Elijah Abel (sometimes spelled Ables) (1808 or 1810 – December 25, 1884) was one of the earliest African American members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and one of the few black men to be ordained to the priesthood in the church before the 1978 revelation that lifted the restriction on black men holding the priesthood. He was also one of the first African Americans to receive the temple endowment.
Biography
Elijah Abel was born in Maryland, likely in 1808 or 1810. Historical records conflict on the exact year of his birth. He converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints around 1832 while living in Frederick County, Maryland, or at some point before 1836 in Kirtland, Ohio.Priesthood Ordinations
Abel moved to Kirtland, Ohio, where he worked in various capacities for the church leadership, including for Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter-day Saint movement. In 1836, he was ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood as an Elder. Later that same year, he was ordained a Seventy, a position that involved missionary service. Records indicate these ordinations were performed by prominent church leaders, including Joseph Smith's counselors or under Smith's direct approval.Missionary Service and Family Life
As a Seventy, Abel served several missions for the church. He labored as a missionary in the Eastern United States, including in Ohio, New York, and Canada. He also worked as a carpenter and undertaker, occupations that supported him and his family.Abel married Mary Ann Central in 1842. They had several children. The family eventually migrated west with the Latter-day Saints, settling in Nauvoo, Illinois, and later moving to Cincinnati, Ohio. After the main body of the church moved to the Great Salt Lake Valley, Abel and his family joined them in Utah in 1853, settling in Salt Lake City.
Challenges and Faith
Despite his priesthood ordinations, Abel lived during a period when the LDS Church gradually implemented and enforced a policy restricting men of black African descent from being ordained to the priesthood. This policy was formally articulated by Brigham Young in 1852. Abel's ordinations predated this formal policy, making him an anomaly. His priesthood status was a topic of discussion among church leaders, including Brigham Young and John Taylor, particularly regarding his ability to perform priesthood ordinances. Despite these discussions and the general restriction placed on black members, Abel remained a faithful member of the church throughout his life.In his later years, even in his 70s, he embarked on another mission to Canada in 1883, demonstrating his continued dedication to his faith. He died in Salt Lake City, Utah, on December 25, 1884, at the age of 74 or 76.
Legacy and Significance
Elijah Abel's life and priesthood ordinations are historically significant for several reasons:- Early Priesthood Holder: He stands as one of the clearest examples of a black man ordained to the priesthood in the early days of the Latter-day Saint movement, predating the formal restriction.
- Temple Ordinances: He was also among the very few black individuals to receive temple endowment ordinances during this period.
- Persistent Faith: His unwavering faith and commitment to the church, despite the racial restrictions and complexities of his status, exemplify the dedication of early black Latter-day Saints.
- Historical Discussion: Abel's case has been central to historical and theological discussions within the LDS Church regarding race and the priesthood, particularly after the 1978 revelation that removed the restriction. His unique circumstances highlight the evolving nature of church policy and doctrine on race.
His life story continues to be studied as a vital part of the history of African Americans in the Latter-day Saint movement.