Why did the Mormon Church do away with the "curse" against blacks ?

Question

Fact: For most of its history, the Mormon church said blacks were "cursed" and black Mormons (the few who actually chose to be Mormon) were forbidden from receiving their endowments and enter into Mormon Temples.

That all changed in the late 70's. Why ?

Did the US government threaten to take away the Deseret Corporation's tax exempt status(Deseret, Inc = for profit LDS subsidiary) ? Did BYU need some "skill position" players ?

And why do Mormons pretend their church was never racist ? Many Protestant Churches have acknowledged and apologized for their Racist pasts, but the Mormons ignore the large number of quotes by Brigham Young and others.

Answer 1

Here is the official explanation.

OFFICIAL DECLARATION—2
To Whom It May Concern:
On September 30, 1978, at the 148th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the following was presented by President N. Eldon Tanner, First Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church:
In early June of this year, the First Presidency announced that a revelation had been received by President Spencer W. Kimball extending priesthood and temple blessings to all worthy male members of the Church. President Kimball has asked that I advise the conference that after he had received this revelation, which came to him after extended meditation and prayer in the sacred rooms of the holy temple, he presented it to his counselors, who accepted it and approved it. It was then presented to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who unanimously approved it, and was subsequently presented to all other General Authorities, who likewise approved it unanimously.
President Kimball has asked that I now read this letter:
June 8, 1978
To all general and local priesthood officers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout the world:
Dear Brethren:
As we have witnessed the expansion of the work of the Lord over the earth, we have been grateful that people of many nations have responded to the message of the restored gospel, and have joined the Church in ever-increasing numbers. This, in turn, has inspired us with a desire to extend to every worthy member of the Church all of the privileges and blessings which the gospel affords.
Aware of the promises made by the prophets and presidents of the Church who have preceded us that at some time, in God’s eternal plan, all of our brethren who are worthy may receive the priesthood, and witnessing the faithfulness of those from whom the priesthood has been withheld, we have pleaded long and earnestly in behalf of these, our faithful brethren, spending many hours in the Upper Room of the Temple supplicating the Lord for divine guidance.
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.
We declare with soberness that the Lord has now made known his will for the blessing of all his children throughout the earth who will hearken to the voice of his authorized servants, and prepare themselves to receive every blessing of the gospel.
Sincerely yours,

Spencer W. Kimball
N. Eldon Tanner
Marion G. Romney

The First Presidency
Recognizing Spencer W. Kimball as the prophet, seer, and revelator, and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is proposed that we as a constituent assembly accept this revelation as the word and will of the Lord. All in favor please signify by raising your right hand. Any opposed by the same sign.
The vote to sustain the foregoing motion was unanimous in the affirmative.
Salt Lake City, Utah, September 30, 1978.

Answer 2

Just so you know, my wife is black, and Mormon as well.

Though originally few in number, blacks have been attracted to the Church since its organization. Early converts joined during the 1830s and 1840s and some came to Utah as pioneers. Throughout the early twentieth century, small numbers of blacks continued to join the Church. These members remained committed to their testimonies and Church activities even though prior to 1978 black members could not hold the priesthood or participate in temple ordinances, and missionaries did not focus on proselyting in black communities. The reasons for these restrictions have not been revealed. As early as 1852, President Brigham Young, said that the time would come when blacks would have all the privileges of other members and even more. During the civil rights era in the United States, Church leaders explained that removal of the priesthood restriction would require a revelation from God, not policy changes by men. On June 9, 1978, Spencer W. Kimball, then President of the Church, announced the revelation that all worthy males could hold the priesthood. Following this revelation, proselytizing was expanded worldwide to include people of African descent. Black membership greatly increased. Studies indicate that black members in the United States experience social interactions and meaningful relationships with Church members of all races. Today black Latter-day Saints enjoy opportunities in all areas of Church activity, both as leaders and members.

Answer 3

True fact: because the NCAA was threatening to kick BYU out if they didn't start accepting black athletes. As the deadline was approaching, the Prophet (leader of the church, who at that time I believe was Ezra Taft Benson) had a timely revelation from The Big Guy that blacks were now to be accepted into the church. Although, I don't believe that they are allowed into the highest level of the priesthood or the highest level of heaven, even today.

Answer 4

I passed through Uta on the way back fom Santa Cruz. I got an eye opener about their religion. The pass this into their children and they are wierd. When I had a few encounters with some of them I asked those with me what was with these people. They were a bit surprised that I didn't know. Know what? I asked. Then they began to explaine to me what mormons believe, the way they think about black people and why. But they said that due to the pressure from mainstream christianity they changed their rules so that blacks could be members but not ministers. I about flipped out and told everyone that we were not even eating breakfast in that town. We were leaving at the crack of dawn and we would eat after we got across the border.
This said, I bid you good night, Ammoconfidential ps. This was in 1995

Answer 5

I just wanted to point out that there were some gross factual errors in other people's answers. Every worthy man of every race is given the privilege of holding the priesthood. Worthy adults of every race are given the opportunity to attend the temple and be married there. There are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints all over the world, they come from every country and and speak every language, none is considered better than any other. We all hold callings, some are Bishops and Stake Presidents, the equivalent of the clergy. We are all Gods children and he loves us all the same.

Answer 6

the mormons are ever evolving, the founder prophesied that the south was going to win the civil war, that the blacks would not be freed. these our the same people that said originally that the black people were the fallen(demons) they have changed alot of things to accommodate whatever will help them at the moment. i don't think they have ever admitted a wrong, they just change the subject.

Answer 7

We believe that Christ is the head of this (Mormon) church, and he directs his prophet as to how the church should be run. Any change in doctrine is a direct result of revelation from God. Doctrines change according to God's timetable, regardless of the pressures from the world. We don't feel God has reason to apologize for any of his actions. We believe that each is responsible for their own actions and words.

Answer 8

well I have my theory but Mormons deny everything that shows their religion/corporation in a bad light so whats the point. the rest of us know what it is. It's a bunch of old white guys with a inferiority complex looking for a good reason to have sex outside of marriage and with more then one women and getting out of taxes. thats my theory.

Answer 9

I suppose you could also ask why Moses only allowed the sons of Aaron to be priests (recall that Aaron and Moses, who were brothers, were also Levites). None of the other tribes of Israel were permitted to hold the priesthood, and thus it was for many years. God decided whom He wanted to officiate in holy things, and for some reason he picked the Levites. It wouldn't surprise me if some Israelites thought Moses was just being discriminatory.

Answer 10

The church had nothing to do with it. It is God who cursed Cain and his desendants when Cain killed Abel. It was God who said they couldn't hold the priesthood but said the day would soon come when they could. It was God who said when the time was, when they could. We ignore nothing. Jesus Christ stands at the head of the 'Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints'. We have a modern day Prophet who leads the church under the guidence of Christ, Himself. We are not a corporation. We believe in being self sustaining and help others throughout the world. We are the restored Church of Jesus Christ. We qualify to the 17 points of the true church as stated in the bible.

Christ's original church ended with the great apostasy. Joseph Smith, by the authority of God himself, reorganized Christ’s original church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) to the earth with Christ himself as the cornerstone or leader: Read: Acts 3:19-21 and Matt. 17:11-13. It is the same organization that existed in Christ's original church: Read Eph. 4:11-14, 1st Tim. 3: 1-8 and Luke 10:1. It bears the name of Jesus Christ: Read: Eph. 3:21 and Acts 4:12. We claim revelation from God: Read: Amos 3:7 and Proverbs 29:18. Our officers or General authorities are called of God: Read: Heb. 5: 4 and Exodus 40:13-16. We do not have a paid ministry: Read: 1st Cor. 9:18, 1st Peter 5: 13, 2nd Thess. 3: 8 and Acts 20:34. We are a missionary church: Read: Matt. 24: 4, Matt. 28:19-20 and Mark 16:15. We have a foundation of Apostles and Prophets: Read: Eph. 2:19-20 and Luke 6:13-16.We claim divine authority: Read: John 15:16 Heb. 5: 4-12. We practice divine healings: Read: Mark 6:13, Mark 16:17-18, James 5:14-16 and Luke10: 9. We teach that God and Christ have bodies of flesh and bone: Read: Luke 24: 36 39. We teach that God and Christ are separate and distinct individuals: Read: Acts7: 55-56. We bestow the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands: Read: 2nd Tim.1: 6, Acts 8: 16-17and Acts 19: 6. We are called Saints: Read: 1st Cor. 14: 33 and Eph. 4:12. We baptize by immersion: Matt. 3: 16, Mark 1: 9-10, John 3: 23 and Acts 8: 38-39. We practice baptism for the dead: Read: 1st Cor. 15:29 and Heb. 11: 39-40. In Heb. 13:8, you will find why these things are important.

So, you see, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was not founded in the year 1830 at all. It was founded by Christ during his ministry and restored to the earth in these latter days as foretold by the ancient prophets.

The bible also tells of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. Read: Isa. 29:4 on, Ezek 37: 15-20, and John 10:16. The book of Mormon in no way replaces the bible. It is but another testament of Jesus Christ as written by the people of the western hemisphere. It goes hand in hand with the bible as they testify of each other's truth.