Unfortunately, racism—the abhorrent and morally destructive theory that claims superiority of one person over another by reason of race, color, ethnicity, or cultural background—remains one of the abiding sins of societies the world over. The cause of much of the strife and conflict in the world, racism is an offense against God and a tool in the devil’s hands. In common with other Christians, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regret the actions and statements of individuals who have been insensitive to the pain suffered by the victims of racism and ask God’s forgiveness for those guilty of this grievous sin. The sin of racism will be eliminated only when every human being treats all others with the dignity and respect each deserves as a beloved child of our Heavenly Father.
How grateful I am that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has from its beginnings stood strongly against racism in any of its malignant manifestations. President Spencer W. Kimball stated the Church’s position well: “We do wish that there would be no racial prejudice. … Racial prejudice is of the devil. … There is no place for it in the gospel of Jesus Christ” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 236–37).
No More Strangers, September 2000, By Elder Alexander B. Morrison Of the Seventy
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2000/09/no-more-strangers
Wow! Wow wow wow. The church from it’s beginning has stood strongly against racism? This is completely false and incredibly misleading and gaslighting!
It takes great courage to put away old hatreds, divisions, and tribal traditions which constrict and confine people into blind continuance of destructive behaviors toward others.
No More Strangers, September 2000, By Elder Alexander B. Morrison Of the Seventy
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2000/09/no-more-strangers
This courage seems to be speaking of Lowry Nelson and Byron Marchant more than the church. The church at any time, let alone from the beginning. Refer to the church racist doctrines proclaimed by Brigham Young in 1852, George Albert Smith’s First Presidency in 1949, or David O McKay’s First Presidency in 1969. Even later after lifting the ban in 1978, we have Ezra Taft Benson being incredible dismissive and victim-blaming for racist issues within the church.
Elder Morrison continues his discourse about racial issues detailing that in the future minorities are estimated to combine and become the majority. The “Anglo majority” will be no longer. Is he setting the stage now for the church to report in the future that they have always been friendly to minorities because the “white and delightsome” members of the church will likely become the minority in the future?
It is reliably estimated that some time around the year 2050, the so-called racial minorities in the United States of America, taken together, will surpass in numbers the Anglo majority. The reality is that the children and grandchildren of today’s Americans will live in a society where everyone is a member of a minority group! This will have dramatic effects not only on the nature and extent of diversity and intergroup relationships, but also on national identity.
Church members now live in nearly every country of the world. During the new century, Church communities around the world increasingly will reflect the diversity of the nation in which they are located. Taken as a whole, the Church worldwide will become more diverse in terms of the national, racial, cultural, and linguistic characteristics of its members.
No More Strangers, September 2000, By Elder Alexander B. Morrison Of the Seventy
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2000/09/no-more-strangers
Would you agree that from its beginning, the Mormon church has always stood strongly against racism in any of its malignant manifestations? It seems that the church has stood strongly, but not in fact against racism, it has stood strongly against blacks receiving the priesthood and entering the temple to complete the ordinances required for heaven. What have you experienced in the church in regard to racism? Have they been on the right side of history? Tell your story at wasmormon.org.
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