Mitt Rooney belongs to the Mormon Church that just allow blacks to join in 1978 should I even consider?

Question

what would make African Americans want to vote for him he said it was the Church of his father but in 1978 he was a a grown man and chose to stay with a Church that would not allow blacks was it Politics that made them the Mormon church reconsider or an awakening?

Answer 1

African Americans joined the Church in 1840. The Church never condoned slavery. Joseph Smith wanted to run for President in 1844 with a plank that slaves would be freed and the payment would come from the sale of Western lands. In 1963 the Church endorsed civil rights for all Americans. In 1978 the Church gave the priesthood to all worthy males.

When did the church of Huckleberry officially repudiate slavery and racial supremacy? 1995. Should this make a difference? No. A politians religion is his own business.

Answer 2

First of all, let me say that I am an active Mormon and have been my entire life. I was one year old when the Priesthood was given to all men regardless of race. This is a difficult question only because emotions run high on this subject. I for my entire life have considered all people equal.

I think that the term racist church does not apply in this regard because when the church was first organized, one of the big reasons the church was heavily persecuted was because they were anti-slavery. Mobs would beat, murder and rape mormons one big reason being that while other Christian organizations would not allow blacks in their meetings, Mormons welcomed blacks and all people to join and meet together as one body. At a time when it was dangerous to be pro-blacks, Mormons were unashamably so, and they suffered a dear price for it too.
Did you know that Joseph Smith actually ran for President of the United States. One major part of his platform was to free all of the slaves. He had a plan that would free all of the slaves and not hurt the economy of the south. This plan would have been a lot better than the civil war which divided this nation bitterly.
When the church was first founded, the priesthood was given to all men. It was shortly after the organization that Joseph received a revelation saying that the descendants of Ham were not to receive the priesthood at this time. Notice it was not a matter of color of skin, but a lineage issue. If we read in the Old testament, we see that God did not give the priesthood to everyone either. In fact it was even more restricted to only the descendants of Aaron. Why, we do not know. The issue of the priesthood not being given to the descendants of Ham had nothing to do with racism.... at least that is the way Mormons saw it. Part of the revelation said that some day in the future, that ban would be lifted and all worthy males would be able to receive the Priesthood. You can call it racism if you want.
When the revelation came saying that all males could receive the priesthood, it came after long prayer and fasting and pleading with the Lord to find out His will regarding the issue that the prophesy could finally be fulfilled. They said they were pleading with the lord on the 3rd floor of the Salt Lake City Temple, and when the answer came, they said the temple was filled so much with the feeling of love and awe, that others who were in the Temple and didn't know what was going on, felt that something surely was.
So in short, I'm saying that from my perspective and taking into account more of the bigger picture. This church was not a church full of racist men. It was a religion based that each man is created equal, none the less, each man born into this world has different responsiblities and callings that they are to fulfill.

So how can a Mormon be a part of this church which people today classify as a racist church? Because we do not see that whole situation as a racial issue. Our church fathers were not racists, but were actually heavily persecuted for just the opposite. I am proud of my ancestors for standing up against slavery and for equality. We do not understand why the ban was placed on the seed of Ham for that period of time, but we do believe that God loves all his children, and we trust Him. I hope that makes sense...

Let me add real quick some other things that float around about the church, but have nothing to do with the ban. There are people who claim that Mormons believe that African Americans are somehow inferior or were less valiant in the life before this one. I have heard this said amongst enemies of the church, but do not see it being taught in my church. There are some quotations of early church leaders that could possibly be misconstrued to mean something like that. But let it be known that I believe this church is Gods church. I nor any other person in my religion who is of sound mind believes anything other than a man will be judged according to their works, and not their race. God allows us to have certain experiences and he places us into families and situations where he believes we will have the most ability to learn and grow since he knows us better than we know ourselves. He loves all of us equally, and racism has not part, nor ever has had any part in this church. This is what Mormons believe. This is why Mitt Romney will not distance himself from Mormonism and at the same time is not racist, but has fought for civil rights his entire life....

Answer 3

Most major religions had what you would consider "racist" practices on the books, up to 1978. Why is the Mormon faith being singled out here? Besides, if you knew anything of the Mormon faith, you would know that there are over 500,000 black members, including many church and local leaders. You would also know that the Mormon Church strongly prohibits racism and prejudice.

It should be noted that the issue was one of genealogy and not skin pigmentation. For example, Black men from non-African descent were allowed to hold the priesthood. On the other hand, Caucasian, Asian, and Hispanic men who had some Black African ancestry were not allowed to hold the priesthood.

Since 1978, all members of the Church have been eligible to participate in all priesthood and temple blessings. Blacks, including African races, have always (both before and after 1978) been allowed baptism in the Church. In addition, while many denominations have historically segregated their Churches (i.e., blacks in one building, whites in another), Latter-day Saints have always had an integrated congregation.

President Spencer W. Kimball taught:

"Intolerance by Church members is despicable. A special problem exists with respect to blacks because they may not now [1972] receive the priesthood. Some members of the Church would justify their own un-Christian discrimination against blacks because of that rule with respect to the priesthood, but while this restriction has been imposed by the Lord, it is not for us to add burdens upon the shoulders of our black brethren. They who have received Christ in faith through authoritative baptism are heirs to the celestial kingdom along with men of all other races. And those who remain faithful to the end may expect that God may finally grant them all blessings they have merited through their righteousness. Such matters are in the Lord's hands. It is for us to extend our love to all."

Answer 4

I am afraid that you have been misinformed. The Church, up until 1978 did not allow people of black linage to hold the priesthood. I do not know why they were not allowed to hold the Priesthood but I would imagine that it is for a similar reason that, in the Old Testament God only let only one family hold the Priesthood descendants of the tribe of Levi, or more specifically Aaron's decedents.

Answer 5

Technically, blacks have always been allowed to join the Mormon church. They were, until 1978, banned from being Priests.

My objection to voting for a Mormon is that a belief in the book of Mormon shows an incredible level of gullibility that I really don't want to see in a President.

Mormons are taught that, less than 2,000 years ago, there was this great thriving Israelite civilization in North America, but somehow it has left NO archaeological evidence of itself at all, and an entire culture with a written language, temples, cities, armies, battles, all just vanished without a trace except for ONE book - which was also lost as soon as Smith translated it.

In addition, DNA testing has conclusively proven that American Indians are NOT - as Mormons claim - the descendants of Israelites that moved to North America, but actually have no Middle-Eastern ancestry AT ALL.

ALL religions have a supernatural aspect (The rise of Christ from the dead for Christians, reincarnation for Buddhists, the direct revelation of the Koran for Muslims) that cannot be proven by scientific means, but Mormonism is almost unique in that it's core precepts ARE subject to scientific validation - and have all been proven untrue.

Richard

Answer 6

Your information is partially incorrect. Blacks could join the Mormon Church since its beginnings in 1830. They could participate in all church services with the exception of being ordained to the priesthood. Being able to hold the priesthood became available in 1978. That's a difference.

Answer 7

If you are going to make you decision based on the past choices of a candidates religion you will have a hard time, most reliqions have killed people in the name of god which do you consider worse.
Also a small correction on your facts African-Americans have always been allowed to join in 1978 they were allowed to join the priesthood(Similar to Clergy)

The Catholic church has never had a black pope are you prepared to hold that against them

Answer 8

it may be actually mind-blowing if an anti Mormon ever have been given a unmarried fact top. Parley Pratt is going decrease back to being an ancestor of Romney's for no less than 5 generations. you're making it sound like he heard it on his lap. I had one grandfather combat for united statesa. and the different for the Kaiser. It has no touching on how I stay and vote today.

Answer 9

In my opinion, it was politics that made the church reconsider, but most Mormon's will point to the fact that the Civil Rights Act had been in place for nearly nine years before they accepted blacks in the priesthood. And to clarify, black people were allowed in the church, they just couldn't hold offices of leadership or hold the "priesthood."

I think hiring any outspoken religious person, whether it is Romney or Huckabee, is a baaaad idea.

Answer 10

In high school I had a mormon friend, he invited me to attend his church and guess what, I was turned away. That has left a permanent impression on me. If I were a repub I could never vote for someone from there. For me its like casting a vote for a KKK member. Sorry, LDS.