Nothing Godlike in Thieves or Negroes

Journal of Discourses 8:6; “Some of us are learning to swear almost as good as some of the Gentiles. Some of us are learning to get drunk almost as good as they can. I do not think that will benefit us very much. Some of us are learning to cheat and defraud our neighbors, and some are learning to steal. There is nothing smart about all this. A negro, a Hottentot, or an Indian can do that. There is nothing in these practices that bespeaks an intelligent mind, or that would recommend a person the estimation of a good man, angels, or God. There is nothing Godlike in them”. – John Taylor, Salt Lake City, February 19, 1860

1 John 2:9; “He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.”

Oh it saddens my heart to witness the animosity in these so-called men of God. It’s sad they either lived or live like this today, but the real tragedy lies in the animosity they propagate to their followers. One generation after the next has fallen victim to their lies. I know this because I was one of those generations. 

My pastor, just like every other good pastor, will admonish his flock when or if he sees something in his group that isn’t exhibiting godly behavior. 

A good pastor will also remind his flock that swearing, stealing, cheating and defrauding neighbors isn’t godly either. In that admonition, Brigham was correct.

The sad part of his sermon is seen in how easily he clumped non-whites into the group of those acting in a not-so-stellar fashion. Why did this thought come out of his heart and off  his tongue to those within earshot?  

Did God tell him that non-whites are thieves?  Did any black people or Indians defraud him personally and if so, who were they?