Phelps also wrote:

“…much is doing towards abolishing slavery, and colonizing the blacks, in Africa” (Evening and Morning Star 2 [July 1833]: 111)

Phelps, under political pressure, recanted and clarified his intent in the previous article:

" (it) was not only to stop free people of color from emigrating to this state (Missouri) but to prevent them from being admitted as members of the Church… none will be admitted into the Church” (Evening and Morning Star "Extra" reprinted in Times & Seasons 6:818; also History of the Church 1:378).

The Church insists it is not in favor of abolition:

“All who are acquainted with the situation of slave States, know that the life of every white is in constant danger, and to insinuate any thing which could possibly be interpreted by a slave, that it was not just to hold human beings in bondage, would be jeopardizing the life of every white inhabitant in the country. For the moment an insurrection should break out, no respect would be paid to age, sex, or religion by an enraged, jealous, and ignorant black banditti. And the individual who would not immediately report any one who might be found influencing the minds of slaves with evil, would be beneath even the slave himself, and unworthy the privilege of a free Government ("Outrage in Jackson County, Missouri," Evening and Morning Star 2 (Jan. 1834): 122)

The Church’s official position on preaching the gospel to slaves in 1835, accepted by comment consent as written in D&C 134:12:

“We believe it just to preach the gospel to the nations of the earth, and warn the righteous to save themselves from the corruption of the world; but we do not believe it right to interfere with bond-servants, neither preach the gospel to, nor baptize them contrary to the will and wish of their masters, nor to meddle with or influence them in the least to cause them to be dissatisfied with their situations in this life, thereby jeopardizing the lives of men; such interference we believe to be unlawful and unjust, and dangerous to the peace of every government allowing human beings to be held in servitude.”

Oliver Cowdery, in answer to continued accusations by Missourians that the Church was supporting abolition, wrote:

“... Let the blacks of the south be free, and our community is overrun with paupers, and a reckless mass of human beings, uncultivated, untaught and unaccustomed to provide for themselves the necessaries of life - endangering the chastity of every female who might by chance be found in our streets - our prisons filled with convicts, and the hangman wearied with executing the functions of his office! This must unavoidably be the case, every rational man must admit, who has ever travelled in the slave states, or we must open our houses, unfold our arms, and bid these degraded and degrading sons of Canaan, a hearty welcome and a free admittance to all we possess! A society of this nature, to us, is so intolerably degrading, that the bare reflection causes our feeling to recoil, and our hearts to revolt....The idea of transportation is folly, the project of emansipation [sic] is destructive to our government, and the notion of amalgamation is devilish! ... And insensible to feeling must be the heart, and low indeed must be the mind, that would consent for a moment, to see his fair daughter, his sister, or perhaps, his bosom companion, in the embrace of a NEGRO!” (Messenger and Advocate 2:299-301).

These speeches and the thoughts contained in them were admittedly opinions and beliefs only and were not to be understood as revelatory:

Joseph Smith: "(these were) views and sentiments I believe, as an individual"

Oliver Cowdery: "We speak as an individual and as a man in this matter."

Joseph Smith stated in the Messenger and Advocate (April 9, 1836):

"After having expressed myself so freely upon this subject, I do not doubt but those who have been forward in raising their voice against the South, will cry out against me as being uncharitable, unfeeling and unkind wholly unacquainted with the gospel of Christ. It is my privilege then, to name certain passages from the bible, and examine the teachings of the ancients upon this nature, as the fact is incontrovertible, that the first mention we have of slavery is found in the holy bible, pronounced by a man who was perfect in his generation and walked with God. And so far from that prediction's being averse from the mind of God it remains as a lasting monument of the decree of Jehovah, to the shame and confusion of all who have cried out against the South, in consequence of their holding the sons of Ham in servitude!”

"And he said cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant. God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem and Canaan shall be his servant." Genesis 9:25-27

"Trace the history of the world from this notable event down to this day, and you will find the fulfillment of this singular prophecy. What could have been the design of the Almighty in this wonderful occurrence is not for me to say; but I can say that the curse is not yet taken off the sons of Canaan, neither will be until it is affected by as great power as caused it to come; and the people who interfere the least with the decrees and purposes of God in this matter, will come under the least condemnation before him; and those who are determined to pursue a course which shows an opposition and a feverish restlessness against the designs of the Lord, will learn, when perhaps it is too late for their own good, that God can do his own work without the aid of those who are not dictate by his counsel." - (Joseph Smith Jr., Messenger and Advocate Vol. II, No. 7, April 1836, p. 290; History of the Church, Vol. 2, Ch. 30, pp. 436-40.)

Ironically, the gospel was none-the-less to be preached unto “every creature” in spite of W.W. Phelp’s statement to the contrary. The first Mormon hymnal, printed in 1835, included a hymn offering thoughts on missionary expansion:

"…throughout Europe, and Asia's dark regions, to China's far shores, and to Afric's black legions” ("Ye Chosen Twelve," by Parley P. Pratt, in A Collection of Sacred Hymns for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Europe, selected by Brigham Young, Parley P. Pratt, and John Taylor, 1840. This hymn remains in the LDS hymnal in a slightly modified form).

Participation in the Kirtland Temple ceremonies were extended to:

"old or young, rich or poor, male or female, bond or free, black or white, believer or unbeliever...." (History of the Church, 2:368-69).

Considering the Nauvoo Temple’s completion, the First Presidency exclaimed:

"we may soon expect to see flocking to this place, people from every land and from every nation, the polished European, the degraded Hottentot, and the shivering Laplander. Persons of all languages, and of every tongue, and of every color; who shall with us worship the Lord of Hosts in his holy temple, and offer up their orisons in his sanctuary" ("Report of the Presidency" at General Conference, 3-5 Oct. 1840, in Times & Seasons, 1:188, or History of the Church, 4:213).