I'm Mormon (christian)and have noticed that everyone else is fair skinded at my church.I have darker skin and sometimes i feel very weird being a different race.I dont want to be mean,racist,or judging but i love the church!What should i do?
2007-07-16 11:02:48 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I am sorry you feel uncomfortable. I know how you feel. Feeling like an outcast is a horribly lonely feeling. But If you get on your knees and ask God for some help I can tell you from personal experience that He will help you. It wouldn't hurt to go talk to your bishop either. You will be amazed at how much he can help you.
2007-07-18 05:03:30 · answer #1 · answered by Joseph 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a cultural ethno-european thing that may be experienced by anyone who doesn't look like Paris Hilton. Where can we go to NOT see a blond headed rich bubblehead representing the free world? All you need to is be recognized for what you are, and unless someone actually makes a comment, it's probably a non-issue. About the only thing I'd suggest is place a space after your periods.
Now if you feel the need to be concerned about the overall two-dimension content of church doctrine, that's another matter altogether.
2007-07-16 12:43:20 · answer #2 · answered by Dances with Poultry 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know that, as a white person, I don't know what you are feeling, but as the wife of a non-white, I might have a better idea than other white people.
There HAS to be some others who are not white somewhere in your stake, if not in your ward. If you live in a larger city, they might have what I call an "ethnic" ward or branch, like my husband and his family were members of the Samoan ward in San Francisco. When we lived in CA, they had in our city a spanish branch, a Hmong, Cambodian, and I think a Laotian branch, but I could be wrong about the last one. In Salt Lake City, they have a whole STAKE that's all Tongan!
2007-07-16 16:14:48 · answer #3 · answered by mormon_4_jesus 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We have people in our ward who are of different races, and nationalities, and I've heard them all say that people here are so nice, and accepting of them. Maybe you could come here and go to my ward!!!
I think that if people are making you feel bad about who you are, you should try a different ward. The church may be perfect, but the people aren't.
If no one has said anything to you, or made you feel bad about it, what's the problem? I'm sure they don't really care what color of skin you have. It's you as a person that matters to God, not what race you are! Give the people a chance, and don't worry about it!
As long as you stay strong in the church, what does it matter what others say?
You can email me if you want, or talk to your bishop about how you are feeling. Maybe he can suggest something to help you. But just remember that you are a child of God!!! He loves you, and wants you to be happy!!
2007-07-16 11:13:03 · answer #4 · answered by odd duck 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sit down and talk to the Bishop about your concerns. It is amazing what you will get from a simple conversation with the judge of your area.
Make a covenant with Heavenly Father that if you fast or serve in some capacity for a season, he will change your skin color more fair. People have done it in the past. Show forth some faith and please your God.
2007-07-16 11:25:00 · answer #5 · answered by Atom 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Read up on what some previous LDS prophets and apostles have said on the races:
http://mormonquotes.com/search.php?category_id=2&subcategory_id=151&photo=&submit=
A "revelation" by a prophet in 1978 to forward the Church's revenue in Brazil doesn't excuse a century and a quarter of racist bigotry.
Also read up on the Book of Mormon's stance on colored skin:
http://scriptures.lds.org/en/search?type=words&last=curse&help=&wo=checked&search=curse&iw=bm&tx=checked&af=checked&hw=checked&sw=checked&bw=1
Alma 3: 6-7, 9, 14-15, 18-19
2 Ne. 5: 21, 23-24
Jacob 3: 3, 5
3 Ne. 2: 15
Many people who aren't of other races decide to leave the Church because of its racism. It is already established that many of the LDS prophets weren't inspired of God, and once you have accepted that, it should be your responsibility to stand up against racism and be an example in leaving the Church.
Edit: Improbably Fiction- I'm glad you didn't have "too much to add" (you never do), otherwise I might have spent 20 minutes reading your response instead of just 15!
2007-07-16 11:37:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Stay. Be strong, I'm sure they want you to stay too! Maybe talk to the head of the church for some reassurance? I didn't know that darker skinned people weren't christians?
2007-07-16 11:26:40 · answer #7 · answered by The Grand Inquisitor 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Where do you live -- Utah is very white.
Go to Oakland CA. There are Tongan, Samoan, Black, Asian, Hispanic, etc. wards.
Move to Central and South America and no one is white some most area's.
If you live in Sweden everyone is white.
D
2007-07-16 13:29:43 · answer #8 · answered by Dionysus 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not worry about the amount of pigment in your skin. If your church is great, and the people you fellowship with haven't given you any reason to believe that they are discriminating against you , then what's the problem.
2007-07-16 11:06:28 · answer #9 · answered by Janice Dickinsons' Shrink 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Is there another ward in your area for people of your race? My part of Happy Valley has special wards for Latinos and Polynessians.
2007-07-16 11:15:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋