Inequality in the World and the Justice of God

“And I am no respecter of persons.” ~ D&C 38:17

How can there be such inequality in the world, and God still be a just God? All varieties of conditions may be found, in circumstances that contribute more or less to the morality, the progress, and advancement of the individual. You see one born in a palace, another in a hovel. One born in a condition of absolute and degrading barbarism out of which it is impossible for him to rise, and other men born in the midst of enlightened nations, of favored parentage, surrounded by everything that can contribute to their enlightenment, to their progress in knowledge, intelligence and morality. You see one born in a palace, another in a hovel. You see one born of princes, another of paupers. Why all this difference? The infidel makes this groundwork upon which to impeach the justice and the mercy of God. Even among Christians themselves there is a mass of confused ideas relating to the variety of circumstances in the midst of which races and also individuals find themselves. Philosophy has exhausted itself in searching out a reason, and has failed to give a satisfactory explanation of the strange phenomena.

But Mormonism comes, and into this seething cauldron it throws a few revelations from God, and the whole is explained. The Gospel of Jesus Christ as restored to the earth tells us that this is not the first estate in which man has lived, but that that part of him which is spirit had a previous probation, had a previous existence, and that in that existence there were various grades of intelligences, there were various degrees of faithfulness and devotion to the truth. We are informed through modern revelation that man, at least to some extent, and perhaps to a very great extent, is rewarded in this life for that degree of faithfulness that he exhibited in that pre-existent state; and that the variety of circumstances under which men and women live here is but the result, is but the station, for which they fitted themselves in that pre-existent state. –

“The race and nation in which men are born in this world is a direct result of their pre-existent life. All the spirit hosts of heaven deemed worthy to receive mortal bodies were foreordained to pass through this earthly probation in the particular race and nation suited to their needs, circumstances, and talents.” (Mormon Doctrine, Bruce R. McConkie)

That being true, that men and women receive in this life that which they merited, and that which their acquired degree of fidelity and enlightenment entitled them to, that sweeps away at once the groundwork that the infidel has established for impeaching the justice of God, and we find that these conditions existing here are but the outgrowth of causes that existed and operated in the sphere in which we lived before we came here.

In the revelations which the Lord gave to Abraham it is said: "Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among these were many of the noble and great ones; and God saw that these were good; and he said, these I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me, Abraham, thou art one of them, thou wast chosen before thou wast born." (Abraham 3: 22-23) This scripture not only proves the pre-existence of the spirits of men, but gives us to understand that some were more highly developed than others, were more noble, and hence set apart for special labors, some to be rulers; others, as in the case of Jeremiah, to be prophets, each one in the mighty multitude being assigned to the particular sphere and given the particular privileges that his state of development and degree of faithfulness entitled him to receive.

This doctrine of the pre-existence of spirits makes another scripture clear: "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee," said the Lord to Jeremiah; "and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee to be a prophet unto the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5) It was the spirit of Jeremiah which the Lord knew; which, in common with the spirit of Jesus, of Job, of Adam, and, in short, of all men, dwelt in the presence of God; and as the spirit of Jeremiah possessed those peculiar characteristics which are favorable to the exercise of prophetic powers, the Lord foreordained him to be a prophet unto the nations.

From the scriptures we learn that at one time there was war in heaven: “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought, and the dragon fought and his angels…And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world; he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” (Revelations 12:7-9)

I have called attention to those passages to prove that there were some spirits who dwelt with God, so wicked and rebellious, that they had to be cast out of heaven, and became the devil and his angels; as well as some who had developed such nobility of character, that God had set them apart or ordained them to be His rulers. Brethren, these two extremes of good and bad, obedient and rebellious were, I doubt not, all degrees of faithfulness and nobility of conduct; and I hazard the opinion that the amount and kind of development in that pre-existent state influences the character in this life, and brings within reach privileges and blessings commensurate with their faithfulness in the spirit world.

Yet, I would not be understood as holding the opinion that those born to wealth and ease, whose lives appear to be an unbroken round of pleasure and happiness, must therefore have been spirits in their first estate that were very highly developed in refinement, and very valiant for God and His Christ. Regarding this present state of existence, where as a sphere man is sent to obtain an experience and further develop the intelligence within him, and obtain a knowledge of good and evil, from seeing them in contrast and contact with each other—I hold that that condition in life which is calculated to give the widest experience to man, is the one most to be desired, and he who obtain it is the most favored of God. One step more in this digression in order that I may state further that I believe it consistent with right reason to say that some of the lowliest walks in life, the paths which lead into the deepest valleys of sorrow and up the most rugged steeps of adversity, are the ones which, if a man travel in, will best accomplish the object of his existence in this world. The conditions which place men where they may always walk on the unbroken plain of prosperity and seek for nothing but their own pleasure, are not the best within the gift of God. While those who have to contend with difficulties, brave dangers, endure disappointments, struggle with sorrows, eat the bread of adversity and drink the water of affliction, develop a moral and spiritual strength, together with a purity of life and character, unknown to the heirs of ease and wealth and pleasure.

(B. H. Roberts, June 21, 1896; MORMONISM: THE FORCE WHICH UNITES AND BLENDS ALL TRUTH DISCOURSE; Delivered by Elder B.H. Roberts, in the Eighteenth Ward Chapel, Salt Lake City, Sunday Evening, June 21, 1896.)

What is the church’s stand on segregation and inequality of races in society?

“Segregation and caste systems are contrary to gospel principles of equality and fair treatment. This is so when these systems impose restrictions, slavery, and denial of natural rights upon members of any caste. God is no respecter of persons, and inalienable rights are the natural heritage of all mankind –

“And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me.” (D&C 98:5)

“Persons in every nation, caste, and class of society are entitled, as of right, to be put in a position where they can exercise the “moral agency” which the Lord has given them, so that they can be accountable for their “own sins in the day of judgment.”

“According to the laws and constitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles; That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment. Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another. And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.” (D&C 101:77-80; D&C 101:78)

“However, in a broad general sense, caste systems have their root and origin in the gospel itself, and when they operate according to the divine decree, the resultant restrictions and segregation are right and proper and have the approval of the Lord.” But like many other principles once based on truth this principle has been exploited in the most sever and perverted ways. It is the concept of caste systems that has spawned the most horrific acts of genocide, and slavery in our world. Although, the practice of segregation of the races has been exercised by people cruelly and with hatred, this does not mean that the Lord designed such hatred in the hearts of men. In fact, the Lord was the creator of caste systems and by his divine decree has separated the races for wisdom, and for his own purposes. For example, “the whole house of Israel was chosen as a ‘peculiar people’, one set apart from all other nations and they were forbidden to marry outside their own caste –

“For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.” (Deut 14:2)

“Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.” (Deut. 7:1-5)

The use of caste systems for the separation of races, creeds, religions, and so forth has been set forth by the Lord in every dispensation of time. Including today, when church members have been counseled not to marry outside of the faith. This having been said, any worthy member of the church is encouraged to marry any other worthy member of the church, and as long as they are temple worthy they can enjoy the blessing given to them in the temple, for all time and eternity. I had a personal friend who was a Caucasian woman who married a man of African decent in the temple, both were worthy members of the church, and have created a loving righteous family from their love.

“In effect the Lamanites belonged to one caste and the Nephites to another, and a mark was put upon the Lamanites to keep the Nephites from intermixing with and marrying them.” It is worth noting that intermixing of these races did occur in righteousness, when the Lamanites and Nephites lived in righteousness and at peace with one another, and that the distinction of these two groups was not merely skin color, but was their belief in God, and in the covenant he had made with them. As is says in the scripture below, “whosoever…believed in the commandments of God and kept them, were called the Nephites…from that time forth.”

“And the skins of the Lamanites were dark, according to the mark which was set upon their fathers, which was a curse upon them because of their transgression and their rebellion against their brethren, who consisted of Nephi, Jacob, and Joseph, and Sam, who were just and holy men.

And their brethren sought to destroy them, therefore they were cursed; and the Lord God set a mark upon them, yea, upon Laman and Lemuel, and also the sons of Ishmael, and Ishmaelitish women.

And this was done that their seed might be distinguished from the seed of their brethren, that thereby the Lord God might preserve his people, that they might not mix and believe in incorrect traditions which would prove their destruction.

And it came to pass that whosoever did mingle his seed with that of the Lamanites did bring the same curse upon his seed.

Therefore, whosoever suffered himself to be led away by the Lamanites was called under that head, and there was a mark set upon him.

And it came to pass that whosoever would not believe in the tradition of the Lamanites, but believed those records which were brought out of the land of Jerusalem, and also in the tradition of their fathers, which were correct, who believed in the commandments of God and kept them, were called the Nephites, or the people of Nephi, from that time forth—“ (Alma 3:6-11)

The unrighteous practices of segregation, racism, and slavery are in direct opposition to the work and glory of the Lord, which is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” (Moses 1:39) But as long as Segregation is commanded of God, and does not deny any person the inalienable rights given to all men by their creator, then Segregation of the races and inequality are separate issues. Segregation as used throughout history by God is completely separate from the evil practice of Slavery, and the church has made it clear that “Human slavery is not consonant with the principles of agency, freedom, and justice found in the gospel of Christ.” it is an abomination of the worst kind to the Lord who is the author of freedom. All men must have these rights under heaven to be free to choose good or evil in order to come unto God, and receive the blessings of eternity which he desires to bestow upon them. “It is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another. It is the great apostate Babylon that makes merchandise of “slaves, and souls of men.” (Rev. 18:13)” (Mormon Doctrine; Bruce R. McConkie: Slavery.)

It is important to make a distinction between the divine decree’s of caste systems and the practices of Slavery which God has never at any time condoned. Segregation and caste systems have existed in every dispensation of time as they do today, and “Segregation and caste systems will continue on in a future eternity; the righteous will go to paradise and the wicked to hell; and finally all men will be segregated into kingdoms — each separate from the others — according as their works have been.” (Mormon Doctrine; Bruce R. McConkie: Caste Systems; Segregation of the Races)

One of the ways in which the Lord has shown to us his intention that all men must be free, and treated with certain inalienable rights, is the creation of this nation. “This American nation has been established by the Lord as the champion of freedom in the last days. (D&C 101:76-80) The ancient promise was that the inhabitants of this land should “be set up as a free people by the power of the Father” (3 Nephi 21:4), so that the gospel could be restored and the Lord's great latter-day work accomplished. The freedoms guaranteed under our constitutional government should belong “to all mankind.” (D&C 98:4-10) Eventually they will, for freedom shall be enthroned during the millennial era. “Ye shall have no laws but my laws when I come” (D&C 38:22), the Lord says, and his law is “the perfect law of liberty.” (Jas. 1:25)” (Mormon Doctrine; Bruce R. McConkie: Freedom)

The creation of this American nation was prerequisite to the establishment of the Lord’s church again in the earth, and the role of this nation was to be one with the purposes of God in the last days, that all nations of the earth might receive of the freedoms given to us by God, and that by so doing they may receive the gospel of Christ in it’s fullness. The constitution of this land is like an invitation to come and partake of the goodness and fairness of the Lord. –

“The Lord…doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.” (2 Nephi 26:33)

The gospel is a gospel of freedom and righteousness, and is given to all men of any race, creed, or caste, that none should be denied the inalienable rights given to us by God is an essential part of the Lord’s plans for his children. “Freedom is based on truth, and no man is perfectly free unless he has knowledge of and abides in the truth. “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32) As long as man's beliefs, or any part of them, are based on error, he is not completely free, for the chains of error bind his mind. Freedom also results from righteousness because the captivity of sin is bondage. Freedom of conscience, the freedom to worship God according to the dictates of one's own conscience, is the greatest of all freedoms. The gospel gives freedom to men, and the gospel itself is free.” (Mormon Doctrine; Bruce R. McConkie: Freedom)

After having laid all of this at your feet, for you to ponder on, pray about, and find peace and coherence in the doctrines of our Lord, doctrines that are so often misunderstood, and abused by men, I hope that you will remember that the Lord has righteous purposes in all that he does, and that there is divine wisdom in what seems to us an unfair distribution of blessings in this life, but the Lord loveth all men, and has given to all men their freedom and agency. He desires for all of us to come unto him, and to receive the blessings of eternity.

(All quotes in this section are taken from, MORMON DOCTRINE; Bruce R. McConkie: Caste System: Segregation of the Races; Slavery, Freedom, Equality.)