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Seed of Cain Definition

Seed of Cain: Members of the black race (Moses 7:2). Until 1978, LDS leaders taught that “one drop of negro blood” banned a Mormon male from holding the Mormon priesthood. The dark skin was the mark given to those pre-mortal spirits who were “less valiant in pre-existence” (Mormon Doctrine, p. 527, 1966 edition) when Lucifer rebelled against God. These spirits came to earth through the lineage of Cain, the eldest son of Adam and Eve. Tenth LDS President Joseph Fielding Smith claimed, “Cain became the father of an inferior race” (Way to Perfection, p. 101).

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