Why so quick to judge Mormons (LDS) but forgive Protestants?

Question

One of the leading arguments for the invalidity of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints seems to be that at one point (even in our very near past) members of the church have espoused racist ideology and even practiced racist behavior.

The loudest voices of such criticisms seem to come from Caucasian, American Protestants and many are working hard to inform Black Latter-day Saints of "the mistake they've made by joining such a racist church". My question is: Why is it ok to use such an argument against Mormons (LDS) but it is perfectly fine to turn our heads with respect to historical cases of Protestant racism?

Here are such cases:

Between 1860 and 1941, the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania actively segregated its Black congregants from their White counterparts. Such segregation is what lead to the formation of "Mother Bethel African Methodist Church". (Guttermann 119).

From it's conception until 1982, Fellowship Conservative Baptist Church of Saltillo, Mississippi denied Blacks any membership whatsoever to their church. (Leihel 228-229).

From the start of the Inquisition, until 1865, the Roman Catholic Archdiosis of Madrid, Spain had certain practices called "Limpieza de Sangre" in which priesthood candidates had to show proof of purity of blood going back four generations. (Guttermann 201).

The Brittish territory of East Africa wasn't allowed to have Black bishops for fear of retalliation. This territory didn't see it's first Catholic Bishop until 1939, and it's first Anglican Bishop until 1947 (Strauss et. al. 87).

The nation of South Africa practiced Apartheid (Afrikkans for Segregation) until the 1980s. Churches in South Africa didn't exactly help rid the nation with this practice. The South African Anglican Assembly fought hard to keep interracial marriages illegal in South Africa all the way until 1967. (Sandoval 240).

When interviewed about their ideas with respect to practices of Apartheid, the Dutch Reformed Church actually "cited biblical 'evidence' supporting Apartheid. The organization recinded such coments in 1980" (Guttermann 234).

Many Christians argue that the citing of scripture is what differentiates what historical Mormons have done compared to what historical Protestants & Catholics have done. There are such cases of the Bible being quoted by some Christians to support racism:

"God himself was keen on the expirtation of whole peoples such as the Amalekites [Samuel 15:3]"

A favorite citation of many racist Christians was "Let them live, but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water" Joshua 9:21.

So in light of this, is it really fair to hold the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to a different standard than other churches? Also, what are the real motives of such contemporary Protestants who wish to "warn those of African decent of the racism of Mormons"?

Racism is horrible, but it has been a prevalent facet of western civilization, especially our American civilization and is nothing unique to Mormons.

So once again I ask: Am I a fool to be a Black Latter-day Saint?

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"God is Love: Sometimes" Guttermann, Jonas. New York, NY 1994.

"Religion & Racism" Leihel, Mark & Barbara Leihel. London 1998.

"Western Society, Colonialism, & Superiority: A Case Study of Great Brittain, the United States, & Collonized Africa" Strauss, Marcus; Henry Schreider, Adolfo Ruiz, Patrick Sheehan. San Francisco, CA; New York, NY 1995.

"For Whom Is the Gospel?" Sandoval, Rolando. London. 2004.

Smooth, DavidM, & Oregon Flower:

Your answers are irrelevant to the topic at hand and in fact completely circumvent what I have actually asked.

Polygamy is the the topic here, nor is "false prophets" nor "false Jesus" or any other criticisms of the LDS Church, this is about Racism in certain Christian denominations.

Eds: Exactly! Thats exactly my point! Even into the 20th century there have been racist motifs in certain (if not most) Christian circles. It was a function of society at that time. I however still don't see how you can shed understanding on certain groups but not use such understanding with others (Mormons).

Answer 1

The interesting thing is that the Mormon church first began allowing equal rights to everybody. Joseph Smith himself ordained dozens of blacks to the priesthood and set the black membership as equals with their white counterparts. This was mostly the cause of the extermination order as well as the expulsion of the Mormons from Navou and Missouri(demanded by protestant preachers and congregations) - polygamy as well as doctrinal differences were no where near as a threat as their beliefs in abolistionism. You just need to read a history book to figure that out. The policy was most likely altered by Smith in order to protect the church as well as the Black and White members. I personally feel, however, that many of the doctrinal quotes by some leaders of the church (Brigham Young; JF Smith) were inspired by the culture they grew up in- Brigham Young namely grew up as a protestant in the deep south and used the teachings he was TAUGHT by the protestants growing up to put a reason to the policy change (decendants of Cain,etc) which was later taught by leaders of the church as an uninspired doctrine. You cant really blame people though for growing up in the 1800s.

Answer 2

First of all....

Mormons have regarded themselves as the true Church of Christ, because it is true, and because they did in fact allow all the Black African Americans to serve with them in early history. This was before other Protestant denominations even spread across the whole eastern seaboard.

Second of all, the people in the Church do have afflictions and are not always the glowing example of their doctrines. But the fact does remain, these teachings are indeed the word of God.

I had left, I explored other Churches and enjoyed them - and I returned to the Mormon Church as I prayed over the doctrine. Through the spirit, I indeed knew without question this was the true Church of Christ.

The other Churches out there have a great message, but they do not have the fullness of the Gospel as given through the Bible and Book of Mormon. And let it be known that anyone who prays for an answer upon reading this book, will have the spirit confirm it as God's true Church in these days.

The members of the Church are a different story, they all have their own persecutions and trials that they each go through. But the word of the Gospel is definitely infallible and does declare the trinity of Jesus, God and the Holy Ghost. Combined they are of Heavenly Father no different than other congregations.

Especially in these latter days, they undergo tremendous trials. That is because the Church is his restored Church on earth.

Answer 3

Bartloom,
I do not choose to judge others at all. I am not a Mormon but I know several and have a few friends who are Mormons. I do not believe your religious beliefs match with mine but I believe you have the right to your own beliefs. I do question why you said, "Here are such cases:

Between 1860 and 1941, the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania actively segregated its Black congregants from their White counterparts." At that time, almost every part of America was still divided between the races and we have very little cohesion. I was born after that period but I have a few friends who can attest to it. Such a thing does not make for a good example at all. Have a wonderful evening.
Thank You,
Eds (Simply a Christian)



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Answer 4

No, it is not. It is part of a branch of Christianity that some now call Restorationist. We can't be Protestants, as we never branched off from the Roman Catholic church nor any Protestant denomination. If Jesus has not already fulfilled Revelation 14:6, then when his church is restored to the world, it will not be Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, or any other designation. It will simply be his church and kingdom restored to the world. We just happen to believe that the promise has already come true so that the everlasting gospel can be preached in all the world.

Answer 5

Mormons are held to a higher standard because we claim to be the true and living church of Christ. Having direct access to revelation, we should have opened up the Priesthood to those of African blood before the Civil Rights Movement. Unfortunately, such a massive change in doctrine could not take place without an explicit revelation.

One of the major causes of the friction between Mormons and their neighbors in Missouri was that even back then most Mormons were abolitionists. Ending slavery was even the platform used by Joseph Smith Jr when he ran for U.S. President.

Answer 6

*shake head*

I know... I don't get it either.....

Maybe it's because we...
1) hold our selves to a higher standard, so we tend to be kinda tough on ourselves...

2) we aren't afraid to tell the world what that standard is, and "they" can be a whole lot tougher!!!



Maybe it's because we came out and said something public, made the move to include Blacks in all aspects of the Church in one fell swoop, rather than gradually.... There was a huge change in a short time, and it was a lot more visible than in other churches where integration was much more gradual, and therefore, not quite so noticable...

Just some thoughts off the top of my head.



Edit-
ROFL-- Wish Faith P allowed email... gotta laugh at her answer... Yes, some women of the LDS church actually do see the potential blessings available to women in a polygamous lifestyle!

Answer 7

My problem with the LDS church is theological and doctrinal. It is true that the Mormons have racially discriminated based on a false idea of the curse of Ham, but I readily admit that there have been some Protestant assemblies who were not being Biblical by being racist. Judging others based on skin color or ethnicity is unbiblical and not Christian, period.

Gal 3:28 There cannot be Jew nor Greek, there is no slave nor freeman, there is no male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Answer 8

Actually I myself do not judge Mormons at all!
There are times I only wish I had 3-4 other sister wives to help me out around this house.
I am so tired at times, I think it would be cool to have them rotate to cook dinner, Children's homework, lawn work, grocery shopping and hey, when I'm really tired I can send my husband to be with one of the other sister wives!

I know I'm not suppose to even think of that but, honestly its not a bad set up and I KNOW other woman feel the same way.

Answer 9

On this point because there are less Mormons than Methodists and their PR is not as good. Also because the Mormons did not allow blacks full priesthood rights until the 70s when other churches got wise earlier.

Answer 10

This may come as a shock to you. Mormon teaching bars its people from entering into the gates of heaven. You see there are important beliefs that validates one as a true believer, and if that is not met it is a cult. 1) Jesus is the son of God, and not just a prophet.
2) He was conceived by a virgin, Mary. 3) He was crucified, but arose from the dead (The Resurrection).
4) Believe in the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Now, you see the banning of Blacks from the Mormon Church is nothing compared to salvation. I see it as God protecting the Blacks from going to a firey, hot place.