Doctrine Cannot Be Changed Boyd K. PackerApril 2013 General Conferencehttps://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1993/10/for-time-and-all-eternity?lang=eng August 17, 1949 The attitude of the Church with reference to Negroes remains as it has always stood. It is not a matter of the declaration of a policy but of direct commandment from the Lord, on which is founded the doctrine of the Church … Read more
The world changes constantly and dramatically, but God, His commandments, and promised blessings do not change. They are immutable and unchanging. L. Tom PerryApril 2013 General Conferencehttps://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2013/04/obedience-to-law-is-liberty?lang=eng August 17, 1949 The attitude of the Church with reference to Negroes remains as it has always stood. It is not a matter of the declaration of a … Read more
Indian turning white. A Winnebago Indian, Louis Armell, living on the reservation, is said to be the object of scientific observation because for many years his skin has gradually been turning white. He is now 54 years old. He still has “copper patches” but physicians believe that if he lives a few more years he … Read more
Excerpt from a New York Times Opinion article published August 18, 2012, ‘Why Race Is Still a Problem for Mormons’: 1 The church could begin leaving those problems behind if its leaders explained that their predecessors had confused their own racist views with God’s will and that the priesthood ban resulted from human error and … Read more
Image: Apostle Bruce R. McConkie, LDS Prophet Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine:[footnote]Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 114[/footnote] ‘Negroes in this life are denied the Priesthood; under no circumstances can they hold this delegation of authority from the Almighty. (Abra. 1:20-27.) The gospel message of salvation is not carried affirmatively to them . . . negroes … Read more
Image: Brigham Young, LDS Prophet Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses:[footnote]Prophet Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, v. 10, p. 110[/footnote] “Shall I tell you the law of God in regard to the African race? If the white man who belongs to the chosen seed mixes his blood with the seed of Cain, the penalty, under the … Read more
Image: Apostle Mark E. Petersen Apostle Mark E. Petersen, “Race Problems – as they affect the church:[footnote]Mark E. Petersen, “Race Problems – as they affect the church,” August 27, 1954, p. 17[/footnote] “In spite of all he did in the pre-existent life, the Lord is willing, if the Negro accepts the gospel with real, sincere … Read more
Image: George Albert Smith, LDS Prophet. LDS First Presidency, letter to Virgil H. Sponberg (critic of the anti-black ban), May 5, 1947: [footnote]LDS First Presidency (George Albert Smith), letter to Virgil H. Sponberg (critic of the anti-black ban), May 5, 1947, quoted in Lester E. Bush, Mormonism’s Negro Doctrine: An Historical Overview, p. 42 [/footnote] “Your ideas, … Read more
From Elder Ezra Taft Benson Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles, 1967:[footnote]Ezra Taft Benson, Conference Report, October 1967, pp. 34-39[/footnote] False solicitude for the unfortunate “Such timely counsel could help save our country from Communism, as the same masters of deceit are showing the same false solicitude for the unfortunate in the name of … Read more
LDS First Presidency (George Albert Smith), letter to Virgil H. Sponberg (critic of the anti-black ban), May 5, 1947:[footnote]Mormonism’s Negro Doctrine: An Historical Overview – Lester Bush[/footnote] “From the days of the Prophet Joseph even until now, it has been the doctrine of the Church, never questioned by any of the Church leaders, that the … Read more
Image: Joseph Smith Jr. – Mormon Prophet Views of Joseph Smith Jr. regarding race, from The History of the Church:[footnote]History of the Church, Volume 5, pages 218-219 [/footnote] The Prophet’s View of the Negro Race. At five went to Mr. Sollars’ with Elders Hyde and Richards. Elder Hyde inquired the situation of the negro. I replied, they … Read more
Image: Martin Luther King Jr., Civil Rights Activist Excerpts from an address by Apostle Mark E. Peterson given at the Convention of Teachers of Religion on the College Level Brigham Young University Provo, Utah – August 27, 1954[footnote]Race Problems—As They Affect The Church – Mark E. Petersen, 1954 [/footnote] “God has commanded Israel not to intermarry. To go against … Read more
Image: Brigham Young In 1855 Brigham Young said: “You must not think, from what I say, that I am opposed to slavery. No! The negro is damned, and is to serve his master till God chooses to remove the curse of Ham…”[footnote]New York Herald, May 4, 1855, as cited in Dialogue, Spring 1973, p. 56 [/footnote] … Read more