A few weeks ago I watched an episode of
PBS's Frontline about
Mormonism. I didn't know much about Mormonism other than the
headquarters of the church is in Utah and that The Mormons had at some point been
polygamists.
As I watched I was really interested to find out the
history of Mormonism. I learned about the founder of Mormonism
Joseph Smith, Jr. and of his
Revelations. Also I saw how the Mormons had been attacked in the early years of the religion.
But what really struck me was a
segment about Blacks and Mormonism. During this part I was disturbed to find out the Mormon Church taught some despicable things about Black people. The following is from a
text quoting then Mormon President
Brigham Young;
"Why are so many of the inhabitants of the earth cursed with a skin of blackness? It comes in consequence of their fathers rejecting the power of the holy priesthood, and the law of God. They will go down to death. And when all the rest of the children have received their blessings in the holy priesthood, then that curse will be removed from the seed of Cain, and they will then come up and possess the priesthood, and receive all the blessings which we now are entitled to."
Later during the
1960's African American Civil Rights movement, Hugh B. Brown a member of the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the
First Presidency of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a
statement regarding Blacks and the church that read in part;
"In revelations received by the first prophet of the Church in this dispensation, Joseph Smith (1805-1844), the Lord made it clear that it is "not right that any man should be in bondage one to another." These words were spoken prior to the Civil War. From these and other revelations have sprung the Church's deep and historic concern with man's free agency and our commitment to the sacred principles of the Constitution.
It follows, therefore, that we believe the Negro, as well as those of other races, should have his full Constitutional privileges as a member of society, and we hope that members of the Church everywhere will do their part as citizens to see that these rights are held inviolate. Each citizen must have equal opportunities and protection under the law with reference to civil rights.
However, matters of faith, conscience, and theology are not within the purview of the civil law. The first amendment to the Constitution specifically provides that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
The position of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints affecting those of the Negro race who choose to join the Church falls wholly within the category of religion. It has no bearing upon matters of civil rights. In no case or degree does it deny to the Negro his full privileges as a citizen of the nation."
Then on June 8, 1978 Mormon President Spencer W. Kimball issued a
statement that read in part;
"He has heard our prayers, and by revelation has confirmed that the long-promised day has come when every faithful, worthy man in the Church may receive the holy priesthood, with power to exercise its divine authority, and enjoy with his loved ones every blessing that flows therefrom, including the blessings of the temple. Accordingly, all worthy male members of the Church may be ordained to the priesthood without regard for race or color. Priesthood leaders are instructed to follow the policy of carefully interviewing all candidates for ordination to either the Aaronic or the Melchizedek Priesthood to insure that they meet the established standards for worthiness."
So, it seems that the Mormon Church held policies which denied full membership of Blacks for most of its history until Spencer Kimball had a Revelation which gave Black people the opportunity for
Priesthood. This denial of rights or discrimination against Blacks is not exclusive to Mormonism. As most of us know many White Christians used the
Bible to justify Slavery as well as
Jim Crow laws. But I don't think that because the Mormons were not alone in having doctrine which excluded Blacks that this doctrine should not be a legitimate concern to African Americans with regard to the
Presidential aspirations of former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.So, My question to Mr Romney: How do you feel about the Mormon Church's pre-June 8, 1978 doctrine excluding Blacks from becoming Mormon Priests and therefore denying them according to Mormon faith a chance at going to Heaven? Also, as someone who was a Mormon during this time of discrimination, how did you feel during that time about the doctrine and did you speak for or against it?
I have sent
Mr. Romney an e-mail asking those questions. I'll post his response, if I get one.
American sprinter Allyson Felix (top photo, number 960) sprinted to an amazing victory Friday at Osaka, Japan. In the 2007 Track and Field World Championships 200 meter final Allyson ran one of the fastest times in history, covering 200 meters in just 21.81 seconds. Ms Felix defeated 2007 100 Meter world champion Veronica Cambell who placed second in 22.34. Susanthika Jayasinghe of Sri Lanka took third in 22.63 seconds.
