4766 Lincoln Ave, Oakland, CA 94602
(510) 328-0044
TempleHill.org
  • BOOK A TOUR
  • Menu Canvas
    • Home
    • Things To Do
      • Visitors’ Center
      • Events
      • Sunday Services
      • Family History
    • About the Temple
      • History
      • Announcements
      • Contact Us
    • Inspiration & News
    • Member Resources
      • Distribution Center
      • Temple Session Schedule & Info
    • Book a Tour
4766 Lincoln Ave, Oakland, CA 94602
(510) 328-0044
TempleHill.org
  • Things To Do
    • Visitors’ Center
    • Events
    • Family History
    • Sunday Service
  • About the Temple
    • History
    • Announcements
    • Contact Us
  • Inspiration & News
  • Member Resources
    • Distribution Services
    • Temple Session Schedule & Info
    • Write Articles for TempleHill.org
    • Become Our Photographer
  • Book a Tour

Black Pioneers and Our Shared Heritage

Homepage Education Black Pioneers and Our Shared Heritage

Black Pioneers and Our Shared Heritage

Temple Hill
February 2, 2022
Education, Family History

Michael D. King, Leader of San Francisco Bay Area Genesis Group,
along with Counselors Thomas Cain and Nathaniel Whitfield

“To many, the word pioneer conjures up images of covered wagons, dusty oxen, and hearty men and women seeking a new home in the American West… In reality, a pioneer can be anyone who moves bravely forward into the unknown—and doesn’t that pretty well describe all of us on the journey of life?”

Photo of Jane Manning.

Let’s look at several black converts who were pioneers in history. These early Saints—even some who were still enslaved—were searching for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jane Manning (1822–1908) lived with the prophet Joseph Smith and his family for several years. As an overland pioneer to Utah, she recorded “[w]e walked until our shoes were worn out, and our feet became sore and cracked open and bled until you could see the whole print of our feet with blood on the ground. We stopped and united in prayer to the Lord; we asked God the Eternal Father to heal our feet. Our prayers were answered and our feet were healed forthwith.” Jane Manning was baptized by Charles Wandell in 1841. President Joseph F. Smith spoke at her funeral in 1908.

Her brother, Isaac Lewis-Manning, was also baptized in 1841. Isaac stated, “When the prophet and his brother, Hyrum, were martyred in Carthage Jail, I was a member of the party that accompanied the bodies back to Nauvoo. I stood guard over the graves for half of each night, watching the mob.”

Photo of Walker Lewis.

Another black member of the church was Walker Lewis, baptized by Parley P. Pratt in 1844 and ordained to the priesthood by William Smith. He was a founder, in 1826, of the first civil rights abolitionist group in the United States, the Massachusetts General Colored Association. He was acquainted personally with apostles Brigham Young, Wilford Woodruff, Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, Parley Pratt, and William Smith.

In addition to the historical pioneers, there are present-day pioneers all around us, in our neighborhood and church houses. A pioneer might look like an old man in plaid pants who arrives late to church meetings, or a single mother of young children who stands in the back unnoticed. No matter their appearance, they are pioneers in unfamiliar terrain, who are “bravely moving forth into the unknown.” They each have unique gifts to offer their fellow church members and community.

As we learn to recognize pioneers, we need not ignore our differences, but we should find our common values, dreams, and hopes, so we can learn from each other. We can do this with the help of our Savior, for He also was a pioneer. His love for His fellow-men can be our example as we honor the pioneers both in the past and present.

Previous Story
How to Spend a Christmas in the East Bay? (Chinese)
Next Story
Temples Continue Operating During Pandemic

Related Articles

Mormon Battalion and Ship Brooklyn Saints reenactors participate in the Coloma “Gold Rush Live” four-day event.

By Rebecca Ellefsen In October 2022, visitors stepped back in...

Chinese roots to Silicon Valley branches: How this executive is sharing her faith and shaping the future of tech

A visit to her ancestral village helped spark Marguerite Gong...

Subscribe to our newsletter

This is required.

Upcoming Events

24Feb
  • 07:30 pm
  • By Marisa Montierth

BYU Vocal Point at Oakland Temple Hill

4780 Lincoln Ave
Oakland, CA 94602 United States

Recent Posts

  • Vocal Point: Finding Meaning in Music Throughout the Years
  • Mormon Battalion and Ship Brooklyn Saints reenactors participate in the Coloma “Gold Rush Live” four-day event.
  • Join the Symphony at Oakland Temple Hill
  • Chinese roots to Silicon Valley branches: How this executive is sharing her faith and shaping the future of tech
  • Religious Freedom: The Safeguard of Liberty
Subscribe to our newsletter
Feel Welcome. Feel the Spirit. Feel Inspired.
This is required.

English Classes

ISC Request

Contact Details

Contact Us

[email protected]

Phone

Call or Text: (510) 328-0044

Visitors' Center Hours
Mon: 6pm - 9pm; Tues-Sun: 9am - 9pm

News

  • Vocal Point: Finding Meaning in Music Throughout the Years Wednesday, 25, Jan
  • Mormon Battalion and Ship Brooklyn Saints reenactors participate in the Coloma “Gold Rush Live” four-day event. Wednesday, 19, Oct
Copyright ©2020 TempleHill.org All Rights Reserved
en_USEnglish
es_MXEspañol de México kmភាសាខ្មែរ zh_CN简体中文 zh_TW繁體中文 ja日本語 ko_KR한국어 tlTagalog en_USEnglish
EN
EN
ES
KM
ZH
ZH_TW
JA
KO
TL
SearchPostsLogin
Wednesday, 25, Jan
Vocal Point: Finding Meaning in Music Throughout the Years
Wednesday, 19, Oct
Mormon Battalion and Ship Brooklyn Saints reenactors participate in the Coloma “Gold Rush Live” four-day event.
Sunday, 18, Sep
Join the Symphony at Oakland Temple Hill
Wednesday, 10, Aug
Chinese roots to Silicon Valley branches: How this executive is sharing her faith and shaping the future of tech
Wednesday, 29, Jun
Religious Freedom: The Safeguard of Liberty
Wednesday, 6, Apr
Oakland Temple Tulips

Welcome back,