He continues, “We see in Jeremiah 8:21, the LDS version of the King James Bible footnotes the word ‘black’ where it is defined as a Hebrew idiom, dealing with the mental, emotional, or spiritual state of the individual.” He further notes that the scripture reference guide can accelerate our learning on this topic and that other passages of scripture connect to or contain similar footnotes as the one found in Jeremiah 8:21, placing the use of the word “black” in the context of its common meaning in Hebrew as indicating a spiritual not a physical state. Though we have this clarity in the scriptures that we carry with us daily, few members are aware that this insight is there.”
#Lds scriptures on blackberry skin
The LDS version of the King James Bible and the Book of Mormon help us to understand that the word black is actually a Hebrew idiom, meaning gloomy, dejected, or spiritual darkness, and has nothing to do with skin tone. The Saints, and those of other faiths as well, instinctually assume that this word is in reference to race, nationality, or color of skin. “So it’s understandable that many would read the scriptures and associate the word ‘black’ in all of its forms, relating to man, in the same way they believe it to be fact in our society. “Like most, I grew up using the term black in reference to people of African descent, because it was widely accepted by all cultures,” Perkins says. Much of the misunderstanding Perkins finds among Latter-day Saints stems from reading the scriptures using modern definitions of words and idioms instead of understanding them in their ancient context. Since that time, Perkins has been able to reach Latter-day Saints throughout the world with uplifting truths from the scriptures and break down misconceptions concerning race and the priesthood through presentations, firesides, Church-sponsored events, the African American Outreach Program, , and. With that reminder, I joined in faith that He would help me to find the answers that I could then share in helping to build His kingdom.” “No sin, fault, or unkind word, no matter how long perpetuated, could change that from being true, because God had told me. “It really started to dampen the desire I had to join the Church, but God reminded me of the powerful spiritual witness He had given me in answer to my prayer asking Him if this was truly His restored gospel,” Perkins says.
Perkins had no doubt these teachings didn’t resonate with what he already knew about God and what he learned about the gospel. “I knew that Jesus Christ died for all in the human family and that God was no respecter of persons.” When Perkins began investigating the Church in 1988, he says members “were lovingly telling me that I was cursed, was less valiant in the pre-existence, and could not inherit the celestial kingdom but should join anyway because there were some blessings for me.” “I had a definite advantage when I investigated The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in that I knew who God was,” Perkin says.