Joseph Smith authorizes the ordination of African-American Elijah Abel to the office of elder. On Dec. 20 Abel is ordained to the office of Seventy. A skilled carpenter, Abel worked on the Salt Lake Temple but was never allowed to receive his endowments or have his family sealed together because of his race.
A quick reply -- here is a biographical summary by Joseph F. Smith of Elijah Able -- including Joseph Smith licensing Able after receiving the priesthood (a strong indication he approved of his ordination).
ReplyDeletehttps://www.josephsmithpapers.org/person/elijah-able
Here is a brief bio that might be helpful.
https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/bc-jsp/content/jsp/images/content/pdf/Docs/Able_bio_sketch.pdf