing of Jane Elizabeth Manning James by Proxy - May 18, 1894 | wasmormon.org

Jane Elizabeth Manning James was a remarkable woman who exemplified deep faith and resilience, despite the racism and systemic exclusion she endured within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Born free in Wilton, Connecticut, in the early 19th century. As a child, she worked as a domestic servant in a prosperous white household. …

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“My own pioneer forefathers and mothers were among those faithful pioneers who pulled handcarts, rode wagons, and walked to Utah. They, like Sister Jane Manning James, had deep faith in every one of their footsteps as they made their own trek.” - M. Russell Ballard, General Conference, October 2017 | wasmormon.org — “My own pioneer forefathers and mothers were among those faithful pioneers who pulled handcarts, rode wagons, and walked to Utah. They, like Sister Jane Manning James, had deep faith in every one of their footsteps as they made their own trek.” - M. Russell Ballard, General Conference, October 2017

“Sister Emma came to me & asked me how I would like to be adopted to them as a child. I did not comprehend her & she came again. I was so green I did not give her a decided answer & Joseph died & I remain as I am. If I could be adopted to him as a child my soul would be satisfied.” - Jane Manning James, Letter to John Taylor, December 27, 1884 | wasmormon.org — “Sister Emma came to me & asked me how I would like to be adopted to them as a child. I did not comprehend her & she came again. I was so green I did not give her a decided answer & Joseph died & I remain as I am. If I could be adopted to him as a child my soul would be satisfied.” - Jane Manning James, Letter to John Taylor, December 27, 1884

“I realize my race & color & can't expect my endowments as others who are white. My race was handed down through the flood & God promised Abraham that in his seed all the nations of the earth should be blessed & as this is the fullness of all dispensations. Is there no blessing for me?” - Jane Manning James, Letter to John Taylor, December 27, 1884 | wasmormon.org — “I realize my race & color & can't expect my endowments as others who are white. My race was handed down through the flood & God promised Abraham that in his seed all the nations of the earth should be blessed & as this is the fullness of all dispensations. Is there no blessing for me?” - Jane Manning James, Letter to John Taylor, December 27, 1884

“I take this opportunity of writing to ask you if I can get my endowments and also finish the work I have begun for my dead. Dear Brother, I would like to see and talk with you about it. Will you please write to me and tell me how soon–when and where. I shall come and I will be there. By doing so, you will be conferring a great favour. (I have enclosed a stamped envelope for reply)” - Jane Elizabeth James Manning, Letter to Joseph F. Smith, Aug 31, 1903 | wasmormon.org — “I take this opportunity of writing to ask you if I can get my endowments and also finish the work I have begun for my dead. Dear Brother, I would like to see and talk with you about it. Will you please write to me and tell me how soon–when and where. I shall come and I will be there. By doing so, you will be conferring a great favour. (I have enclosed a stamped envelope for reply)” - Jane Elizabeth James Manning, Letter to Joseph F. Smith, Aug 31, 1903

“Please excuse me taking the liberty of writing to you, but be a Brother. I am anxious for my welfare for the future and I hope to be one bye and bye... First... a coloured brother, Brother Lewis wished me to be sealed to Him. He has been dead 35 or 36 years. Can I be sealed to him? Parley P. Pratt ordained Him an Elder. When can I ever be sealed to Him? Second, can I obtain my endowments for my dead? Third, can I also be adopted in Brother Joseph Smiths the prophets family. I think you are somewhat acquainted with me. I lived in the prophets family with Emma and others, about a year, and Emma said Joseph told her to tell me I could be adopted in their family. She asked me if I should like to. I did not understand the law of adoption then, but understanding it now, can that be accomplished and when?” - Jane Elizabeth James Manning, Letter to Joseph F. Smith, Feb 7, 1890 | wasmormon.org — “Please excuse me taking the liberty of writing to you, but be a Brother. I am anxious for my welfare for the future and I hope to be one bye and bye... First... a coloured brother, Brother Lewis wished me to be sealed to Him. He has been dead 35 or 36 years. Can I be sealed to him? Parley P. Pratt ordained Him an Elder. When can I ever be sealed to Him? Second, can I obtain my endowments for my dead? Third, can I also be adopted in Brother Joseph Smiths the prophets family. I think you are somewhat acquainted with me. I lived in the prophets family with Emma and others, about a year, and Emma said Joseph told her to tell me I could be adopted in their family. She asked me if I should like to. I did not understand the law of adoption then, but understanding it now, can that be accomplished and when?” - Jane Elizabeth James Manning, Letter to Joseph F. Smith, Feb 7, 1890

“Unfortunately, neither righteousness, taking the name of Jesus upon her by baptism, nor her great faith in the Lord qualified Jane to enter the holy temple for herself. In May 1894, while Jane was still alive..., Jane was sealed to Joseph & Emma Smith. NOT as one of their children as they had offered and Jane requested. Not as one of Joseph’s wives. But as their eternal servant... An eternal servant. A slave. A relationship that in the eternal law of God doesn’t exist and that is even today a spit in the face to all black women.” - Alice Faulkner Burch, President of the Relief Society in the Genesis Group, Mormon Women's History Initiative Annual Breakfast 2016 | wasmormon.org — “Unfortunately, neither righteousness, taking the name of Jesus upon her by baptism, nor her great faith in the Lord qualified Jane to enter the holy temple for herself. In May 1894, while Jane was still alive..., Jane was sealed to Joseph & Emma Smith. NOT as one of their children as they had offered and Jane requested. Not as one of Joseph’s wives. But as their eternal servant... An eternal servant. A slave. A relationship that in the eternal law of God doesn’t exist and that is even today a spit in the face to all black women.” - Alice Faulkner Burch, President of the Relief Society in the Genesis Group, Mormon Women's History Initiative Annual Breakfast 2016

Elder McKay’s Sure and Certain Foundation for Unhistory and Brainwashing

"Having perplexing questions that arise from reasons to doubt is not a problem. But please understand, finding answers to these perplexing questions ultimately is not the solution." - Elder McKay, Church Historian | wasmormon.org

Elder McKay the official Church Historian, with no credentials for history, but a career lawyer and executive gave a devotional at BYU-I in April 2023 titled A Sure and Certain Foundation. He detailed to students and young adults how to strengthen their faith in the church and how to face doubts. Elder McKay, Church Historian …

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Tag Archives: Jane Manning James

Free Black woman who walked to Nauvoo. Denied temple blessings due to race.

Biddy Mason – From Enslaved Mormon Pioneer to Free Philanthropist

Green Flake, The Man and Slave Labor The Church Accepted as Tithing