Last Friday, in honor of John Taylor’s 200th birthday, Mormon Coffee published several quotes from Mormonism’s 3rd prophet and president. Today, the day before an important and historic election in America, we offer more, with a question.
To set the greater context for understanding President Taylor’s comments, the first quote below is from Times and Seasons, an official LDS newspaper with John Taylor as editor. Based on his worldview as expressed by his following statements, how do you think he would vote in tomorrow’s election if he were given the opportunity?
“The descendants of Ham, besides a black skin which has ever been a curse that has followed an apostate of the holy priesthood, as well as a black heart, have been servants to both Shem and Jepheth, and the abolitionists are trying to make void the curse of God, but it will require more power than man possesses to counteract the decrees of eternal wisdom.” (Times and Seasons, April 1, 1845, 6:857)
“And after the flood we are told that the curse that had been pronounced upon Cain was continued through Ham’s wife, as he had married a wife of that seed. And why did it pass through the flood? because it was necessary that the devil should have a representation upon the earth as well as God…” (August 28, 1881, Journal of Discourses, 22:304)
“Why is it, in fact, that we should have a devil? Why did not the Lord kill him long ago? Because He could not do without him. He needed the devil and great many of those who do his bidding just to keep men straight, that we may learn to place our dependence upon God, . . . When he destroyed the inhabitants of the antediluvian world, he suffered a descendant of Cain to come through the flood in order that he [the devil] might be properly represented upon the earth.” (October 29, 1882, Journal of Discourses, 23:336)