“The wisdom which ought to characterize the freest, wisest, and most noble nation of the nineteenth century, should like the sun in his meridian splendor, warm every object beneath its rays: and the main efforts of her officers, who are nothing more or less than the servants of the people, ought to be directed to ameliorate the condition of all—black or white, bond or free.” —Joseph Smith¹

Several Black Saints lived in the Latter-day Saint community of Nauvoo. Isaac Lewis Manning traveled from Connecticut to Nauvoo with his sister Jane Manning James and their extended family. Isaac worked as a cook in the Nauvoo Mansion House for Joseph and Emma Smith. He later helped bury the bodies of Joseph and Hyrum Smith after their murders. Jane Manning James also worked in the Smith household. She recalled that Joseph and Emma offered to seal Jane to her as their daughter.²

Elijah Able, another prominent Black Saint in Nauvoo, was ordained to the priesthood and served in the Third Quorum of the Seventy. Able was one of the few Black men to hold the priesthood during this period, and he participated in baptisms for the dead in Nauvoo. He worked as an undertaker in Nauvoo and Salt Lake.³

Other notable Black Saints include John Burton and Green Flake. Both men were enslaved and participated in the pioneer trek to the Salt Lake Valley.⁴

As part of his presidential campaign platform, Joseph Smith called for the end of slavery within six years.⁵ He declared that the government should improve everyone’s lives, regardless of race.¹

1. General Smith’s Views of the Powers and Policy of the Government of the United States, circa 26 January–7 February 1844, 3, josephsmithpapers.org

2. “Manning, Isaac Lewis,” exhibits.lib.utah.edu; “James, Jane Elizabeth Manning,” exhibits.lib.utah.edu

3. “Able, Elijah,” exhibits.lib.utah.edu; “Elijah Able,” churchofjesuschrist.org

4. “Burton, John,” exhibits.lib.utah.edu; “Flake, Green,” exhibits.lib.utah.edu

5. “Slavery and Abolition,” churchofjesuschrist.org