Why are Mormons prejudiced against Black People?

Question

A Friend of mine went into a mormon church cause he wanted to pray, and they stopped him at the door and said, "we don't take you type here, go back to alabama, boy." Why are they so racist?

Answer 1

I am sorry, but I have a really, really difficult time believing this to be accurate.

I'm a lifelong LDS (Mormon) and I'm FROM Alabama. I lived there for 18 years. There were many black people in my ward and some held high positions in the Priesthood. One black lady gave me rides to Seminary classes every morning and she was one of the sweetest, dearest people I've ever met. Some of the best friends I've ever made in the Church were from my old ward...and they were young black men who were my age. In all my time, I never saw any black person looked down on or excluded from anything.

You are generalizing big-time. Now, if what you and your friend said really did happen, then I apologize because that's downright nasty...but PLEASE don't lump us all in one group as racists. I'm offended by that. I still must say I have a hard time believing that someone actually said, "We don't take your type here". That's a little too over the top, and it sounds fishy.

Answer 2

No. There has been council to marry within your culture. So, it would be discouraged for a white American to marry a white German. Cultural differences can be huge in a Marriage. It's not a sin, and few people will think anything of it, but this council has been given from time to time because of the nature of marriage. You marry the other culture as well. Note that a white American would not be violating this in any way by marrying a black American. Same culture. Frankly, I've never met a Mormon who didn't like Blacks. Racism can still be an issue in the south...perhaps that's where you're at (however, that is their issue, not the churches). I've lived with black people, dated minorities, and have minorities in my family (7 or so of em). There is no problem dating or marrying blacks or minorities. The Bible teaches that Cain was cursed and that his skin was marked. That does not mean that his children were cursed, yet they did receive the mark. Actions are what curses people, not skin color. I know a lot of black Mormons. A lot of other Mormons who are minorities. None of them feel that the church is racist. I'm sorry that you've encountered Mormons who are racist. That is their own shortcoming. It is not taught by the Church. You may be interested to know that the LDS church was the first organized group to show up in force with needed supplies to New Orleans after Katrina. They ship tons and tons and tons of humanitarian aid to Africa every year. They have a low interest scholarship program for people in developing countries across the world to gain education and skills so they can increase their wages and lift their standard of living. Those don't sound like the actions of a racist organization.

Answer 3

I'm sorry to hear that. are you sure it was a Mormon church. if it was then the church had to say "The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints" if it said anything else then it was not the Mormon church. however keep in mind that people are all different, it's like the saying hate the player not the game. I am LDS, (Mormon) and I am not racist, but I do know of other people that happen to be Mormon and racist and they have also treated me badly, but that is just them as individuals and has nothing to do with religion. it would be like me asking "why are Catholics such perverts, some priest sexually abused my friend" that would NOT be cool, not all Catholics are pervs just the retards did that nasty stuff but that does not make them all the same.
if this did happen to your friend at a true Mormon church then I would like to apologies, I am truly sorry that this happened to him in church, and I hope that he can understand that the Gospel is different from people. not all are perfect and unfortunately some are stupid.
stuff like that should never happen.
I am truly SORRY !!

Answer 4

I'm Mormon, and I'm truly disgusted by the individual who said that. He is clearly racist. That doesn't, however, mean that Mormons are racist.

One thing that we're not is perfect. Mormon leaders truly teach love and tolerance for all of God's children.

Please don't judge the entire church because of the behavior of this man.

I'm sorry that that happened. Sorry and embarrassed.

Answer 5

From what I understand the initial teachings of John Smith were very racist in nature; however, a few years back the Church of Latter Day Saints had a conclave were they renounced those teachings. Maybe it has not reached all their members at this time.

Pono your right it is Joe Smith and here are some of his teachings:

JOSPEH FIELDING SMITH
Doctrines of Salvation, pp. 65-66.
There were no neutrals in the war in heaven. All took sides either with Christ or with Satan. Every man had his agency there, and men receive rewards here based upon their actions there, just as they will receive rewards hereafter for deeds done in the body. The *****, evidently, is receiving the reward he merits.

pg. 61.

There is a reason why one man is born black and with other disadvantages, while another is born white with great advantages. The reason is that we once had an estate before we came here, and were obedient, more or less, to the laws that were given us there. Those who were faithful in all things there received greater blessings here, and those who were not faithful received less.

Juvenile Instructor, vol. 26, p. 635

It is very clear that the mark which was set upon the descendants of Cain was a skin of blackness...It has been noticed in our day that men who have lost the spirit of the Lord, and from whom His blessings have been withdrawn, have turned dark to such an extent as to excite the comments of all who have known them.

So I guess the Mormon religion is based on a racist doctrine after all. Since he is the father of your church, right??

Answer 6

I find it very hard to believe that anyone would have said that. We welcome everyone! I have never seen anyone turned away at the door of a our church, and especially not disrespected like that! There are a lot of African-american members in our congregation and are actually really good friends with an elderly gentleman that cracks me up. He was baptised years ago but still has baptist roots in the way he does things. I love it! He has so much character and he is the sweetest person i know! so i think the story you've told might have been lost in translation somewhere because i have never heard or seen anything like it in my entire life! it probably wasn't a mormon church that he actually went to. oh and uh luckyguy...john smith was with pocohantas, and i don't think started any religions, who you mean is Joesph Smith, who restored the church.

Answer 7

Just like any other religion, some are racist and some are not.

However, Mormons are a bit more racist than others. Blacks were always allowed to be Mormons (I think), but not until about the 1970's were the allowed to because Mormon priests (I'm not sure of the word for a Mormon version of a priest).

Answer 8

Your story is suspect. When did your friend go? What year was it? Was he LDS to begin with?

I know some LDS that are 'closet racists', but I know some Baptists of the same mindset.

The point you were trying to make with the 'evidence' you presented derailed an otherwise informative discourse. You've reduced it to hearsay with your transparent yet painfully contrived anecdote.

Answer 9

There is a historic basis to start with. The notion you asked about is one of the bases of Mormonism. Blacks were considered as second class citizens. It continues to this day.

Answer 10

First of all, either you are lying or he wasn't really a mormon, because they don't practise that anymore

And most whites used to behave that way, so why point out Mormons? Jehovahs Witnesses used to say blacks were not intelligent enough to participate in the ministry, and the entire United States had laws governing blacks. It was not just Mormons