Join Mike from LDS discussions.com and John as they discuss race and Mormon scripture. This is part 1 of a 2-part series. We are also grateful to have a few call-in guests for this episode.
Today’s episode covers:
- Personal stories from black members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) of the racist things said to them and ways they were treated, and how psychologically harmful the racist doctrines have been for them
- The most problematic verses and teaching of past prophets from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that specifically highlight dark or black skin as a curse directly from God
- Context and proof showing the belief literally meant dark skin and was not an idiom or euphemism for anything else
- The early belief that the skin color of Indigenous North Americans could/did actually change to become lighter when converting to Mormonism and living more “righteously”
- The Book of Abraham as evidence of Joseph Smith’s racism, codifying racism into scripture for ALL black people, not just as a curse specific to North American Indigenous people as stated in the Book of Mormon.
- The doctrinal basis for the early Mormon ban against black people worshiping and marrying in the Temple, as well as the ban against black Mormon men from receiving the Priesthood, the authority needed to hold any leadership position in the Church as well as perform essential saving ordinances such as baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost etc.
- The real reasons the Church was pressured to lift the ban and the measures taken to make it happen despite continued vehement opposition among some Church leaders.
1665: Race & Mormon Scripture Pt 2 w/ LDS Discussions – 22
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Related Mormon Stories Content
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The problem with this and every other issue in Mormonism is that there are two Mormonisms. One is what the leaders say that the members believe. The other is what the members actually believe. The two shall never meet.
The leaders never directly address the members and tell them to change. The leaders’ job is to tell the members that they are absolutely OK with God. That’s why criticism is so dangerous. The members insist on reassurance.
I think Smith used A view of the Hebrews as a guide. Just too many parallels for it just to be a 19th cultural coincidence John. But I would entertain some background from you as to why you take the position that 19th common 19th century cultural thinking explains the similarities.
question was actually meant for Mike John. Sorry…senior moment.
As a Native, I always questioned things in the BOM. As I got older my skin lightened and I kept thinking, well the more I try being a good Mormon maybe the curse will lift and people will mistake me for white and things will get better for me at church.