An Apology to Our Black Brothers and Sisters
“Unitedly we declare that the answers to racism, prejudice, discrimination and hate will not come from government or law enforcement alone. Solutions will come as we open our hearts to those whose lives are different than our own, as we work to build bonds of genuine friendship, and as we see each other as the brothers and sisters we are — for we are all children of a loving God.”
-President Russell M. Nelson, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Source: June 8, 2020 (The entire piece, put out to the media by the Church, is worth reading)
While The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints hasn’t formally apologized for past racist teachings and doctrines, they have recently strongly denounced such behaviors. But there is no reason why those who are or were members of the faith, can’t take the initiative and apologize. This is exactly what my neighbor, friend, and member of my Latter-Day Saint Ward Bishopric, recently felt inspired to do. He wrote an apology on his behalf and those members of his faith for past and current racism. It isn’t long, but it it is heartfelt and if you are or were a member of the Latter-Day Saint faith, you can add your name. This is not a petition to the institutional church to officially apologize.
To add your name to the public apology letter on behalf of members please go here
If you struggle with the idea of prophets making mistakes and believe that the prior banning of those of African descent from holding the priesthood was given of God, it may be illuminating to read what the Church has published on this aspect of its history. You can find that here.
To explore prophetic reliability, Spencer Fluhman, Director of the BYU Maxwell Institute, sits down with Patrick Mason, now Leonard J. Arrington Chair of Mormon History and Culture Associate Professor of Religious Studies and History at Utah State University) Find it here: Prophetic Reliability – A Conversation with Spencer Fluhman and Patrick Mason.
