Abel's decendants, however, have a clear line of priesthood lineage, Abel's sons were also ordained to the priesthood, even during the time of restriction.
"He had a deep spirituality about him," Elder M. Russell Ballard said at a ceremony dedicating a new marker to Brother Abel.
"It's a wonderful thing you've done here today," Elder Ballard said of the new monument, "The church is pleased."
Abel was reportedly at Joseph Smith Sr.'s bedside when he died in 1840 at Nauvoo. That especially hit home for Elder Ballard, whose mother was a Smith descendant.
Elder Ballard offered the dedicatory prayer for the new monument and talked about the church's controversial past policy on black members and the priesthood. "We don't know all the reasons why the Lord does what he does. . . . It's difficult to know why all things happen," Elder Ballard said. "I'm perfectly content to believe the Lord is in control."
William J. Curtis, co-founder and secretary of the Missouri Mormon Frontier Foundation and a Methodist, saw Abel's crumbling grave last year and was determined to lead the effort for a new monument there, outlining Abel's "Slavery to Sainthood" progress.
Randon W. Wilson, chairman of the This is the Place Foundation, said his heritage park, across from Hogle Zoo, has plans to further recognize African-American contributions in Utah.
