Is it true that Mormons are...?

Question

racist?

I am really curious about this, because I have seen many statements on this site saying this.
However, is it true? What is the evidence that they are or aren't?

Answer 1

Realize that what races actually are mormon has nothing to do with whether the religion itself is racist or not. I mean to say it wouldn't matter if the church membership was 99% caucasian, it matters what the church doctrine is on race issues and how the members in general treat various ethnicities and races.

That said, a lot of answers have been incorrect in depicting the church membership as primarily caucasian. The mormon church leadership is based in Utah, and Utah is overwhelmingly caucasian, but that ignores that there are actually more members in south america (and of course members there are primarily latino).

I was raised in the mormon church and have know many black, asian, and latino members. I was born and raised in the deep south, and there were many black members in the branch I attended.

Church doctrine is that we are all God's children in a very literal sense, and all loved by him equally.

That said, the charge of racism usually stems from the fact that when the Church was first created, black men were not permitted to hold the priesthood.

That never bothered me personally as there are ample biblical accounts of different tribes being accorded different functions - for example there was a time when the only men allowed to perform priesthood functions had to be descended from the tribe of Levi, and we all know that biblically gentiles were under different expectations than the descendants of judah.

However, at some point the church policy was changed to allow any male deemed worthy to hold the priesthood. That was more difficult to accept for the members of that time, as it seemed more like the church had changed it's policy not based on any instruction from God but to follow political expediency. I had a hard time with the logic that God 'changed his mind' about who could hold the priesthood and perform ordinances, but after all he is God and the various seals do change throughout history as he has planned and by his command (for example, the law of Moses being done away with in the time of Jesus, it having been fulfilled and a new law coming into play).

However an outsider may view this, speaking as an insider I can honestly say I've never seen a faithful member who was trying to live the gospel who displayed any signs of racism. That is not to say there weren't members who were racist, though. And the church teachings are clearly not racists (anti-racist would be a better description).

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

Sad to say that you will find racist people in every religion. I am Mormon, and my dad is one of the most racist people I know. I was raised mormon, and I had to take time away from the church because I thought that what my dad felt and thought was shared by all other members.
This is not true. Mormons are not racist no matter what you may have heard or read. Our Prophet has said over and again that anyone who has racist feelings, or spreads racism needs to repent.

Answer 3

Ask the leaders of several West African nations who it is that send the most relief, food stuffs, service workers, etc to their countries and they will answer: The Mormon Church. Ask the people effected by the Hurricane Katrina disaster, which denomination provided immediate food and medical assistance, and the answer will be: The Mormon Church.

The Mormons share of their welfare program with any and all of God's children who need assistance. It is done without regard to race, creed or color. It is done as a true Christian organization.

I have been in the Mormon Church all of my life and have never seen any racist remarks, attitudes etc. It is Christ's church and any and all are invited.

Answer 4

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are the true Mormons. The FLDS church's history began when a polygamist community in Utah known as Short Creek was excommunicated from the church for refusing to denounce polygamy. Wilford Woodruff, who was the prophet of the LDS church received a revelation that plural marriage would be discontinued. Joseph Smith and Brigham Young both consistently taught about continuing revelation.

Answer 5

Mormons (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) are not racist, as a religion. Individually, some of the members may be, but the Church as a whole is not. Many people believe that the Church is racist, but they do not know the teachings of the Church. We are taught to consider ALL people children of God. This is one of the teachings that brought me into the Church 30 years ago.

Answer 6

In the past it is true that they beleived that the mark of God on humanity was the color of the skin, so they did not accept non whites into their churches, but this has since changed. They no longer see this as a problem, since they agreed the misinterpreted the scripture.
There are very few black, asians or hispanics in the Mormon faith because of its historical views.
That is the closest I can get without being a Mormon. God bless and have a great day.

Answer 7

I think that Mormons are like anyone else. They can be racist, and they might not be racist. Haven't you gone to other countries? If you have, you'll find out that people are people no matter where you go.

Answer 8

Because the church is based mainly in Utah where it is mostly white, that's why you might ask this question. But today there are many blacks in the mormon church. Worldwide there are mormon congregations in Mexico, Japan and the Philippines.

Answer 9

mormons are not racist as a religion,although they do favor peruvians as they are the chosen of gods people in the americas.a percentage of individual mormons however are racist, just like any other group. no accounting for human ignorance i guess.
by the way i'm roman catholic myself.

Answer 10

Nah, there is no racism. Throughout my lifetime, there have been plenty of people in my ward and in other wards of different races, even many in the high priesthood, and they've never been excluded from anything. Some of my best friends I ever made in the Church were black members from my old ward I used to be in.