Is it true that the Mormon church did not let african americans become leaders in the church until the late..?

Question

1970's? My neighbor who is LDS told me this, she said that the church leaders did not feel the black race was ready to accept the testament of Joseph Smith. Are there many african americans in the LDS church?

Answer 1

A glossy brochure will show you of the Happy Valley mormons embracing diversity - since 1978.

The actual practice prior to that time was to deny the ordination of the priesthood to blacks, not membership.

Understand that prior to the late seventies, the General Authorities used their position in the church to promote 'racial purity', and made many unkind references towards blacks and misogyny. Because these words are recorded in various periodical archives, it comes to a shock and surprise to members who firmly believe the apostles are men of god, and will never lead them astray.

There is also 'doctrine' recorded that blacks can only enter the highest kingdom of heaven as 'servants. God seems to forgot to tell the GA's to fix that, so that remains 'on the books'.

The LDS Church needs to disavow and apologize for their attitude and racial claims against the black community. True, that places the credibility of the 'One True Church' under scrutiny, but it's time to come clean with racist doctrine.

Then maybe they can elevate women from more than just motherhood.

Answer 2

Blacks have been welcome in the LDS Church since its founding, and during the trek westward to the Salt Lake Basin, black members accompanied the pioneers. The priesthood of God was denied black males since the days of Noah, but when the prophet and the apostles met in the Salt Lake Temple, and after much praying and fasting, the priesthood denial was lifted for persons of all black heritages.

This occurred in 1978 under the leadership of Spencer W. Kimball and since this new revelation was given, LDS Stakes in Africa, the Carribean, and South Seas sprang forth having all black membership and priesthood authority. And so it was world-wide that the priesthood of God was no longer denied to worthy males regardless of racial ethnicity or color.

In the early years of the Church, blacks did accept the testament of Joseph Smith and gain membership, but could not receive the priesthood.

I trust this explanation settles this once and for all.

Answer 3

June 8, 1978 earlier that 'revelation', Blacks ought to attend centers, yet they won't take delivery of the priesthood that each and each 12 365 days previous white boy gets, they could no longer marry white women, and that they could no longer carry any lay positions interior the church, which all different contributors can. maximum necessary, they could no longer be married interior the temple continuously and eternity. the only Black sealed interior the temple until then grew to become right into a woman who grew to become into sealed to Joseph Smith as an eternal servant (Sarah Jane Manning i think of). which potential they could no longer attain the optimal point of salvation and stay with God interior the Celestial Kingdom. there is fairly plenty extra to it than 'only could no longer get the priesthood'. The LDS church grew to become into between the final large establishments interior the rustic to relent and grant Blacks finished rights. It grew to become into turning out to be very embarrassing. different colleges have been refusing to play the BYU communities, Black athletes have been boycotting, and the government ultimately stopped all examine supplies you and student loans for Bob Jones college for comparable practices. The LDS church knew they have been next.

Answer 4

Yes, absolutely true. Many recent former leaders also had very extreme views on interracial marriage and desegregation as well. FYI- Brigham Young, cited in the source below, claimed to be Joseph Smith's successor and was the founder of what is now the Mormon Church in Utah, and its second Prophet, Seer, and Revelator. Spencer W. Kimball was Prophet in the 1980's, and Ezra Taft Benson- who accuses the leaders of the Civil Rights movement of being puppets of the Communist party- was Prophet until his death in 1994- just a decade ago.

Answer 5

I am a Latter-day Saint. The best site dealing with this issue is www.jefflindsay.com. I'll post the specific link below. I don't know why blacks were forbidden to hold the priesthood. It might have to do with Cain and his seed in the Bible. All I know is that blacks are allowed to hold the priesthood now. There is a nice little website dedicated to black members of the Church. It's www.blacklds.org

Anyway, I just want to express my belief that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true Church of Christ. I don't believe that our church was or is racist. We love all humans as sons and daughters of God regardless of race or color. These are just some of my thoughts. God Bless you

Sincerely

Arthur :)

Answer 6

Blacks of African descent could not hold the priesthood until 1978. We don't know why. God never said.

There are more and more African Americans joining all the time. Gladys Knight joined after her children did.

The biggest jump in membership, however, is in Brazil and Africa.

Answer 7

At one time the LDS church taught that all other races were inferior to the white race and were not really human. They have had to change their teachings over time to escape the cult image. It's like their multiple marriage teaching, most disavow it now but at one time they saw it as a god given right.

Answer 8

They accept more non Caucasians per capita than the Amish do...

Answer 9

Blacks should be thankful they weren't allowed to enter that moronic sect.

Answer 10

yes, that is true.