Why would any sane Black Person become a Mormon?

Question

The Mormon Church has a long history of blatant racism against blacks.

Answer 1

This is a very good question. Did it not seem coincidental that when the rest of America was coming around the fact that blacks were human beings with civil rights movements, then God "decided" that as well. This is a well-defined moment where God himself "changed" his point of view about a portion of his own creations. This brings up a whole different question about how God, who is constant, can "change his mind" when man does as well.



So, for a black person to be a Mormon, they would have to be duped into joining without knowing the history of the church, as well as stay out of Utah. I live in Utah myself and most of the black people I see here either play on a college team or some kind, or they are not Mormons. There will be exceptions sure, but that is what they are: exceptions, not the rule. Black people are treated with undue caution here, simply because 99.9% of the people are white or hispanic.



For those who say, "It happened SO long ago!", they are full of ****! Not only did it NOT HAPPEN VERY LONG AGO, but you are JUSTIFYING IT! Some loving compassionate people you are.... You make me sick.

Answer 2

While I agree with you that there is a 130-year period of LDS history (1848 - 1978) where blacks were heavily discriminated against, I cannot say that black people today should not join the Church.



The Church today is a very different organization than in 1848 when the Priesthood Ban went into effect. Brigham Young was, for lack of a better term, a racist bigot and incorporated his feelings into the doctrines of his day, despite Joseph Smith's open approval (and ordination) of blacks to the Priesthood and Temple. Other LDS leaders continued the tradition for the sake of not contradicting Brigham until the 70's, when Spencer W. Kimball finally said "Now wait a minute... how did this actually come into effect?" and lifted the ban.



Since this time, the membership and leadership has gradually become less racist, and I can honestly say that the last quote from an LDS leader with racist overtones (at least that I am aware of) was just over 10 years ago, in 1996, when they last discouraged interracial marriage.



Despite its historical black eyes, the LDS Church has been an influence of good for many people, and even if it isn't "True" the way it claims to be, we cannot be the judge of others who wish to either join or leave it.

Answer 3

Same answer to this question.



Why would any Sane Black Person want to live in the United States?

The United States has a long history of blatant racism against blacks.



Because those blacks are intelligent to know what is good and true.

Answer 4

Maybe the same reason a black person would even work for a white person after slavery. It's all History!! BTW, blacks were allowed to join the church... the black males however, were not allowed to hold the priesthood until 1978 when it was reveled that all worthy males could have the priesthood.



Hopefully a faithful 'sane' black Mormon can answer your question.



Here's what the church has to say to the matter...

Ever since biblical times, the Lord has designated through His prophets who could receive the priesthood and other blessings of the gospel. Among the tribes of Israel, for example, only men of the tribe of Levi were given the priesthood and allowed to officiate in certain ordinances. Likewise, during the Savior’s earthly ministry, gospel blessings were restricted to the Jews. Only after a revelation to the Apostle Peter were the gospel and priesthood extended to others (see Acts 10:1–33; 14:23; 15:6–8).



With the revelation to President Kimball in 1978, the priesthood is now available to all worthy male members regardless of race or ethnicity (see Official Declaration 2) http://scriptures.lds.org/en/od/2. Each candidate for ordination is interviewed by priesthood leaders to ensure that he understands and agrees to live by established principles of righteousness

Answer 5

Racism is a subjective term. The Mormon church believes that black people did not choose a side-god or the devil-before their spirit was sent to Earth. Because of that, they face more dificult trials while here. At least, that is my understanding of it. So is that racism? From a certain perspective it is, but from their perspective, it is "spiritualism". (I just made that up, by the way!). They are not discriminating based on the color of a person's skin, but they limit what a person can do within their church based on that person's spiritul decisions. I believe that is well witrhin the rights of a church. I am not advocating racism, and those beliefs definately should make you think twice about joining if you are black.

Answer 6

Because The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is Jesus's church.



If you really knew the churches history with black people then you would know that racism is not a Doctrine of the church.



You are the racist for bringing up what you don't know -- typical ignorant anti-religionist anti-Mormon bigotry





"HMMM i don't know any thing about Mormons -- let me watch a TV show -- yes TV will tell me what to do!!!"

-- quote by Ignorant Mormon-hating dullards

Answer 7

Black skin is the Mormon version of "original sin". In the 70's they finally had a "revelation" that blacks were finally "worthy" to hold the Mormon priesthood (which pretty much all Mormon males over 12 hold). Geez, that couldn't have been because of a change in culture, right... no, they finally paid their debt with gawd. Whatever.

Answer 8

Before the church let Blacks have the priesthood there was a family in a UT stake that was the only black family in the whole stake! They went to all the meetings and were very faithful. The father was one of the first to go to the temple. They were very happy. So even though they couldn't have the full blessings of the church, they were still faithful. And yes, they were sane!!

Answer 9

You are wrong. God loves all of His children, regardless of origins here on earth. The fact that the lineage of Cain was denied the priesthood for thousands of years was not because of hate but because of love. We may not fully understand the reasons for that privilege being reserved until now but ultimately God will show us that it was all part of His love for them that they waited until now for the fulness of those blessings to be imparted.

The Church has always welcomed all races within the membership of the Church. There were black members within the original pioneers, even in Joseph Smith's own household.

Besides, if the Church is the source of truth and holds the promise of eternal life, then why would you not join and cling to that truth once you have found it?

I testify that it is so.

Answer 10

And the church without any history of racism is?



Why would anyone join a church or mosque that supported slavery? (Mormons didn't)



I can't do anything about the past, except to change the future.

Answer 11

Everyone has a history of racism or prejudice at some point.



The fact of the matter is the keyword "history".



People realize the error of their ways and move on.



Christians slaughtered those who would not submit to their religion during the Crusades.



Islam declares Jihad.



Even the Jewish people had some infighting, not to mention the obvious Isreali-Palestinian Conflict.

Answer 12

The church found itself in a pickle when trying to extend it's missionary efforts to Brazil and the Caribbean - plus the refusal of college teams to play BYU. It could not extend it's racist sentiments any further without a wholesale bailing of church membership and stagnated convert growth.



God overlooked this detail too, like polygamy, the United Order, and most recently, the stake president pedophile.



But the current membership is strong in their recently revised doctrine and the result of excellent salesmanship of the General Authorities.

Answer 13

You know, I didn't know until last night (when I was watching a thing on TV about Mormons) that they look so unfavorably upon blacks. I heard that they believe God made the descendents of Cain black as punishment for him killing Abel. Interesting.

Answer 14

It's not pre 1978 anymore. Get over it.



gw

Answer 15

They wouldn't. Unless they don't know the history of the Mormon church.

Answer 16

I don't know how the LDS gets away with that kind of teaching.

And, yea, I can say that, I used to be mormon.

Answer 17

The word "black" is an unnecessary modifier in that sentence.

Answer 18

No sane person would become a mormon.

Answer 19

people have short memories