Why does the Book of Mormon say dark skin is a sign of sin?

Question

These passages are talking about American Indians:

"And the angel said unto me: Behold these shall dwindle in unbelief.

"And it came to pass that I beheld, after they had dwindled in unbelief they became a dark, and loathsome, and a filthy people, full of idleness and all manner of abominations."

(I Nephi 12:22-23)

"And I beheld the Spirit of the Lord, that it was upon the Gentiles, and they did prosper and obtain the land for their inheritance; and I beheld that they were white, and exceedingly beautiful, like unto my people before they were slain."

(I Nephi 13:15)

This chapter is an interesting one. The racism is pretty obvious. Unbelievers grow dark even if they used to be white, and those filled with the Holy Spirit become white and beautiful.

Do you think that Mormons don't care about this any more than they do the obvious fraudulent claims of steel weapons during a period when such things didn't exist?

Deazone, the way Mormons act toward others around them is more important than what their books say. But why not just chuck the book altogether? They claim to be Christians, they've turned away from many of their former doctrines, what's holdign them back here?

The Last Ent Wife: chapter 13 is a vision, and Nephi is describing what he's "seeing". The meaning is rather obvious.

Holly N: I've always found it easy to call it like I see it, including in the Bible. I find it far more fulfilling to be honest than to try to explain things that don't deserve our time.

There's no room for racism in this world.

Chei, I would never be caught in public pretending that my own Bible didn't "really" say what it was clearly saying. It's embarrassing to me to belong to a religion that I have to make excuses for.

Maybe you can answer a question for me:

How important is honesty to Mormons? Is it something you value only when it's convenient, or is it worth more effort and risk than that?

Straight up: My point is that the BOM is NOT the word of God, it's fiction written by a man in the 1830's who lived in a world where this kind of racism was common.

God doesn't punish people by making their skin dark; his chosen people were bronze-skinned throughout history, but Joseph Smith lived near New York Jews who had white skin and he didn't know any better. That's why the BOM says that Jews were originally white!

(When you get a sun tan, are you being punished? If so, what for?)

Pinkadot, when your people come to my door pushing this book, my wife doesn't think it's "nit-picky" (she's Asian).

Instead of tell me to pray about it more, why don't you take your own advice. Ask God directly if this kind of racism is really what he had in mind?

Beast8981: To claim that God ever used dark skin as a sign of wickedness is pathetic, shallow, and racist, no matter how you cut it.

It's fairly obvious that Mormons today are not racist; if they were, we'd know, especially now with Mit Romney in the presidential race. But I'm astounded how Mormons write off obvious immoral and factual flaws in their own book.

"Steel" is never mentioned in the OT. The four times that the word appears in some translations use the Hebrew word "nechushah" which actually bronze, brass or copper. All four of the verses are poetic, and none of them refer to an actual object being used.

(The Masoretic text translates all four as "bronze".)

Wahnote: If YOU read and understand the Bible, you'll understand that NOWHERE is sin related to skin color.

And if you read and understand the chapter I referenced, you'll see that it clearly gives the process of turning dark, not a specific shade, as if the darker you are, the more filled with "filth" you are. (By the way, the word "filth" refers to crap, literally.)

I've put this in a public forum so that all who are approached by Mormons selling this fraudulent book will know it for what it is. It does not require me to be "sick" or "racist" to point these things out. It requires something Mormons are unwilling to do: DISCLOSURE. The willingness to vocalize honestly and in good faith has escaped all Mormons who have responded to these questions.

Your willingness to engage in name-calling doesn't change that.

Answer 1

The last question you asked about honesty is a fair question. If you go to Google videos, you will see the president telling people that it is OK to not tell the truth to people who don't deserve to hear it.
I am with you in saying that the truth deserves to be told to EVERYBODY no matter whether some feel that some may not deserve to hear it!

Answer 2

You're only calling God a racist.

Of course that's what the Book of Mormon says. Big deal. It also state in there that the curse will not be held against their lineage. That's why it's not an issue, because no one is to be judged by the color of their skin (at this juncture I won't go into this further, but it's true). I don't hide anything and I don't think it's racist. It was nicer of God to curse them with a visable curse then to completely destroy them off the face of the earth as He did with other peoples. You are obviously just a person full of hatred or are insecure to need to try and tear others apart. This is religion we are talking about, which means it is based on faith, and anyone could tear apart any religion if they wanted to. However, we should respect all people for whatever they believe.

As to the steel, there were some good answers to a question abou tthat yesterday or a few days ago. The argument has far too many flaws to even worry about. I hope you find peace within yourself and with God.

Answer 3

The dark sign was solely visual evidence of the wicked descendants of Laman and Lemuel so that the Nephites would not intermingle with them and corrupt the earth. Eventually, there were no issues with this as the Lamanites were taught the gospel and the dark skin was no longer a sign of sin. However, the dark skin remained as it would be too peculiar to randomly take the dark skin off the face of the earth.

And by the way - we don't care about this any more than your preposterous claims about the presence of steel in the Book of Mormon AND THE BIBLE AROUND THE SAME TIME PERIOD.

Answer 4

I'm no scholar, but comparing these scripture passages to others in the Book of Mormon and the Bible as well, I don't believe these terms are literal meanings of skin color. Rather the spirit, as many others have also stated in their comments. I myself am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and I am not racist in the least bit. In defense of comments made by yourself and others answering your question I would like to say that not all Mormons are the same. Just as no Jew or Muslim are the same. There are 'bad' people from every religion in the world. To judge any one religion on the meeting and dealings with one individual is childish and ignorant. I don't mean to be rude, but honestly people, we all need to open our minds a little more.

Answer 5

If you read and understand the Book of Mormon, you should also know that native Americans and othe pacific natives are related to the Lamanites mention in the Book of Mormon.

Now tell me do the native American and island natives look black?? Is dark, but not black. Your accusation seem invalid.

You could say, how come Christ was born in the Jewish community, why can he be black, or yellow, is he racist also??

People like you just so twisted by your own pride that you can not even tell what is logical or not.

Answer 6

First of all, I'm not sure how much you know about the Mormon church, or better know as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Its also talks about it in the Bible, its not just the Book of Mormon. Its talks about it being a curse when Cain killed Abel. It isn't racism. I don't believe that these verses are refurring to the color of their skin. Its more their countenance. (sorry can't spell) meaning it was if they were glowing with the Holy Spirit. Everyone is born with the light of Christ. Its just shows more in some than others, depending on there Integrity.The more righteous you are the more it shows and the more "beautiful" you are.

Answer 7

In my opinion, you either need to let all this animosity towards the church go or actually pray about it and see if it's true.
Seriously, your questions are knit-picky. You are not even basing anything off doctrine, you seem to just be picking at certain things...honestly, pray about this. Do you think your Heavenly Father honestly wants you to be fighting so hard against the gospel?
Remember who the father of contention and hate is? That is just like doing his work for him...
Seriously, I suggest you get down on your knees, and ask your Heavenly Father to enlighten your mind and answer all these questions.

Answer 8

Okay Mahal, I am not Mormon and in fact I think they are not Christian and they are a dangerous cult.
HOWEVER, I don't think you're being entirely fair to their false scripture. The reference here to "dark" and "light" says nothing about SKIN color, and they could very well be taken to mean a reference to the soul. I've never read this passage before, so I don't know the context of it either.

Be fair, there are plenty of other things to disagree with the Mormons about.

Answer 9

Because that is a cult and people are decieved to such an extent that they will not even know the difference between good and evil, truth and lie, true living God and a falsified god. That's what deception is all about - you fail to recognise the truth even though its staring you in the face.

Answer 10

LDS claim it is not the tone of the skin. They say darkness as in spiritual darkness.

Personally, I think that much like most religions in the 1800s there was racism in the ranks of the Mormons. Regardless, the church does not condone racial profiling in the least bit. I have been to their churches, and many members were "dark skinned".