Some Faith Matters Discussions that explore racism in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and what members can do to eliminate it.
“Racism is intoxicating and racism mixed with religion can be particularly pernicious. The Latter-day Saint message has always included a universal foundation. “All flesh is mine” Jesus told Joseph Smith in 1831, “and I am no respecter of persons” (D&C 38:16). It also included universal male ordination which stipulated that “every man” who embraced the priesthood “with singleness of heart may be ordained and sent forth” (D&C 36: 7). A Savior who claimed “all flesh” as His own and flatly declared that He was “no respecter of persons” clearly would not originate racial restrictions that contradict His very nature. Yet Latter-day Saints sometimes continue to lay the racial restrictions at Jesus’ feet as if the “natural man” was never involved in their formulations and perpetuations.”
-Paul Reeve, Author of Religion of a Different Color: Race and the Mormon Struggle for Whiteness
The following essay and interview are well worth your time and critical to understanding the responsibility of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in creating a better future for Black Lives and every race.
