Do Mormons really believe that Africans are descended from Cain and are inferior?!?

Question

I just stumbled across a website making this allegation. Apparently the Mormon bible says that God's curse on Cain was dark skin, and to father an inferior race?? The dark skin thing hasn't appeared in any bible I've ever read. I realize Mormons use a different version. But is this still the belief? Are there any Mormons out there that can give us some insight?

Thanks everyone for the insight. I used to date a man whose mother was raised in a Mormon polygamist family. Her father had 3 wives, even after it became unacceptable. She married an Iranian man. I understand it was quite the scandal :-)
She didn't like to talk about the Mormon church much though, so I didn't really find out much about it when I was dating that guy. Other than finding out that he has over 800 cousins on that side of the family, and they regularly intermarry. Geez!

GodisLove - I just wonder what makes those bible scholars think that was the "mark?" Are they just postulating according to their own beliefs and prejudices?

I appreciate all of the answers, and I hope the Mormon answerers don't think I'm trying to put down their religion. Just wanted to find out what you really believe!


I think it's kind of funny that anyone would think this. Given that we know humans originated from the rift valley in northern Kenya, which is relatively close to the best guesses for the location of the garden of Eden, Cain and Abel were probably already dark-complected. They definitely weren't white or European. Maybe the "mark" God put on Cain was to lighten his skin! It's as good a guess as any, right?

Or maybe if God wanted us to know, he would have elaborated instead of just saying a "mark." It seems it's being used to justify racial prejudice.

Answer 1

I'd heard that as a baptist too... i think it's total bunk. There's also more than a few reasons i'm not still christian.

Answer 2

First of all, the belief that blacks descended from Cain was popular among many sects of Christianity, before the Mormons came along. Since most of the Mormons in the 1800s were converts to the Church from other branches of Christianity, some of their prior beliefs carried over and may have found their way into some writings and/or sermons. Some people still hold this view, some don't. There isn't any official doctrine on the matter, as far as I know. At least, nothing on the matter has been canonized (made into scripture).

Secondly, if by "Mormon bible" you mean the Book of Mormon, the mark of Cain is not discussed. In addition to the Book of Mormon, we use the same Bible as other Christians do (more specifically, the King James Version).

Answer 3

I was once a member so i will try to answer your question.

Many of the original prophets said these things about black people , it wasnt just one man.

And the priest hood was witheld from them until the 70s.
When they were afraid of looking racist to the rest of the world which was becoming more progressive and less racist.

The mormon/lds religion has its roots in racism, it is not up for debate. If you want to know for sure read the words of the prophets like Joseph and Brigham..there you will find your anwers.

Oh and im so sure someone will point the finger at me and scream ANTI MORMON!! Because if you inveil anything negative about the religion, the people or history you are immediately vilified as an Anti mormon. Just food for thought

Answer 4

No, we do not believe they are inferior.
Mosiah 23:7 - http://scriptures.lds.org/en/mosiah/23/7#7

Actually, we don't really know what the curse of Cain was... However we do know that dark skin was a curse put upon Ham's grandson, Canaan, and also upon Laman and Lemuel, in the Book of Mormon. The altered genetics was then subsequently passed to their descendants.

Canaan's curse -
Genesis 9 - http://scriptures.lds.org/en/gen/9/18,22,25-27#18

Laman and Lemuel's curse -
Alma 3:6 - http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/3/6#6
Jocob 3:9 - http://scriptures.lds.org/en/jacob/3/9#9

ADDED: What you need to understand about any LDS (or other doctrine) is that it is all given by God in a certain context.... ie according to people's ability to understand and accept at the time. God can't reveal anything if people are not willing to listen (or ask questions).

It takes personal revelation from God to be able to discern. We wait in faith for further revelation to be forthcoming.

EDIT: Puzzled... that is a false doctrine (supposition) passed around among LDS, which Brigham Young debunked. All people who have lived on earth took the side of right in the pre-mortal battle between good and evil. There were no "neutral parties".

EDIT: leedotphilly... yes it does sound racist when LDS sources have been misquoted or misunderstood (out of context). I agree, God is Love.

Answer 5

Mormons believe that Cain was cursed and received a mark on his skin. He passed that mark onto his descendants. His descendants, however, were not cursed, only Cain.

Mormons do not believe that Blacks are inferior than anyone else. God has always decided who holds his priesthood. In Old Testament times, only those from the tribe of Levi could hold the priesthood. In the New testament, Jews could, and later Gentiles.

Today all men can hold that priesthood.

Answer 6

Hummm maybe this is true or maybe its because the white man was worried about the buffalo and so we move on to the nexy ??? the mormons did not want the black man turning the bible into a hood rap song so the drive by shootings cant be stoped but the bible is safe and cain last words where what up fool.

Answer 7

The Mormon Church is not a racist church. I'm Mormon, and my wife is black. We were married in a Mormon temple, where the officiator told us that God approved of our marriage. My wife is treated well at church, as are the other African American members of our congregation. I've had a black bishop in several different Mormon congregations of which I've been a member.

Many anti-Mormons, however, intentionally misrepresent Mormon teachings in an attempt to discredit Mormonism. I've written about this type of discrimination on my site at http://www.allaboutmormons.com/brief_critique_anti-mormon_propaganda.php . Pay careful attention to the video at http://www.allaboutmormons.com/ENG_Video62.php .

To learn more about racial diversity in the Mormon church, visit http://www.allaboutmormons.com/racial_diversity_mormon_church.php .

Also, to see videos of black Mormons, visit these sites:

http://www.allaboutmormons.com/ENG_Video44.php
http://www.allaboutmormons.com/ENG_Video76.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6VOBVDcSec
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8V0oh2lNA0

By the way, Mormons use the King James Version of the Bible, like most Protestants.

Answer 8

several theologists have thought of this theory because in the bible when God curses Cain, it says "Then the LORD put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him." Genesis 4:15.

Many believe the mark was that his sink was darken.

Answer 9

I've heard that statement before by a guy on TV that was discussing that religion. It seems racist. And by the way, why would they single out Africans, we aren't the only dark-skinned race.

God Loves Everyone

Answer 10

Mormons believe individuals with dark skin did not support the god of planet earth in his fight with the devil and so were cursed with dark skin. In fact blacks did not have full rights in the mormon church until the church was pressured in the late 70's, accused of racism. Then suddenly their prophet had a 'revelation' that blacks could have full benefits.

Answer 11

Mormons will deny this simply because change their "Holy Book" whenever it becomes socially or politcally expedient. I am sorry for the devout God fearing Mormons but their religion is less credible than Voo Doo.